Asheville

Last weekend Eric and I went to Asheville to get away for the weekend, enjoy the cool mountain weather, see the fall leaves and celebrate our 5 year anniversary. This was our third time going to Asheville and it was just as wonderful as the last two times.

We arrived at out B&B, The Sweet Biscuit Inn, at 6:30pm after driving 3 hours. We dropped our stuff in our room, freshened up and headed out to dinner. We decided to try out a new place that we have not been to before: Fiore's Ristorante Toscanna. All I can say is YUM! We ordered their Tuscan Stuffed Figs (Figs stuffed with basil goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto)...they were amazing! For our entrees I ordered the Gnocchi Della Casa and Eric ordered the Veal Saltimboca. 

After dinner we walked around downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park. At night the buildings look so beautiful all lit up. During our first two visits to Asheville, the city was constructing this park. They did a great job! At the top of the hill is a beautiful fountain. Down from the fountain is a lawn nicely landscaped and then two beautiful old buildings at the end with another fountain. Of course, I couldn't resist taking some pictures!

The Sweet Biscuit Inn

Saturday morning we woke up and started the morning out with a cup of coffee on the front porch. The cool weather felt great!! We then had breakfast with all the other B&B guests. The owner Angela made us walnut cinnamon french toast, served with fresh fruit & local bacon. After breakfast we went for a walk at a park. After the walk we went antique shopping. I was on the hunt for some Fiesta and sadly I didn't find anything I needed.

Where we went for a walk. I liked the bridge.

For lunch we went to the Bier Garden to watch the UGA vs. Vanderbilt game. We watched the first half before deciding to head back to the B&B. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out on the front porch playing cards.

We ate dinner again at a new place, The Early Girl Eatery. Also very good food. I dont think you can go wrong anywhere in Asheville! The only thing you need to keep in mind when eating out in Asheville is to prepare to wait about an hour before you can sit down. If you want to have lunch at 12 then you should show up at 11. We went to dinner at 6:45 and had to wait an hour before getting a table. We were in no rush so we spent the time walking around downtown.

Sunday morning we had another delicious breakfast. We spent the morning again on the porch sipping coffee. I didn't want to leave the nice crisp cool weather for the 80 degrees that was awaiting us in Athens. We left the Sweet Biscuit Inn around 11:00 and headed back downtown to eat at my favorite place....Tupelo Honey. As always it was delicious!

One of the many tunnels we drove through.

After lunch we headed out of town and took the Blue Ridge Parkway back to Athens. We have never driven the parkway because the part by Asheville has been closed for well over a year. The Parkway was beautiful! The fall colors we so nice to see. It was tempting to stop at every scenic lookout but we would have never made it home! My pictures do not do it justice...

The windy road of the Parkway

Overall we had a great relaxing weekend. I just wish it would have been a longer trip! 

5 Year Reunion

This weekend is our 5 year college reunion from Bethel University. 5 years has flown by! Bethel was such an amazing experience for me. I met a lot of cool people, made life long friends, I met Eric there, went to a lot of fun Royals football games, traveled the world, and learned A LOT! I will always cherish the memories I have there.

I am sad because we will not be able to make it to the reunion. With Christmas in 2 months (yes that is right, Christmas is in 2 months!!) buying a plane ticket for two was not an option. I am sad we wont make it to see all of our old friends. I know it will be so much fun!        

However, we did plan a fun weekend. We will be in Asheville, NC celebrating our 5 year Anniversary. We decided to postpone our trip so we can see some beautiful fall leaves in the mountains.

Here are some pictures from WAY back during the Bethel years.

Me & Jenessa

Kristen & Me

Sarah, Molly, Jenessa, Me & Becca

Washington Farms

This past weekend we decided to check out Washington Farm's pumpkins. We have been there to pick strawberries and blueberries before but we have never been there for pumpkins. We have usually gone to Burt's Pumpkin Farm but we just didn't have time to make the drive this time.

