What a difference a week makes! Last Sunday morning, I went for my last beach walk, shopped at the farmers' market, and dined al fresco. Today, with temps in the low 30's, I'll walk around the mall, pick up some food at Wegmans, and turn on the fireplace. Yes, we're home.
The road trip was amazing. We spent the first night in Savannah...
and explored plantation ruins at Wormsloe Historic Site the next morning.
From there we drove to Asheville, NC...
and had an amazing dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe on Kathy's recommendation. Of course, I had to buy their cookbook.
The next day was all Biltmore (Dressing Downton is there until May 25). The place is spectacular! We toured the house and gardens... photos cannot begin to capture its magnificence.
The next day, a travel day, took us to Manassas, VA. We toured the Civil War Battlefields on Friday and made it home that evening...
The ice is off the lake, but snowbanks still linger in front of the high school... and our house had NO HEAT. Thankfully, we were able to get it fixed at 10PM, since I just happened to have a spare igniter on hand.
Yesterday, while the majority of the book blogging community participated in Dewey's 24 -hour Readathon, I unpacked, did laundry, shopped for a few groceries, and caught up on mail, bills, etc. I imagine many of my friends are just closing their books, turning off the computers, and going to sleep now. Hopefully, I'll be able to join in next time.
So, what did I read?
Nothing... not one page. I didn't even download an audiobook for the trip - we just talked the entire time.
I'm still reading In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, but have only made it to the 15% mark. Plenty of time to finish before book club though.
How was your week? Are you reading anything good?
I'm so glad you liked Tupelo Honey Cafe! There's so much to do and explore in Asheville!
ReplyDeleteKathy - We had a great meal at Tupelo Honey Cafe and I'm looking forward to trying some recipes from their cookbook. Asheville was fun and funky... hope to visit on a future NY to FL drive!
DeleteSpeaking of cookbooks, I see Michael Pollan's book "Cooked" in your randomly-generated posts at the bottom of this one. His sisters and mom just published a nice one called The Pollan Family Table - I have it out from the library and am looking forward to cooking from it. I didn't make the connection until now that he's the brother of Tracy Pollan, the actress who is married to Michael J. Fox.
ReplyDeletePS I've started getting those foodie prove-you're-not-a-robot things too! So far I've had to identify steak, wine and one other I can't remember. :)
Audrey - I keep eyeing The Pollan Family Table... and didn't realize Michael was Tracy's brother until I read a review of the cookbook. Can't wait to hear what you think of it.
DeleteTook a quick trip to B&N today and purchased the SkinnyTaste cookbook. I bought a copy for my daughter last Christmas and have wanted one for myself ever since... especially since I keep reading wonderful recipe reviews from fellow bloggers!
Sounds like a great road trip, I have done DC to Florida before and there are some great places to stop on way. Would love to do something like that again.
ReplyDeleteEmma - It was fun! With so many possible stops and routes, it was hard to decide on a plan .
DeleteSounds like a wonderful return trip!
ReplyDeletePat - It was. We had a great time!
DeleteI love your pictures! You make me want to take a road trip now. :-)
ReplyDeleteVasilly - I love a good road trip and we didn't take many when the kids were younger. Feels like we're making up for lost time now :)
DeleteJoAnn, it sounds like a lovely trip. So many wonderful sites. Enjoy being home.
ReplyDeleteKay - It is surprisingly good to be back... despite the chilly temps. Can't wait to see my parents and sisters for dinner tonight.
DeleteThat's a lovely road trip! I always mean to visit Savannah but that hasn't happened yet. I know what you mean about no audiobooks. Lately, we have also not been listening to them whenever we hit the road. It just feels good to think and talk.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I think we talked for four solid days.... it was wonderful. Hope you get to Savannah one day!
DeleteAfter finishing a light book from Patti Callahan Henry (The Idea of Love), I've been enjoying Night Night, Sleep Tight, by Hallie Ephron. I took a break to watch Breaking Bad on Netflix...and looked up several hours later.. I know it's .a serious addiction! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and would so enjoy a trip to those Southern parts. Lovely!
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Hallie Ephron is another author I keep meaning to read. We enjoyed our four days on the road so much!
DeleteGlad you had a relaxing and fun trip home! I've made the trip many times up and down the East Coast and it was neither of these things when we went :) The Tupelo Honey Cafe, oh what a great name and looks like a good stop for you.
ReplyDeleteTake your time adjusting to home-life and what needs to be done will get done, in its own time. I am loving Memory Man by David Baldacci, book #1 in a new series.
Rita - We used to do the drive in 2 12-hour days, but it got to be too much. We decided to just enjoy the trip, too.
Deletewelcome home! I was just at Manassas last year, on a Civil War battlefields to her I'm looking forward to getting back there and exploring more.
ReplyDeleteLisa - We decided it would be worth spending an entire day in Manassas. Hope we can stop on another trip.
DeleteWhat a difference a week makes! Your road trip sounds amazing and like a great way to ease back into the routines of home.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn - We had a great time on the road! It was interesting seeing summer slip into spring ,and eventually to late winter, as we drove north.
DeleteYou made some great stops! I love Asheville and the Biltmore...went to a wedding there and it was gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSarah - A wedding at the Biltmore must have been spectacular! What a beautiful setting.
DeleteSounds like a great trip. I love the Asheville area!
ReplyDeleteAmy - I sure hope we get to visit Asheville on a future trip!
DeleteHa!! Mr. BFR and I always pick out a book or two for long road trips and always end up talking the whole time instead. Love it. I've been to Manassas -- my husband loves visiting Civil War sites, and so do I. And I love Asheville.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - That seems to be turning into a habit for us, too ;-)
DeleteWhat a road trip! You know how to do it right. Ive always wanted to go to Asheville. Great photos. Welcome home. NY is pretty though!
ReplyDeleteThecuecard - We made a decision to enjoy the trip to and from FL, too! This road trip was the best yet :)
DeleteGlad you've a great time on your trip! Know what, I'll be taking a U.S. East foliage road trip this fall. Start and finish at Boston, up Maine, to Vermont then south and head east back to Boston. Really looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteArti - What a wonderful trip! Your camera will get quite a workout, I'm sure. Maine is one of my favorite states to visit.
DeleteJust spent a few days in Orlando and you would THINK that since it rained, I would have read more. I did finish a few books but didn't turn as many pages I thought I would.
ReplyDeleteCare - Judging from the instagram photos, I'd say you had a pretty good time despite the rain:)
DeleteI follow you on instagram, so I have been living vicariously through your photos. Everything looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJillian - It was an excellent trip!
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