It's snowing again

Can you imagine. It just won't stop but tomorrow is suppose to be spring again. Can you spell schizophrenic???

Boogey Down for an Asheville Christmas

Christmas at the Biltmore is bigger and more beautiful than ever. Being America's largest home it is all aglow for it's candlelight evenings. Enjoy the majesty until Jan 3.

Downtown Asheville takes such pride in its independent shops and galleries. I just bet you will find that special present for that special person. Make a day of your shopping adventure and enjoy the many coffee shops and restaurants.

Fireworks will bring your downtown Asheville shopping adventure to a close at 7 PM on December 5, 12 and 19.

Gingerbread Houses at Grove Park Inn from the National Gingerbread House Competition are not to be missed this year. They will be on display until January 3. Just a little fyi...If not a guest of the hotel you can only visit Monday through Thursday.

Biltmore Village is so charming that I often wonder if it is the home of Santa's workshop. In walking distance to the estate this historic district of original architecture and tree lined streets boasts of 40 unique shops and 10 cafes and restaurants.

Antiques can be found in the many antique stores and barns within one mile of the Biltmore Estate.

Hiking is spectacular at this time of the year. In fact we fell in love with Ponder Cove in Winter without a leaf on a tree. The air is crisp and the views are long in WNC. Let us send you on one of our favorite hikes.

Christmas Trees you will find at our favorite Family Farm.Pick up your Cartner Frasir Fir. The Cartners will take special care of you and on your way you can stop at Linville Falls. We make a day of it every year.

Welcome SaraBella

Sometimes it is just worth the effort. My friends Faye and Ken Prewitt drove all the way from NYC to Ponder Cove, spent the night, got up the next morning and drove to Telluhoma, Tennessee to pick up their new Brittany puppy SaraBella. Then back to Ponder Cove for SaraBella to meet and bond with her godparents (that's me and Gary) and back the next day to NYC. (Ken, you may know as the financial reporter from Bloomberg Radio and you can follow him on Facebook) As you can see she got home in time for the big game and is rooting all the way for one more Yankee win. It was sad to see them come and go so quickly but worth the visit and just look at this babe.

HAPPY WEDDING

Congrats to Rachel and Zachary. Now, this is the way to start a marriage...with good humor and lots of love. We had such a good afternoon watching these two say their "I Do's" right here at Ponder Cove. This job is the best I must say. Good luck kids! xxoom

Grandfather Mountain

Ablaze in color already. Check out this photo that Mark File from Romantic Asheville took yesterday...awesome. xxoom

FALL FOLIAGE ASHEVILLE and SURROUNDS

The best part about fall color in the Asheville area is the range of elevation in close proximity. Fall color begins at the highest elevations, then gradually works its way down the mountains into the lower valleys. At 6684 feet above sea level, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and the leaves at its summit are at peak color. Right now you'll find beautiful fall foliage at areas above 6000'.

Although Fall color at Ponder Cove is around the corner you can still find color within a short drive to nearby mountains such as Mount Pisgah or Craggy Gardens. So, know it is going to be beautiful any time from now until mid November. The season is going to be long and gorgeous. We wait in anticipation the changes here at PC.

HER BAGS ARE PACKED

And she is ready to go. Little Miss Sara is a Brittany Spaniel hailing from Tullahoma, Tennesse and is soon to be picked up by two of my oldest friends Faye and Ken Prewitt. Then off she goes to the Big Apple where she will certainly be turning some heads. Faye and Ken are just popping to get their hands on her. Lucky for me Ponder Cove will be their stop over to and from NYC and we all can be properly introduced. Heck...I am as excited as they are.