The Daughter and her friend Sophia, visiting from Atlanta
I apologize for a less than Pulizter-worthy post this morning, but I overslept. The good news is that I have not been plagued by insomnia lately. In fact, the night I took these two lovelies above out to dinner at Asheville’s James Beard award-winning Chai Pani, I had two tamarind margaritas and slept for ten hours. I wouldn’t recommend turning this approach into a habit, but if you’re desperate for slumber, it’s worth a shot.
The bar scene at Sovereign Remedies
The Boyfriend and I had dinner and a drink at this bar, Sovereign Remedies. Doesn’t this photo make you want to toss back a shot or two?
Beaver Lake
The Daughter and I walked the 2-mile loop around Beaver Lake Christmas Eve morning. Everyone and their dog was out on the path.
Christmas Dinner at Susan’s
This was Christmas dinner at my friend Susan’s house. We made a few dishes, and The Daughter decided a pitcher of holiday margaritas was also in order. It was a mad dash to get out of the house and we raced to the car with the food in the pouring rain and the cover blew off the pitcher and we *may* have driven to Weaverville with an open, partially spilled container of margaritas in someone’s lap but don’t tell anyone.
The table at my cousins’ Boxing Day Celebration
For Boxing Day, my cousins and I boxed up presents we didn’t want and exchanged them with each other. Technically, you’re supposed to give your unwanted gifts to the needy, but I got a floating shelf which I actually do need, so I think we were still following the rules.
A road in my neighborhood
Yesterday, it was in the 50s, so I took a walk through my neighborhood. It was partly sunny and warm enough that I almost took off my sweater. I walked until I couldn’t walk anymore and felt bathed in gratitude for the walk, the day, and my life. Also, this dog who bounded across the yard when it saw me and offered me its plaything.
Then, last night, The Daughter and I met up with Susan and her kids, and kid-in-law, at Burial Beer Brewery.
Susan at Burial Beer. Her dog Monti was not ready for his close-up.
Burial serves craft cocktails with names like Handbook For The Recently Deceased, of which The Daughter had one, and then she had two more with equally odd names, and I exclaimed, “THREE DRINKS?!” and she said, “MOM, I’M IN COLLEGE!”
God bless us, everyone. Especially the college kids.
Beautiful celebrations! Such a wonderful life cultivated in just under a year! Cheers xoxo
Haven’t commented recently but I thoroughly enjoy every article.
Love your style of writing and the way you honor the profound amazements of community, connections, small town magic, natural beauty that surrounds you (we live in an incredibly beautiful paradise if we pay attention).
So my hope for 2024 is “The Boyfriend” gets promoted to “My Boyfriend”, it’s all about the Title!
Keep on keeping!
Makes me want to explore your area!
Happy New Year!