Yesterday was a gloriously wonderful day. Let me tell you all about it!
We woke up and prepared to go to Biltmore but then heard from Kate that it would be 40 dollars to get in. We decided not to do that. Instead we picked Kate up and headed into downtown Asheville. She took us to a delicious Sushi place and while we were eating Jacob went and bought an awesome blue ukulele and brought it back so we could admire it. Then Kate asked, "Have y'all been to the Chocolate Café?" To which we replied in the negative. So she walked us to this heavenly two story café that sells chocolate, desserts, and coffee. We each ordered a liquid truffle, which is a cup full of melted chocolate of your choice. I got the salted maple, Kate got the lavender honey, and Molly got the spicy chocolate. It was INCREDIBLE! So rich and so gooey that you eat it with a spoon. For all those who come to visit and would like to enjoy a little piece of heaven, we can go here.
It was decided while eating our deliciousness that we should drive down to South Carolina and get some peaches. I volunteered to drive, and we hopped in the car and headed south.
On the way Jacob was on the lookout for a music store in the hopes of getting some new strings for his teeny stringed instrument. Kate had been telling us about this massive flea market called Smileys, and as we drove past it Jacob spotted a music store. I did a quick u-turn and pulled into the gravel lot of this enormous place. I had to use the restroom, so I followed the signs down a walkway and then down another walkway, passing open hobby stores, closed clothing stores, alive and well magic "the gathering" stores (yes, a whole store dedicated to this card game) and other such randomness. I finally was led through a door into what appeared to be an abandoned arcade, with sheets thrown over old games and machines of luck. I meandered through this ghost town until I found the restroom. It was crazy weird, and I was expecting an army of carnie zombies to jump out from behind machines and display cases at any moment. I wasn't really afraid, just fascinated. On my way back through this haunted video arcade, I saw an older lady doing some sort of stocking or something, and told her how fascinating this place was. She humphed and said "Ya get used to it."
I returned to the car and was informed that Jacob's music store was "out to lunch, back in a half hour" and so we took off again.
We drove further and further into the deep south, passing palatial homes and incredibly sweet little towns and a myriad of churches. While winding along the country road I saw a sign for Hilltop Orchards. "Should we go?" I asked. "Sure," they replied, so I whipped to the right and up and up we climbed. I'd like to thank my little old Honda yet again, as it championed up the steepest, windingest darn hill I've encountered in a long while. We arrived at the Hilltop Orchards to find that they were not only closed, but that they sold apples. So again the U-turn, and down we went. My poor brakes. But the views from the climb were lovely.
We passed into South Carolina and drove for a bit more before we passed a stand that definely said PEACHES. One more U-turn got us there, and we parked and greeted the good ol' boys who all wore overalls and looked well fed who ran the place. Sadly, no peaches were to be seen. It will be another three weeks because of the cool spring we've had. But they had the most beautiful strawberries!
We scrounged together some dollars (cash only) and bought two pints. On the way back home we discussed the fabulous Strawberry pie that Kate was going to bring for dessert and the Lynchburg lemonade that we were planning on enjoying. We dropped Kate off, stopped at the grocery store, and headed home.
This may not come as a shock to many, but I don't often cook. I make an excellent sous chef but rarely take on the main course. Last night, however, I made four honey glazed Cornish game hens, mashed potatoes, and a sauce for the hens. Pretty much all by myself! Molly peeled the ginger for me and Jacob read off the recipe measurements. I even made orange zest! I'm so fancy! And proud of myself, if you can't tell.
Yay me!! Did I mention they were delicious?
Kate did indeed bring strawberry pie, and we gorged ourselves medieval style. Then we hung out and listened to random nineties music and practiced the "twerk", which is a very interesting dance move. If you don't know what this is, I'm not gonna explain it here. You can look it up! If you dare, that is. It is very hard to do though.
All in all, it was one of the best, if not the best day I've had here so far. Good food, good friends, roadtrip, what more could you ask for? And it was warm!
I'm feeling very blessed to be a part of this place, experiencing new things and going on adventures. Monday or Tuesday we might be headed to Deep Creek Tennessee to go swimming. If the weather holds! Cross your fingers!
Blessed be, all my people.
Shanti Elena
P.S. Here's a pretty picture to end with. This is basically in my front yard. It's so green now!
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