Cooking with the Johnsons on Logan Martin Lake
Story by Gigi Hood
Photos by Kelsey Bain
Submitted Photos
Life is a puzzle, and we put the pieces together as our journey unfolds. Sometimes we wonder where we came from, or question ourselves as to where we’re going, and sometimes we find it hard to remember all the places we’ve ever been. From day to day, we never know who we might meet or where and when the puzzle might end.
There is no too large or too small, but there is a dream that needs to be addressed and built that makes it just right.
Such is the case with Gib Johnson and his wife, Lori Hedvig Johnson, who have built their dream home on Logan Martin Lake. Lori is originally from Alexander City, and Gib is a true “Carolina-Blue-Blooded Tar Heel,” who was raised in Salisbury, NC, a small city between Charlotte and Greensboro.
Prior to fulfilling their dream of living on the water’s edge, the Johnsons lived in the Hoover and Pelham areas of Birmingham. Gib had grown up on High Rock Lake in North Carolina, where he spent much of his time, boating, skiing and sailing. “I was and still have been an all-around water/lake lover for as far back as I can remember, and when Lori and I married, we bought a lot, dock and boat at Smith Lake, and I introduced her to life on and around the water; she embraced it, just as I had, and that was the beginning of our dream of one day having a house on the water.”
As much as they enjoyed Smith Lake, “we knew it was not logistically possible for us to live there permanently and make a daily commute back and forth to Birmingham. So, we started looking at Logan Martin Lake, since it is the closet body of water to Birmingham.”
Gib is the managing partner of Zuriel Technology Group, LLC, which is based in Birmingham. Founded in 2015, the business is an Information Technology Managed Services Company that provides IT support to companies across the southeastern area of the U.S. Lori also works at Zuriel as Financial Controller.
After investigating lot possibilities, Gib was excited to find four suitable lakefront properties at Charter Landing Estates, where building had not yet begun. He was disappointed when he found that his search had been to no avail. All the properties had been sold, and the owners already had their future building plans outlined. Knowing they had to start over looking at lots was discouraging, but a “miracle” happened on Thanksgiving Day in 2020 that put their plans back on track.
“I answered the ringing phone,” Gib said, “and there was a voice on the other end telling me that Lot 12 was available for purchase because the owners had bought a new home and decided not to build at Charter Landing. The gentleman asked me if we might still be interested in buying the lot. Our answer was a quick ‘yes!’, and Lori and I postponed our Thanksgiving dinner as we proceeded to make a deal to purchase the lot that day. What a special Thanksgiving that was.”
Next came the step of deciding on plans for their building adventure. Accepting the help and recommendation from one of their friends, they met with architect Mark Tidwell of Tidwell & Associates and hired him to lead them through the task of putting together the version of their vision for their dream house.
Once the design process was approved, they then began the search for who was considered to be the best builder in the area. George Crain of George Crain Homebuilders was the name that kept coming up, and they knew that he was the builder they wanted. According to Gib, “George had other ideas. He was close to retirement and was not planning to build any more homes. Thankfully, we were able to convince him to take on our project, and he agreed. We were thrilled with his professionalism and expertise, and we will always be thankful that he was the man behind making our dream come true.”
Working together, Gib and Lori teamed up on the décor. Together they agreed that they wanted the style of their home to be “Modern Farmhouse.” The result of their time, effort and imagination is a delightful mixture of old and new, comfort and enjoyment of day-to-day living for both their family and their guests.
Priorities were lake view, room for visitors, location in Pell City, private quarters for their visitors on the downstairs level and making sure that all guest rooms had a lake view and the kitchen area.
“To us, the kitchen does not mean the appliances and the immediate area we are cooking in,” Lori explained. “Yes, it is the place food is prepared, but it’s so much more than that for us. We want our kitchen to be warm, inviting and a gathering place. Our plan was to leave it openly connected with our adjoining living spaces. We did plan our area for convenient preparation, while making sure we had plenty of space to comfortably and enjoyably cook together while still being a part of what was going on around us.”
