North Lodge B & B/Gardens

BY SKEETER

 While in Asheville on our complimentary (thanks to Del Holston of Explore Asheville) weekend visit, we stayed at North Lodge Bed & Breakfast on Oakland road. Upon our arrival and this view, we knew we were in for a treat! Check out a bit of the history of this charming home by clicking HERE.

  North Lodge is located in a perfect spot for Asheville tourist. Biltmore House & Gardens are a few minutes away departing in one direction. Historic downtown Asheville is in another direction and the Artsy River District is near by in yet another direction!

 Upon entering North Lodge, one feels as though they have stepped into a different era with the cozy sitting room and its furnishings.

 We enjoyed wonderful gourmet Breakfast each morning sharply at 9:00 while sitting at this dining room table with total strangers on the first day. After breakfast, we felt as though we had made new friends from all around the country with interesting conversations! This is one of many treats while staying at B&B's verses Hotels.

 What once appeared to be a front porch, has been transformed into a nice sitting area filled with enough information to assist guests during their stay to Asheville.

 At the other end of the "Porch" is a small table near a kitchenette where guest may utilize an ice machine, fridge, microwave or computer complete with desk. Free Wi-Fi can also be enjoyed in each room. Guests may sit at this table to play a game of cards or enjoy a freshly baked cookie and brewed cup of coffee, tea or soda.

 No two rooms are alike in a B&B. Here you see our King sized Bed in the "Tiffany" Room which had several Stain Glass items. Not sure the Real Tiffany but beautiful just the same.

 The Tiffany Room is a suite so we had a sitting area for relaxing and enjoying a little TV for weather reports before heading off to bed each evening. Click HERE to see the other beautiful rooms at North Lodge.

 The Grounds at North Lodge are stunning. Ivy and Azalea were putting on a show last weekend!  

 North Lodge has plenty of parking for guests and just beyond the parking area, one finds beautiful gardens.

 Of course with it being Spring, Tulips greeted us as we entered the gardens.

 This view of the Gazebo was really calling out for us to come explore the gardens. I enjoyed the Green fence between properties.

 Bluebells along with other fun plants.

 The Gazebo has a ceiling fan for those warmer days of summer but not needed during this perfect Spring Day.

 Standing in front of the Gazebo looking towards an Arbor.

 Standing at the Arbor looking towards the Gazebo area. Plants were just beginning to wake up from a long winters nap. Fresh mulch throughout shall keep the gardens weed free.

 Looking more towards the front of the gardens, one can barely detect the parking lot above. I like to think of this little garden as a sort of Secret Garden.

Heading out of this quant garden, one finds a beautiful water fountain and stone steps leading to a large stone patio. I failed to snap a photo of the Patio or what seem to be a Veggie/Herb Garden to the right of the wood fencing. This is not a large garden but one very well thought out garden which leads one to feel it is much larger. If anyone is thinking of staying at a Bed & Breakfast while in Asheville, NC, The Saint and I would highly recommend NORTH LODGE AT OAKLAND, In the Garden...  

A Special thanks to the proprietors of North Lodge B&B and Explore Asheville for this wonderful visit!

Stay tuned for more of Asheville to include Christopher's mountain top, garden bloggers and Biltmore !

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

I Love Asheville

BY SKEETER

I have received a wonderful goodie basket here in my GEORGIA GARDENS from Del of Explore Asheville.

This gift came about from the "Meet and Greet" event at The Garden Bloggers Spring Fling in Asheville, NC. Tina, The Saint and I were the first to arrive at the Meet and Greet event. We met Del and chatted with him about a wonderful contest he was having for this event. For every time you Link his site; Explore Asheville, with a blog about the Fling, he would enter your name into the hat for a chance to win this gift. I wrote a post of each of the fabulous gardens we toured while at the Fling and I Won the Contest! I am thrilled because I rarely win anything.

I knew of the prize of a 2 nights stay at the North Lodge Bed & Breakfast. Click HERE to see more. And also 2 tickets to Biltmore House/Gardens/Winery. Click HERE to see more. But had no idea of the other goodies to come.

A wonderful cook book from the Tupelo Honey Cafe. As I flip through this unique book, I see wonderful recipes as well as beautiful photos from old Asheville to the present time! I must attend a meal or two at this cafe! Click HERE to see more.