Michelle & Kelly joined us in the perfect pumpkin hunt. Eric and I came home with one big, one small, four mini pumpkins, and two pie pumpkins.

Picking out pumpkins was fun. I really wanted a green pumpkin but I didn't think the farm would be happy with me picking one before it was ripe.
 
After going to the farm we at lunch out and then went to Michelle & Kelly's to watch the UGA game. While watching the game Kelly made a home made pumpkin pie with one of their pie pumpkins. It was AMAZING!!! And it was super easy! I always assumed making a pumpkin pie from scratch would be hard but it wasn't.
I will definitely be making it for
Thanksgiving this year!

Here is the recipe in case you are interested in trying it!

Ingredients

• 1 sugar pumpkin
• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

 

 

Directions

1. Cut pumpkin in half and remove seeds. Place cut side down on a cookie sheet lined with lightly oiled aluminum foil. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when poked with a fork. Cool until just warm. Scrape the pumpkin flesh from the peel. Either mash, or puree in small batches in a blender. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C.)
2. In a large bowl, slightly beat eggs. Add brown sugar, flour, salt, 2 cups of the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and evaporated milk. Stir well after each addition.
3. Pour mixture into the unbaked pastry shell. Place a strip of aluminum foil around the edge of the crust to prevent over browning.
4. Bake 10 minutes at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C), then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake an additional 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove the strip of foil about 20 minutes before the pie is done so that the edge of the crust will be a light golden brown. Cool pie, and refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

Our Harvest

Something New....Tea!

Since Eric and I have been a couple (8 years this November!!) he has gotten me to try all sorts of new foods. Before we were dating I did not eat shrimp, kiwi, fish of any kind, blueberries, pork, lamb and a whole bunch of other foods. I remember trying calamari for the first time on a Valentines date at the St. Paul Grill and loved it!I used to be a PB&J ONLY Girl (which I do still eat on occasion) but now I will try almost anything once.

 

Since being together I have also learned to love coffee, wine, beer and now.....Tea! I wouldn't say that I now love tea...but I am liking it a lot more. Eric's Aunt Ada and Uncle Chuck always have tea at their house and when we visit them we have it with breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have always opted for coffee on our visits to their house, but now I will happily drink some tea! Let me know if you are interested in joining us for tea time!!

The Return to Pather Creek

Alan, Keri, Michelle, Me & Eric in a "Cave"

Saturday we hiked 7.2 miles at Panther Creek Falls with some friends at church. It was a perfect day to hike!! The sun was shining and the temp was a nice 60-70 degrees. It took us an hour and a half to hike to the falls. Once there we spent time by the waterfall eating lunch, exploring the river and skipping rocks. After a good rest we headed back up the trails to our cars.

Keri & Alan resting for lunch

I was very happy with myself on this hike. It was definitely easier on me than it was the first time we hiked it. I think all the Zumba I have done at the Y has helped me not run out of breath. My knee however is a different story. It started hurting about half way to the falls and by the end of the day it was pretty sore. I feel like I am getting old...but Michelle said I need to lift more at the Y for my legs...she is probably right :)

It was great to get out and hike...I hope to do some more this next weekend and sneak in a trip to Burts Pumpkin Farm.

Kelly &Michelle hydrating

Being goofy...

Me, Alan, Keri, Eric, Kelly & Michelle at the falls

No trip of mine is ever short of pictures and as always I had to take pictures of my surroundings....

The upper falls

Cool log with moss

No idea what this is but it is beautiful!

Friday

I am SOOO glad it is Friday! Work has been rough lately and I just come home tired every day.

It has been cooling off here in GA and I am very happy to see leaves starting to change. I plan to start walking around Athens and taking pictures of the area. If this is going to be our last year here I need to get some good ones! Maybe I will do this tonight.

I am also excited for tomorrow because we are going hiking with our church group to Panther Creek Falls. We went here in the spring and I am ready to check it out in the Fall. We haven't done anything outside since our river trip in September....it is time!