Kathryn McKee Black Honored at Brava Awards

We are thrilled to congratulate 3rd Generation McKee Family Member Kathryn Black on her SmartCEO Brava Award!  The Brava Awards recognize Women in Business leadership roles who strive to find innovative solutions in an ever changing business world and give back to their communities by supporting various charities.

Visit http://mckeebuilders.com/mckee-tradition to see a video of Kathryn and learn more about the history of McKee Builders.

Visit their website to view her profile and see more information on the program. Congratulations to Kathryn and all of the winners!
http://www.smartceo.com/2015-philadelphia-brava-kathryn-l-black/

Champions' Club Summer Bar-B-Que

Bar-B-Que: June 14th  12:00 – 3:30pm

Join us on June 14, from noon-3:30pm for a summer Bar-B-Que at the Champions' Club club house! Come meet your potential future neighbors and experience firsthand the advantages of living in a maintenance-free, McKee community! You will also have the opportunity to fill out a drawing card and become eligible to win a special prize!

For information on the Champions' Club community and our other McKee communities, check out our website here!

Focus on Champions' Club: The Kipling

Champions' Club's beautiful Kipling model is a new option at the community. Offering a spacious
kitchen, front porch, two-car garage, and optional finished loft and basement. The Kipling is customizable and low maintenance, starting at $277,900 for 1,544 square feet of space.

For more information, check out our website here, or give us a call at 302-698-5601.

Check out the full photo gallery on our website!

KITCHEN
The Kipling comes with a state of the art kitchen, equipped with Maytag appliances, a spacious and beautiful center island, quality wood cabinets, and easy-to-clean and-care-for counter-tops and wood floors.

GREAT ROOM
The Kipling's great room is a beautiful expanse, with an optional fireplace. It's the perfect space to host parties, and relax with friends and family, thanks to its seamless flow into the dining area and kitchen.

MASTER SUITE
The Kipling's master suite offers a spacious layout, a beautiful en suite bathroom, attached laundry room, and a walk-in closet.

BATHROOMS
The Kipling's bathrooms are styled with furniture grade vanities in a variety of colors, cultured marble tops, large mirrors, and Hollywood strip lighting, so you can look and feel your best every day.

OPTIONAL FINISHED LOFT AND/OR BASEMENT
The Kipling is customizable, with an optional loft and/or basement. Use this extra space for bedrooms, office space, or extra storage. This extra space can be finished with an extra room and a full bathroom. 

...

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

Champions' Club is a 55+ active adult community located in Magnolia, Delaware. Champions' Club offers a clubhouse with an outdoor heated pool, tennis court, bocce courts, a gym, billiards, community garden and horseshoe pits. Get Active, Get Moving, Get to Champions' Club.

Focus on Spring Arbor: The Dalton

The Dalton model is part of McKee's Spring Arbor
Ranch collection. This beautiful two-story home is very customizable, with an optional finished basement, screened porch and sun-room, and a wet-bar in the great room. The Dalton model comes standard with a front porch, perfect for sunny summer days and watching storms roll in, cozy and dry from your front patio. The Dalton is energy star certified and has low maintenance exteriors. The Dalton starts at $333,900 at 2,267 square feet.

For more information, check out our website here, or give us a call at 302-376-5577.

Check out the full photo gallery on our website!


KITCHEN
The Dalton comes with a beautiful, state-of-the-art kitchen, with standard Maytag appliances, as well as a beautiful island. The open concept first floor flows seamlessly from kitchen, to dining room, to great room.
 
GREAT ROOM
The Dalton's great room has tall, vaulted ceilings and can be equipped with an optional wet bar. With lots of natural light, this large space is great for entertaining guests and anything else you can imagine.


MASTER SUITE
The Dalton's beautiful master suite, located on the first floor, is a beautiful feature of this model. It comes with two walk-in closets and a linen closet, as well as a beautiful en-suite bathroom. The en-suite is its own private paradise, with a private commode area, ceramic tile floors, and walk-in shower with bench.


BATHROOMS
The Dalton's large bathrooms are styled with cultured marble tops, molded tub and shower, medicine cabinets, and bright lights.

