Grove Park Inn

We braved the crowds and headed for the Grove Park Inn to see the annual Gingerbread House display.

Here we are in the driveway, all cleaned up and ready to go...

Arriving at the Grove Park Inn, Aunt Marian asks if she
should push the cart of firewood into the lobby.  :)

Sitting to rest in one of the vintage GPI chairs. We had
walked the hallway with all the old memorbilia from
the early days of the Inn. Saw a bill from 1917 when the
rooms were $17 a night and a photo of Edison, Ford and
Firestone when they stayed there.

These are some creations from the youth division.

These are some of our favorites in the adult contest.

Our server took our photo as we enjoyed the buffett.
Had a window seat and watched the clouds move
over Mt. Pisgah, down the French Broad River into Asheville.

Another rest stop and some people watching.

A passerby offers to take our photo as we wonder over the dozen decorated Christmas trees.

We had a fun afternoon touring the Grove Park Inn!

Thanksgiving 2011

After a leisure morning watching the parade the preparations begin...

John tends to the turkey on the grill.

We take a stroll around the house in the warm sun with
the dogs, Maddie and Wheezie to sharpen our appetites.

Styling in our new winter hats.

Waiting for the turkey to cook enjoying a St. Pauli Girl.

Dinner time getting closer.

Ready for carving.

Ready to dig in and feast on turkey, dressing, cranberry
salad, green bean casserole, mashed 'taters n gravy.
Of course that is a pumpkin pie in the background!

Sunny Sunday

Last week end was very nice and sunny. Here we are enjoying the afternoon sitting on the south side of the house.

Saturday errands

Out and around Asheville today. To the mall for a present for Ava Rose Woodard, (Paul and Amy's little newborn.)  So many cute outfits to choose from, we picked 3 pink and white Carter's layettes. The mall was full of folks, seemed like Christmas shopping was primary. Then to the Bali bra store to buy...well, you can guess. We stopped for lunch at Mikado's Japanese Restaurant for sesame chicken, yum. Aunt Marian had a Japanese beer, as you can see.  ( She looked happier after the food and beer. )

Toasting to you, wish you were here.

Sunday Funday

Beautiful, sunny clear day! Ran the roads for a 3 hour tour. Up the mountain for a view back towards the farm.

Newfound Valley looking west towards the farm.

Fall colors are still on display in the background.

Warm sunshine and a long distance mountain view is
enjoyable, but Aunt Marian laughs as I tell her to take 'one more' step back.

Aunt Marian on another Tootsie Taylor White Knuckle Tour.
She is still laughing, so that's a good sign!

Letting the Impala rest while we do some rock climbing.

The clear blue water of the French Broad River makes a
beautiful backdrop scene.

Still smiling, but the rock is cold! Time to head back
to the farm, the sun is getting low and dinner time
is getting closer.