Waynesville, NC

Twigs and Leaves Gallery, nestled in charming, quaint and historic Downtown Waynesville and owned by John and Carrie Keith, features amazing nature-related arts and fine crafts, primarily but not exclusively from Southern Appalachia, displayed in a peaceful setting that encourages browsing. Also blended exquisitely with the arts and crafts from Southern Appalachia is a group of arts and crafts created by American handcrafting artists from other regions, specially selected by the owners of Twigs and Leaves Gallery.

Some of the local artists featured at the Gallery include Kaaren Stoner and Michael Lalone, potters; Jim Shackelford, Jenny Buckner and Jack Stern, oil painters; Wendy Bowen, fabric artist; Bob and Lucy Gibson/Lucid Designs and Kim Thompson, jewelers; Desmond Suarez/Sabbath Day Woods and Bob Grytten, furniture designer/producers. Rustic and finished furniture, landscape photography, paintings, pottery and clay art, stained glass, quilted wall hangings, locally made jewelry and cards, unique handmade candles, and one-of-a-kind handmade, original ‘dolls’ are just a few of the unique nature-related pieces displayed in the Twigs and Leaves Gallery.

The YouTube video below was filmed in the Gallery July 30, 2009, and will give you a ‘bird’s eye’ view of just a few of the beautiful creations in the Gallery right now. I cut as much as I could bear to cut out to shorten the video!

View the Portfolio of samples of art by some of the Gallery’s artists.

Read more About Carrie and John Keith, and get directions to the Gallery.

Please check the News and Events Calendar for featured artists, and best of all, visit the beautiful Twigs and Leaves Gallery in person to experience the beautiful nature-related arts and fine crafts that are carefully selected and presented for you at:

John Keith treated his ‘computer guru,’ George Ferguson, and I to lunch this week at Downtown Waynesville’s Gateway Club. Housed in a building that has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Club offers "a venue for social and business connections that pairs traditional Southern hospitality with state-of-the-art amenities."

The Fried Hamburger that John ordered was most appetizing (love fried food), and I was glad he ordered it so I could lust over it. My words can’t describe a fried hamburger as well as this short video does. George’s Shepherd’s Pie must have been delicious if his empty plate was any indication, and since George asked what I was doing with my ’stuff’ I was videoing … now you know George!

My Blue Cheese Burger was delicious, and after lunch I pretended that I didn’t want dessert.

About The Gateway Club.

The Gateway Club
37 Church Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
828-456-6789 phone
828-246-0842 Fax
info@TheGatewayClub.com

Not far from The Gateway Club:

• The Chocolate Bear in Downtown Waynesville.

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Some of my other websites:

• HORSEALICIOUS
• Breaking Horse News
• Breaking Asheville News

Original posted on Bucking the Real Estate Trend.

The Chocolate Bear, Purveyors of Fine Chocolate, is conveniently located right in Downtown Waynesville on Main Street. The beautifully decorated store is not only pleasing to the eye - - the sights and smells of the chocolate once you are inside make your mouth water. Chocolate covered sunflower seeds ... almonds ... marshmallows ... peanut butter ... pretzels ... etc., etc.

• The Chocolate Bear — Purveyors of Fine Chocolates
  “Our mission is to provide the best quality product and customer service as possible
  in an environment that encourages and inspires our customers and ourselves.”

By the way, the owners just added Gelato to the store … fresh, all natural ingredients, in 14 different flavors. Stop by to cool off with a Gelato before you pick out your chocolates. You will be glad you did.

"Researchers have discovered that chocolate produced some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are." Matt Lauer on NBC's Today Show

Some of my other websites:

• HORSEALICIOUS
• Breaking Horse News
• Breaking Asheville News

Original posted on Bucking the Real Estate Trend.

The Swag, North Carolina’s premier Country Inn, minutes from Asheville, Waynesville and Maggie Valley, was noted as “One of the Best 100 Hotels in US by Conde Nast Traveler” (read the Press Release here) and, most recently, the National Geographic Traveler announced The Swag as one of only 129 on their international National Geographic Traveler’s Stay List 2009.

Anxious to enjoy the Wednesday picnic lunch at The Swag (described below), this week afforded me the perfect opportunity to visit The Swag again.

“Wednesday lunch is truly something special — you are treated to a gourmet meal served picnic-style atop Gooseberry Knob. Enjoy our best culinary creations while gazing at panoramic mountain views. Love the idea, but not up for a fifteen minute hike? We also provide Land Rover shuttle transportation between the main lodge and the picnic area.”

Yesterday’s picnic at The Swag rendered me deleriously full and forever lusting for a beautiful authentic log home somewhere on the top of a mountain, surrounded by beautiful, long-range views of the Smokies – - with gourmet cooks everywhere!

• We all enjoyed, hot off the grill, (among many other offerings) … delicious rabbit sausage, sirloin burgers and other very fresh meats, cooked right there, especially for us and to our taste.

• The next table beyond the grill was filled with a beautiful assortment of fresh salads and fruits, including very delicious sweet North Carolina watermelon, and cheese and embellishments for your burgers and meats.

• The dessert table (including delicious chocolate fudge!) was very popular, and laden with sweets for any taste. THEN, after dessert, out came the rootbeer floats! Oh my.

The Swag Photo Set on Flickr here.

Previous articles about The Swag:

• Waynesville NC’s “The Swag” on National Geographic Traveler Stay List 2009.
• What Haywood County NC Destination Was Just Voted One of the Best 100 … by Conde Nast?

Some of my other websites:

• HORSEALICIOUS
• Breaking Horse News
• Breaking Asheville News

Original posted on Bucking the Real Estate Trend.

Lake Junaluska always provides new and beautiful views and/or flowers each and every time I drive around the Lake, depending only upon the season. Yesterday afternoon it was warm and sunny, and the swimming area was quite busy. Hard to imagine getting into the water since the temperature on my deck yesterday morning was 52 degrees.

If you are in town this week for Folkmoot, here is a link to their schedule: Folkmoot USA Schedule

• What’s Happening at Lake Junaluska this July 4th?
• No Moonshine for Your Stroll Around Lake Junaluska at Dusk.
• Shut the Duck Up!

Some of my other websites:

• HORSEALICIOUS
• Breaking Horse News
• Breaking Asheville News