Wedding Magic in the Carolina Mountains

It seems like yesterday that my dear friend Jill and I were sitting on the porch of our rental cabin in the Carolina mountains and discussing the biscuit bar for this wedding. It seemed  so far away. And now after all Jill's  careful planning,  this magical event has happened.  And I do believe that she outdid herself! 

First let me say that there has never been a weekend with such perfect weather- low 80's, light breeze, and nothing but sunshine. On Memorial Day,   in Greenville, South Carolina, family and friends gathered to see Laura and Charlie married. 

Let me share with you this  magical wedding day in the Carolina mountains.

The Ceremony Location - The Chapel at Glassy Mountain in the Cliff's community

The ceremony took place at the most beautiful chapel- high on the top of a mountain, tucked up in the clouds  with the valley below. So high and glorious, that you could almost  touch  the angels. 

 

Not a cloud in the sky-

 

Inside the stone chapel- a view like no other.

 

Greg- the very talented Greenville florist- putting the finishing touches on the flowers

at the gate to the chapel!

 

Hydrangeas mark the pews for the family.

The wedding programs await the guests in the foyer of the stone chapel.

 

 

 

Jill, the mother of the bride, inspects the chapel before the ceremony.

 

Laura arriving at the chapel.

 

 

 

A stunning bride -  soon to be a wife.

 

 

 

 

 

Mother and daughter before the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

Jill and her beautiful daughters- Katie and Laura.

 

A final picture of mom and her  three children, before the ceremony. What a  gorgeous family!

 

But where is Dad? 

 

Proud papa Barry is bringing the wedding veil for his daughter to the chapel..

 

The bridal bouquet

 

The chuppah  with the incredible blue sky in the  background.

It looks like we are in heaven.

 

 

The Ceremony

 

Katie and Annie - such pretty bridesmaids.

 

Charlie's mom and dad escort him down the aisle.

 

 

 

 

Walking down the aisle to " Somewhere Over the Rainbow"- here comes Laura with mom and dad.-

 I think Dad is a bit teary eyed.

 

 

 

Watching as Laura comes down the aisle.

 

Married at last!

 



The happy couple-  Laura and Charlie!

 

 

And just for those of you that doubt  angels can fly- take a look at these!

 



A happy bride, smiling as the wind swirls her long veil over the magnificent view.

 

Stunning!

 

 

Now down the  mountain to Mountain Park for the wedding celebration.

 

 

 

The Cocktail Hour

 

Cocktails and appetizers on the terrace by the barn at Mountain Park.

 

 



 

Burlap tablecloths with dusty pinks and sage colors in the flowers.

Ferns, ivy, and ficus trees lit with white lights outside the bar. 

 

One of the signature cocktails- "THE LAURA" - a peach sangria.

 

 

Along with delicious passed appetizers such as Crab Cakes and Shrimp and Grits Shooters,

wedding guests were treated to the quintessential southern food- a biscuit!

 The Biscuit Bar

 

 

The Homemade Pickle Bar

 

Gnarly vines on wooden boxes held flowers on the Escort Card table. 

 

The Escort Card Table- 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding Dinner in the Barn

 

 

 

Enter through white curtains flanked by beautiful  arrangements on top of old barrels.

 

Communal farm tables with rows of floral "hedges" in wooden boxes with grape vine handles.

 



 

Pinterest worthy pictures!

The most beautiful shade of pink that I have ever seen.

 



 

Soft pink napkins under glass vessels ready for the peach gazpacho. 

 Love the way the charger anchors the entire place setting.

 

Rows and rows of roses, hydrangeas and succulents on all the tables.

The peach gazpacho has been served and the dinner begins.

 



Love the touch of the rosemary sprigs in the butter.

 



 

 

Great looking bar made of old whiskey barrels.

 

 

 

The Cliff's culinary team outdid themselves on the food.  It was sensational.

 

The menu boards were created  by one of Jill's friends- Laurell.  Awesome job.

 

Even though I missed it, I heard the Banana Pudding was out of this world!

 

Sweet Potato Wedding Cake with Chai  Cream Cheese Frosting.

 

 

Time to Party!

 

 

 

 

First the wedding speeches- then we dance!

Father and Daughter Dance to My Girl.

 

 



 

Barry shows his daughter a few new steps!

 

Laura and Charlie's first dance.

 

Cutting the cake

 

Laura's brother, sister-in-law and nephew- baby Wes.  Baby Wes rocked the night away!

A future party animal for sure.

 

Jill lighting a sparkler for the getaway.

 

 

Hand in hand- down the row of sparklers- Laura and Charlie leave as a married couple.

 

 

A toast to the Bride and Groom

 

Laura and Charlie- May all your wishes come true together! 

 

 

 

What an incredible wedding weekend!   

To my friend Jill- not the smallest detail went untouched by your gracious style.  

It was truly a "masterpiece" wedding- one we will always remember.

