We stopped on the way up the mountain to revisit a favorite view. Can you see why it's called Blue Valley?
Phil and I drove up to celebrate Thanksgiving at a place for which we're most thankful--Two Holt. We were blessed with great weather and the company of beautiful family. We stopped on the way up the mountain to revisit a favorite view. Can you see why it's called Blue Valley? We took the artwork in the photo below to add a punch of color to the fireplace. We had bought this piece in 2004 while visiting Highlands. It's made by a local artisan who uses leaves from the area to create casts for her work. Our niece, Diane, was staying at Toe Holt, the old family cabin which now belongs to her. Diane joined us for Thanksgiving lunch at a local restaurant. The food was excellent... ...Diane's company was even better! Phil and I enjoyed an afternoon walk in our little Mirror Lake community and then did a little cooking for an evening meal...Carolina Caviar (smoked gouda pimento cheese), baked tomato soup, pretzel bread, and chocolate pecan pie. Diane joined us for dinner. She and I walked across the road to take a photograph of the bridge over Mirror Lake all lit up for the holidays. Diane is a ferocious reader and she brought a couple of books for Phil to read. One of the books, The Legend of Nance Dude, was a wonderful read that Phil just couldn't put down. It is the true 19th century story of a grandmother from western Carolina who, in the face of extreme poverty, did the unthinkable...she took her two-year-old granddaughter deep in the mountains to a cave and left her there to die. Phil enjoyed a good fire, good wine, and a good read! Our brother, Larry, visited us on Friday. He brought his friend, Susan, with him. Diane joined us for a short hike around Cliffside Lake. Phil reminisced about swimming to the little platform below in icy cold water 52 years ago... ...and then our little group set off to hike around the lake. The trail is an easy hike and the surrounding nature is beautiful. We stopped to look at the beavers' handiwork. The brothers walked... ...the brothers talked. On Saturday, Phil and I took another walk in our little community. We came back to Two Holt and enjoyed watching college football games. Diane and I decided to bundle up and go to the town's Christmas Tree Lighting. We sang Christmas hymns with the few hundred people there, listened to the Christmas story read from the Bible, and then counted down for the lighting of the town tree. Small town sweetness at its best--just like a Hallmark movie! Sunday morning Phil and I closed up Two Holt for the winter. Will we be able to stay away the next four months? Somehow I don't think so!
2 Comments
Larry Elder
11/25/2012 02:39:07 pm
Susan and I had such an enjoyable time with Sharon, Phil and Diane on Friday after Thanksgiving. Seeing their new decorating touches to Two Holt was fun, as was sitting around in the cozy living room by the fire discussing books, food, family and our fondest Highlands memories.
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Sharon Elder
11/25/2012 10:39:15 pm
We love you, Larry! It is always enjoyable when we get to spend time together. :)
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Phil & SharonMarried 40 years and hoping to enjoy many more! Archives
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