JUNE 2020

BY BAMBI FAMOUS & FAMILY

Introduction

Come on in — welcome to our reimagined newsletter! As a mother, former nurse, and realtor, I continue to follow what matters most to me: making everyone feel at home. Each month, I’ll share homey and hospitable stories with featured guests that inspire. Please contact me if you would like to B. Featured!

& the winner of our Mountain Getaway Sweepstakes is … Tiffany C. from Texas! Tiffany, you’ll see a separate email from me later today to claim your prize. We look forward to welcoming you to Cashiers, North Carolina!

Fly High,
Fly Away

The first guest I’d like to feature is my daughter, Katelyn Joy Derstine, who was killed in a car accident on June 15, 2006. Katelyn was a University of Florida student majoring in environmental horticulture. I cherish Katelyn’s scrapbooks and art on her passion for butterflies, specifically the monarch butterfly. She continues to inspire me through the symbolism of these beautiful insects. Here’s what inspired Katelyn:

• Monarch butterflies start as yellow-striped caterpillars that are shaped similar to slugs. They exclusively eat milkweed leaves for about two weeks before they spin protective cases around themselves and enter chrysalis

  • Their metamorphosis or transformation takes about 4 weeks to change from a sluggish caterpillar into a brilliant black-and-orange winged butterfly — hallelujah!

• The monarch butterfly is the only butterfly who makes a two-way migration similar to birds

  • Following the sun and an inner compass, each generation of monarch travels for about 3-4 weeks, before dying and laying new eggs to continue their journey

• Butterflies are major pollinators that like to bask in warmth and wildflowers

  • Lay out the welcome mat by planting your region’s milkweeds in your garden to attract adult butterflies for nectar and laying eggs

• The monarch butterfly teaches us that life is too short and must be cherished

  • When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach? Those fleeting perfect moments of JOY are the moments we hold dearest

  • Enjoy the journey — it’s not about the destination. Where are you right now?

Summertime
at the Sanctuary

If you haven’t noticed by now, I love to nickname my home listings to help summarize its unique character. This serene home below is known as the 𝑺𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 because it is a place to find peace and relaxation.

The sellers have meticulously maintained their mountain retreat and renovations are underway. Step into the Sanctuary below to experience it for yourself!

Portraits
of the Plateau

Free & Limited Availability

For this first weekend of June 6th & 7th, I’ve invited a favorite local photographer and friend, Chelsea Cronkrite, to help our community celebrate recent graduates and Father’s Day. Chelsea is featured in local magazines like the Laurel Magazine and is known for shooting adventure photography and capturing authentic moments with a documentary flare around the surrounding states.

If you live in the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau, you can book a complementary photoshoot (socially distant) on your front yard with Chelsea and receive 5-10 professional digital photos just in time to honor a graduation, Father’s Day, or for any reason at all!

Be a Warrior, Not a Worrier

Each month, I’ll conclude with a musical guest. This June, staying optimistic is the bravest thing each of us can do. There will always be challenges to overcome and lessons we must learn, but “every little thing gonna be alright.”