DOUBLE INDIGO 666 WORLD TOUR
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Lazing about the house, today, so not much to report. Our house is from 1903, and we live on the lower level. This is the back:
I clipped and repotted some succulents that were getting too tall/floppy for their pots. 
It’s been raining a lot the past few days, so it’s nice to get a break. 
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Great Break pics @sabergirl !
Think about a Tour return to Europe,….............., anyone else?
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Actually, some of them are delicious
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Yes! Nopales are delicious. I bet you have easy access in Texas. They’re hard to find around here.
Actually, some of them are delicious
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Yep, dead easy. I can buy them in both my local grocery stores.
The fruit (prickly pear) also makes good jam, and local breweries sometimes add it into beer, which is also tasty, just to taunt you some more, neph.
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I worked some this weekend, and we played some, too. The locker room at work, and a good look at the tour jeans:
Then they spent the shift wadded up in my locker, of course: 
We went to a street music event that Asheville has every summer called Downtown After 5, heard some tunes, and had some drinks. Any excuse to drink outdoors is all right by me: 
When we got home, Marcia whipped up some amazing sandwiches: 
Saturday night we had a curry at home (jar sauce and fresh veg, nothing gourmet like some of y’all out there: 
Tonight we went out for dinner with my parents, because they’re about to take off on a summer road trip: 
Fancier than how we eat at home, that’s for sure!And that’s a pretty good representation of life around here. Mostly food, and some other things if the mood strikes us in between meals.
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I am now going to make Broccolini sandwiches this week… looks stupendous
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And that’s a pretty good representation of life around here. Mostly food, and some other things if the mood strikes us in between meals.
If the things you do inbetween food are drinking beer, wearing awesome denim and being with loved ones then life is pretty great. Thanks for the update Ann. Liked it a lot.
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It’s that time again, friends:
Now that I have your attention, I’ve got some very special pics for you, today. You may recall that I work at the Inn on the Biltmore Estate. “Wtf is the Biltmore Estate?”, you’ve probably said to yourself. Biltmore is the largest private home in the USA. It was built by George Vanderbilt, the descendent of a transportation tycoon who was one of the robber barons of the industrial revolution. It is a French style chateau, on a still considerable parcel of land that once included the majority of Western North Carolina. Biltmore is unique, because the family has turned it into a profitable enterprise by selling tickets to enter the house and grounds, and it continues to be privately owned and operated by the family, and their ~2500 employees. The Estate was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the infamous landscape designer who was also responsible for Central Park, in NYC.Enough history. Today, after work I went over to the Biltmore House to snap some photos of the Chihuly glass installation that will be on the Estate until October. I have seen his art before, but it’s always a treat to see in person, and I knew the forum would enjoy a look.
My favorite part of Biltmore is definitely the Conservatory, which is an original greenhouse structure that looms over the gardens, and houses amazing mature tropical plants. 
i didn’t capture the scale, but those leaves are about 5 feet long! Up on the library terrace there is also a canopy of some type of creeper that is very well established.
A little zoomed-in selfie I shot over one of the Chihuly pieces:
Heres a couple of detail shots, though I know my crappy iPhone pics do the work no justice, it really is some of the world’s most remarkable blown glass.
That’s all for today, folks! Til next time, I’ll just be here snugglin’ chihuahuas. 
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Spectacular @sabergirl ! :o Beautiful glass. Lovely views
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Chihuly stuff is always fascinating, and pictures never do it justice.
Oh, and I love the Biltmore House…
(North Carolina pride, baby!) -
Thanks, everyone!
You should see inside, @Fadez it's very opulent. They also have an indoor swimming pool, an indoor bowling alley, and elevator, electricity, and hot water, all of which were things not very common for the 1890s when it was constructed.
@Chris do you have any family in NC, anymore? Ever swing through? I have a love/hate relationship with my home state: it's a very….special place....
The Chihuly exhibit will only be up until October 7th, I believe. They're also opening the gardens at night, and the installation will be all lit up. Even as an employee, I would have to purchase a ticket for that, so I'm not sure I'll make it.
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@Chris do you have any family in NC, anymore? Ever swing through? I have a love/hate relationship with my home state: it's a very….special place....
Mom, dad, and my sister and her family still live in Charlotte. My brother and his family are in the process of moving from Raleigh to LA, so they're almost out. I usually visit once a year or so. This year, I'll be there around Thanksgiving.
I know what you mean about the love/hate relationship. I couldn't wait to leave, but after nearly 20 years away, my feelings have changed a bit. There are plenty of cool things about the state, once I got some perspective. Though I have considerable issues with the way the state is being run these days…
