I thought just the flowers were blooming…HECK NO…it’s LOVE. You won’t believe this bit of serendipity. Ok….I obviously knew John and Alexa were tying the knot on Friday at the Cove as I was throwing the wedding.

Then Scott gives a call and makes a reservation letting the cat out of the bag that he was proposing to Christa just before their arrival.

Well, we got up on Sunday morning and the third couple in the house…Brent and Ashley come down all beaming with news. He had just proposed to Ashley. Now how is that for a coincidence not to mention a wonderful story for me to tell.

So, Gary and I along with the Ponder Cove posse wish you the best of everything in your coming years together. xxoom

Congrats to Alexa and John

Oh my …did we have fun yesterday. It was our privilege to help tie the knot for Alexa and John. The bride looked divine in her  chiffon gown with v neck. The bodice of the dress was accented by a cummerbund giving the effect of an empire waist. Accessorized by a hat redesigned from one of her moms with pearls encased within the veil to set off the lovely strand around her neck.

The groom wore a stunning black suit. But I must say he was a bit upstaged by his groomsmen Shadow and Odin. As the “boys” preferred black tie for such a momentous occasion.

Martha Abraham
Ponder Cove Wedding Editor
Access John and Alexa’s photo album

Meet John, Karen and Dexter, the perfect mountain vacationers. They did not miss a trick while visiting and marveled at our mountains and all the fun offered. Check out their itinerary as you plan your next visit.

Day 1) First night they grabbed dinner at Stony Knob after a long days drive.

Day 2) Laurel River hike, Max Patch, a swing into Asheville where Karen  discovered the key-lime pie truffles from Chocolate Fetish , Dinner Carmels

Day 3) Horseback riding at Sandy Bottom.  They loved it….couldn’t believe our mountain vistas.  Came home picked up Dexter and dined at Blue Mountain.

Day 4) A day on the French Broad with Blue Heron Whitewater. Dexter again waited patiently but it was worth the wait. He knew he was joining them at Salsas, one of the many pet friendly restaurant choices.

Day 5) The Biltmore, the Blue Ridge Parkway and a wonderful trip up to Mt. Mitchell to  take in the Sunset and a swing by Weaverville for one more Blue Mountain Pizza.

What did they miss you ask…perhaps an eclair from Well-Bred. NOPE…They did that too and agreed SCRUMPTIOUS indeed.  Shopping at TOPS… Did you really think a lady would leave town without a new pair of shoes?

It was a pleasure watching them enjoy every morsel offered by Western North Carolina. Through new eyes I am always reminded of my luck. I live here. Come visit and let me show you.

Till then,
Martha and her Ponder Cove posse

I have been watching these dirty birds all day and dang they won’t fly away.

Cute I must admit, watching mom come and go. But these little critters are as big as she is and it is time to fly the coop. They are nestled under the roof of the Max Patch room making a terrible mess.

Asheville area mountains are tops for bird watching. Between the Blue Ridge Parkway, Chimney Rock, and the NC Arboretum you will definitely have a “bird’s eye view” of the birds. But the best by far is right here at Ponder Cove. Come and see us.

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Finally got all the herbs and veggies in….on top of every herb imaginable I have 5 different tomatoes, yellow squash, zuccini, cucumbers, melons and a pumpkin patch. Now realize we are city farmers. So we could end up with nothing…but heh…we had some fun.

Not to mention so did Buck. My friend Mel told me to put powdered milk in the soil at the base of my tomatoes for stronger stalks. Buck dug them all up and ate the milk…..the little creep. All is back in the ground…wish me luck.

PATTI LIVED TO TELL HER STORY

Thanks to Dr. Sue Reinecke & the team at Mountain Animal hospital we have a true Asheville pet-friendly story to tell. Patti Greenleaf , a recent Ponder Cove guest is proof that Mountain Animal Hospital saved the day & Patti’s life.

She took ill and just to be safe her responsible parents rushed her to Dr. Sue  at Mountain Animal Hospital, just up the road in Barnardsville.

Dr. Sue found an extremely large tumor compromising Patti’s spleen. Immediately the clinic sprung into action to perform an emergency spleenectomy. The first hours were nail biting and the following days were touch and go.

Time was spent in ICU at Asheville’s emergency facilty but she soon returned to Ponder Cove. We  felt fortunate to provide the peaceful surroundings doing what we could to help Patti on her road to recovery.

She has returned home to New Hampshire and we are pleased to announce that Patti’s tumor (even though the size of a cantalope) was benign and she has recovered fully. Thanks Dr. Sue.

Just this morning Buck made his first visit to see the good doctor and he was pleased as punch giving Dr. Sue the Ponder Cove seal of approval.

More Good Eats From Martha

OK..this turned out amazing. I had the yummy granola french toast at OVER EASY in Asheville yesterday and I have been scheming my own since. By Joe I think I’ve got it. I experimented on Gary and will try it out on guests tomorrow. Gary gave it 5 stars.

See what you think. xx00

Serving size 4 (2 pcs each)

Preheat oven to 375

INGREDIENTS

8 Slices bread. (I used a thicker cut 9 grain.)
1/4 cup honey
4 TBL butter
1 cup cereal or granola ( I used Kashi blueberry cluster oak flakes),
1/4 cup pecans
6 eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
zest of one orange
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt

Melt butter in a large cookie sheet with sides. Whisk in the honey. Spread with pastry brush and add a bit of honey and butter in equal parts, if you need more to spread.

