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An update from the Blue Ridge Mountains...
If you've been following The Café for the past few months you're probably aware that we've been in the process of relocating from Raleigh, NC. to the Blue Ridge Mountains, near Asheville, NC. It's been a long, slow process with a total of 15 (4-hour) trips between the two houses, but we're finally moved and are in the process of making Hope View (our new street name) our own.
It's a beautiful morning here at Hope View and I thought I'd share a brief Café update. I know our posts have been few and far between this summer, but all that's about to change as we're beginning to feel somewhat settled in our new home, nestled in the midst of North Carolina's Great Craggy Mountains (a subrange of the Blue Ridge).
Our move to the mountains has evoked memories from an experience I had many years ago. As a young college student, I spent a summer working in the Swiss Alps. I loved every aspect of that summer abroad and couldn't absorb enough of the beauty and grandeur that assaulted me from every direction in the tiny alpine village where I waitressed and worked as a kitchen helper. When the summer ended and I found myself back at school in an urban setting, I knew a corner of my heart would always remain in the mountains.
As Scott and I have begun to get settled in our new mountain abode, I've had this funny sense in my spirit that I'm finally "home" again. Don't get me wrong, there's so much we miss about Raleigh (after living there for 37 years), especially our dear friends. But we're both loving this new experience and are excited for the new adventures, as we explore this gorgeous little corner of God's creation.
Lots of you have asked for pictures of our new home. The inside is (most definitely) still a work in progress, as we continue to unpack and find places for everything, but I thought I'd share some shots that Scott took this morning of our very favorite place in the house!
Well, it's not actually "in" the house but rather just outside the front door. We are both quite smitten with our front porch and sneak out there any time we find a spare minute. We find ourselves heading to this cozy spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The surroundings are magnificently green with glimpses of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains peeking through the trees. There's almost always a gentle breeze and it's super quiet and so peaceful that we have a hard time pulling ourselves inside. We love that the temperatures are more moderate here than in Raleigh, allowing us to be outdoors so much more.
From this little place of respite, we've enjoyed brilliant, blue skies, misty, moisty mornings enveloped in clouds and (it's a covered porch) have watched storm clouds roll in bringing torrential mountain rains that cascade from the heavens. It's a wonderful place for inspiration and relaxation in the midst of a hectic and often stressful moving experience.
Speaking of inspiration, I'm back in the kitchen! With traveling back and forth, packing and saying farewell to friends, there wasn't much time or energy for cooking for the past few months. But my mind is exploding with new culinary ideas and as many boxes have now been unpacked at Hope View, I feel the freedom to get back to what I love - creating and sharing recipes with you!
We'll be back Monday with a fabulous focaccia recipe I've made numerous times this summer. It's so ridiculously easy and hands-off that even in the midst of the moving chaos, I could take a few minutes (literally!) and end up with two delicious loaves of bread we could enjoy for sandwiches, or as a dinner bread. I think you'll love this Ridiculously Easy Overnight Focaccia as much as we do!
P.S. Meet the carved bears that reside on our front porch. But guess what? We have REAL bears here at Hope View too! Every few days there will be one (or more) ambling down our street, driveway or through our backyard. And it didn't take us long to learn that you don't leave garbage cans outside like we did in Raleigh or there'll be some brown, furry "visitors" checking things out!
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Hello and what a lovely place to live. Like you I love Asheville spent a lot of time there . The farmers markets are amazing as well as the scenery. I’m so happy for you Chris.
While I know you will miss your friends, I'm sure you are going to love your new home. And those friends...I'm sure they will all be looking forward to spending some time with you in the mountains. It looks gorgeous and I'm looking forward to following along on the new adventures that the two of you will be sharing.
So happy for you both. Would move to the mountains in a heart beat. Love them and the surroundings. We spent many summers in Blowing Rock but sadly our travel days are over and we are in Florida whis is very hot. Nothing like fresh mountain air. Enjoy every minute and be well and breathe in some mountain air for me please. Blessings and happiness always. Heiid
I am sure you will love Asheville! The food there is great! When we were stationed at the coastal Carolinas, we visited Asheville four times in six months! Check out the Indian restaurant, Mela. It was our favorite.
And I am looking forward to learning some new recipes from you! Just made your lemon yogurt cake today, yumm 🙂
Thanks so much, Leeann, we will definitely check out Mela!
I’m new to your website but I love everything about it! Congratulations on your new home, we were fortunate enough to live in North Carolina many years ago and have many wonderful memories of it. Really looking forward too all your new recipes.
Thanks so much, Jen!
