Our Mountain Home

I can't even begin to tell you how much our annual trip to North Carolina was exactly what I needed right now. This past week has been the first time in over three years that I've really been able to stop and rest for a minute. No projects have been hanging over my head, no homework is needing to be done after I put the kids in bed. Nothing has been on the schedule but to spend time with my favorite two people in the world. I'll be honest, the first few days we were here I found anxiety and stress trying to creep in and ruin my trip, but I refused to allow it. Inhaling the mountain air is just good for the soul. There is too much beauty to be seen to spend any time being negative. A day spent at Lake James soaking in the sun extinguished all my cares and worries, and we drove home tired but happy. So many new story ideas floated 'round in my head as I watched the sun set behind the mountains. This place is magic. It nourishes. It energizes. It heals. Happy first day of summer to all of you out there! I hope you enjoy the pictures!

xo

Nutmeg

Travels

Me and my kids are on vacation in North Carolina. It's become a summer tradition for us. Sometimes its just the three of us, other times friends or family come up to meet us and share in the beauty of the mountains. It never fails to be a much needed break from the summer heat back home. Here are a few pictures from the past few days. The lake you see is where they filmed the one and only Dirty Dancing. RIP Patrick Swayze. Anyways, hope you enjoy! 

xo Nutmeg

Some new photos!

black leotard rebels' photostream on Flickr.

I just recently got back from a trip to North Carolina to go hiking. Here are some of my pics!

Signs, Yo'uns.

Burnsville, NC

...there's just something I love about finding a perfect diner. That cup of coffee that tastes only as it ever can from a diner, the hot biscuits, the perfect burger...

While this diner wasn't at all perfect (in fact my stomach was aching before I even left the restaurant, leaving me incredibly cranky for the rest of the morning) I did love the sign. It's a pretty unforgettable small-town diner sign. 

Mountain Times.

The Biltmore, Asheville, NC

This is backtracking a little, but since I never got a chance to post any pictures of the trip my kiddos and I took this summer to North Carolina, I figured now would be a good time. We are really fortunate to be able to go up there quite a bit, since my parents have a little place just a short ways outside of Asheville. 

Burnsville, NC

We'd have loved to be able to stay for the whole summer. However, the need to have an income doesn't really allow that. We were able to stay there for about three weeks, though, which was absolutely amazing.

Bakersville, NC

Western North Carolina is one of my top places in the south to visit. It is stunningly beautiful with small little towns nestled at the bottom of some of the tallest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountain range. Roadside diners, farmers markets, waterfalls, milkshakes, swimming and more swimming is all we did for days on end.

I always find it so amazing to see how clear ones head gets when you are able to get away from the stresses and pressures of everyday life for a while. Seems to me to be the best way in the world to spend time and money. About one hour into our car drive I could look into the rearview mirror, and I swear I'd see, one by one, all the tensions of our everyday lives falling off the back of the car onto the interstate. They were immediately squashed by the cars and trucks behind us. Thank you for that, trucks!


That's all the pictures for now. I'm sure more stories will come up soon. You should all try to visit as soon as you can! Fall is beautiful in the mountains. 

Fairvue,NC