Fun Florida Friends enjoy the Symphony by the Lake

The Fun Florida Friends had a GREAT time at the annual Symphony by the Lake at Chetola!

Two years ago, a group of the "usual suspects" got together for the event.  That year, we attended in a more traditional way....that is to say we put together some picnic foods, couple of coolers, blankets and chairs and planned to sit on the lawn to enjoy the Symphony.  Parking was free at the Outlet Mall, but we had to schlep all those things through the woods and half way into Chetola to get a spot, and then schlep it all back afterward.

This year, I saw you could rent tents (which included a table, chairs, a tent and tickets).  Well-worth the price of admission we thought!  Not so much schlepping!  I inquired about the tents and learned there were only 18 and they had all been reserved but they would put my name on a waiting list.  (Oh well.  I gave it a shot.)

Just as I was about ready to start coordinating things for our group (to attend the old fashioned way again), I got a call!  They added a couple more tents and would we be interested?  You bet your sweet bippie we would! 

Since the group of attendees wasn't limited to our Wining, Dining and Laughing Society, we needed a name and theme.  We all have Florida in common and so came the name (Fun Florida Friends) that would appear on our tent and in the program. 

Over the next few days, we worked on a theme.  The Symphony didn't have a theme for their music selections, so we decided we'd have a theme based on our name.  We were going to bring a little Margaritaville to the NC Mountains! 

We had a fantastic menu planned!  Frank updated the iPod with more Jimmy Buffett tunes and I found some great decorations for the tent and tables.  (There was a decorated tent contest and we decided to enter.  No big prize money at stake, just the honor of winning.)  Keep in mind some of these tents are very fancy and the hosts bust out the 'good stuff' (silver candelabras, huge vases of fresh flowers, crystal glasses, silver service and the good china) for their tent.   

Leann, Frank, Ron, Lynnne, Raquel and Tom

Frank, Ron, Lynne, Joanne, and Rick

Toby, Bob, Tom and Frank

Leann, Raquel, Lynne and Joanne

Raquel, Lynne and Bonnie

Frank made arrangements for the peddle boat and nearly all of us took a spin around the lake.

Lynne and Ron

Leann, Raquel, Lynne and Joanne

Frank, Bob, Toby and Tom

Bonnie, Barbara and Leann

We were a  little more casual but certainly no less festive and enthusiastic.  We did our best to transform our tent into a little Keys tiki hut and bar.  Our table was complete with:
              * Chips/salsa/home made guac
              * Watermelon basket
              * "Chips to the left/Sticks to the right" with clam dip
              * KeeZee shrimp
              * Jimmy Buffett chicken salad
              * Mini cheeseburgers-in-paradise (complete with lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57, kosher pickles)
              * Mini Key Lime pies and chocolate dipped macaroons

And the bar, complete with Hawaiin shirt koozies for our:
              * Margaritas
              * Landshark beer

It was a lot of fun and gave us the opportunity to introduce more Florida friends.  Not sure where the cool mountain weather was, but it was as if we were in Florida, not North Carolina!

Don

Bob, Toby, Ron, Lynne, Raquel and Tom

Barbara, Don, Raquel, Toby, Bonnie

Bob, Ron and Frank

Nonetheless, we had a fun time and enjoyed listening to the Symphony on the Mountain followed by some amazing fireworks!

Whirlwind day....but lots of fun!

Friday evening, the guys decided they were playing golf on Saturday.  So the gals decided they would make the most of all the happenings in town.  So much to do, so little time!  We decided we'd start our adventure at 10:00.

An early morning call from one of the gals prompted a shift in the schedule and it was agreed we'd leave at 9:15. 

The game plan?  Church rummage sale in Valle Crucis, Farmer's Market in Boone followed by the Gem & Jewlery show around the corner and then Art-In-The-Park in Blowing Rock.  Plus we had the Pig Pickin' at the pool that evening!

The results?  While things were 75% off at the rummage sale, there weren't any treasures I couldn't live without.  The Farmer's Market proved a little more productive. First stop peaches from SC.  Next stop, local 'maters (tomatoes for those who don't speak "country"), and some fresh basil at the next booth.  The Knoxes were sold out of their yummy breads by the time we arrived, but picked up some tasty-looking cinnamon buns a few booths later.  (Needless to say, it was a good trip.)  On to the Gem & Jewlery show where we couldn't get past the first booth without making a purchase.  I'm not a beader or jewelry maker, but if I was, this was THE place to visit.  Anything needed for making jewelry was here.  Fortunately, there were some already-made pieces available and of course, can't leave without getting your jewels cleaned by the Touch of Purple lady.  (In addition to being overwhelmed with all the sparklies, it started pouring just as we arrived so it worked out well to be inside.)  We made our way around the mountain to Blowing Rock while there was a break in the weather.  Found a parking spot not too far off the beaten path and made our way to Main Street to get some sustenance - the Library sets up a hot dog stand, complete with all the fixings you could want and wash it down with a cold lemonade.  It was starting to rain again so we did a quick tour of the booths, stopping in a few, completing our visit without too much damage to the wallet.

