Georgia might be staring down a rare snow day, so we're leaning into it with a list of fun, very Georgia ways to make the most of it. We also share a little "winter reset" energy from our house purge (yes, The Purge… with alarms).

Then we shift into local news: Kiwanis Club of Marietta scholarship applications are open right now, HOA reform is gaining momentum at the Capitol, Acworth just opened its first community theater, and Marietta Square's Piastra is transforming into a community-driven grocery and cafe called Asher & Rose.

We wrap with a real estate segment that explains what "full service" actually looks like today, why strategy matters, and how we help buyers and sellers navigate timelines, inspections, negotiations, and risk without surprises.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:01 The Purge: winter reset, clearing clutter, sanity restored
00:07 Snow Day in Georgia: 5 favorites
00:07 Dirty snowman (pine needles and sweetgums included)
00:09 Suburban snow tubing (boat rope + 4x4 vibes)
00:11 The plastic bag boot hack (extend playtime, keep feet dry)
00:13 Snow cream recipe debate 00:14
Chris's "best in the world" hot cocoa setup
00:16 Local news: Kiwanis scholarships open
00:18 Local news: HOA reform and SB 406 discussion
00:21 Local news: Acworth's first community theater
00:23 Local news: Piastra becomes Asher & Rose
00:25 Real estate: what full service really means (buyers + sellers)
00:43 Wrap-up + subscribe Links and resources mentioned Marietta Kiwanis Foundation Scholarships (open now, closes March 15, 2026) Georgia HOA reform bill text (SB 406) Piastra transforming into Asher & Rose (reopening Jan 26, 2026) Acworth grand opening: Rena Henton Theatre (Roberts School Community and Education Center)

Quick show-note add-ons (from the episode)
Snow cream (the "clean snow only" version):
1 cup clean snow + 2 to 3 tbsp sugar + 1/2 tbsp vanilla + 2 to 3 tbsp milk/cream. Mix gently. Eat immediately.

Chris's snow day hot cocoa vibe: Dark cocoa mix + whole milk + homemade vanilla syrup + whipped cream + marshmallows + crushed candy cane (optional drizzle if you want to go wild).

Marietta Kiwanis Scholarships: https://mariettakiwanis.org/scholarships

Atlanta Magazine (Asher & Rose): https://www.atlantamagazine.com/dining-news/piastra-transforms-into-a-community%E2%80%91driven-grocery-called-asher-rose/

Sell or Buy a house ➡ sellectrealty.com
Sell your house DIY ➡ simplylistatlanta.com
Buy or Sell the city block ➡ toacommercial.com

In Episode 47 of Georgia Living, Chris and Céline Evans cover a wide mix of family milestones, community highlights, and local news shaping life here in Cobb County and beyond.

The episode opens with a family update, including the completion of a go-kart project and a meaningful service milestone: collecting 46.5 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. It's a reminder that small efforts, done consistently, really do add up.

From there, the conversation turns toward America 250, the upcoming semiquincentennial of the United States. Georgia drivers can now participate in the celebration through a newly released commemorative license plate, available statewide beginning January 1, 2026. We talk about what the plate represents, how long it will be available, and why this anniversary matters locally as much as nationally.

We also touch on what's happening around town and how community involvement, history, and civic pride continue to shape the places we live and invest in.

As always, Georgia Living is about more than headlines. It's about understanding the stories behind them—and how they connect to everyday life in our communities.

00:00 – Welcome & intro
02:15 – Family update: go-kart project complete
05:40 – 46.5 lbs of pop tabs collected for Ronald McDonald House
10:30 – America 250 explained
14:00 – Georgia's new America 250 license plate
20:10 – Why local history and civic moments still matter
27:00 – Closing thoughts & looking ahead

In this first episode of 2026, Chris and Céline Evans kick off the new year with family updates, local events, and a deep dive into Metro Atlanta real estate market trends.

They break down December 2025 market data across Cobb County, Cherokee County, and the greater FMLS area, explaining what price stability, rising inventory, and longer days on market actually mean for buyers and sellers heading into spring.

The conversation then shifts to a detailed explanation of Simply List—how it works, who it's for, how it differs from flat-fee MLS services, and why more homeowners are choosing flexible, lower-cost options without sacrificing MLS exposure.

This episode is part market update, part education, and part real-world strategy for navigating real estate in a post-2020 market.

00:00 – Welcome to 2026 & Georgia Living
01:00 – Kids back to school & holiday reset
03:40 – Ellijay trip, sunsets, and New Year traditions
04:40 – Go-kart saga and weekend projects
06:00 – Greenhouse reset & Japanese kitchen gardening
09:20 – Raising adventurous eaters (and fish talk)
11:25 – December 2025 market overview begins
12:10 – Median prices: Metro Atlanta, Cobb, Cherokee
13:45 – Why prices didn't crash (and won't)
16:00 – 2008 vs today's housing market
18:20 – Negotiation power, concessions, and buyer strategy
20:40 – Inventory levels and months of supply explained
22:00 – Days on market and what "healthy" inventory means
25:00 – Pending vs closed sales trends
27:40 – List-to-sale price ratios & concessions reality
29:00 – Seller pricing mistakes in today's market
33:50 – Why spring 2026 could bring a listing surge
34:10 – What Simply List is (and is not)
36:00 – With Help vs Without Help explained
39:30 – Who Simply List works best for
42:15 – Photography, lockboxes, signs & add-ons
47:30 – Cost savings compared to full service
50:10 – 2025 Simply List performance numbers
53:20 – Why Simply List is not a "true flat fee"
56:30 – Canceling, expiring, or withdrawing listings
1:00:00 – Are you a call center? DOJ & commission changes
1:02:15 – Timing, MLS exposure, and seller control
1:05:45 – Final thoughts for sellers heading into 2026

Step away from the serious stuff and join us for a lighthearted holiday special on Georgia Living 🎄

In this short bonus episode, Chris and Céline go head-to-head in a friendly game of holiday trivia covering everything from Christmas traditions and classic movies to surprising song origins and local holiday favorites right here in Metro Atlanta.

