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We’re back!

Brenda and I got back Tuesday night, 30 December 2003 after a pleasent 3-day trip back. Sorry we didn’t update, but coverage was spotty.

Brenda will be updating the page soon, I bet.

Posted by faber at Thursday ~ January 01, 2004 | 1 Comment

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Warm wishes to you

We wish you the best this holiday season, and a peaceful and joyous new year!

Love,

Brenda & Ted

Posted by bpod at Thursday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

It’s Christmas Eve, and we began the day visiting Bethany at her new house (well, new to us, anyway). The cat is Sadie, who has the most adorable face, dontcha think?

The rest of the day was spent baking Christmas cookies, the traditional Christmas Pizza (this is a family which holds dear their yuletide traditions), and a rousing game of dominoes. I made my first Pizzelles (maybe a tad too browned—oops), and dipped the peanut butter balls in melted chocolate. We had plenty of chocolate left over, so we just started dipping anything else that sounded good: pretzels, pecans, fingers… we’re all set for tomorrow’s arrival of Jack and Alicia (Ted’s brother and brother’s girl).

Posted by bpod at Wednesday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Visiting Waynesville, NC

Took a day trip to neighboring Waynesville, a small town due west of Asheville. We strolled along the main street, where we enjoyed spirited renditions of Christmas carols by a Salvation Army band. The elderly woman on keys was swingin’ the Jingle Bells, swaying her shoulders… she had truly found her groove. We visited the general store and candy shop, art galleries, and enjoyed a leisurely day taking in the sights.

We end the day with a positive message from the Whispering Pines Motel:

Posted by bpod at Tuesday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Mom: in case you’re wondering…

The floral arrangement you and Dad sent? It looks like this:

Posted by bpod at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

A day in Downtown Asheville

Today we had lunch at the Early Girl Eatery, and got to meet a friend of Ted’s sister, Bethany. For those of you following the vegetarian food log, the Early Girl featured a menu ripe with delicious meatless dishes. I had a sesame tofu salad with—get this—grit croutons. They were tasty little critters, sort of like tater tots, but made of gritty goodness. yum…

We also snapped this photo of the sugar flask for Joe. At about 5 inches tall and 7 inches wide (with a spout bigger than your thumb), we estimate this holds about four free-flowing cups.

After lunch, we took a stroll around downtown Asheville. A couple places showcase pieces by local artists, including this one, Spiked Punch Bowl (in case you can’t tell, it’s made from railroad spikes painted safety orange, cradling a glass bowl).

We also took a trip to the Grove Arcade, an old refurbished building housing shops and cafés, including a space where Ted’s mom, Donna, sometimes sells her yarn and fabric handiwork. She never sets out to make something to sell, but she sells a lot (the shop was sold out of her felted hats when we visited).

A couple bonus photos: Ted doing the 150-knot dance, and a thoughtful Hilde, the family Schnauzer.

Posted by bpod at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | 3 Comments

Category: christmas 2003, travel

Just how heavy is a quilting table?

Today’s excitement: Ted’s mom Donna received her new quilting table, which arrive in a large semi this morning (probably one of the larger vehicles that has managed to make its way down Field Crest Circle). Thankfully, Ted and his dad were there to lend a hand to the driver–the crate is about 12 feet long, and about 500 pounds by Ted’s estimate.

For those of you who haven’t been to Ted’s parents’ home, here’s a view of the front, and the fantastic view from the back deck…

Posted by bpod at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | 1 Comment

Category: christmas 2003, travel

I’ll be home for Christmas

We had a nice, uneventful trip to Asheville, treated to some of the gorgeous landscape along the way…

We were met at the Asheville Jet Center Sunday night by Ted’s parents, and made an evening visit to the local Ingles (isn’t this just the coolest font? I think so). Posts will be a bit more sporadic now that we’re here, but we’ll try to share any particularly interesting things along the way!

Posted by bpod at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | No Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

The zero degree isogonic line

There are many wonderful things about crossing the country in a small plane that only a pilot can love, and here’s one. Just east of Memphis is the zero degree isogonic line, which we crossed en route. What’s the zero isogonic line and who cares? At most places on Earth true north (the direction to the north axis of rotation) and magnetic north (the direction to the north magnetic pole) differ. How much they differ is a matter of where one is on Earth. The zero degree isogonic line is a line running north/south on which true north and magnetic north are the same direction. The line for the western hemisphere runs east of Memphis and we crossed it. As for who cares, I suspect that only I do. If you wonder what it looks like at the zero isogonic line:

Yes, I know this is super geeky.

Posted by faber at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | 1 Comment

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel

Another word from your pilot

Hi.

We’ve arrived safely in Asheville. We landed about 6:00 PM local on Sunday night as night fell over the Smoky Mountains. It was even a pretty good landing. The AVL tower was one of the most friendly and welcoming I’ve talked to.

My folks immediately took us out to dinner and we didn’t get back until late, which is why this is late. We’re now enjoying the hospitality of my folks and Asheville, and Brenda will be back with a full description soon.

Hope your holiday season is going as well as ours!

Posted by faber at Monday ~ December 12, 2003 | 4 Comments

Category: christmas 2003, flying, travel