Hello From Asheville

Hank and I had fun with friends in Asheville a couple weekends back. We all went in on a house to celebrate our friend Nick's birthday. Hank and I got to Asheville early on Friday to explore Biltmore Estate. Hank had never been! We slid in on the last weekend of their Christmas decor. I'm not sure if it was because of the weather or what, but there was no one there. We had America's largest home practically to ourselves.

After we toured about, we grabbed a quick bite before heading to Antler Hill Village to do Biltmore's wine tour and tasting. I remember coming to Biltmore as a child, and mom always pointing out this spot where as you are driving away from Biltmore, you can look back and see an enchanting view of the home. I've never forgotten this so I said Hank, there is this view coming up, we just have to find it, and sure enough, there it was.

House check in was 4 p.m. so we met up with everyone then. Picked favorite rooms and got the party started! We all cooked dinner together, had birthday dessert and played games. We did a beer tasting on Friday night where everyone brought bottles to share. 

After breakfast the next morning, it was all aboard the trolley to Oskar Blues Brewery. We toured, drank beer - my favorite was Icey PA - and ate pizza. Have you had Jet's Pizza? There are locations in this area, and it's definitely late night perfection.

After Oskar Blues, we took the trolley back into town, dancing and singing Journey's Don't Stop Believin' until we arrived. We went to Wicked Weed next which is a really good new brewery in Asheville. So good that it wasn't even 6 p.m., and it was one in, one out. Favorite Wicked Weed brew: Oblivion. After Wicked Weed, we hung out at a bar until our table was ready at Topelo Honey for dinner - so good (and so happy Charlotte has a location).

We went back to the house and played by night - it was certainly a fun mountain weekend.

HBD to My D-A-D

He's 50 today! So thankful for all he has taught me about loving life, kicking back and letting the good times roll. I was known as the "project queen" growing up thanks to his words of encouragement to always go above and beyond (and of course his help orchestrating said projects). He'd even eat my peas when I couldn't leave the dinner table until they were gone! Lessons he has taught me, I will take with me all the days of my life.

Big City Pretty

I surprised Hank (the New Year's baby!) with a trip to the city for his birthday. There is nothing like New York. I love everything about it - the pulse of the place, the culture, the chaos and the beautifulness of it all. In another life, I would absolutely live there.

Lucky for me, one of my most awesome friends, Maura, works in the city / resides in Hoboken. She is seriously THE coolest. We had breakfast at Turning Point with Maura before Hank and I were off to be NYC tourists.

The last time I was in the city was in 2010, for Hank, 2007, so he hadn't seen the 9/11 Memorial and neither of us had seen One World Trade Center. 

One World Trade Center, while not complete, is the tallest building in the U.S. The 9/11 Memorial, just breathtaking. A white rose is placed by each name on their birthday.

Taking to the streets...

Central Park!

Times Square

We took in a TON of sights by day. We had a fun afternoon of drinks at Toloache (Mexican! Love their Mezcalita de Pina) and Connolly's Pub before heading to dinner at Don Antonio. After dinner, The Lion King. Oh. my. gosh. I had tears during the opening act - I was just so overcome with happiness. It was all things colorful and wow! in one place.

After the show, we were lucky enough to be in Times Square when they were testing the ball for New Year's Eve the following night. We saw the countdown and ball light up without the crowds and before the world. It was truly delightful and definitely a moment I won't forget.

We grabbed a slice of cheesecake at Junior's (plus an entire cheesecake for family) before heading back to Maura and Steve's apartment. Seriously - how happy is this apt. corner. 

The next morning, we grabbed bagels and coffee before heading into the city on New Year's Eve. We took the ferry in and explored around Radio City, Rockefeller Center and Saks Fifth Avenue. I discovered my new favorite ornaments in Saks, Glitterazzi, and grabbed a steal of a deal on their last New York City Santa.

We grabbed pizza and beers at Grimaldi's before heading back to get ready for NYE!

I may have packed decorations and "photo booth" props. I just love a celebration.

Maura made the best snacks - one of which was those darn meatballs (recipe here).

Maura + Me

Maura got Hank Crumbs cupcakes plus candles so the five of us sang HBD to Hank. Hank even had some awesome beers - Rare Bourbon County Brand Stout - courtesy of Steve.

We did an all-inclusive package at The Madison for NYE. It included drinks, snacks, party favors, DJ and breakfast at midnight. It was so fun to bring in 2014 with such fab friends.

We walked the pier in the early hours of 2014 and took in one big city pretty.

We brunched at Elysian Cafe the next morning before heading back to N.C. to finish out Hank's HBD. Thanks so much, Maura and Steve, for being undeniably great (per usual).

Jujube

Hank and I have a long list of restaurants we want to try, and we checked off one over Christmas break, Jujube. This place was unique and just as delicious as can be.

We started with two apps: Pan-fried pork and cabbage dumplings. They were so good, and it's definitely on tap to try their barbecue pork belly dumplings next.

Next up was their cha gio - pork and shrimp spring rolls with lettuce, herbs and dipping sauce. We made these like lettuce wraps and they were quite refreshing.

Hank dined on the stir-fried shrimp, oyster mushrooms, peanuts and rice noodles in firecracker sauce. It was a huge dish, and there was definitely enough to enjoy round two.