THE event of the evening was the Pig Pickin' held down by the pool and hosted by the Social Committee at the Club.  What fun!  We got our good jeans arned (that's ironed in 'country'), dusted off our boots and headed out. 

The Sheets Family Band (bluegrass) was the entertainment and there was a large group who actively participated in the square dancing and two stepping. (We were too busy with square dancing to take a picture.)

We enjoyed pulled pork, beans, coleslaw and several treats for dessert (pecan pie, apple pie and brownies).  But the best part was being at the same table with our good friends, sharing lots of laughs and fun!

(Sounds like a law firm, right?)

If Ray & Bonnie were here, the Wining, Dining and Laughing Society Gang would be complete! 

Buyer needed for NC Mountain home!

It has been over a year since the house in Boone went on the market.  Several changes with the realtor it was listed with, but is now with another realtor.

Just bring your toothbrush and golf clubs (and/or tennis racquets)....it's move-in ready!  The house is being sold complete with furniture and furnishings.

http://www.teamkovalcin.homesandland.com/Listing.cfm?MagId=ANY&ListingId=15486461

Could be a great second home for a young family (or several families buying it together), someone newly retired, or anyone who wants to escape to the mountains!

We've been busy....really!

After 4th of July, we have not been lacking (or slacking) in the events and activities department!

A decision was finally made about listing the house with a different realtor (more to follow on that.)

Anticipating the plants and yard had been wiped out during the winter, I figured my days would be spent making several trips to the nursery.  Fortunately, many of the perennials were flourishing, but so were the weeds.  Only one trip was needed to the nursery, and after two days of gardening 'therapy', the yard was back in presentable shape.  Now if I could only keep the slugs away!

Our mornings start off with either putting time in at the gym or a power-walk around the golf course.  Great way to jump start the day, especially when the weather's a bit on the cooler side!

We had our 'season opener' dinner of the Wining, Dining and Laughing Society, hosted by the Neary's.  The theme was cajun and as we've come to expect, all the food was delicious!  (Crab dip appetizers, Jambalaya, three corn dishes, and salad, followed by Brennan's Bananas Foster (a la Frank)).

We certainly lived up to our little group's name that evening and capped it off with a few lively rounds of Left, Right, Center.    A fun time was had by all!

I had tried to organize a Girls Night Out, but it turned into Date Night with our friends Ron & Lynne.  We had a yummy dinner at Casa Rustica before heading to see Amy Sedaris at the Applachian Summer Festival on the campus of ASU.   I was a bit disappointed with the show as it turned out to be an interview by a local guy with a little audience interaction.  I guess I was really hoping it would be more of a stand-up routine.  Nonetheless, we had a good time with friends.

The hummingbirds have been c-r-a-z-y around the feeders.  Since there is a wire rim on the outside, they are able to perch and 'belly up to the bar' for as long as they want, or until another bird comes zipping in.  And for some reason, I find these little birds absolutely fascinating!

We've finally been able get out to play a few holes of golf.  We usually go late in the afternoon for cocktail golf and it's nice having the course mostly empty.  We've enjoyed a few half-rounds with the Neary's and we are never without lots of laughs.

And behind the scenes, we've been working on an event coming up next week - the Charlotte Symphony at Chetola in Blowing Rock.  Stay tuned for details following the event.  :o)

We attended the Mix N Mingle at the Club a few times, in support of the Social Committee's efforts to get people together.   

Still need to get to the Farmer's Market so hopefully the weather will cooperate for a trip tomorrow.  :)

Celebrating 4th of July in the mountains

All of the 'usual suspects' we hang around with while in the mountains did not have any family or houseguests over July 4th weekend.  So, we decided we'd "do the 4th" on the golf course. 

The plan was to meet at the Neary's and then caravan golf cart-style down to the festivities.  The weather was perfect!  (Usually, it's rains late in the afternoon making everything soggy and steamy, but not this year!  Clear skies all day!)

We enjoyed a little people watching and celebratory libation on the Neary's deck before heading down to the fun.

Frank, Bubba Ray and Don

Bonnie, Barbara and Leann

View of the festivities from the Neary's deck.