Your new location is beautiful and looks peaceful. May you have many happy, healthy years at Hope View. S o enjoy your recipes and stories, always look forward to seeing them.
Absolutely beautiful! As a fellow country-dweller, I think you will love your new view. So peaceful and wonderful to appreciate the seasons. And I can share some bear-wise tips if you ever need them 😉
Your new home looks beautiful and peaceful! Enjoy!
mark and I visited the Craggy Mtn Gardens when we were in Asheville this summer. So pretty! We also ate at this little hole in the wall called “Taco Temple” when we came back down the mtn and it was delicious!
Thanks, Stacey! We love Craggy Mountain Gardens, so pretty! We'll keep an eye out for Taco Temple!
Congratulations! This looks so peaceful and I wish you and Scott oodles of happiness and joy in your new home.
How wonderful for you both! Mountain vistas can be so inspiring in so many ways! We are actually looking at Cullowhee River Club above Asheville on the internet and although we thought we were in our perfect retirement place in SE Washington state, we might yet make another move. We hope to fly out for a look around later this year or next spring. Glad to hear you're settled and I look forward to new recipes!
Cheers!
So beautiful & peaceful looking. You're going to make some wonderful new memories here. Can't wait to see all the new recipes this vista inspires!
Best of Luck & Times!!!
Wow, it does look like you're in a secluded paradise, Chris! What views! On to new memories and new friends 🙂
We made our final move 8 years ago and love our location in Florida. But do miss the mountains. Looking forward to more of your wonderful recipes.
Thanks so much, Judi. Florida is a really fun place too, especially in the winter!
There’s nothing like the mountains!
I’m thrilled for you and Scott. I know you will be enjoying many wonderful hours on that beautiful porch!
Thanks, Pam, you have to come and visit! We are long overdue for a reunion 🙂
Oh, my gosh, your views!! Looks like you found the perfect new locale. I'm so happy you're getting settled...and cooking!!!
... and I think to myself, what a wonderful world 🙂
So beautiful - being close to the natural world is invigorating and joyful.
Very happy for you in your new journey. Regards & good wishes Meg
Thanks, Meg, so true!
Looks fantastic. Have been to the Asheville area several times and thoroughly enjoyed it. Played several rounds of golf at the Country Club of Ashville - a wonderful course and look forward to visiting again.
Thanks, Frank! We have loved Asheville for years - it has so much to offer. I've seen that beautiful golf course but have not played on it.
BEARS!?
Maybe I should re-think retiring to the mountains...
It all sounds lovely, and you both seem so happy with your new home. Now that the moving part is done, you can settle in and enjoy. Congratulations on your lovely new home...even with the bears!
Haha! Yes, bears! I'm not doing my early morning walk by myself these days. Instead, waiting for Scott to go with me! Thanks for you kind words!
I used to live on the other side of those mountains, in eastern Tennessee. I now live in Arizona and, while AZ has its own unique beauty, boy those pictures sure made me miss that part of the country.
It sounds like you left a little part of your heart there too, Denise! I love Arizona too - it definitely has a beauty of its own!
It looks like a really beautiful location! I love the name of your street!
We love the name too! Thanks, Jenn!
I am green with envy (well, except for the part about the bears). I lived in NC several years a long time ago, and we have made many trips to the Asheville area over the years. Anxiously awaiting the focaccia recipe!
Haha! The bears spook me a bit too but I really enjoy watching them from inside the house 🙂
It looks like a beautiful place, and one that will be spectacular once the leaves change in the fall. Hope you will include some pictures then too. We have bears at our cottage and are careful not to tempt them by leaving any food outside. This also includes bird seed in feeders, which is apparently a bear favourite. Enjoy your mountain paradise!
Thanks, Vivian! We've been warned od about not feeding the bears. It's a little sad as Scott is a bird lover and has always had a bunch of bird feeders in the yard.
Wishing you and Scott much happiness in your new home!
Looks so peaceful there!
Low carb recipes, I’m in too Rita . Looking forward to anything low carb as well. Love all of your recipes and have tried many with great success!!! Thanks
Thanks, Mary!
Congratulations on a successful move!! Enjoy your new home!!! Can’t wait for the focaccia recipe!
Thanks, Vici, I think you'll love the focaccia!
You have no idea how I needed to see this post. My husband of 45 years and I are building a home in central PA on top of a mountain overlooking a huge mountain ridge. The property is my husband’s family homestead that we inherited . Being a city girl all of my life I have been having doubts if this new lifestyle is going to appeal to me. I’m just not used to being so far from people. Your description of your new place is very similar to what we will be experiencing on our little mountain in the very near future, including the bears. You filled me with such hope and gratitude for the blessings we have & you have shown me a new way to see this new and exciting adventure in which I’m about to embark. Thank you so very much. You’ve no idea how your words have helped me!!!
