Thursday, June 2, 2016

Various and Sundry

I like that idiom and feel like its a good fit here on this side of the pond. Experts say you shouldn't use it, but phsst.


Two weekends ago hubs and I met friends at the Sierra Nevada Brewery near Asheville NC. It's gorgeous, which seems like a funny word to use in describing a brewery but it really is a beautiful venue. The entrance is grand and they've spared no expense in the design. The brewery is tucked back off the highway and you come in by way of a long winding drive lined with copper landscape lighting (I think they were lights) and a big stone wall.


We opted not to take the tour this time, because we were there mostly to catch up with friends, but I think I'd like to take the tour next time. You do need to book that ahead as it's popular. There's a couple of huge indoor dining spaces along with a covered patio and then more seating outside.  We got a table on the covered patio and ordered several plates to share. The food was delicious. I'm not a beer drinker so can't really comment about that, but the place was hoppin' if that tells you anything.


The space out back is the best part. They have an enormous garden the chef picks from in creating the menu and it makes a really pretty landscape too. We did wonder what their secret is for keeping the rabbits at bay, because everything looked so healthy and not nibbled on at all.


The garlic and strawberries were especially impressive, and they even had a row of curry plants which is something I'd never seen before.


There's a big amphitheatre where they'll eventually have live music, a walking trail through the woods, a gorgeous firepit,and plenty of cornhole and bocce courts for visitors to enjoy. In a funny turn of events, as we were driving over to NC I had a text from Daugther2 asking me a question and we texted a bit before I mentioned we were on our way to Sierra Nevada. Turns out she and her boyfriend were guess where? At Sierra Nevada, also with friends-ha!


Last weekend (Memorial Day) hubs and I went to Georgia for a long lake weekend with more friends. One couple has a Pontoon boat on Lake Allatoona and we spent all day Saturday on the water.


In the water too because it was hot. The air not the water. The water was actually cool, but once you took the plunge it felt good. We listened to a lot of music and solved all manner of the world's problems. Time on the water is good for that.

Also, sunsets. My oh my.


We had a cookout Sunday and headed back home Monday with a quick stop at our lake to check on the house progress.


Hubs and I had stopped Friday on the way to Georgia since you practically go right by, and in a happy coincidence found the stone delivery happening and stone masons on site to get started. There will be some stone on the exterior of our home, plus all the fireplaces.

We've almostlearned to keep our expectations low when it comes to measuring progress week to week, and it was already noon on Friday when they made the delivery leading into a long holiday weekend. Plus there's a lot of prep work and such before the stone can be attached to the house, plus stuff just moves crazy slow, so yeah. Low expectations.

When we swung by Monday we were pleasantly surprised to see this-


No mud yet, or filler or grout or whatever they call the in-between stuff, but-


...it's a start!

13 comments:

  1. Hooray for progress!! I grew up with a pontoon boat that we used on weekends, all summer long. Loved it and cherish the memories. You can't beat time out on (or in) the water! The brewery looks like quite the place to get away! I'm not a beer drinker either.

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  2. Looks like a fabulous weekend. The house looks great so far. Have a good one!

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  3. It sounds like y'all are staying fairly busy :) By the way, how are you dealing with this southern heat, so far?
    The stone on your house looks great, so far :)

    In response to your comment about linking up with the Hodgepodge, yesterday: For some reason, yesterday afternoon, I could see the list for a while, but couldn't see my name on it. I tried using the linky and it worked. I'm surprised it let me link up again, since you'd already linked me, earlier. Strange!
    Today, I can't see the list at all, again! From now on, if I ask you to link me, I won't relink, even if I can't see my name. Thanks for helping me deal with this glitch. I have no idea what's causing it.
    Kathy (Reflections)

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  4. Y'all are having too much fun! You know, OS lives in Asheville...he could've taken y'all kayaking!!! :D

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  5. What a fun weekend and always great to be with long time friends. Love your stone!

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  6. The stonework looks so nice. All of it -- you are so blessed and I am enjoying this journal of the progress.

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  7. Your trip sounds amazing! I like going to wineries to, but don't drink.

    My husband and always had a pontoon boat, but since he passed I haven't been back to the chain of lakes we went to for almost 30 years.

    I remember how long it seemed to take the house at the lake I grew up in to be finished. But, it was so worth the wait. Your house is looking good!

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  8. Love the color and pattern of the stone wall. It's just all going to be amazing.

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  9. Love watching your house go up. So exciting! Wonderful that you have so many lovely friends to do life with. Such fun!!

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  10. Sounds like a great place to visit. How awesome meeting up with your friends. The stonework is lovely. It is all so exciting!!!

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