For anyone wanting to learn more about gardening in a region they have just moved to I ran across a wonderful website. Mother Earth News has a site that allows you to pick the region, and then get a month by month list of what to plant when. It even breaks it down to when to plant an item in seed and in plants. In Western North Carolina we don't really fit into the region they have us marked in. We are more in the Mid-Atlantic region. At least that is more what I am following. I don't think that we can follow the same time frames as Florida, or South Carolina. So that is what I am using. But I really like the way they break it down into months. Now I can refer to that to see what I should be doing each month. It is a great reference and I will use it to keep myself focused. If you ar... 04/24/2010

The First Goldfinches Arrived in Hendersonville NC, landing on my feeders and making me jump for joy. They are one of my favorite birds and a sure sign that spring is here. I have had Cardinals for several weeks and the contrast of the two on my feeders was stunning. I am really glad to have my feeders back out. Last fall I had two black bears in my yard and was advised to keep the feeders in until spring. They had completely destroyed one of my large feeders in the back yard. Mama Bear and her baby ate well, as I had just filled it up. I was scared to put them up again, in case they returned. But having been bear free all winter, I decided to get them back up about a month ago. So far it has been fine. With all of the building here, were are probably going to see this more often. I am ... 04/24/2010

Gardening in Western North Carolina has been a great experience and this year I am really getting back into it.The first few years I lived here I was on a mountain top in Bat Cave and I was still learning what to do here. Coming from the farming state of Iowa, I was very challenged trying to figure out the different timing for everything. I think this year, though still too late for the lettuce and spinach, I feel I have it down and am ready to go. I have been out cleaning up my garden space in the back yard and turning dirt to get it ready for planing. A friend thought I was crazy for hand digging it, but I just can't imagine using a tiller. It just wouldn't be the same. I have a small space, about 25 X 25 feet, and hope to stuff as much as I can into it this year. Last year I hand dug... 04/24/2010

Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS March Market Report Hendersonville and Western NC Regional MLS February Market ReportThese numbers are provided by the 4 County Western NC Regional MLS system and representhome sales in Buncombe (Asheville Area), Haywood, Henderson (Hendersonville Area) andTransylvania (Brevard Area)  counties 2009 February ResidentialStatistics       2010 February ResidentialStatistics (Adjusted 04/22/10)                   Single-Family Homes Sold   265   Single-Family Homes Sold   240 Average Days on Market   144   Average Days on Market   173 Average Selling Price   $236,405   Average Selling Price   $237,935 Month End Inventory   8,118   Month End Inventory   7,955 Average List Price   $250,342   Average List Price   $257,030 % Difference Sale to List   94.... 04/22/2010

Today is Earth Day, a day when planting trees has been part of the ritual since it was established in the 1970's. But where did all of this tree planting begin? As far back as the 1840's people were planting trees en mass. It was more like Arbor Day when I think about it. But when the first settlers moved to the plains of Nebraska, they found little in the way of trees for building homes or for fuel to cook and heat with. It was the Nebraska prairie dwellers who started planting trees here. If you have ever driven through Nebraska, you may wonder how a prairie state has so many trees.You can read a great blog about the History of Nebraska Tree Planting. In 18882 Nebraska was the first to declare Arbor Day. Nebraskans are really fanatics when it comes to tree planting. It's in their bloo... 04/22/2010

Henderson County North Carolina - Early Primary Balloting To Start!  Thursday April 15 is not only tax man day but the start of early primary voting, one-stop voting.  It begins Thursday and continues through May 1.  The primary election is May 4.My husband and I appreciate the early voting and it has become very popular in Hendersonville and Henderson County, NC.I will say that in 2008 we probably waited in line as long as we would have on election day due to it being a presidential election but in general it is great to have the choice of waiting, or, come back the next day and see if there is a line.Henderson County has five early voting sites:  Etowah Library, Fletcher Library, Flat Rock Village Hall, the Board of Elections office and this year a new site in Edneyville at the the Ed... 04/13/2010

The Epic Theater in Hendersonville is really Epic!  With Stadium seating everyone gets to see the large screen, no exceptions. The seats are comfy and the sound state of the art. I love the look of it too. It is a beautiful building. See the schedule for the Epic Theater. You can find the Epic Theater at 200 Thompson Street, in the shopping Center with Pardee Urgent Care Center and the Big Lots Store. You can call ahead as well, at 828/693-1146. There is plenty of parking so bring your friends!   04/11/2010

Are you done with Tax Time? I buried my head in the sand for another year and waited way too long to go in. I had all my paperwork completed at least a month ago, and was ready, but just couldn't do it. So Friday I finally got it together and made the call, fearing I would have to get an extension. But luckily, Kim Hogan at Zip Zap has always squeezed me in. She is really good, and this is the second year I have used her. If you are in Hendersonville and have not made the call, you can call her and I know she will get you in, too. They are located in the Pardee Urgent Care Center, along with the Epic Theater on the east side of town, and you can call Kim at 828/693-8774. 04/11/2010

I feel like a Kid in a Candy Store this time of year. With all of the flowers coming up, i love to walk through my yard and peek under leaves to see what is trying to poke through the soil so far. I planted a lot of flowers last year, and can't even remember them all, so it has been really fun to watch.T his morning I found blooms on my Bleeding Hearts, and peonies poking through oak leaves. I forgot about the peonies and so I will be waiting to see what colors I got. They weren't blooming when I bought them so it will be a surprise. I transplanted a lot of Hostas from my visit to Iowa last year. At the time I dug the clumps up, I figured there would be a few in each clump. But when I got home there were so many in each clump I was able to spread them out. They are now starting to come ... 04/11/2010

