Well that month flew by! I can hardly believe that May 1st is this week and I think it may actually be snowing. The weather turned after a wonderful week with a couple of days hitting in the high 70’s and even 80 one day.

Asheville or Bust

John and I were able to take some time off and head to Asheville for Easter. We love car trips and had not been on one for many months. We had a good audio book or two to listen to, our favorite places to stop and get coffee or a meal and to switch drivers, a good place to stay overnight and only one day of partial blustery, stormy weather. It was rather fun to notice as we drove south that spring was heading north. Especially nice when fields got greener and the flowering trees bloomed. The dogs went on holiday too. I’m not sure who had more fun but it was a nice break for all of us.

We had a wonderful Easter in Asheville with the little grandchildren and the surprise visit of our older granddaughter Libby. Very busy days every day. Thursday and Friday were all with Orin as he was not in “school” so we took him to the Biltmore to see the baby animals and then to the Botanical Gardens and the Arboretum. The weather was glorious so we were outside walking around as much as possible. Everything is blooming in North Carolina at this time of the year so such a treat for us northerners.

When we were at the Biltmore with Orin we saw this sign and decided that if we could find the time we would go back on Saturday with both children to watch the demonstration. It was a super hot day and a very busy one. First Libby and Edie had to go and get more artificial flowers to decorate the Easter Bonnets. Then they had to dye the Easter Eggs. While the grownups glue gunned flowers to the hats (i.e. Libby) and the others set up the Easter Egg Roll ramp, we took the littles to see the demonstration. The best part of the whole thing was when the shepherd (?) had his two dogs herding six ducks around the field. It was 90 degrees so we were all pretty hot. It was hysterical as well as amazing. We loved it and now, having an Aussie in the family, intrigued at how the herding dogs work.

The Easter Egg Roll was held on Saturday with the judging of the Easter Bonnets at the event. My sister and her family have done this for years and have up to 30 or more people who come for it. This is a new tradition in Asheville and judging by how much fun everyone had I think it will survive. It’s basically Bocce with hard boiled dyed eggs. I would say the kids really got into it but so did the adults. The following morning was the Easter Egg Hunt in the neighborhood and actually Orin who we didn’t think would understand really did. He kept finding the eggs and putting them in his basket just like a big kid.

After the hunt was over John and I were discussing going to church. Edie piped up with “Did I hear the word church?” and we said yes. She asked to go with us. We found All Souls Cathedral, who lost most of their building in the hurricane, had a service at a church not too far from where we were. It was wonderful and guess what – the Easter Bunny showed up. Here’s Edie with him/her.

So now we are back after a great break. Some of the flowering trees are starting to bloom like my magnolia that John gave me for my birthday last year. A few daffodils have survived the dogs digging in the garden and the leaves are trying to come out despite the colder turn of the weather.