Monday, October 19, 2009

Back from a week in North Carolina.....

We decided to take a week in October to rent a cabin in North Carolina. We chose a pet friendly cabin so we could take our dogs on their first vacation with us instead of going to doggy camp. We left on October 12th and checked in. The cabin wasn't exactly what we were expecting quality wise, but we made due. Mark built many fires in the woodburning fireplace, made us martinis several nights while I cooked most of our meals....you know, the economy is bad. We did end up not spending much money while there, except for the visit we made to the Biltmore in Asheville. Between the tickets, expensive lunch and a case of wine from the tasting, I would say we helped the economy quite a bit, at least at the Biltmore property! The trees there were about a week or so behind being at peak, but it was pretty all the same. We drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway for awhile and jumped off as soon as we could....too many curves. Our favorite town while there was Waynesville. It was very quaint and filled with friendly folks. Our cabin was in Maggie Valley which wasn't really a town at all. We visited a wonderful yarn shop while in Asheville called Yarn Paradise. Our lunch at Fig in Asheville was also great!
Here we are on a walk for the much awaited day without rain....Friday. We walked the 3 1/2 mile walking track around Lake Junaluska....it was heavenly. People were feeding the many ducks so we stopped to watch. Ivy loved that part.

I caught a photo of a pretty tree.....

The Biltmore on the wet, cold day we went there. Sorry no photos were allowed inside this 70,000 square foot mansion.

This was the view off of the deck on the cabin....

Ivy and Lily enjoyed the view too, but I think they were watching dogs and squirrels....

Luke laughs almost everytime Stef talks to him....she's very entertaining! He's developed quite a personality by now and has found his toes and can reach all of his toys...of course, you know they all go into his mouth....awwww, the tasting game.

Mark took me to a quilt show in Granville, Ohio for my birthday. It was quite cute with several quilts on display that I enjoyed. I thought this one was especially cute with many redwork blocks put together in the center and pieced stars surrounding the redwork. Alot of work was put into it and I appreciate the many hours it must have taken the maker to finish this adorable quilt. Here's just one block.....

Here's the whole quilt.....

I have the front finished on the Jeanne sweater I pictured with the last post of the completed back and am almost finished with both sleeves (I like doing them at the same time so they are both finished). Then all I have to do is knit the collar. I'll just post the finished sweater at the end. Until next time....quilt on or knit on!