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 to FOODIE FRIDAY

One of my very best friends and fellow dog lover Faye from New York City turned me on to this site just this morning. We are always looking for more GREAT dog-friendly B & B's to share with our guests. So, it looks like Faye has found us one in the Berkshires and look at their foodie blog. An innkeeper after my own heart. I will be spending time there today seeing what I can borrow. http://www.birchwood-inn.com/blog/

2009 Biltmore Christmas

This year’s Christmas Theme: A Gilded Age Christmas
Guests can take a step back in time when they visit Biltmore House for the 2009 Candlelight Christmas Evening season. Guests will experience an array of activities and that Mr. Vanderbilt offered to his own family and friends. Guests enjoy a self-guided walking visit that takes them through four floors and the basement. The self-guided visit requires the ability to maneuver approximately 400 stairs throughout the visit. An elevator is available for access between the first and second floors of the House (wheelchair accessible), but the third and fourth floors and basement will require maneuvering approximately 60 stairs (30 up and 30 down) per floor.
November 6, 2009 – January 2, 2010
Entry times vary and may begin as early as 5:30pm
Candlelight Christmas Evening not available on the following dates: Tuesday, November 24; Thursday, November 26;
Thursday, December 24; Friday, December 25

Ponder Cove Newsletter

Don't miss our latest newsletter...tons of good news..Kay Jackson Rocks Mars Hill....Great Dogs visit Ponder Cove...wedding Bells ring. All the news fit to print.
http://www.ymlp31.com/pubarchive_show_message.php?pondercove+1080

Asheville Goes Funky

Bring home Asheville’s quirky and fun art scene with these two great upcoming bazaars:

The Bizarre Bazaar kicks off on Saturday, May 23, at Lexington Park Courtyard. (The spot is located between North Lexington Ave and Carolina Lane at the gated entrance next to Virtue.) Shop from over 20 local artists, crafters and designers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rock out to music from local band Now You See Them, and munch on crepes and French fries from Bouchon. Can’t make it this weekend? Don’t stress, the Bizarre Bazaar is held the first and third Saturday through October 17.

Asheville’s Vintage Bazaar is on Saturday, May 30 at The Body at 66 Asheland Ave. The fun lasts from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Local vendors are selling vintage clothing and accessories, artwork, jewelry, an assortment of children’s wares and of other stylish stuff.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

The sun is shining and all is well at the Cove. We hibernated more than enough and are thrilled to see our guests coming again. Our wedding season has started and what a way to kick it off. We loved having Bethanie and Aaron saying their "I Do's" at Ponder Cove just last week. Congratulations and come back real soon. Hugs,m

FREE CALENDAR FOR YOU

Enjoy this little tool as a gift from Ponder Cove. I hope you take advantage of this on-line calendar. I have used this for years and just love it. It's an easy download, doesn't take much space and can be forwarded to all of your family and friends. If you missed it go to www.dtesusa.com/pondercovedogs for the Dog Contest winner calendar and celebrate all of these cutie patooties.

Then there is our gorgeous nature calendar featuring Gary's photos that I have reissued......

Just in from our frequent guest Christine. Just in time for your e-mailing card list. Save a stamp and give your friends a big dog lick instead....http://www.sloppykisscards.com/ecards.php.
HO HO HO....martha and critters

LOTS GOING ON

TRESSA'S IS HAPPENING

1-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

2-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Sonny Rollins Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

3-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

4-Dec LIFT with DJ's Joshu and Friends
Delicious Music for Body and Soul
www.unbreakabledesign.com

5-Dec Gashouse Mouse
Blues and Dance

6-Dec Ruby Mayfield and M-Pride
Celebrate with Fun and Dance from Blues to Rock'n Roll
www.myspace.com/mayfieldmusic


8-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

9-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Wayne Shorter Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

10-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

11-Dec Peggy Ratusz' Invitational Blues Jam
A great Night of Fun with local Artists
www.myspace.com/peggyratusz2

12-Dec Peggy Ratusz and Daddy longlegs
Fun, Dance, and Blues
www.myspace.com/peggyratusz2

13-Dec Jazz The Ripper Christmas Show
Enjoy an eclectic Mix of Jazz and Funk
www.sonicbids.com/jazztheripper


15-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

16-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Thelonius Monk Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

17-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Celebrate Mid Week Ladies Night with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