Gib and Lori chose not to have a formal dining room, but rather, stayed with their Farmhouse style. They purchased a taller than usual, long table with bench seating at the end of the kitchen that overlooks the lake. It easily seats 10 people and provides the perfect place for easy conversation and fun gatherings at mealtimes. A granite bar on the backside of the island also provides chairs for more casual eating or an overflow place for more guests.
After an extensive search, Lori found a tile that she just had to have. Originally it was only going to be used for the backsplash of the kitchen. “I was so excited to find that tile, that I decided to decorate my kitchen around it and bought it on the spot,” she said.
“Then, after seeing how the backsplash turned out, I decided I wanted to carry it to the top,” she said. “But then when I decided to extend it, of course, I needed more tile. However, that was when things were in short supply and my original supplier could not get any more. He told me that he was sorry, but the backsplash would have to suffice. Not wanting to dash the look that I had created in my mind’s eye, I searched all over and after combining inventory from four different places, I was able to piece together the entire wall and complete the kitchen to my liking.”
The house furnishings that are a blend of “Modern Farmhouse” mixed with “Modern Elegance” complement one another. Heirloom antiques, inherited from Gib’s father, hold special meaning. His father was a CPA by trade, but his real passion was collecting antiques. “We were able to keep some of his collections, but unfortunately we had to part with many beautiful pieces because there just wasn’t enough room for them,” Gib explained. “The ones we kept blended well with our modern furnishings. Together they are both beautiful to look at and enjoy and of course, very special because they were my Dad’s.”
Among the antiques they did keep and still cherish is a 4-poster bed that is believed to have been used by the actress, Bette Davis, in her New York City apartment. Other artifacts include various Chippendale pieces, one of which is a Chippendale Bar Set that Gib claims as his favorite piece. Lori is partial to the Ming Dynasty Vase as her special item.
Aside from their furnishings, there are a few other special places in the house. There is a full gym, which would be the pride of any exercise guru and is a necessity for daily exercise in their lives. Lori grew up very athletic and was a successful amateur triathlete for six years. She no longer competes in triathlons, but still likes to walk and run as well as do Yoga.
After her work and workouts are through, Lori’s therapy room, consisting of a tanning bed, red light therapy and room to meditate, are a perfect place for her to decompress. Being the “do it yourselfer,” Gib’s special room is his indoor workshop, accessible from both the interior and exterior of the home and complete with an organized place for all his tools and room to work on his projects.
Additional amenities of the home also include a tiered theatre room and a gorgeous swimming pool that Lori and Gib designed, plus an impressive porch on which to entertain as well as watch the sunrises, sunsets and lake activities. And of course, the home wouldn’t be complete without a large yard, pier, boat dock and all the water toys anyone needs for having fun.
During the building process, the Homeowners Association of Charter Landing Estates offered six other lots for sale, and Gib and Lori purchased their second lot. They decided that after retirement (or maybe before) they would build a spec house. “Eventually, we intend to build on the second lot. But for now, we’re taking a rest.”
They agree that it has been a long road to finding and completing their dream home. “We moved once, thinking we wanted to downsize after our four children left the nest,” Lori said. “But when everyone returned home for the holidays with their spouses and friends plus other family members, our downsizing didn’t work because it was bumper-to-bumper people.”
After that experience, Lori and Gib decided to try the ultimate experience – building. “Along the way, there were plenty of ups and downs, frustrations, general craziness. Looking back, it was tedious, maddening and just plain fun building and furnishing our dream,” Lori said.
Would they do it again? “No, not willingly,” Gib replied, “but then again, never say never.” They survived the journey, put all the pieces of the puzzle together, and hope that this will be their forever home.
Gib’s BEST Blackened Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 Tbsp – Blackening Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp – Olive Oil
- 12 ounce – Fettucine Pasta
- 6 Tbsp – Butter
- 1 Tbsp – Minced Garlic
- 1 1/2 cup – Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1 1/2 cup – Grated Parmesan Cheese
Blackening seasoning
- 1 Tbsp – Paprika or Smoked Paprika
- 2 Tbsp – Salt
- 1 Tbsp – Garlic Salt
- 1 Tbsp – Parsley (optional to taste)
- 1 Tbsp – Onion Powder
- 2 Tbsp – Black Pepper
- 2 Tsp – Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tbsp – Oregano
Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl and store in an air tight container.
