Brrrrrrr

...It's December 13 and very very cold!

Ever Get The Feeling You're Being Watched?

Nature has a sense of humor,

doesn't she?

Yikes! We Forgot!

...in our current issue we failed to tell readers about our cover shot! It's the old springhouse at The Mast Farm Inn in Valle Crucis. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Inn, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of the few remaining 'in tact' historic farms in North Carolina.

Explore the Inn online at mastfarminn.com

School Crossing - Valle Crucis Style

The Days Just Aren't Long Enough!

What we need here at CML are 48 hour days...then, just maybe, this blog would start 'saying something' on a daily basis...

Meanwhile we hope everyone enjoys our current issue of Carolina Mountain Life!

Murmurs of Spring

After a long white winter, spring is making her presence known...walk slowly and look closely and you will see her small green gifts everywhere...

She is also offering a 'musical' treat. Head for the wetlands that adjoin AUS's Teaching and Research Farm in Valle Crucis (in the 'upper valley' at the junction of NC 194 and Dutch Creek Road). The peeper chorus there is incredibly joyous (and loud) this year!

Digging Out Time

Whew! On Valentine's Day, Ray (our local weatherman extraordinaire) proclaimed that this winter had become the snowiest winter on record in the High Country for snowfall through Feb 14.

Since then, we've experienced a three-day snow, with Rich Mountain (that big mountain that rises above Boone) receiving the deepest snow...35"!

Skiers (and snowboarders and snowtubers) are experiencing some of the best conditions ever while the rest of us grapple with simple things like digging out (again), and re-stocking the cupboard (again)...

If you'd like a more detailed look at all things weather, visit Ray at raysweather.com.

Wine to Water and Hearthstone Restaurant help Haiti

Saturday, January 23rd at Hearthstone Tavern & Grille a Wine Tasting to benefit emergency relief for Haiti will take place from 6-8.
Wine to Water will be on hand and are asking for a minimum donation of $10.00. There will be a silent auction with some great items and a raffle. Come out and enjoy a great evening for a great cause and enjoy a wine tasting and some delicious hors d'oeuvres. For more information call the Hearthstone at 828-898-3461 or log onto winetowater.org

I am so excited about going to see NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players: Pirates of Penzance tonight at Farthing Auditorium. I remember as a child my father playing the role of Sergeant of Police when he was with the Casper Comic Opera Company in Wyoming. I'll never forget the night his fake mustache got inhaled on stage. Oh- the memories.

So the folks at ASU Performing Arts said there are still tickets available for tonight's showing. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Here is a short message from ASU Performing Arts:

"Arrrgh you tired of being snowed in with nothing to do? Are theses cold winter days leaving you shivering in your timbers? Worry no more mateys! Fill your evening with singing pirates, live music and some deep belly laughs compliments of N.Y. Gilbert & Sullivan Players.

The Pirates of Penzance centers on the dilemma of the young and conscientious Frederic who, as a child, was apprenticed to pirates until his 21st birthday. Upon release from his obligation, he plans to marry Mabel, the daughter of the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley. Unfortunately, Frederic discovers that since he was born in a leap year on February 29, his 21st birthday won't occur for another 63 years. Despite his moral objection to piracy, Frederic is honor-bound to remain a pirate until the distant date of 1940. Helping Frederic to deal with this unusual predicament are Mabel (who agrees to wait for him), Ruth, the pirate maid-of-all-work, Major-General Stanley and the brash Pirate King.

The Pirates of Penzance, presented by Appalachian's Performing Arts series is fun for one and fun for all!

Get tickets by calling 800-841-ARTS, 828-262-4046 or online at www.pas.appstate.edu.

ENJOY!!!!