Easter at the Grove Park Inn

 This post might end up sounding a bit like an advertisement though it's not meant to be.  It's just that we are having so much fun.  Back in early February we booked a long Easter weekend stay at the Grove Park Inn in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina.   I booked the Easter weekend package and shortly after making the reservation, a hotel staff member
sent me a brochure with the schedule of activities.  Based on what I saw I knew it would be fun but the girls have had more fun than we ever imagined. 

We started our visit going to Ridgecrest and Black Mountain. 

  From the time I was about five years old we spent two weeks every summer attending the church camp and I haven't been back to visit the area since 1970.  

  In fact, it was at Ridgecrest that I watched the historic walk on the moon.  The apartments we stayed in on July 20, 1969 have now been torn down but I enjoyed sharing the story with the family. 

I was amazed that this hotel on Tunnel Road was still open. 

  When I was a child I thought it would have been so exciting to stay here at the Mountaineer Inn.  

So yesterday was spent driving around the area and today was the official start of the Easter weekend festivities.  

One of the only quiet moments for the Easter rabbit

 We made bonnets, participated in the Easter parade and had two hours of coloring eggs, 

 decorating cupcakes, 

balloons, facepaintings, making flowers 

 and enjoying delicious homemade lemonade.  

There's also been plenty of swimming, hiking and touring the antique car museum, not to mention dancing, rocking and just relaxing. 

Tomorrow is the Easter service, egg hunt and a brunch before our fun weekend is over.  

We decided this place should be called the GRAND Park Inn!   

Happy Easter.  

Of course I'll be joining The Tablescaper for this very special Seasonal Sunday.

Romantic Prairie Cookbook

I read about this cookbook on DustyLu's blog (Dusty Lu Interiors) and now I'm excited to buy it and try it! But first, I'm entering her giveaway. Click here to read more.

Is It Easter Already?

I was in D.C. all this week so while I’ve thought about the season, mostly I was holdup in a hotel with lots of meetings, dinners, etc.  Now it’s time to focus on the season with THE most beautiful colors.  The world seems to go from brown to pastel in a matter of days with some of the softest, most beautiful fragrances found in nature floating through the air.  I love spring.  

 Currently scents of lily-of-the-valley, banana shrub (a life-long favorite blossom) and viburnum Korean Spice Carlesii create the most delicate fragrance everywhere you walk in my garden.  Being outdoors right now is a gift from heaven above.

So now that I’m home I’m focused on the season and I’m very excited to have the grandgirls for the holiday!!!   We’ve got a GREAT weekend planned and I know I’ll soon have photos to share but meanwhile we’ve bought new dresses, straw handbags which are going to double this year as their Easter baskets and they are filled with goodies.   Lots of plans and I’m looking forward to getting away for some family time.

One thing I realize as I’ve gotten older is that I miss some of the special small details that used to be a part of Easter.  For instance, remember when hat and gloves were required for Easter Sunday?

Or what about the sugar eggs?

 I played with many a paper doll and treasure the memories of imaginary play.   Just in case you decide to do something nostalgic during the week, here's a link to a very special activity.

No matter what you are doing this week as we celebrate the Easter season, I hope you are enjoying spring. 

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper to enjoy Seasonal Sunday. 

Atlanta's 31st Annual Heart Ball

Over the past year I've spent a lot of time focused on fundraising and friendraising for the American Heart Association. It all started with one of our employees came to me asking if we could hold a GO RED FOR WOMEN campaign, explaining that heart disease runs in her family.   This employee has lost family members to heart disease and she works hard to maintain her heart every day.   So the year long fundraising began.  We sold carnations, held an oatmeal bar, casual days and a karaoke night and we raised some money.

I blogged about Atlanta's Go Red For Women luncheon last June.  You can read about it here.  I'm still amazed that I got seated up close and personal with Star Jones!

Last night was the biggie, the Heart Ball, a black-tie affair.   As I was planning ahead for this event I was feeling some of the pain that some of the blogging "mothers-of the-bride" have been blogging about.  Pondside and Pat at Mille Fiori Favoriti have both posted about this recently.  Let me tell you that it is not easy to find a dress that is figure flattering while being age appropriate without breaking the bank.   I felt I came out lucky after 3 weeks of shopping, finally finding my gown at Macy's for $80!!!  My girlfriend ended up paying nearly $800 at Saks. 

 I wish I had more pictures but when you carry a small evening bag, there is no place to store your camera.  

We had a great time but given the prices of the items up for auction, I made sure to keep my paddle on the table! 

The auction might have been for a great cause but those auction items were expensive!

My son was having a fit that we were able to spend time with the Atlanta Falcon's head coach, Mike Smith.  

So now it's time to put away the gown and all the glittery accessories but for an evening it was fun playing dress up.

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday. 

Under the Tuscan Sun Cookbook - Frances Mayes in Atlanta!

 Frances Mayes was at the Atlanta History Center last night, sharing stories about Italy, food, friends and life at Bramasole.    

 Of course the new cookbook was on sale and I was lucky enough to get one of the last books, which of course I got autographed last night.  I couldn't wait to get home and share some of the stories with my husband and my son.   

Now I'm ready to go to Italy, oh yes, and of course cook!