Jem Woods - Marble Falls TX Real Estate

The Texas Hill Country is one of the most amazingly beautiful places that God has created. Around every bend (and there are plenty of them) there are new and wonderful places to see and explore. We're lucky enough to have it all . . . well almost all, and then some. For example, we have the largest chain of lakes in the State of Texas, all here for your boating and fishing pleasures. We have mind blowing caverns that are rich with history, the cowboys and Indians type that both young and old kids enjoy. Wildflowers, wildlife, great places to eat, and most of all, we have wonderful people. And then . . . There Is The Castle!

Roll through the hills as you cruise down Park Road 4, and out of nowhere, BAM!!! There's an honest to goodness castle that pops up right before your eyes! Seriously, it's the maiden in the tower type of place. It sits atop one of the highest hills in Burnet County and has a magnificent 360 degree view that spans the hills and lakes as far as you can see. Built in the late 1990's, Falkenstein Castle is home to Terry and Kim Young. The castle footprint encompasses roughly four acres and is the place they call home. The Young's rent the "Palace" area of the grounds out for weddings throughout the year. In fact, Falkenstein Castle is now rates as the #3 best wedding castle in the United States, only behind Belcort Castle and the Biltmore Estate! Take a moment and check out their website, it's an absolutely beautiful place. Best of all, it's right here in Burnet County, in the Heart of the Texas Hill Country!

The National Wild Turkey Federation banquet for the Highland Lakes Chapter will be on March 7th in Burnet, TX at the Burnet Community Center. This year we have a special treat, the event will be hosted by Bob Lender, President of the Texas Chapter of NWTF! He recently moved to Marble Falls and now calls the Texas Hill Country home! Money raised will go towards helping the Wild Turkey and Habitat Restoration in Texas. The banquet is being catered by a group out of Fredricksburg and will feature Chicken Fried Steak, all the fixins, and all drinks are provided with your ticket.

Tickets are $50 and include your meal, a membership to NWTF (with magazine and news letters), door prizes, and a night of fun. There will be several hunts and guns up for auction, as well as knives and other memorabilia. Come and join us for a night of fun that you'll never forget!

If you'd like more information, please give me a call. I can set you up with tickets too. Sponsor tables are available and appropriate donations are being accepted (hunts, wildlife paintings, etc. . .)

Hope to see YOU there!

I opened my AR blog today for the first time since late last week and found a post from Rick Eichler that I really enjoyed. You see, Ricki and I met for pie at the Bluebonnet Café in Marble Falls last Friday. She chronicles the pie eating in her latest post. I'm not sure if she mentioned that I'm the one who suggested the Fudge Pie that she's still raving about! Ricki is an amazing woman who is as beautiful inside as she is outwardly. It was a true joy to have met and spent time with her.

Our visit brought back some great memories. You see, Ricki is from the Kerrville area, which is a little more than an hour from here, and is an area where I have spent countless days hunting and fishing. One of my favorite places to visit is the Lost Maples Café located in Utopia, Texas. It's a small Café that has been around, it seems, forever. The chicken fried steak covers the plate and is nothing short of amazing, but my heart yearns for another bite of their famous Buttermilk Pie! Most people who aren't from The South, moreover the Texas Hill Country, aren't familiar with buttermilk pie. It's like a custard pie, but not as sweet. It's smooth and velvety, melting on your tongue as soon as you get a bite in your mouth. There is a slight citrus flavor that comes from the buttermilk as it cooks. Once you have it, you'll never forget it (kind of like the fudge pie at The Bluebonnet Café in Marble Falls).

So next time you're in the San Antonio or Kerrville area, take some time and cruise out to the small town of Utopia. The name fits the town well, very friendly people, huge oak trees that line the streets, and even old clapboard sidewalks right out of the old west. Make sure and stop by the Lost Maples Café for a piece of buttermilk pie, but make sure to get there before lunch is over because they run out quickly and after it's gone there's no more until the next day. Call Ricki and see if she's got time to meet you there too, she's wonderful to hang out with!

It should be quite simple, five things shouldn't be that hard. I've sat here and thought about it, stared at the blank screen and still I continue to wonder what to write. Should I keep it simple, or delve into the depths of my soul, spilling out my deep-hearted philosophies that would make you go. . . HUH??? Maybe sometime else. So here goes (at the request of Ricki Eichler): Things about Jem Woods that you don't know. . .

1. I'm an avid outdoorsman. Hunting, fishing, golfing, and camping. I enjoy seeing the world the way God intended us to see it. Teaching my kids to enjoy it as well has been a thrill for the brief period they've been on this earth. That's part of what brought me to the Texas Hill Country!

2. I spent 23 years in EMS, mostly as a Paramedic. I worked in Galveston, TX for the majority of my "first career" and loved almost every minute of it. I still hold my license and would love to get back into it on a part-time basis, working a shift every month or so.

3. I work too much and sleep too little. It's just my personality I guess. Sleep has never been that important to me, so it's really not a sacrifice by any stretch. I make up for it by playing hard as well, and making sure that I NEVER miss my girl's ballgames or school events.

4. I LOVE elementary school Hamburger Day!!! It's every Thursday and I try to never miss it. Now here's the great part. . .my girls have different lunch periods so I am expected to eat twice, and they're back to back. Luckily the burgers are made for kids, so it's not that bad. Bonus is you can walk away very full for a whopping $3.00. Cheap food, and the company is priceless.

5. I have a passion for cooking. I don't bake, but I can cook just about anything. Not like hamburgers (who would even try and compete with the school burgers?), I enjoy the challenge of doing the in-depth stuff like you see on The Food Network. I've even got knife skills :) The more challenging the better, as long as I have time. It's amazing what you can do with a venison hind quarter and a couple of hours (see number 1 above).

6. This is the added bonus. I live my life as though today is my last, and God leads me on a daily basis. I can stand before people and say that I live my life with truth and honesty and will never compromise myself here on Earth, it's just not worth it!

So that's me in a nutshell. I hope you've learned something and maybe even smiled a time or two. Happy New Year to everybody and I wish you only the best, because the best is yet to come!

Peace! (I haven't Meme'd anybody, but I will tomorrow, so be on the lookout. I'll post who got meme'd)