Wednesday, May 18, 2011

THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL

The good times keep on rolling. I can't believe we are halfway through our trip. It's a blur of walking eating and shopping. Yesterday I met up with Penny and Penny at a restaurant called Magnolia's. We had a wonderful time talking and laughing and enjoying great food. Afterward we did a little bit of shopping, but I will save my goodies for another post. Everything is wrapped for the flight home. They took me to a shop called The Screen Door and it would definitely be a favorite of mine if I lived here. I felt like I had known The Penny's forever and we are getting together again tomorrow for brunch.

Last night The Husband and I had dinner in town at a place called The Lobster Trap and it was positively awesome. I had Lobster Newburg for the first time and I was moaning. I keep forgetting to take pictures of my food. And since it was SO cold, I haven't gotten many pictures while out and about.
Today we visited the Biltmore Estate. So many of you recommended that and we did. It was wonderful. We had breakfast in what was the stables and then took an audio tour through the mansion. I was most impressed with the servants quarters and the kitchens. I'm not sure why, George Vanderbilt treated his help quite well and I can just identify better with the working class than I can with Edith Vanderbilt {who wants to change clothes 10 times a day anyway?}.
The grounds were beautiful...8000 acres.
Little creeks and ponds and trails everywhere...
Later we did more shopping in town and lo and behold, we found this shop. The Husband is all signed up for his fly fishing lessons on Friday. I managed to worm out of it {no pun intended...and you don't use worms, silly ones}. What will I do with myself?
There is always more shopping...
Every store is so inviting...
I can stop and rest my feet...
...or just look at all the beauty around me. Who knows? I'll be back soon! :-)

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

happy vacation,, love the chair on the street,,

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Sounds so fun Jane!
And I love that you got to meet up with some blogging gals!
Dan and I ate at Magnolia's, just the name drew us in!
Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!
Hugs,
Cindy

Shellbelle said...

What fun, you got to meet more blogging friends! I love doing that! The Screen Door, what a great name for a shop.

I'm not surprised you wormed out of fly fishing, with the cold weather I wouldn't want to be standing in cold water, rubber boots or not!

Have fun shopping and puttin' up your feet. Relax, you're on vacation!

btw, I LOVE those chairs! I know, not really very beachy, but I love them just the same.

Hugs

Marigene said...

Sounds like a most wonderful vacation, Jane...who wouldn't like shopping and eating!

xinex said...

Glad you are having so much fun, Janie. How exciting to meet Penny and Penny. Always nice to meet bloggers face to face. The Biltmore looks so stately, would love to tour it someday. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!...Christine

Mary said...

Glad you are having fun in Asheville. The 2 Pennys are such lovely ladies - and I know you loved ScreenDoor - one of my all time faves!

I'm still here in England and having such a fabulous visit, especially this week visiting with cousins and old friends, and my brother flew over from his home in France to spend a couple of days with us! Weather quite lovely, no rain, amazing!!

Penny said...

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at Lake Lure. You are just as wonderful in person as you are on your blog. Hope you like Mexican poached eggs with guacamole and picante sauce.

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'm so glad you both are having such a lovely time! Thanks for the tour!
Brenda

Raine and Sage said...

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying my armchair holiday via you Jane. Can't wait to see where I'm off to next!
I think you summed it up best with blur of shopping and food.....

Unknown said...

Oh, looks like a fun time! I would love to visit the Biltmore Estate. Did they have any gardens in bloom. I'm surprised it was still cold there, of course, it's raining in so. cal right now, the weather is so wacky.

NanaDiana said...

I just knew you would love the Biltmore- It's amazing, isn't it? How fun that you got to spend some time with the Pennys! I am so glad that you are having a good time! Hugs- Diana

Tricia said...

You sound like you are having so much fun Jane. Thanks for giving us some highlights :)

~tricia

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie... oooh, everything looks so wonderful!... I'm glad you are having such a nice time... have fun shopping and I can't wait to see all your photos!... The estate looks gorgeous!!! xoxo Julie Marie

Paula@SweetPea said...

So glad that you are having a good time! Asheville is such a great place to visit. Your posts are making me want to go this summer.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
I'm glad that you are having such a good time. It looks like fun too meeting up with other blogger buds.

hugs
Sissie

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane! How wonderful to know you had such a great time! You gals look gorgeous and what fun you must have had!
I have always wanted to see the Biltmore! Maybe someday.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Shirley said...

Hi Jane, I am so glad you are having a wonderful time. I am enjoying seeing your pictures so I guess you could say I am taking a vacation with you. The shops look really interesting. Have a great day tomorrow. I will look forward to more pictures. We are at 62 and the temperature is dropping. Have fun. Your Missouri Friend.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I had so much fun meeting you in person yesterday! You are just as I imagined you would be. Sweet, real and fun!

Can't wait to get together tomorrow.
Hugs,
Penny

Sarah said...

Jane, glad you are having fun. I'm envious of your road trip to Asheville. ~ Sarah

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love those chairs too!... and WOW, what an estate.

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

How fun Jane! I've always wanted to see Biltmore Estate~ someday!
Hope it warms up a bit for you!
hugs,
paula:)

Jane B. said...

Wow...your in my neck of the woods, or almost. I live in Charlotte, NC. Isn't the Biltmore Ahhmazing? Have a great time.