Preparing the chicken
Cut the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Coat all sides of the chicken with blackening seasoning. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Place Olive Oil in the skillet. When the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet.
Cook the chicken for approximately 5 minutes on each side …until each side is brown. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate and cover with foil to keep it warm.
Preparing the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Remove from cooktop and strain the pasta
Preparing the Alfredo Sauce
Add the butter and the garlic and cook for 3-5 minutes on LOW heat…until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant. Whisk in the heavy whipping cream. Cook – while whisking – for approximately 3-5 minutes until the cream is heated through. Stir in the parmesan cheese and allow the cheese to heat until it is melted in.. Add the blackened chicken and whisk it in so the chicken soaks up the Alfredo flavoring.
Finishing steps to serve
Toss the pasta with the homemade blackened chicken and Alfredo sauce. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Bourbon, Honey and Brown Sugar Salmon
Ingredients
- Salmon 2 large pieces (can be domestic or wild caught) Domestic is less fishy
- Bourbon (your favorite) (1 Jigger)
- Honey 3 Tbsp
- Brown Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Lemon Pepper 1/4 Tsp
- Butter 2 Tsp
- Salt and Pepper Sprinkle to Taste
Preparing the Fish
Pre-heat oven to 375. Combine bourbon, honey and brown sugar.
Wash Salmon Thoroughly . Spray the pan, dish or grill rack you are cooking on with non-stick spray. Melt Butter and Brush on Both Sides of Salmon. Salt and Pepper both sides. Sprinkle Lemon Butter.
Pour bourbon, honey and brown sugar on both sides. Cook for 6-8 minutes (turning half way through). Make sure Salmon reaches 165 internal temperature.
Remove and serve with broccoli florets or asparagus spears and long grain wild rice or risotto or pasta. Garnish with Parsley red peppers.
Lori’s Party Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 boneless chicken breasts
- 2 to 4 Slices of center cut bacon
- 2 x 6oz Packs of chipped beef (if you cannot find “chipped beef”, the beef in packs where the sandwich meat is (the cheap stuff), it works great too
- 1 x 16 oz sour cream
- 2 x regular size Campbell’s “cream of mushroom” soup (or 1 family size)
- Salt and pepper to season
- 2 Cups Long grain rice (cook separately)
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Wash your chicken (always), set aside Get a glass casserole dish. A 9 x 13 is preferable. Take the chipped beef and chop them into little squares – you want to make sure the chipped/chopped beef pieces cover the entire bottom of casserole dish. Put cleaned/washed chicken on top of chipped beef and put a little salt and pepper on top.
Take 2 or 3 slices of bacon and stretch them, place on top of the chicken. Combine your sour cream and cream of mushroom soup in a separate bowl, add about 1/2 can of water, stir until blended. Once blended, pour over chicken, covering entirely.
Place in oven and cook for 2.5 – 3 hours (slow cooking on low heat makes chicken most tender). If you don’t have that much time, cook at 350 degrees but at least 2.5 hours.
Keep an eye on it as it cooks and stir regularly after about an hour and a half. If it looks dry, poor a little water in and stir.
Rice
Just follow directions. Remember long grain is best but you have to do the measurements just right and it takes 20 minutes (worth it though). A little trick on long grain – use a liquid measure for water and solid measuring cup for rice. I always put a LITTLE more rice just to make sure it’s not runny. This usually makes the rice perfect. Or use Uncle Ben’s instant rice.
Spring Mix Salad with Fetta, Almond Slivers and Strawberry Vinagaret
Bag of fresh spring mix salad (or romaine mix). Top with slivered almonds. Add fetta, optional. Top with a strawberry or raspberry vinaigrette. If you can’t find strawberry, any sweet vinaigrette will do!
Bread
Serve some Sister Schubert rolls (pan kind) with meal. Enjoy!