Flingers are familiar with Sow True seeds. Click HERE to see more. I hope to have lots of South East Wild Flowers blooming in my gardens!

Not sure where this cute little Bird came from a piece of Asheville Art for my Gardens.

Gaelic ale Mustard from the Crooked Condiments collection. Click HERE to see more.

Flingers also know about 12 Bones Smokehouse. We enjoyed a most awesome lunch from these guys during the Fling. Blueberry Chipotle BBQ sauce. YUM! Click HERE to see more.  

The scent of this Lavender Rose Soap is soothing! This will surely take me away  to a happy place after a hard day of working in the garden. Click HERE to see more.

Unfortunately, the jar of Blackberry Jam was broken upon arrival. It smell wonderful and I was tempted to taste it but fear getting glass into my mouth. Sigh, Del has promised me another jar upon my visit to Asheville. Click HERE to see more.

This is a wonderful sampling of some of the Locally Owned business of Asheville, NC. We cannot wait until our next visit which I think shall be next spring because I LOVE ASHEVILLE, In the Garden...Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Bloggers Fling: Ku'ulei 'Aina and Bonnie Brae

BY SKEETER

Noontime on  Day 3 of the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling took us way, way, way up into the mountains.  Bloggers gathered at the home of our very own Fling Organizer, Christopher of "Outside Clyde". Here you see him surrounded by listeners as he told of how he and his father built his home together. I failed to snap pictures of his home but Click HERE and go to Christopher's Blog and see several postings of this charming home nestled on the mountain side.

 Christopher's house is new therefore, his gardens are pretty much a Clean Slate for a Garden Artist to paint with colors, textures, stone work, etc. The Artist is coming out in this small area where bottles form a small garden area. This Garden is Ku'ulei 'Aina, the Garden that will be, in the months and years to come. After strolling around and taking in the views a bit, we had an awesome buffet lunch.

Christopher sent us next door through this Wild Meadow. It looks a bit difficult to walk in this photo but I assure you it is not at all.

See, nice paths that his mother, better known as "Bulbarella" pretty much walks daily!

 This Meadow was alive with beauties even though we missed the Hundreds of Spring Bulbs planted by Bulbarella. I bet it is a sight to see during the Spring Showing!

 There was still plenty to see along this lovely walk.

 At the end of the Meadow, we arrived at Bonnie Brae, Home of Bulbarella.

 The view from her porch is just stunning!

 On an upper level, I could see St Francis calling me in for a look.

 We took the Garden Gate and headed into the woodland gardens.

What a treat to be able to stroll through this beautiful woodland haven.

Pathways led us past such beauties as this Iris.

 This white iris.

 And my favorite deep purple almost black Iris.

Pathways wound all around the woods that were filled with shade favorites such as hosta. Must not be any deer at Bonnie Brae...

One had no idea what would be around the next path, such as this neat work of art.

 Or this fallen log that has been turned into a natural looking planter. What a great idea! making note to self..

 A sun filled peony.

 A cute little birdhouse sitting upon a stump.

 The last of the azaleas.

 Christopher had planned the Fling for the Peak Season of the Azaleas but Mother Nature did not play nice for us as she came really early this year. We saw the remains of few Azaleas but still beauty all around us.

We could have spent hours upon hours wandering those beautiful woods but time was not on our side.

As we stroll back through the Wild Meadow, I spotted this old chimney. All that remains of a place once called home for someone. When I see such structures, I cannot help but wonder the story of such a place. A large tree now grows in what was once maybe the living room.

Back to Christopher's Driveway where Bloggers had gathered for a Plant Development Forum. This is where The Saint and I had to say goodbye. Sigh, but time for this dream to end and for us to get back to our real world.

I hope to make it back up that mountain some day to see the progress made at Ku'ulei 'Aina and to stroll about Bonnie Brae and maybe see those bulbs in bloom.

I tell ya, Asheville is full of beautiful gardens, art and people. Wonderful places to visit and such a charming downtown area filled with fun shops. Biltmore was on my Bucket List but I never thought of Asheville. If you ever get a chance to visit Biltmore, be sure to check out Asheville as well. You are in for a wonderful treat. Click HERE to find out more through Explore Asheville. And tell "Del" that Skeeter Sent ya!