 

 Congratulations to you and Barry for  creating these  unforgettable

moments in your daughter's life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovage- a Fun Herb to Grow

Lovage is a tall culinary herb that tastes like celery.  It is part of the parsley family and can be used in any recipe that calls for celery.   It survives the harsh Chicago winters and is always one of the first plants to emerge from the ground in spring.  The first year I planted it, it grew only to about 2 feet tall.  But the second year- wow!  It grew to 5 feet tall and very bushy.  It requires no maintenance and gives you abundant growth every year. 

It's leaves are large and shiny.  The stems and leaves work in any recipe that calls for celery.
In fact, it has a more intense celery flavor.

  Notice the wide stem on the plant-

 

 

This year's growth so far, with a very chilly spring in Lake Bluff.

 

 

 

The wide stem is hollow inside and makes the perfect straw for sipping Bloody Mary's.

 

Or simply a glass of tomato juice!

 

Every sip is enhanced with the flavor of celery.   How much fun is that? !!!!

 

Building Our Retirement Home in the North Carolina Mountains

We have been dreaming and planning about building our ideal home for years and the time is finally here!  We are almost complete with the outside details and floor plans for our new home on the French Broad River.

I have just returned from a trip with my friend Jill to the Carolina's , visiting both of our new home sites. Jill's foundation has been poured and the framing is beginning.  It was so excited to see the house actually being built!

     The beauty of the area only confirms our recent  decision to build  there.  Asheville, NC has been named the Most Beautiful Place in the Country by  Good Morning America's viewers.  And the French Broad River has been named one of the most romantic rivers in the US.  The milder climate and sheer beauty of the landscape is so appealing. 

While the leaves in Chicago are just now  beginning to open  and most days are still cold, the Carolina's were delightfully warm and the spring flora was in full bloom.
Just take a look at some of the pictures of the area last week!

So many trees and bushes were in full bloom- so lush and full with flowers.

 



 

 

I loved this huge bush.   I have to plant one - 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Late afternoon sun on the lake by our  temporary cabin.

 

The sky clearing right after a rainfall.

 

 

With so much outdoor beauty surrounding us, we are been very mindful of designing a home that

opens to the great outdoors. Many national forests and the Blue Ridge Parkway are only minutes from our door.    Our property sits directly on the French Broad River and the sounds of the water crashing over the rocks and boulders is so relaxing and soothing.   

 

 Here is the view from our future living room overlooking the river.  Many of these trees will be

cut away to make room for the house, but we will keep as many as possible and simply remove some of the lower limbs to create a view.

 

 

 

We  just received the models  of the outside of our new home and the floor plans.



We are trying to accomplish a "French Mountain Home" vibe with the river as the main feature.

Because our lot is so steep, we will enter directly from the road into a pea gravel motor court. 

 Our plan was to build a one level home.  However, as we have been learning ,

it is much more cost effective to build and use your lower level  when you own  a steep lot.

The main floor has the master suite to the right of the center core with a small parlour  leading in to it and providing a buffer from the main living area.   The center of the house  is  a large gathering room with a flat screen on one end and a "reading conversation fireplace" zone  on the other end.   There will be an entertaining kitchen and dining hall , separate from a larder and scullery for the  prep and clean up of meals.   A conservatory is directly off the kitchen and has direct access to the terrace. A screened porch with a fireplace is   attached  to the end of the dining hall.   A laundry craft room is directly off the 2 car garage as you enter the side of the house.  

Our hope was to get a 3 car garage so we could store a boat for my fisherman husband.  But the

topography did not allow room for that either!

 



At this point in the design process, we are planning a dark grey metal roof and grey stone and stucco.

But we have already changed our minds several times, so  it's anybody's guess ???????

 

On the back of the home- which overlooks the river- we are planning lots of French doors with Juliette balconies.   Our hope is to be able to keep the doors open much of the year so we can hear the sounds of the river. The lot is so steep that  the lower level floor will be 12 feet above the ground.

Hopefully that elevation, will keep the critters at bay! 

 

 All of the bedrooms will be facing the river, so that summer nights can be enjoyed listening to the sounds of the river below.  The back of the house and terraces   face west, so we should be able to enjoy  beautiful sunsets.  Our view across the river is a beautiful lush forest on the side of a mountain..

 

 

The lower level is accessed via a  wide open  staircase off the main entrance.  Two guest suites with their own baths and Juliette balconies overlook the river below.  A shared sitting room is between the two suites. To the left of the floor will be rooms for   fly fishing equipment, exercising and an office for Mr.RTH .  These spaces will have open  to the lower level screened in porch and terrace.  The mechanical room and seasonal storage will be located to the back of the floor.

Stone terraces will be built on the south and west side  of the house, with the lower level protruding out from under the upper terrace.  That will allow more sun for flowers and herbs.  The upper deck will open from the dining hall  and conservatory.   The conservatory off the southern side will provide enough  natural light to grow herbs and flowers year round.   

The lower terraces will open off my husband's study and workout room.  We plan  to utilize the lower level screened covered porch as a sleeping porch in the summer. 

The next  18 months should be a fun time planning and designing this home.  There are so many new materials and resources to explore.   We are planning some unusual layouts and rooms in this home- not a traditional plan at all.  Stay tuned for more as we navigate the building process!