18-Dec Free Flow
Ol' Skool Soul and Funk

19-Dec Ms Jones and The Velvetones
Start your weekend with Dance and Martinis
www.thevelvetones.com

20-Dec The Nightcrawlers
Fun, Dance, and Blues
www.nightcrawlersband.com


22-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

23-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Miles Davis' Favorites
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

24-Dec Club closed in Observance of Christmas Eve

25-Dec Closed in Observance of the Holiday

26-Dec The Levi Douglas Blues Band
Start your weekend with great Texas Blues
www.myspace.com/levidouglasband

27-Dec Ruby Mayfield and M-Pride
Celebrate with Fun and Dance from Blues to Rock'n Roll
www.myspace.com/mayfieldmusic


29-Dec Service Industry Appreciation Night with D Mack
Fabulous House Music & Great Drink Specials all night !

30-Dec Chuck Lichtenberger's "Evening Of Jazz" with Special Guests
Theme: Miles Davis' Tunes
www.myspace.com/chucklichtenberger

31-Dec Our 12th Annual New Year's Eve Bash!
Get down to the funky sound of Free Flow!
Complimentary Champagne in both bars, Party Favors, Soul Food Buffet upstairs!

THE SPIRIT IS UPON US!

This is waaaay too good of an idea for December. Come on to Ponder Cove and hunker down by a warm fire and I'll serve up a toasty breakfast. We have had 3 little snows so far and we are hoping for a whopping good one before long. Then go into Asheville one night to enjoy all the citified festivities. Toooooo much fun. Enjoy the below news....hot off the press...

"Holiday nights in downtown Asheville get a glitzy makeover this December with Asheville Seasonal Sizzle: 21 days of not-so-silent nights. Merrymakers will enjoy free fireworks, live entertainment, seasonal appetizer specials at local restaurants, and extended hours of evening shopping in downtown Asheville's eclectic boutiques and craft galleries.

Included in the festivities, visitors will find:

* Weekend firework displays sponsored by The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa -Seasonal Sizzle at Seven - will take place on Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at 7 p.m. in downtown Asheville.
* Participating independent restaurants will feature "Appy Hour" appetizer specials on Thursdays, Dec. 1 through 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. Local restaurants will also offer "Sizzle Specials" on the Saturday evenings with fireworks (Dec. 6, 13 and 20).
* Asheville visitors will receive a warm holiday welcome as "Downtown Docent" guides walk the downtown streets directing guests to Seasonal Sizzle festivities, holiday happenings and other points of interest."

BILTMORE CARPET OF FLOWERS

This is a must to see...the Biltmore has built the most amazing carpet of flowers. Come soon and come often and take advantage of our mid-week special at pondercove.com.

SAVANNAH TO PONDER COVE

LOOK WHO'S IN TOWN....Ms. Georgia ....all the way from Savannah. She is one of those beautiful blonde babes you only find in the deep south and that drawl of hers is to swoon over. Welcome Georgia.

THIS IS A MUST!

Tastes of Summer
Asheville City Market!
Thursday, August 28
6-9pm
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) and the Asheville City Market
Enjoy live music and shop local goods at the special evening market.
All proceeds go to ASAP and the City Market’s community healthy-living programs.

The market is at the corner of Eagle and South Charlotte Streets in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $20 with RSVP or $25 at the door and include food by The Market Place, microbrew beer from Catawba Valley Brewery, and wine. There will be a raffle of locally-produced items with winners drawn at 8:30pm. To RSVP contact Mike McCreary at mike@asapconnections.org.

Easy Riders Hit Ponder Cove

Welcome Richard and Sue. Looking for a breath of fresh air away from the maddening crowds of Asheville, Richard and Sue hopped aboard their Suzuki 600 and sped through Madison County all the way to Ponder Cove. How easy was that......a mere 30 minute ride but a world away. I used my best stress reduction techniques on these two. I prescribed a good dose of country air, a cozy night's sleep and a yummo breakfast. Seemed to be just what they needed to recover from their busy working lives. Sue is an amazing web designer and Richard is my hardware guru. It was great having you guys.....see you soon. m

KUDOS TO PONDER COVE

"wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed ourselves(food , company, setting, conversation....great tranquil location...I can go on....anyhoo....I will pass this info on to friends.

ALso, what beautiful photos and marketing you have done...and your blog is a hoot..superb!" Terri and Steve