The Brooks Board: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

It's here! It's here! Christmas time! Yay!

We've been very busy getting into the holiday spirit around here! Two weeks ago we went to Asheville for Christmas at the Biltmore. I've been asking to go there for...oh, I don't know....8 years? So this year, as an early Christmas present, we went! It was just as special as I thought it was going to be. We went up Thursday night after work and had dinner at a yummy place called Tupelo Honey in downtown Asheville. Up and at 'em bright and early on Friday....we started our day with coffee and pastries at the Bake Shop at Biltmore. Then we did a little bit of browsing around the shops. We headed into the house (where you're not allowed to take pictures...weird and not cool) and spent the next couple of hours touring around. Wow. It's pretty phenomenal. I kept saying, "People lived here!" It was really beautiful, dressed to the nines for Christmas. We then spent a little time walking around the gardens, which were sprawling. I'm sure they are stunning in the springtime. Then, we headed over to Antler Hill Village, had lunch at Cedric's Tavern (named after the Vanderbilt's beloved St. Bernard), and then toured the winery. After a full day at Biltmore, we met up with our friend Doug who lives in Asheville. He and Barrett have been great friends since they were kids, and he was a groomsman in our wedding, so it was nice to be able to spend some time hanging out. We had a wonderful time...I'm looking forward to our next visit. Anyone up for a trip to see the Tulip Blanket in the spring?! :-)

Thanks for my early Christmas gift Barrett!

Yummy coffee and pastries.

From the gardens.

Having a blast!

With the lions.

Entrance to the estate.

The Conservatory.

Pretty poinsettia tree.

The staircase from outside.

Barrett with Cornelia and Cedric.

Making champagne (sparkling wine).

The Biltmore Wine Library.

One bottle from each batch up until a few years ago.

Then it was Thanksgiving! Can you believe how far into the year we are? We went to Burlington for Thanksgiving this year. It was nice to be able to spend the holiday with my mom and stepdad this year...it was also nice to not have to be the one cooking the turkey! We had a wonderful time, ate way too much, and really enjoyed the company. I can't believe it's over....we've even finished all the leftovers already! Oh well...on to Christmas!

Sleepy Cheddar...before turkey.

Me and Rachel.

Rachel and Mom.

Turkey. Yum.

Thanksgiving table.

We have been very busy bees around the house...pulling out all of the Christmas shenanigans that make our home holly jolly. All our hard work has paid off! We are officially ready for Christmas! Well, minus all the shopping we still haven't done...but when that happens we'll have a happy tree to put them all under!