Put the cereal and the pecans in a plastic bag and give them a good bashing. Then spread them on a plate.

Whisk all of your other ingredients as you would normal french toast.

Dip your bread in your liquid and then in your crunch, only on one side. Mash down on your bread, allowing a good bit of crunch to adhere.

Place your bread crunch side down on the honey butter mixture.

Bake for about 20 minutes until your top is a bit brown. DO NOT BURN the bottom.

Flip out onto a plate showing off your yummy caramel crunch.

As you can see Gary added some bananas. I had mine with a tiny bit of maple syrup. There are so many ways to dress this up. I also liked my choice of cereal. You need something with a bit of sweet already added. Rice Krispies or Shredded wheat just wouldn’t do it,  if you know what I mean.

You might also note that I have a lot of egg compared to most recipes. I like my french toast eggy…more protein…a little less guilt.

So from pet-friendly Ponder Cove let us say….BONE appetit!

When visiting pet friendly Asheville and hopefully staying with us at Ponder Cove don’t miss the Biltmore.

From article published on ezinearticles.com…

Biltmore Estate Embraces Pooches Past and Present

I recently grabbed my dog Buck to check out how dog-friendly the Biltmore Estate really was. We knew dogs were welcomed on the grounds. So we assumed that we’d be walking some trails, cruising some gardens and home we’d come. AU CONTRAIRE…We were allowed all over the place and a good time was had by all.

I always park at the Arboretum and then hike up the stairs to the estate. I just love this garden area that leads to my favorite vantage point where I view our beloved blue hills. It is right above the wisteria that leads to the house. Dogs are not allowed inside the house itself much to the chagrin of my pooch. He reminded me that since the Biltmore had been the home to St. Bernards, Russian Wolfhounds and Sheepdogs he was certain the pets past wouldn’t mind. He eventually understood that we all must do our part to preserve such an heirloom. And risky it would be to allow pets within the walls of the famed home.

While frolicking on the front lawn we met up with some traveling pooches, one delightful cocker and two mini dachshunds. With a bit of a scramble and entanglement of leashes the introductions were made and the consensus from the dogs was that they were having a marvelous day. So, we trotted on. After a wonderful romp around the grounds and a stop off at the Bass pond we then jumped in the car and headed for Cedric’s, the pub in Antler Village named after Vanderbilt’s infamous pooch. We were looking forward to lunch at the Biltmore’s dog-friendly restaurant and so it came to be, of course al fresco. The staff was delightful and treated Buck with genuine Biltmore hospitality.

We were eager to find out all we could about Cedric. It seems George Vanderbilt’s trusted Saint Bernard was the first pet at the Biltmore. No one is sure how George came to own Cedric, but they do know that he brought him to Biltmore from Pointe d’Acadie, his summer home in Bar Harbor, Maine, sometime around the opening of Biltmore House in 1895. They went on to state the obvious and that life was good for a pet of the Vanderbilt’s. Cedric not only had free reign of at least the first floor of Biltmore House, which he often spent lounging in the Library or Billiard Room or sunning himself on the Loggia, but he also frequently accompanied his master and other family members on excursions throughout their vast estate.

With our bellies full we headed to Biltmore Farm which was just a hop, skip and a jump. The staff attendant could not have been nicer encouraging us to take funny pictures of our beloved Buckaroo using an old wagon and straw hats as props. We finished off our day with a stroll (trying to work off our yummy fish and chips) around the bike path with a view of the Swannanoa River.

If you choose to take in the house on the same day as your visit of the grounds note there are a few kennels. You must ask the gate keepers upon entering and you will be directed to them. You are the master of the lock and key if you are lucky enough to obtain an empty kennel. Pets must be leashed at all times for safety and comfort for all guests. Dogs are not allowed in the main house but we were welcomed in several of the other buildings. Of course we asked permission and were on our best behavior.

The Biltmore is a site you must see and it is truly more fun with your pooch in tow.

For other ideas when traveling to pet friendly Asheville read more…

Adoption is a Wonderful Thing

Just ask Ms. Lilly. Poor little thing had been crate bound for her entire life until my friends Robert John and Claire adopted her. She was on the way to the pound but just in the nick of time she was rescued and what a lucky girl she is. She is already looking forward to her big trip this summer to Newfoundland.

The Ponder Cove posse wishes Ms. Lilly the very best.

Congrats to Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue for their recent very successful Grapes for Goldens Gala. And congrats to Ponder Cove as well for being their small business of the month.

NRGRR is dedicated to helping unwanted Golden Retrievers through rescue, rehabilitation and adoption. It is unimaginable but Goldens may be surrendered for a variety of reasons, products of broken homes, family disinterest, found as strays or dropped off at shelters.

When Goldens enter the NRGRR program they are given a medical exam, neutered and then placed in foster care until loving homes are found.

NRGRR is managed and run by volunteers and their territory includes the eastern part of North Carolina from the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) to the coast. So, any of you Ponder Cove fans from the triangle area jump on board if you can help as a volunteer, a foster family, offering a donation or better yet adopt one of their wonderful dogs.