Friday, May 25, 2012

Mountains, blog friends, and treasures........

 Thankfully Bob didn't need much cajoling to take me to the mountains this week! He loves such trips and enjoys meeting my blog friends who live or visit there. It's about a 4-1/2 drive west to Asheville and I just knew it would be fun. The weather was not the greatest and getting good mountain shots through showers and mist was hard. Although we've met up with the two Pennys before, it was our first meeting with Jane and her husband who were visiting from Chicago.

Walking through Biltmore Village to meet the group for lunch, I enjoyed the landscaping along the streets..............above, the Verbena bonariensis mixed with white daises was 'cottagey' and lovely, making me realize I need to try growing it again.

Surprised to see such beautiful cacti in this area - the prickly pear was covered in blooms and as you can see, the slug had already staked out a lunch spot!



No, we didn't meet for lunch at the local Biltmore McDonald's! Although, due to the strict building codes here it is an extremely elegant building, complete with a player piano, decorative signage, and plantings not usually seen at fast food joints!!!

Instead, a fun, tasty lunch shared at Asheville's Corner Kitchen in the charming Biltmore Village complex. Bob, and Jane's charming hubby, were able to chat at one end of this long farm table while we all enjoyed the food, exchanged some beautiful gifts, and talked up a storm.......literally!


Immediately after we took this photo the Amazon jungle style rain started.......not a gentle shower or light drizzle, a storm of falling cats and dogs type rain! The torrents fell like sheets of cold Winter rain, bouncing off everything in sight, filling the streets and turning them into rivers..........Asheville was flooded in minutes and we couldn't get to our car to catch up with 'the Pennys' who were on their way to the ScreenDoor for treasure hunting! Jane and The Husband were off to do other things - hopefully in a drier place.


Once at the ScreenDoor, where I squelched about in sopping sandals after running through the parking lot in torrents of rain, crashes of thunder and flashes of lightning, I still was able to fall in love with this French linen monogrammed sheet.....of course!  A bit beyond my budget sadly, but am still thinking of it.  The two Pennys loved it also.

 Interesting old wirework chair - would be lovely in the garden with a huge pot containing something with cobalt blue blooms


Another garden or porch chair with wonderful rusted paint shades.......and the painting is displayed perfectly here.

I coveted these paper roses fashioned into a simple wreath.................and even the unusual cracked mirror.  I did purchase a few similar roses and will show them in another post. Note also the simple but charming vintage book pages used for a bunting hanging above, now that would be easy to replicate. Crafting evening anyone?

More beautiful French style bottles.  One is nice but a collection of shapes and shades would be awesome in a sunny window.

Always a plethora of unusual chairs at the ScreenDoor, such as these which caught my eye. They'd need a brush with chalk paint and burlap or fine linen seats for my house, but are stunning. 

I even purchased my French bergère chair there a couple of years ago, stuffing it into the back seat of the Camry and oohing and aahing over it all the way home............even though it was dark wood and really hideous ugly green upholstery..........

.......but now looks like this after my painting effort and a local guy handy with linen and a sewing machine!

OK, I think you get the picture.........I had a wonderful road trip to Asheville to meet the great blogging gals and look forward already to doing it again perhaps over the Summer.


13 comments:

  1. Oh .. oh, the French style bottles stole my heart away! And words can't say how much I enjoy seeing photos of blog friends getting together. Happy Memorial Day weekend, Mary. Be safe and happy.

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  2. How wonderful to meet up with some blogging friends! It looks like you all had a fun time visiting and shopping and running through the raindrops!

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  3. Mary, It was so much fun spending time with you and Bob. Thank you for all of the wonderful tips on traveling in France and the lovely tea ensemble. So thoughtful of you. I too will give you a wave from the skis over the Atlantic on our trips east. Have a inspiring trip. Will see you back in NC.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  4. Mary, I always have fun getting together with you and Bob. We really enjoyed every second of it. I am looking forward to all of your future travel adventures. Wish I could hide in your suitcase and come along!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  5. Looks like a very fun day! I never dreamed there was a McDonald's there-oh my. Wish you had sent some of that rain our way-the corn and beans are very thirsty here. Enjoy your weekend!

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  6. Despite the weather, sounds and looks like you had a wonderful trip. Always nice to meet up with blogger friends. Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  7. What a great time meeting with blogger friends! Too bad about the torrent of rain! Love the bottles and the wire chair. Looks like an amazing shop! Trips like this are always so memorable!

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  8. It sounds like a wonderful day from beginning to end, despite the weather. Bonnie

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  9. Another lovely day with blogging friends and antiques. I would love the ScreenDoor and Ashville, I just know it. Another wonderful adventure for Mary.

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  10. Mary, so glad you had this opportunity. Sorry the rain had to spoil the fun, but then here in TX we don't ever complain when it rains. LOL
    Love seeing your transformed chair. It's a beauty! ~ Sarah

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  11. Looks like you had a great day Mary. The photo pf the mountains through the fog is beautiful.
    Paul

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  12. It certainly sounds like a great trip, pity about the rain but it doesn't seem to have dampened your spirits at all:)

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  13. That was such a fun place to visit when we all met there! I love the Biltmore area too. I have some of that verbena, never thought of mixing it with the daisies; you can always learn something new through blogland.
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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