Holiday in: Asheville

I really love my sleep.

But even more than sleep, I love adventure. And "adventure" was precisely how I described to Brady the potential fun we could have on a day trip to Asheville, North Carolina. Since all the hotels were mad pricey, we rose and shone at 0430 Tuesday morning to get a full day's worth at the Biltmore. 




I have to admit, I was never interested in visiting the Estate growing up but...an opportunity to road trip with my husband + a special Downton Abbey fashion exhibit sounded too fabulous to pass up.

And wah?!?! I totally missed the memo that we could dress up for this thing. I totally would have scrounged up something Lady Mary-like.

 

The home was stunning, and seeing textiles in a museum setting again just made me happy inside in the way that only displays of sartorial genius can. We spent the remainder of the afternoon strolling through azalea bushes and dogwood trees, wondering how much money a snazzy place like this costs. We concur that the Biltmore's mortgage is a bit without our means, and decide to grab some dinner downtown.

 

Yum. I said to heck with veganism that night and indulged in some biscuits, butter and honey brought to our table at Tupelo Honey Cafe.

 

We found it quite easy to postpone the five-hour drive back to Tennessee, and French Broad Chocolates was a lovely environment to procrastinate. With a mug of hot chocolate and a cuppa fresh basil tea in hand, Brady and I (respectively) toasted to another fabulous day of exploring.

Together.

Tabbouleh Rasa

I've been working really hard lately to keep Brady from eating takeout.

Ranger School was a cruel starvation camp to a stud who eats Wendy's hamburgers (ahem, of the clandestinely-purchased sort) as afternoon snacks. The training severely restricted, among other things, his caloric intake, and over the grueling course of three months he endured incessant starvation, sleep deprivation, and demanding physical challenges to simulate special operations combat.

But last week - his first week home from training - he became reunited with his favourite foods - all at once. After bringing home the third dozen box of donuts, I began to worry.

I'm not sure how much of it was a revolt against his wife's newfound veganism, and how much was the impulsive post-deprivation hyperphagia, but either way I knew I needed to do something to take better care of my husband.

We needed to meet somewhere in the middle of my raw-vegan-organic-only-thank-you, and his surreptitious relationship with Dave Thomas' red-headed daughter. We needed a fresh, new start.

And I realised that I needed to change as much as he did.

And yes, last year's Rifle calendar is so pretty I still have it up in our kitchen

We had recently picked up a new cookbook at Williams-Sonoma anyway, and over the next few days I found myself cooking my way through its pages. And keeping the book in-tow at the Commissary paid off: Brady hasn't wanted to eat out since last Saturday - not because I'm ruling him with an iron hand whisk but because he genuinely enjoys how dinners taste and how he feels. I've always enjoyed cooking, but these recipes have been especially popular at home. Monday: Tabbouleh. Tuesday: Baked Tomatoes with Tuna, White Beans, and Bread Crumbs. Both meals Brady happily took as leftovers for lunch the following day. Tonight (Wednesday) is Tofu Peanut Stir Fry.

I think I might be pushing my luck with tofu. But, as Brady learned so many times in Ranger training, if we happen to fall short one day we can always take another shot tomorrow.

Ranger School Graduation

One long hug

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two reunited lovebirds

Three months of training

Four loving guests

Five pricked fingers (yep, all five!)

Six months without separation ahead. Hoorah.