Making Memories of Us*

Funny how some days don't go as planned and then turn out much better than anticipated. Yesterday was one of those that turned out to be one for the memory book. That it ended up a scene that could have been plucked from a Frank Capra period movie or Currier and Ives lithograph was tinsel on the tree.

My Handyman is involved in the renovation project for a guest cottage at the Biltmore House that was severely damaged in a flood last year. Part of this design work involves trips up to the property in Asheville, NC. Yesterday I was invited along. Never one to turn down an opportunity not to get things done on my to-do-list I accepted.

This cottage was built around 1910 and is exactly the style the Handyman thrives on working with. His designs are spot on for the era and will look fantastic once it is all in place. I loved standing in the midst of the history of the rooms and imaging the Vanderbilt lifestyle of the early 1900’s.

Yesterday was one of those vaguely warm days with the intuition of the chill to come as the sun slipped below the mountain’s crest. As the sun presented us with it’s evensong we dropped in the winery on the property, examined the kitchen vignette set up for the daily cooking with Biltmore wines presentations, chatted with the local chef as she cleaned and prepped for the next, made the purchase of a new wine and wound our way back into the historic Biltmore Village.

It was in the village that the emotional transformation began in my head. The small squares are dotted with quaint shops and galleries housed in vintage cottages where the workmen and women of the Manor House once lived. We walked hand-in-hand (and what marvelous strong, warm hands my Handyman has) strolling the sidewalks and browsing a charmingly eclectic artisan’s gallery filled with beautiful glass and pottery from local artists. As darkness prevailed, white lights illuminated each building, the trees and center square giving it a Thomas Kinkade quality that stole into my soul.

As the night chill descended we made our way to the restored Train Depot for a casual dinner punctuated by animated conversation about the kitchen project for the cottage. Stepping back into the cold evening air and glimmer of the Christmas lights we quickly ducked into the Biltmore Village Company store. It’s an eccentric little shop filled with unexpected decorative items such a leather camels, beautifully crafted sailing ships, weather vanes and oversized leather couches and chairs one would expect to find in a manor house library. Amid all this oddity, my purchase was a boring, practical, well-made, oversized umbrella with wooden handle.

Feeling energized and chilled near to the bone our last stop was the local Starbucks. Coffee shops are wonderful…filled with people, laughter and talk from every corner not to mention the aroma of coffee and baking. The shop was sampling powdered Christmas cookies, gingerbread and a heady Gingerbread Latte to drool for. Watching and listening as folks strolled in and out wrapped in their winter trappings, it was as if standing in the middle of a Hallmark greeting card.

Driving home under the watchful eye of the waxing crescent moon, twinkling stars and blowing leaves gave me time to absorb all the feelings that were swirling in my head and heart. Gazing into the night sky and feeling the love of the man next to me it was as if yesterday was a gift straight from Jim to guide me through this holiday season with true peace and, perhaps, even a measure of joy.

Move over Grinch...there's a new gal in town for Christmas this year...she may not be quite Cindy Lou Who...but an Outlaw with bells will work.

*from the song title by Keith Urban