NC and Chinese Drywall.  Last April the first Chinese drywall lawsuit was filed by a family in Holly Springs, North Carolina.  Holly Springs is about 30 minutes from Raleigh, North Carolina.I had thought the Chinese drywall issue was mainly confined to Florida but apparently it is also showing up in many other regions as well.The Holly Springs family had purchased their home in 2004 and at that time they noticed a sulphur smell but were told it would dissapate with time.  Kinda like the formaldahyde smells that used to be so prevalent in carpets, etc.  Since that time the family had issues with corroding furnace coils and other metals.  Plus they have experienced numerous health issues.  For a report on this family's experience and the lawsuit published in April 2009 visit here.As if th... 04/07/2010

Springtime in Hawthorne Hill, Hendersonville NC I drove through Hawthorn Hills today and it was lit up with color. This community is quickly becomeing one of my favorites. With 127 homes on 200 acres, homes are situated on large lots with plenty of room. Located on the west side of town, just off Highway 64, this community is situated between Hendersonville and Brevard. It has a country feel with the rolling hills and winding roads. These homes were well built, starting in the late 1950's and continung today. This gives it a nice variety of styles, and makes it a unique community, a step above the newer cookie cutter communities of 5-7 styles and floorplans. Every home has a style of it's own. There are a wide variety of sizes and prices as well, allowing something for everyone. Hawthor... 04/04/2010

04/03/2010

Pysanky - The Ancient Art of Coloring Easter Eggs --  As a youngster my Aunt Emily would take me along with her during the Easter season to visit fellow school teachers who lived up in the coal region in Pennsylvania.  About an hours drive from where we were in Reading.  I always loved Easter and I especially remember those visits and the gorgeous breads that were like a work of art.And the eggs!  Soooo beautiful.  My aunt was very strict about me not handling them.  I knew the symbols on the eggs were telling a story but I had no idea as to the work it took to create these beautiful things.At home we dyed Easter eggs with food coloring and vinegar and sometimes even had some little stickers to plunk on them or we drew on some with crayons.  But nothing like those very special eggs.I ca... 04/03/2010

39 North Creekside Court     39 North Creekside Court Hendersonville NC 28791 Home For Sale - Brevard NC Real Estate   This home is in excellent condition, shows like new, gas log fireplace, great natural light, nice neutral colors, eat-in kitchen and formal dining area.  Boasting cathedral ceilings, good storage closets and HUGE master bedroom closet. Tray ceiling in the master bedroom and a separate alcove with a door for commode in master bath and private covered back deck. Incredible storage underneath in walk-in crawlspace and easy access to utilities. This home located in beautiful historic Hendersonville, North Carolina also backs up to a greenspace walking trail.     39 North Creekside Court Home For Sale Welcome to the best place to find Hendersonville homes for sale, condos fo... 04/01/2010

I love to take a drive.  It helps me appreciate all the beauty that I am surrounded by.  I was on the way to check on my brochure boxes when I decided to take a country road that I have not traveled in a while.  So with my 4 year old daughter in the back seat, we turned a corner and there they were.  Just equally enjoying the beauty that surrounded them on a perfect spring day.  We each took a moment to aknowledge just how blessed we are.       03/28/2010

Nib’s is my new favorite coffee shop in Hendersonville.  Nib’s offers coffee beans from the Brown Bean Coffee Rosters of Brevard.  Nib’s serves breakfast and lunch in a clean friendly environment. I love to sit in the sunroom which offers views of the Historic Downtown Courthouse. Free Wi-Fi available.  Nib’s Coffee Cafe is located at 605 Kanuga Road in Hendersonville North Carolina.       03/27/2010

Parents who desire to have their child attend another school other than the one he/she is assigned to for 2010/2011 school year may on April 1st through April 30th request reassignment to the school of your choice.  Applications should be mailed or delivered to the school requested to the attention of the Principal. Transportation to and from the requested school is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. For more information please visit the following: http://www.henderson.k12.nc.us/AdminServices/Reassignment.html   03/27/2010

Owners Kimberly Young and Derek Schuler creators of Travels in Wine Tours are living their dream.  Kim as she is known to friends has always had a passion for wine, so much so that she is a certified sommelier, which is an expert in wines. The concept of Travels in Wine Tours is simple.  Daylong behind-the-senses visit to three area wineries throughout Buncombe, Rutherford and Polk counties.  Tasting, tours, lunch and transportation are included.  Tours are Wednesday thru Saturday for $99.00 Travel in Wine Tours also offer wine tasting in the comfort of your own home for $59.00 which includes six bottles of wine.   That my friend is a great deal! To contact Travels in Wine Tours, visit their website:  www.travelsinwinetours.com or call 1-888-634-3939.   03/27/2010

Tryon - Saturday and Sunday - 2ND Annual Heritage Days Harmon Field held this event for the first time last year and it was so well received it has grown even bigger for this years 4 day event.  Heritage Days has to do with Civil War era time events.  Events such as re-enactments, barn dancing, crafts and such things.This is a four day experience and the first 2 days (thursday and friday) being devoted to school children with educational events such as visiting a Civil War camp being re-enacted.Saturday and Sunday the public are invited to enjoy and participate in the re-enactments.  Even more Civil War troops are participating this year.  Local students created displays for a Civil War museum which are set up in the old Tryon Middle School building.  Crafters are also participating wit... 03/26/2010

Happy Friday to all who take the time to read this post.  We have a nearby pond where we live and I thought it would be a great idea to just take a break.  My husband is off today so with a loaf of bread in hand Isobella, Ken, Gizmo and I headed for a walk.   We found a male and female duck approach as we were feeding the fish.  I think they have chosen this pond to have a family.  How cool is that!    For 10 minutes we sat feeding the ducks and fish and then headed back in for hot chocolate.      03/26/2010