Oh, your comment is such an encouragement to me, Gisela (love your name)! Sounds like we're in very similar situations. How wonderful to be able to inherit a mountain top!!
Hi Chris,
Sheila from Canada. So excited for you and your new abode. Looks heavenly and I so appreciate your comment about how peaceful it is as this is something I enjoy when we get to our cabin on the weekends. I continue to use so many of your recipes. I feel like your website is like that wonderful recipe book passed down from your mother or grandmother that holds the magic of all her best creations. You give that to me and I am grateful, truly almost on a daily basis. Planning family meals for the weekend is always fun because of you and the reviews are always great. Looking forward to continuing this relationship.
Added note: I recently reread your blog on the Lemon Blueberry cookies that you wrote and it made my day, AGAIN.
Thanks so much, Sheila! You are a wonderful encourager 🙂 I've got lots of new recipes up my sleeve - so stayed tuned!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful place. Wishing you guys years of happy memories in your new home.
Thank you, Linda! We really appreciate your well wishes 🙂
How exciting! That looks so beautiful and peaceful, Chris. It had to be difficult to leave your friends, but I am sure you will get lots of visitors in a bucolic setting like that! We are getting ready to travel to Wisconsin next week (your home, I think) and I’m so looking forward to communing with nature again. Can’t wait to see what you are cooking up for us soon!
Thanks so much, Vicki! Yes, we would love many of our friends to visit Hope View. Wisconsin? How fun! We're actually headed there in September for a family get together, can't wait!
Lovely! I know how grueling moves are but once we are in..were are in!
Looks like the perfect spot for you!
Thanks, Monique, you're right, it is grueling but fun at the same time!
What beauty surrounds you! So peaceful! I started following you when I discovered your wonderful European-Style 5 Minute Artisan Bread. Which is/was my all time favorite bread recipe. However, I am diabetic, have been for 6+ years and I take no medicine for it, just try to control diet and exercise some. But I found out just recently that wheat flour, no, matter unbleached white, whole wheat or whole grain will raise blood sugar more than table sugar. A friend loaned me Wheat Belly book, with fascinating information and studies. This is how I learned about the spike in blood sugar with wheat. And my A1C has been running higher than what it should, so have quit wheat and grains. Trying to eat low carb. You are such a fantastic cook, would like to ask you for some low carb dishes. If you don’t have any desire, that’s ok. Just thought I would ask. Just know I love your site! And you don’t have to post this either.
I, too, would like some low carb options.
My husband is diabetic and I'd like to help him eat low carb as well. I 3rd the request for low carb!
I've made many of your recipes and I have to say the salad dressings are the best.
Thanks for considering.
Thanks so much, Lynn! I'm wondering what kind of low carb recipes you'd like to see?
Me, too. I do low carb & have kept my sugar in check for a while now & I feel great! I’m carb sensitive, I found out . You have such wonderful recipes, I just know you can come come up with some fabulous low-carb options.
But if not, I will still be reading your posts and checking out your website for options to take to work with me for those folks who don’t have to do low-carb.
Thanks, Brenda, I will keep this in mind!
Hi Rita, I think it's fantastic that you've been able to stay away from medication for your diabetes. Being a former RN, I know that medicine can be very helpful and at the same time, cause other problems. We do have lots of salads on the blog that would definitely be low carb options. Check them out: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/?s=salads
Chris..isn’t it funny how some places we go in our lives make us feel like we've come home. Like this is where we always meant to be. It could be a memory (like you mentioned), or just that comfortable, safe and secure feeling that reminds us of good days gone by. I’ve had that feeling a couple of times in my life and it is wonderful! Everything looks wonderful so far and your description of everything makes me wish I was sitting up there on that front porch with you and Scott! Enjoy life! I’m sure your granddaughters will love coming to visit you now! Hugz!
So true Colleen, wish you could visit!
Beautiful! What a lovely view you have, I would live on the porch too.
Thanks, Christina! Hope you're doing well. Yes, it's difficult to pull ourselves in!
So glad your move went well. It truly looks like you found a piece of heaven on earth. How wonderful!!! I know you'll miss your friends, but at least they can keep up with you here. Looking forward to that focaccia recipe!
Thanks, Tricia, come to visit any time! We could cook together!
Hope View looks beautiful and peaceful! That focacci looks authentic and yummy. Have a wonderful weekend, Chris!
Thanks, Angie, hope your weekend is great too!