A Week Quickly Gone

It was a foggy morning but the sun is brilliant and burning off the fog quickly. After all the rain everything looks so green and the colors of the flowers seem brighter. Mike the mower man must have come Saturday morning before all the rain to cut the grass. After seeing so many beautiful bridal wreath plants last week it would be good to head over to Reems Creek and see if they have any.

It seems I am a morning writer and by the evening the waves of tiredness hit as well as Buddy would love to sit on my arm thus limiting any typing. Buddy has just left the room and so with this little bit of time and attention, I will direct a few words to the good ol' Monablog.

This past week went by way too quickly as Dena and I traversed the countryside. We have been fortunate that we haven't had real early mornings and we have been able to ease into the day. Dena arrived last Thursday and we began the afternoon off right by eating a late lunch at Good Wood Pizza. I had stopped at Marilyn's Sweet Addictions on the way to pick her up at the airport, so we were well supplied with sustenance. Friday we took it easy, did some shopping in the area and had supper at Turkey Creek. Saturday we did a little bit of the Weaverville Art Safari, ate lunch at Ole Guacamole in Johnson City and then took a little drive to Elizabethton and Roan Mountain. We had a bit of adventure at Roan Mountain but I will save that story for latter. Sunday we went to Sunday School and church, then had lunch at Twisted Laurel. Because picking up a fork at lunch was so exhausting we headed back to the house for a little rest and reading. Once we felt revived we went to the Biltmore Estate to drive through the gardens and do a little shopping in Antler Hill Village. Before leaving the estate we did stop by the creamery for some dairy goodness. Monday we were able to ease into the day but before heading over to Waynesville, we went over to Optix to see if they could adjust Dena's glasses for her. It was a lens problem so she will have to go back in Texas to have them fixed. So, off to Waynesville where we started at Belk, Hazelwood, Blue Rooster and a drive through Maggie Valley. Most evenings during the week we were able to sit on the front porch with Buddy and watch the traffic go by.

Tuesday we headed back to the Biltmore for lunch on the veranda and shopping at the Inn but before going there we stopped in at Barnes and Noble, Lifeway and Target. Lunch was delicious as always but neither one of us found anything to purchase...which is probably a good thing. We also went to the Screen Door where I found an item for the back porch. Wednesday was crossing the bridge at Grandfather Mountain Day. First we stopped at The Italian Restaurant in Newland. We had tried on previous trips to get Dena to this spot of deliciousness but either they were closed or we had time constraints. Dena crossed the bridge with flying colors and to celebrate we stopped in Burnsville to shop at the Grapevine. Dena found several cute pieces of clothing and they were all on sale. Score! The little antique store that I loved is no longer on the square. The ladies in the shop told me the building it was in had been sold. Thursday we were up early to go to the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company and Dena liked it as much as Roy and I had. We had a great breakfast and then drove the short distance to Montreat. Montreat is such a beautiful spot and I am thinking I need to head over that way more. We walked downtown Black Mountain and then we were going to take highway 9 over to Hendersonville but Dena knew on the first curve she might not be able to withstand the curves and height. so we traversed the freeways to get over to Hendersonville. After going to Southern Chicks, we drove to downtown Hendersonville. Y'all, that is a miracle. Not a fav place to drive. We tried to eat at La Cantina in Biltmore Village but they were having computer problems. We decided to stop by Publix, pick up some chips and guac and eat at home on the front porch. It was delicious. Friday morning Brenda had us over for a wonderful breakfast and then a tour of the gardens outside. Later we went to Marshall and drove around. Love the drive along the river road. Then of course on Saturday we began the sad journey over to Charlotte. Such a fun and full week.

Funny that morning coffee and evening front porch chats just aren't the same this week.