Jane
Finding Fabulous

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Looks like you are having a great time! I love North Carolina!~Hugs, Patti

Theresa said...

Oh my goodness dear Jane, it looks like you are having a wonderful time! Beautiful city and sharing it with you hubby and great friends makes it even more wonderful!

Have a blessed day my friend, HUGS!

Knitty said...

Twice I've missed seeing the Biltmore due to bad weather while visiting friends in SC. I'll get there one day though.

Love the names of the shops. I would definitely prefer Yarn Paradise to the Fly Shop! LOL!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Looks like fun times, meeting up with blogging pals!

I know the Penny-on-the-right. But don't know the Penny-in-the-middle. :-)

~♥~

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

Sounds like a great trip so far! The Biltmore is on our bucket list of places we want to visit. Thanks for sharing your trip! Connie

Honey at 2805 said...

Sounds as if you are having a wonderful time!

Picket said...

Morning girl..sounds like such fun and you and the two Pennys are beautiful! I'd love to peak inside any store called the Screen Door! lol Have a great time making lots of memories sweetie...Picket

The Fajdich Times said...

What a wonderful vacation. The Biltmore Estate is looks fabulous! All the good places you are eating.....Lobster Trap sounds great! Looks like a great place to shop:)

Pondside said...

You lucky duck, Jane! Shopping, fantastic sightseeing, great food and then two Penny's...it can't get much better than that!

Debbiedoos said...

So happy you are enjoying the Carolinas Jane! You look like you are having a wonderful time! Can't wait to see your goodies.

Karena said...

Jane what a special trip,I can see how much you are enjoying it!!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Come and enter my New Giveaway from Serena & Lily! You will love it!

Charlene said...

I know you are having an amazing time in an AMAZING area! Biltmore is 2Die4 isn't it? Can you imagine living like that? Did you buy the book about the family? It is very interesting. Too bad the dairy is no longer there. When we first started going to Asheville it was & the ice cream was sooooo good! Have tea in the Tea Room in Asheville Village if you can. And there is a gallery that has amazing jewelry, clothes, scarves & other goodies if you have a chance. Wish i had hopped in your suitcase! HUGS!
Charlene

Maggie said...

Hi Jane,
So glad to hear that you're both having a good time in Asheville.
Meeting fellow bloggers is such fun!
Maggie

Lynne said...

Jane! Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us...it looks amazing! I know you are having fun!
I am loving all of the charm!
You are such a lovely blog friend!
~Lynne
[w/l]

April said...

Sounds like you two love birds have been having the times of your lives! I knew it was going to be a big hit! Great pictures, Jane!

Deborah said...

Sounds like you are having such fun!!!
Enjoy!!!
Did you say shopping?!!!!! :)

Deborah xoxo

Gypsy Heart said...

I'm so glad you're having such a great time! I knew you'd love The Biltmore ~ :-)

I could eat seafood every day ~ honestly!

xo
Pat

bj said...

It seems like you are having a wonderful vacation. Meeting with the Pennys must have been awesome..as it was for them to meet you.:)
Keep having fun, Blondie.

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Looks and sounds like you are having a wonderful vacation. I saw the pics of the brunch and boat ride...what a beautiful lake.

Blessings,
Linda

Cat said...

Look at those trails and look at those shops...you must be in heaven!

xx Cat

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Jane,

Glad you're having a ball. I love it there too and was impressed by the gardens at the Biltmore Estate. Oh good grief, I didn't know that she changed her clothes ten times a day. Yikes.

All joys,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Leslie said...

Beautiful!!! I am glad that you are having a great trip!!!!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I have always heard such great things about Biltmore Estates. How fun that you got to go there.

Fondly,
Glenda

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

I LOVE the Biltmore. Oh, I am so happy you visited!
Sounds like a truely wonderful vacation!
Yvonne

Elaine said...

Guess you are having a great time.
Always fun to eat and shop.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I saw Penny and Penny's posts about meeting you! It looked like a wonderful time and you all got to spend so much nice time together.

Carolyn said...

Hi Jane!! What a wonderful time it sounds like you are having!! I visited the Biltmore Estate several years ago and loved that area of the country ....so beautiful!!!!!

Enjoy!!!!!!!
Hugs!! Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine

Unknown said...

So glad you are enjoying your visit, Jane. The Biltmore is a must & so awesome. Rich history, beautiful sights, fabulous dining ... lovely countryside.
Savor the moments ...

Have a lovely weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Jane...So glad you liked the Biltmore House. It is beautiful, isn't it? Looks like you are enjoying your trip! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Sue said...

It looks just like I thought it would...all those shops! I'm sorry it was cold for you, but I'm glad you liked Biltmore. We've pulled onto the grounds, but didn't have time to go inside. Oh well, one of these days!

Karen said...

Well you have had the BEST time! I am so late on reading everything, and then haven't been able to comment on ANYONE's blogs! Low and behold, a comment box magically appeared here on this post so YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME!
I am sitting here in awe. I wanna go! I wish I had about 4 months so we could climb in our coach and head to the east coast and see sooooooooo many new things.
SIgh. Someday.
Flyfishing. My husband LOVES it! Especially in Colorado and MT. Me - I'll sit on the bank of a river with my camera, a good book and a glass of wine and be a happy camper.
OK, off to read more, but if I don't comment, it's cause I CAN'T! (Grrrrrrr Blogger!)
Happy Memorial Day! Karen