Trip to Asheville

We met our long time friends and travelling companions in Asheville, NC for a wonderful short week of sight-seeing, reminiscing and dining in style.  Asheville is a very interesting city to visit with quite a mix of different cultures and places.

We spent a lot of the first day on touring the grounds and buildings of the Biltmore (Vanderbilt estate).  Found it to be quite interesting and it brought to life the episodes of Downton Abbey I have enjoyed.

The food scene is one not to be missed - the first night, we had a marvelous French dinner at an outside table - the Bouchon was very authentic and reminded us of our trips to Paris.  The next evening found us at the Mela Indian restaurant http://melaasheville.com/for some wonderful dishes with just a bit of zing.  And we could not leave North Carololina without BBQ - the casual atmosphere and delicious plates of steaming BBQ with real southern sides was enjoy by everyone at Luella's BBQ.

Following all these great meals and tourist attractions, we returned to The Lion and the Rose, our BandB for the trip.  A beautifully restored 1898 residence located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Montford.  This Inn is extremely welcoming and the proprietors could not be more helpful and friendly.   I could not close without mentioning the coffee delivered to our door every morning followed by a fabulous breakfast (the waffles were to die for)!

The route home took us through peak leaf season in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and then home. Just a few pictures of the trip - I certainly would enjoy spending more time in Asheville!

Cooperstown, NY

It is not just the Baseball Hall of Fame!  We enjoyed visiting all the sites of Cooperstown, NY with two of our best friends.

Grind - Bake - Enjoy!

David has long baked bread using a "peasant" method of baking in a dutch oven. He has always wondered what would change if he milled his own grain.

Hence, the new grain mill (Country Living Grain Mill) from Lehman's Hardware. He was given fresh grains at the holidays (interesting gifts come in 40 pound bags). Today, was the first test - seems to work fine. Now it is part of a Peasant's Hearty Rye - can't wait to try it out.

A new Daughter in Law

Micah and Amanda's wedding - September 24, 2011 - Priceless

4th of July 2010

Great weekend

just grilling - cooking -(our pickled beets&eggs)



watering and watching the garden grow...

Recipe Box Memories

I decided to start another blog for my 2010 challenge.  Visit Recipe Box Memories and add your thoughts and reflections prompted by "food from your past".  

Christmas 2009 Reflections

The house is quiet again - the wind howling the only disturbance. It was so much fun having the kids here this year. Everyone enjoyed the food, gifts and company. For the first time, we had the sounds of small feet in the hallway, too.
Here are some pictures of the party - I think the quilt and mixer were the biggest hits!

Finally enough seats

With 2 days to spare - we finally have enough seats for the family! For the last few years (since we moved and started to build our passive solar house), we have had to use the lawn chairs when family came. And we were always one bed short.

As of Monday this week, we have a new sofa couch and recliner. I am sure the younger generation will be pleased.

Technorati Tags:
lazyboy, sharonbetts

In the Swing

The swinging grill is back in operation!  There is just nothing like grilled meat done over an open fire on a real swinging grill!  We started the tradition learning from our friends in the Hunsruck of Germany - and have "carried the pole" ever since.

Memorial Day 2009 marked our first swinging meal at the solar homestead.
A beautiful day and a great meal.  See the chef in action: 

Springing into Action

Wow - almost 6 weeks without a post. Things have been very hectic here in Maine as we move from winter to Spring, Mud and Summer - the black flies have appeared already.
Since the house is nearing completion - still some window trim and doors to install, there isn't as much to report or document. Our pantry is under construction - I'll post some shots when it is finished (goal of July).

Dave did get our oldest son involved with cleaning some brush - one of his first back-hoe experiences.


The latest project is a swinging grill pit - we have missed it so much since we moved. There is absolutely nothing like chicken marinated and then grilled on a wood fire while resting on a swing grill. We have the basics ready:


The other big project we are starting this summer is some "beautification" of the front yard. The plan is to install raised beds for small veggies and flowers, a picket fence and a small patio and entry way (natural stone or some man-made stone). We need to take care in design with the piles of snow in the winter. The material for raised beds is causing some consternation - what is best (natural, of course) but durable?

Any suggestions?
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sharonbetts
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Wonderful World

To make my Friday the 13th end on a fabulous note - and usher in Valentines Day for all loves in our world.  Here is a video to make you smile:

Thank you: http://www.youtube.com/user/saks61Technorati Tags: louis_armstrong, saks61, sharonbetts

Holiday Video 2008

A short video to share our holidays with family and friends. If you are unable to view this, the pictures are also in our Gallery.

