We rang in the New Year from on top of a mountain in North Carolina at our friend’s cabin. Being someone that has grown up around her fair share of cabins, when I hear that word I think of chinking, outhouses and candle light (I’m serious) and boy was I thrilled to be way off the mark! We were greeted with a beautiful stone fireplace, a well stocked kitchen, surround sound, and best of all, a view that stretched on and out for about 150 miles. No joke. North Caroline, please be mine.
In all there were three families, five children, and that one gorgeous view. We were able to squeeze in some time outside before the rain came, getting in a quick hike with promises of seeing The Bear Den.
The rest of the weekend looked a lot like this:
And this:
With a side of this:
And a visit from this guy for good measure:
We spent our days playing games, stirring pots on the stove, toasting to good friends, good food, and good balance, watching the kids explore a new place, and it all felt like we were being true to our life right now. On New Year’s Eve at midnight, we stood on the porch watching the the distant pops of fireworks reaching up into the sky from all over the state of North Carolina, and I was acutely aware of feeling like we’ve got a good one ahead of us. 
It felt also really good to have our little ones in the mix. Or rather, it felt really honest. I say that because I sometimes feel caught between feeling like I’m denying my new-ish role as a mother when I go out, while also finding myself feeling like I’m denying some part of my ‘former’ self in my seemingly full time job of keeping our couch from flying away in the evenings (she’s quite the flight risk). The weekend felt honest because it struck that perfect and sometimes illusive balance between family time and adult time, where we delighted in helping the kids work on sharing and keeping fingers out of each others noses, but then after they hit the sack we had nights of laughing hard and letting our hair down. Perfection.
I’m kind of hoping that we’ve stumbled on a new tradition, because I thoroughly enjoyed sipping champagne in my slippers, snuggling with Asher next to the fire, and setting the tone for a fantastic year to come. Eyes on the prize. Thank you 2010 for all that you’ve been, we like you.
Oh! And remember how I said that I was going to have to work on taking pictures of something other than Asher’s eyelashes in 2011?
Ah well, maybe next year.
Flux Capacitating 
Sounds pretty perfect! Where was this terrific cabin?
Near Lake Lure, but up up up! An area that has always been close to home, but still unknown to me until now. Classic mountain home, our friend’s parents bought it as respite from the flat Florida heat…perhaps you’ve heard that story before? 😉
I want to go to there.
For the record, I feel the same way about your town. Have I told you we spent a few days there last year? (Gasp. I mean in 2009, no longer last year!) We stayed in a B&B across the street from the lot that holds the farmer’s market, ate Marco & somebody’s dumplings, walked to UVA. Loved it with a big L.
For another record, I suppose I should take this moment to remember that our homestead will one day soon be a sweet mountaintop retreat, too. Come to the Ozarks in 2011 or 12!
Marco and Luca!! I can’t believe it! (For the record those dumplings are amazing, but at my former office we joking called them Stinky A** Balls, and had a rule that no one was allowed to eat them in the office because they’re so pungent). Ok yes, Ozarks it is! 🙂
*jokingly
Nicely done ole gal, it really was a great vacation from reality and a great way to start 2011! Love you
Dang, way jealous of the awesome cabin, mountains, and company as well! Would give anything for a place that…what a great place to be on New Years! Miss ya’ll!
Precious pictures and precious memories!