FRONT PORCH AND STANDARD SECOND FLOOR
A focal point of the Dalton is it's large front porch. Use this space for a beautiful porch swing or some comfy chairs. Add your own personal touch by adding some personal plants. This space is also great for decorating during the holidays.

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

Spring arbor is a 55+ active adult community located in Middletown, Delaware. Spring Arbor offers a clubhouse with a gym, billiards, cards, great room and kitchen, an outdoor pool and bocce courts, along with a putting green and dog park. Get active, get moving , get to Spring Arbor.

Simple Summer Barbeque

Now that you know how to make some refreshing cocktails, and you’ve got some really great backyard games, it’s time to throw a party! All that’s missing is the food. Here are some of our picks for an easy and delicious meal you can make on the grill for your next get-together, or even your house-warming party! So get out there, invite your friends and family, and impress your neighbors with these great recipes.

Caprese Salad

This salad is super easy. You can serve it as an hors d’oeuvre, single-serve style, or as tossed salad along with your main course. It’s a great way to show off your home-grown tomatoes and basil, and it’s beautiful as well!

Ingredients:

·         Basil

·         Tomatoes (Any variety. We like cherry tomatoes for a tossed salad, and larger varieties, such as heirlooms, for hors devours)

·         Mozzarella (Any size. We like small cherry-tomato sized ones for the salad, and the large ball for the hors devours)

·         Your favorite balsamic vinegar and olive oil, or a light dressing

·         Make sure you have enough ingredients for everyone at your party. We suggest at least one serving per person, if not two.

Directions (Hors D’oeuvres):

1.      Slice tomatoes about 1cm thick, keep in large circles.

2.      Slice equal amount of mozzarella, one disc per tomato slice, and arrange on plate

3.      Place one tomato slice on each mozzarella

4.      Top each with one basil leaf (or more if you want)

5.      Drizzle with balsamic and olive oil and serve!

If you would like to make a salad just toss all the ingredients in a bowl and add your dressing. Slice cherry tomatoes and small mozzarella balls in half. Add dressing and let stand for a few minutes, melding the flavors together. Enjoy!

Homemade Balsamic Dressing

This dressing is perfect for the caprese salad or hors d’oeuvre! Don’t hesitate to get creative with this one. Add other spices and flavored oils to add your own personal flare!

Ingredients:

• ¹/₈ Cup good balsamic vinegar
• ¼ Cup bold flavored olive oil (or flavor-infused olive oil)
• 1 Tbsp real maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt (to taste)

Directions:

1. Measure all ingredients into a jar
2. Secure lid and shake vigorously to combine
3. If refrigerated, remove from fridge at least 30 minutes before serving and shake well to recombine

Pesto Grilled Salmon

Impress your friends with this easy, and healthy, recipe for grilled salmon!

Ingredients:

·         ¼ cup minced shallots

·         1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

·         ¼ tsp salt

·         ½ tsp ground pepper

·         ½ salmon (about 1 1/2 lbs.), with or without skin (remove before eating), or any other fish

·         3 tbsp basil pesto (purchased or homemade)

Direction:

1.      Preheat the grill to medium heat.

2.      Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.

3.      Add red bell pepper, salt and pepper, and cook until the bell pepper is just tender, about 3 minutes.

4.      Lay salmon on a double sheet of foil that is lightly coated with cooking spray.

5.      Spread pesto over salmon and arrange shallot and red bell peppers over pesto.

6.      Seal foil by folding it as though you wrapping a present. Slide the foil packet onto grill and close lid. Cook until salmon is just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Take care not to overcook the salmon.

7.      Unwrap salmon from the foil, cut into pieces and serve hot or at room temperature. It’s as easy as that!

Banana S’Mores

This is an easy recipe that’s fun to do with kids, on the grill or even over a camp fire! Parental supervision advised.