Happy Holidays

from a cold blustery Maine - happy holidays to all

Friends, Family and Bedbugs

As you saw from the last post, we made a trip from Maine to Indiana for a family reunion. Stuck the dogs in the kennel and took off on a Wednesday morning. Since we moved to the foothills, this trip has extended another 2 hours and now averages about 16 on the road (to Ohio - base). The journey down was pretty uneventful with Dave and I taking driving turns. We landed at Mom's around midnight and after some greetings headed to bed. Spent Thursday and Friday gabbing and enjoying a look at the "old home-grounds" - I made a trip to the cemetery where my parents are buried.

Then Saturday - off to Indiana and the big day. Of course, the sky was black and stormy with some rain as we started out. Now one of the reasons I really don't want to move back to the midwest is the hurricane season - which Dave reminded me was now. Ugh.
But, wonders of wonders, we managed to escape the rain - just had to wade through a moat around the camp shelter for a couple of hours. We celebrated at Pokagon State Park in Indiana - a very nice place with shelters, hikes, horseback riding, nature trails and a medium sized lake. If you are in the area, check it out.

We left around 9 pm and started the trek northeast - stopped in Mentor at Motel 8 - where I slept deep and warm with the bedbugs. Really! Discovered a line of bites on my legs and one on my arm the next morning. Just a minute while I continue to scratch - never had anything itch so much unless it is our famous Maine black flies. I had read about hotels having trouble, but never thought...... Oh well, I survived and guess it could have been worse. We got back to our house late on Sunday and picked up the dogs the next morning.

Long drives - but great reunioning.
Enjoy
sharonbetts
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Reunion 2008

It was a long trip to Indiana - but we sure enjoyed the family.
I will also post the pictures in the Gallery (tomorrow). The Direct Link to slides.

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A great loss

This posting is for Sharon's mother, who we lost on September 18th. She would have celebrated her 81st birthday this December. There are no words for the hole in our lives left by this kind, gracious, generous, loving and downright impressive lady. Her loves in life were many with her family leading the way. She was so excited to see the postings of our home and the flowers in Maine. Here she was napping during her visit.

Boom Boom Boom

We again enjoyed the fireworks from the front lawn. Industry is known for having a nice show - and they proved it again.


We are still so dry - the dust is blowing across the front of the house. Milos and Sophie discovered the plastic and styrofoam in the front and to deter any future digging, we spent the morning laying stones. Most of our life in Maine is moving rocks and stones from one location to another - I think this must be a historical occupation in New England.



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Did you notice?

I don't know if you noticed that I have embedded a few podcasts from our regular website. You should be able to see them on the right - and if you click one, you may hear about our adventures. The latest was posted today - all about our adventures at the Leonberger Dog Show last weekend. Milos actually took the show - there were issues though!

Not much happening on the "berm" - interior work can be tedious. I will get an update here soon.

Asheville Adventures with Monster Milos - Episode 3

The Big Day - Saturday
Its morning and he will show in the Novice Class.
I drove him down to the arena (indoor soccer fields) in the van. It wasn't hot - as a matter of fact, it looks like rain - we hear there is a major Northeaster on the way. I walked him around using some of the techniques that everyone has been advising. He does respond better, but is a long way from being able to go with me into the ring. We nearly scared the hair off one young leo when they unexpectedly appeared behind a car. I had no idea what I had on my hands - there is going to need to be major changes in our methods of training when we return to Maine.

I brush him out in the van as the show begins and the Youth classes finish - Novice is next. On with the collar and leash and into the arena - Hup, Two - I scoot him past the other dogs with minor snarls and hand him off to the brave handler. Then I must disappear since we decided it would be best for him to not be able to see me or David (or smell Sophie). I had promised to help prepare his dogs for the next classes. He is off to the ring.....

About 10 minutes into the judging (Swedish judge - Petra Junehall ), chaos! Dogfight - my stomach drops to the floor. It must be the testosterone-boy. I am devastated - but, NO! Here comes a friend with the news that it isn't Milos at all, but two others. He is just standing there looking astounded and being calm as can be. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It was a long class with several other growls, but he showed very well. Took third place, too. (the winner of his class actually took Best of Show - so the competition was stiff).

What does it mean? He isn't the problem (other than being a teenager) - We are.

Relief - we are having dinner with my cousin who resides just outside of Asheville. Very nice to get away and to see them if even for a short time. Tomorrow we head into the storm.

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First Christmas in the House

Christmas 2006 - the first in the new house - is already over. We feel lucky to have had our children all here this year with all the chaos. It is too bad that neither of the "Grandmas" could come, but neither does very well on the floor. It was a quiet Christmas with a traditional tree from the lot and few decorations.
We had pizza in the Tulikivi and a walk in the woods on a warm Christmas morning. Overall a success.
There are a few pictures in the Gallery.