No real estate deep dives, no heavy market talk. Just laughs, fun facts, and a festive break as we head into the holidays and close out the year.

Perfect for a quick listen while wrapping gifts, driving around town, or taking a breather during the busy season.

• Why eggnog used to be called milk punch 🥴

• The surprising origins of Jingle Bells

• Christmas tree traditions from Europe

• Local holiday moments around Marietta

• A few friendly disagreements and plenty of laughs

🎄 Thanks for spending part of your holiday season with us. We'll see you in the new year.

The holidays are in full swing on Georgia Living. Chris and Céline share family updates, explain the difference between a Yankee Swap and a White Elephant gift exchange, and break down Victorian-inspired decorating tips that make entertaining easier year-round.

They also cover East Cobb local news, including a zoning variance update, mail theft at the East Cobb Post Office, winter water main breaks, and practical cold-weather homeowner tips. The episode wraps with a clear real estate and mortgage market update, discussing interest rates, affordability, and why long-term homeownership still matters.

Please subscribe and share for local insights in Cobb and Cherokee Counties!

The holidays are in full swing and the Evans home is buzzing again. Céline and Clare have returned from Japan, the kids are all in on Christmas mode, and Chris has officially learned how to weld — a dangerous new skill put to use as the family's go-kart project enters its final stretch.

But today's episode doesn't stop at holiday fun. We dig into a packed slate of local news shaping Cobb, Cherokee, and North Fulton, with context only a community-rooted show can deliver.

🎄 Family & Holiday Update

• Céline and Clare return from Japan

• The kids are deep in the holiday season

• Chris survives Welding 101 (and nearly burns his eyeballs off — learn why)

• The go-kart project is almost ready to roll

🗞 Local News You Should Know

• Wildman's Civil War Surplus Store in Kennesaw ordered closed pending a full forensic accounting of the late Dent Myers' estate. The long-controversial shop is now sealed, with court-appointed oversight and no return date in sight.

• Cobb CFO Bill Volckmann promoted to Deputy County Manager, stepping into the role as Jimmy Gisi retires after 35 years of service.

• Roswell elects a new mayor: Former state representative Mary Robichaux defeats incumbent Kurt Wilson in a runoff focused on transparency, jobs, and intentional growth.

• Andy Gaines of the Strand Theatre wins the Governor's Award for the Arts & Humanities, marking another major achievement for Marietta's cultural district.

• Cobb County sewer overflow explained: What happened, how it was cleaned, and why it does not affect drinking water.

• Marvel pulls major film production out of Georgia, shifting work overseas and raising new questions about the state's future as the "Hollywood of the South."

🏡 Real Estate Market Update: A Dramatic November Slowdown

Chris breaks down the data in depth, including:

• Inventory levels not seen since the early 2010s

• Sales cut nearly in half month-over-month

• Buyers negotiating an average of 5.2% off original list price

• Why sellers must price with precision

• How secondary and tertiary markets respond differently to economic pressure

Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about our local economy, this episode brings the clarity and context you won't find on national news.

Sellect Realty — https://sellectrealty.com

Simply List Atlanta — https://simplylistatlanta.com

This week, Chris and Céline recap a deeply meaningful Veterans Day weekend, including a surprise Quilt of Valor presentation to Victor Higgins, the Veterans Day Parade in Marietta, and the Field of Flags installation in Roswell. They shift into Thanksgiving mode—sharing New England vs. Southern holiday traditions, fun childhood memories, why Chris wants a giant cornucopia, and the great debate of "dine-out or dine-at-home." The episode wraps with a rapid-fire winter home-maintenance checklist to prepare for freezing temperatures. A warm, lighthearted, and very American episode.

🇺🇸🦃 Links:

• Quilt of Valor Foundation: https://www.qovf.org

• Marietta Daily Journal: https://www.mdjonline.com

• Roswell City Hall: https://www.roswellgov.com
• Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.): https://www.nscar.org
• DAR National Society: https://www.dar.org

Local Thanksgiving Dining Options Mentioned: (Reservations strongly recommended.)
• Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center – Thanksgiving Brunch https://www.hilton.com
• Mac's Chophouse – Marietta Square https://macschophouse.com
• Johnny's / Moxie / Johnny & Max Italian Concepts (Check local listing for final Thanksgiving menu.)

Thanksgiving Events:
• MUST Ministries Gobble Jog (10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot – Marietta Square) https://www.mustministries.org/gobble-jog
Senior Community Event:
• Freeman Poole Senior Center Thanksgiving Luncheon https://www.cobbcounty.org/senior-services

• Sellect Realty — https://sellectrealty.com
• Simply List Atlanta — https://simplylistatlanta.com