Ingredients per banana:

·         1 Banana

·         2 Tbsp mini marshmallows

·         2 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips

·         2 Tbsp Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, slightly crushed

·         Aluminum foil squares

Directions:

·         Preheat grill to medium high heat (or oven to 400°F)

·         Peel bananas and slice lengthwise to open, do not slice completely in half, and place in aluminum foil

·         Fill banana with chocolate chips and marshmallow

·         Wrap banana and grill (or bake) for 5-6 minutes, or until chocolate and marshmallows are melted

·         If cooking on open flame you will need to allow flames to die down and place the packet directly on the fire and cook for 3-5 minutes.

·         Unwrap banana, top with cereal, and enjoy!!

Grilled Peaches

This is a great dessert if you’re looking for something a little more sophisticated.

Ingredients for 6 peaches (serves 12):

·         6 ripe peaches, sliced in half, pitted

·         ¾ Cup amaretti cookies, crumbled

·         ¼ Cup amaretto liqueur (optional- use water as substitute)

·         1 Tbsp cocoa powder

Directions:

1.      Heat grilled to medium high heat

2.      Place peaches on grill, cut side down, for 3 minutes, until golden brown and slightly charred

3.      Turn over and cook another 3 minutes to soften them

4.      Remove from grill and cools

5.      Add cookie crumble to medium bowl, stir in cocoa powder, amaretto (or water), and combine

6.      Mold cookie crumbles into small balls and place in center of peaches, where pit would be

7.      Enjoy these warm! They would be delicious with vanilla ice cream.

DIY Outdoor Games

Are you looking for a way to enjoy your new back yard with your friends, family, and neighbors? Try out some of these Do-It-Yourself outdoor game ideas! They’re easy to make at home with your loved ones, and available in stores and online. So go ahead! Mix up your favorite cocktail from our previous post, and get outside and play! And kids, make sure you have a parent to help you be safe with all the appropriate safety tools while making these great games.

Cornhole/Bag-O

Materials:

• ½” chick plywood sheet, 4’x4’
• Four 2’x4’s, 8’ long
• Four 4”x3/8” carriage bolts
• Four 3/8” flat washers
• Four 3/8” wing nuts
• 1 box 2 ½ inch wood screws
• Chop saw
• Jigsaw
• Compass
• Drill and bits
• Clamps (or another person to help)
• Palm sander
• Safety Goggles
• Paint (optional)

Preparation/Directions:

1. Cut plywood sheet in half to make two 2’x4’ boards.
2. Take the four 8’ long 2’x4’s
1. Cut 4 pieces 21” long
2. Cut 4 pieces 4’ long (two boards in half)
3. Cut 4 pieces 11 ½” long (for legs)
3. For assembly instruction please follow the links here.

Bananagrams

Materials (for basic tiles):

• Big sheet masonite OR
• 100 x 15mm x 1.5m fence palings AND
• Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Black and Vivid White

For tile holders:

• 6 timber pegs
• 7mmx5m nylong rope or cord

Breakdown of letters:

• Paling (100 Tiles):

1: J, W, K, V, X, Z, W

2: Y, F, B, G

3: H, M, P

4: U, D

5: C, L, S

7: N, T, O, I, R

8: A

10: E

• Masonite (144 Tiles):
  2: J, K, Q, X, Z
  3: B, C, F, H, M, P, V, W, Y
  4: G
  5: L
  6: D, S, U
  8: N
  9: T, R
  11: O
  12: I
  13: A
  18: E

Preparation/Directions:

1. Cut palings or masonite into large squares
2. Paint letters large enough to fill up the entire tile
3. Allow to dry and have fun!
4. For detailed instructions for tiles and stands click links here for masonite or here for fence paling and stands

Don’t hesitate to mix and match these two methods of creating this fun word game! The Masonite tiles are a bit easier and make more; the palings seem a bit more durable or heavy-duty.