If anyone went away hungry, it was their own fault.  The menu included: hot dogs, burgers, fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, watermelon, pies, cookies, and a few ice cream treats (sandwiches, drumsticks, RWB popsicles). 

The annual Duck Race had 11 heats and 500 ducks!  There were all sorts of activities for the kids and many people decorated their carts for the contest. 

Once the sun went down and it started getting dark, the real show began!  The fireworks were spectacular and we had a great viewing spot!

Happy Independence Day, U.S.A!

Some might think a lack of posts means slacking....

but it's been quite the contrary!

After closing up the Fish Camp and hauling the boat across the state, we spent a few days at home taking care of a few things that required some much needed attention, as well as battening down the hatches for hurricane season. 

I was so excited to be home for a while (more than 24 hours) and to spend time with my bestie!  But the day we got home, they were heading to the beach for a week.  :o(  We did have a chance to see them as we were invited to join them for a surprise birthday celebration honoring her Seminole brother, Tad.  (Gator Victoria said to wear tacky Hawaiian attire.  Given the majority of the group were Seminoles, we decided we'd wear "classy Hawaiian attire".)

Ken & Victoria

Frank, Victoria and Susan (Victoria's sister-in-law)

Leann & Bonnie (Tad's S.O.)

Birthday boy Tad (center) with siblings Victoria and Mark and Mom (Patty-Patty)

A yummy meal and lots of laughs were had by all!  Plus, Tad wasn't expecting a party six months before his BIG birthday.

We also celebrated another birthday while we were home, venturing over to Winter Haven to take Frank's mom out for her birthday dinner.

During the week we were home, we were gearing up for spending a few weeks in Boone.  And we were going to take a few days to get up there.  We spent a day/night in Tallahassee getting a few things done (i.e. yard work) at the townhouse.  Then we continued heading north and spent the night in Madison, GA.  Since we were taking two cars, shorter drives made the trip much more pleasant.  But since I was passengerless, I didn't have anyone to share my observations with!

For example:
*  The town of Baconton should be called Pecan-ton.
*  Someone high up at the Georgia State Police must have lost a bet on the UF-UGA game because their cars look like they should be in Gainesville.
*  If I drove a big rig, it would be painted pink and green and have logos of my sponsors (or favorite things), like race cars.
* There were tons of trucks loaded with watermelons, but only one with a little trailer for cantaloupe. (Can't have the melons co-mingling!).

Our next stop was Rock Hill, SC where our friends Tom & Raquel hosted us for the night.  They had done a lot of updating to their house since we saw them last and were excited to see the changes.  When we're with them, we always seem to do something cultural.  This trip, we ventured into Charlotte to the MINT Museum.  Lots of pre-Colombian art, a "History of the Platform Shoe" display, a "Haute Fashion" display and oh yes, coins.  It was a nice change of pace and educational at the same time. 

A few more hours on the road and we arrived in Boone.  We weren't real sure what shape the house and yard were going to be in, but we were very pleasantly surprised.  Rest assured, there's a lot to do to get the house back into 'show-ready-shape' as it's still for sale and we are hoping it will sell this summer. 

After spending a full day in the yard and appointments, we met up with Ray & Bonnie at the Club for a drink where we would decide what we were going to do for dinner.  While we were there, some of the usual suspects from the Wining, Dining and Laughing Society (Supper Club Group) showed up.  Phone calls were made to their spouses and we had the majority of the group together!  We were able to get a table out on the deck, with our own server.  The weather was absolutely perfect and the food quite tasty!  But the best part was time spent with fun friends and all the laughs!  (It's probably a good thing we were outside and by ourselves.  Some people around here look down their nose at those having fun, laughing and having a good time.  (I supposed they are just jealous.)  It was our own private "Welcome Back Party". 

Flashback to the day we arrived in Boone.  That afternoon, we got a phonecall from our friends the Ruggeri's (from Tallahassee).  They were visiting friends for a few days on another nearby mountain (Beech Mountain) and wanted to get together.  We visited their cabin in Virginia a few years ago and we've talked about getting together during the summer when many of the FSU friends are up.  So, we invited them over for dinner.  Nothing like having people over to motivate you to get your house in order (literally).  We dined al fresco on the back deck and enjoyed catching up with several in the group who we hadn't seen in a while.

Frank, Rick, John, Sheila, Donna, Jon and Carol

Rick, John, Sheila, Carol, Leann, Donna and Jon

And so, there you have it.  Still a few more projects to get done, more time with friends, visits to the farmer's market and maybe an opportunity to play some golf.  Happy Summer!