I love that each dish was garnished with cilantro and lime. I had their pan-fried crab and shrimp cake with sweet potato and spinach in green curry.

This dish certainly awoke my senses - it had a nice kick about it. I had rice with mine so I didn't miss out on even a spec of the green curry delight. A definite must try in Chapel Hill.

Bells Will Be Ringing

We celebrated my SIL's season of love with a December shower. I had some fun making the below banner, and my mom and I worked together on the bell favor cookies and confetti.

Here are Amy's bridesmaids / hostesses for the afternoon.

Laura picked out adorable mint and gold chevron straws for the drink station that was complete with spiked punch and a hot chocolate bar with peppermint schnapps.

We used twine and clothespins to hang sweet pictures throughout the house.

Laura is a way talented pastry chef, seriously, as she made this awesome cupCAKE.

She also made this most lovely ombre cake with shades of mint inside. Just wow.

Two games: One was a candy bar game where someone read the line, the groom, and whoever said Mr. Goodbar first got that candy. Then we played another where we handed out lips and mustaches. A question plus a response was read - either a response from the bride or the groom, and you had to put your lips up if you thought Amy said it, etc. So cute.

Amy was an awesome gift opener. Once all the presents were opened, a bridesmaid had kept a list of all the lines Amy said while opening. She read these and surprise, they were lines she could be heard saying on her wedding night - too funny - "bless your heart."

Bridal BOWquet success.

Happy times ahead!!

Christmas Traditions: All Together Now

I didn't get very far on posting these before getting carried away with the holidays. As I wrap these up, here on Jan. 5, I find it most appropriate to do so as I listen to Christmas music with a tiny year-round Carolina tree all lit up. So far in the mix of 25, I've mentioned these:

1. Decorate Me
2. BIG Happ
3. Cocoa Loco
4. Gingerbuild
5. Craft
6. Apron Up
7. The Griswolds
8. Santa for Dogs
9. Cozy Home
10. Bestie Style
11. The Carolina Inn

Here are the remaining 14:

12. Get Carded. The below is my favorite Christmas card we've done yet. Can you believe we were one photo and done? Bentley's mentality must have been let's get this over with. Are any of you out there Christmas card tapers, where you tape cards you receive to the wall? I'll be going back to that display style as I missed it this year (I went with putting them up with clothespins on an old shutter - more on that in an upcoming Home Happenings).



13. Feast. We get together with friends Nick and Jen for a Christmas feast each year. It's always a fun time before we are off on our separate ways for the holidays.



In honor of Jen being pregnant (so happy!), instead of crafting a cocktail, I set up a craft station, and we made Santa door hangers complete with puffy beards and lots of glitter.



14. The Path. Kathleen and I were childhood neighbors, and we had an awesome path between our houses that we would travel on a million times a day. Each Christmas after the presents were opened, we would have all of our goodies on display. Then we would go over to each other's houses to check out what Santa brought. It was always so much fun. Christmas can't go by without a visit to see Kathleen. We grabbed a bite at my favorite, What-A-Burger, before heading to her house this year. Friends are the best presents.



15, 16, 17, 18. Merry Media. Along with a Christmas Vacation being on the must-watch list each year, I can't let the 25 days of Christmas go by without also seeing Elf, Home Alone and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (original, only). Each Christmas Eve I subject my family to a reading of The Night Before Christmas (complete with theatrics).

19. Bright Lights. I love cruising together with family to see Christmas lights. This year I didn't have to go too far as my dad said he had a surprise for me, and when we pulled up, we were greeted with an inflatable arch. What more could I ask for!?

20. Candlelight. Here we are ready to head to candlelight service. I got the churches mixed up, and we pulled into an empty parking lot at 5:25 p.m. Luckily every street corner has a church in the small town nearest the lake, so we scooted on over to another church that was just getting started at 5:30 p.m. The congregation of 27 was welcoming, the message nice, and we walked out singing Joy to the World. I would't have had it any other way.

21. Red & Green. Once we got back it was time for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner followed by gingerbread building and spirited JELL-O shots. I saw these on Insty last year and thought it was too fun not to pass up.

22. POP. These were followed by homemade party poppers. I must have been living in a hole, because I had no idea these were a huge tradition amongst many families. I saved a few empty toilet paper rolls (classy, I know). Then I cut them in half and taped the center back together (this way they would actually pop in the middle when it was go time). I then stuffed them with confetti, a scratch-off ticket, Blistex and candy. Then rolled them in tissue paper, tied the ends, and made sure there were enough for each person. They were certainly a hit, and the lotto winnings were $15. 

23. Be Kind. Amongst all the celebrations and fun, I love to work in random acts of kindness. From tipping a sweet waitress extra, extra to telling an adorable craft vendor to keep the change, I love how I feel when it happens to me, and I love passing that feeling forward.

24. Jam. While we missed the tradition this year, I love new Christmas jammies on the Eve.

We've made it… 25. Sale. I ooh and aah over the cutest Christmas decorations all season, so I am super excited when they hit that 75 percent off mark after Christmas. This year I added Santa to our collection, so there we are, full circle ready to start again with Decorate Me.

I hope your holidays were sugar, spice and filled with all things nice, like traditions.