Ladder Golf

Materials:

• ¾” PVC Piping:
• Nine 2’ pieces
• Six 1’ pieces
• Six standard T fittings
• Six elbows (or standard 90 joints)
• 15 feet of nylon rope/cord
• 12 tennis balls
• Drill (with a 5/16″ bit) or box cutter/knife
• Paper clip
• Lighter
• Paint (optional)

Preparation/Directions:

1. Build stand by creating a rectangle using 6 of the 2’ pieces, 2 standard T fittings (for the long side) and 4 elbow
2. Build three ladders
1. Use 3 2’ pieces, attach elbows to both ends of one piece
2. Attach two 1’ pieces to each elbow
3. Repeat steps to make two more ladders, using T fittings instead of elbows
4. Attach all three ladders by the T fittings and insert into base
3. Create tennis-ball bolas
1. Drill holes all the way through tennis balls using a drill or box cutter
2. It may be helpful to indent ball with smaller drill bit or the knife before beginning to drill.
3. Cut six 25” pieces of cord and seal ends using a lighter
4. Use large paper clip as a needle to thread cord through tennis ball.
5. Tie a knot in the end of the rope, and on the long end on the other side of the ball
6. Repeat step, placing one ball on each end of the cord for 6 bolas.
4. That’s it! If you want to paint your ladders or bola you can do so with any colors you like! Pain ladders before assembly for clean lines. You can also glue pieces together for a sturdier game.
5. For complete instructions and step-by-step photos, click here

Urban Horseshoes

Materials:

• Four 16” 2x4s
• Four 13” 2x4s
• Two 16” squares of plywood, any thickness you want (3/8” suggested)
• Two 3” PVC couplings
• Eight ½” Washers (or whatever size you want)
• Wood Screws (6x3/4 for base, 2x8 for frame)
• Glue/wood putty (optional)
• Paint (optional)

Preparation/Directions:

1. It may be hard to believe but this game is a bit more difficult to make than the others due to its relatively small size
2. For instructions, please click here.
3. You are basically making two small boxes using four pieces of 2”x4”s and plywood with PVC in the middle to catch the washers
4. You can paint the washers and boxes to make them more fun and personal! 

Check out this link for all these games and more! Get creative and have fun with friends and family not only playing these games, but also building them with your own two hands and giving them your own personal touches using paint and other customizations. Let us know how they work out for you! We would love to see your pictures!

Lighting

I know to some it may be boring but I think that lighting fixtures are a major part of a home's decor. For many of our buyers, they have not decided on lighting for a whole house in many, many years (if ever). For that reason, I thought that I would show off our standard fixtures from each of our lines - and additionally point out some of the options that we offer that I particularly like.

First up is lighting from the Kichler which is available at The Courtyards at Brandywine and The Preserve at Lamplighter.

Many of our buyers find that the clean lines of our included options is exactly what they are looking for in their new home. And they come in three finishes to fully make it your own.

 

 

We also love the Lacey collection. It is a full line so you could do a whole home, or just pick and choose. We will actually be putting this entire line in the Shannon model at Brandywine to show it off. Here are a couple of pieces.

 

 

 



Some others that I like:

Circolo, Pottery Barn-look



Hayman Bay, an antique white finish in just a room or two would be beautiful

Maybe not that practical, but pretty fabulous!

Phillies Hot Dogs!

McKee Builders participated in a Meet The Builders Celebrity Chef event for trade partners a couple of weeks ago. Set up by the Delaware Home Builders' Association, the event brings together builders and associates to meet, greet and socialize. Each builder picks a theme and serves up tasty food to go with it!

This year, McKee did Phillies Game Day! Here is our table all set and ready to go!

Ed Goddard and Laura Ryan serving hungry customers.



The McKee team (from l. to r.) Mick Kenney, Vice-President of New Homes, Debbie Seavey, Assistant to the President, Ed Goddard, Sales Manager at Champions' Club, Jessica Berstler, Sales Manager at The Village of Cecil Woods, and Laura Ryan, Sales Manager at Spring Arbor.

Meet Ed!

Ed Goddard, our Sales Manager at Champions Club, writes,

'Working with The McKee Group is a pleasure. Frank McKee is on the side of our Homeowners, making it possible and affordable for us to work together to turn a house into a dream home. After working in custom building for over ten years, it is important to me to work for a company that gives us the freedom to make changes to the home so that our customers can get the home that really works for them.

I truly enjoy what I do for a living and believe that our customers know that. Working with the 55+ age group is just plain fun. This is the time of like when everyone brings something different to the table. The people that we meet, our customers, their knowledge and stories that I get to be a part of every day, is a joy.

Having also worked in property management for fourteen years, custome home building, and now 55+ communities with my wodnerful wife of 28 years by my side, I could not be happier. We too are empty nesters and I'm okay with that - visit my sons, visit often, love you, now go home (my wife may not agree!).

Coming from North Baltimore we would make the annual trek through Dover to the beach every summer with our boys, but we never imagined that we would be living here. We quickly found that we had been passing through a gem called Magnolia, centrally located to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington and a quick 40 minute drive to the beach and the Rehobeth beach outlets.

Come visit us in Magnolia, Delaware. See our homes, tour our clubhouse, meet our Homeowners and you too will fall in love. If not now, when? Enjoy the next chapter in your life with good friends and neighbors. 55+ is not a limit, it's a lifestyle!

Meet Donna!

Donna Johnson from The Courtyards at Brandywine writes,

I am a lifelong realtor licensed in both PA and DE for the past 30 years.I have experienced many changing markets in my career as a realtor. With those changes comes the constant challenge to fuel the passion that brought me into the business in the first place. I am passionate about assisting people fulfill their wants, needs and wishes. It is so rewarding to hand someone the keys to the front door of their new home. Like a new baby, a new home is a fresh, new start and I am always honored to be part of the experience.

New construction is in my blood. I have always loved to take things apart and build them anew. Since you can only do that so many times in your personal life, it just made sense for me to focus on selling newly constructed homes. Oddly enough, my first new community that I ever sold was Hidden Forest in Downingtown, PA for Frank McKee, Sr. The fact that I am back with McKee Builders makes perfect sense. I am very particular about the builder with whom I associate with. Integrity, sound construction and consumer friendly reputation are crucial to a successful building company and McKee fits the bill perfectly.

My family is forst and foremost my most treasured accomplishment. My husband Larry and I have been married for 34 years. We have two sons, a daughter-in-law (who I adore) and as of January 16, 2012, a precious graddaughter, Lila Wren.

Besides making dreams come true for my clients, my other passions are mountain biking, hiking, gardening and cooking. I especially love to cook what I grow. My respect for all things in nature is at the core of who I am as a human being!

Meet Jessica!

I am a lifelong resident of North East, Maryland and as any one who visits my community knows, I am a huge fan of our quaint, small town charm! Growing up, I spent summers at my family's summer house in Fenwick Island, Delaware and consider it to be my second home. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have three amazing children, ages 12, 10 and 5. After studying Marketing Communications at Cecil College, I attended the Mid-Atlantic School of Real Estate and received my real estate license in 2005.

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and attending my children's sporting events. I am also an active member of the North East Chamber of Commerce, serving as past Treasurer and was honored as Coordinator of the Year in 2009.

I love sandy beaches and the ocean! I'm always up fpr travel if sand and sun are involved. The coolest thing that I have done would have to be snorkeling in the Gulf of Mexico. The clear water of the Gulf, the beautiful sea life and amazing reefs were breathtaking. The craziest thing I have done would also be in Mexico when I went parasailing which consisted of little more than a boat, a lawn chair tied to a rope and a parachute. I have never been happier to plant my feet on solid ground!

I love my job!! My favorite part of the job is my clients. I truly enjoy helping them find a home that suits their needs, and assisting them in personalizing their home colors and finishes to their taste. For many of my clients, after living in a home that they had chosen for the needs of raising a family, this is the first time that they will have a brand new home to personalize as they wish. For the first time they have the opportunity to choose everything based on their wants and desires alone. It is a very exciting time and I love being a part of it. In all honesty my least favorite thing is working weekends! But... a close second would be preparing reports and paperwork! I am a people person. I like to be interacting with people and showing my visitors why the Cecil Woods lifestyle is so wonderful!

Introducing...ALMA!

Do you remember this video?

The excited construction worker featured here is Spring Arbor homebuyer Alma Alviles. As you can see Alma is very excited to move to Spring Arbor. Alma's name means "soul" and she certainly seems to be bringing lots to Spring Arbor and she hasn't even moved in yet!

Stay tuned as we follow the adventures of Alma as she builds her brand new McKee home aided by the video stylings of Donna Johnson, our brave and funny Sales Counselor.