We had a wonderful trip to North Carolina and completely enjoyed visiting with our family there. I highly recommend the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area. I fall more in love with it after every visit but sadly, Sweet Hubby has no desire to move back there. Something about a deep and total hatred for pine trees. And pinecones. And pine needles. And sand. Oh, and severe heat and humidity. We always seem to visit in Spring or Fall when the weather is beautiful and since I didn't spend my childhood being forced to rid the yard of pine needles and pinecones, I haven't developed the same distaste. I am head over heels in love with the houses in the downtown areas and the way those areas are laid out. I know Pinehurst was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park. Cottage Chic in downtown Pinehurst was a complete disappointment. Very small, very little selection and the most overpriced things I have seen in quite some time.
The cousins just couldn't get enough of each other and played day and night, stopping only long enough to eat and sleep. Emma spent most of her time there outside and even got to go fishing for the first time. She cried her eyes out when it was time to go but was cheered by the fact that we are planning a trip back in October. Anyhow, it's great to be home and I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you.
We had a wonderful trip to North Carolina and completely enjoyed visiting with our family there. I highly recommend the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area. I fall more in love with it after every visit but sadly, Sweet Hubby has no desire to move back there. Something about a deep and total hatred for pine trees. And pinecones. And pine needles. And sand. Oh, and severe heat and humidity. We always seem to visit in Spring or Fall when the weather is beautiful and since I didn't spend my childhood being forced to rid the yard of pine needles and pinecones, I haven't developed the same distaste. I am head over heels in love with the houses in the downtown areas and the way those areas are laid out. I know Pinehurst was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park. Cottage Chic in downtown Pinehurst was a complete disappointment. Very small, very little selection and the most overpriced things I have seen in quite some time. 
What a wonderful trip. I spent summers in NC at camp when I was young, such a peaceful, beautiful place. Scrolled down and read about Emma's ill-fated ear-piercing! Those young disappointments are tough. But you certainly did your best. Maybe make some pierced bunny ears to wear on Sunday... :)Happy Easter to you and your family! xoC
ReplyDeleteI've only been through NC once..twice actually..on my way to SC and on our return trip. Ilove North Carolina and would move there in a minute! I think it's beautiful there!
ReplyDeletePat
Back Porch Musings
Wow, it looks lovely there. I've never been to NC before. I wish I could just travel around the U.S. and see everything.
ReplyDeleteYes, NC is a beautiful state...course, I'm partial since I spent a lot of time there growing up. Any of the Southern states are great places to live...minus the heat & humidity, naturally. :)
ReplyDeleteRhoda
Southern Hospitality
Glad you had a great time. That town looks really charming! I'm with your husband on the pine trees. I'm getting ready to take the last one down this summer. We had 7 when we moved in and every year I've had 1 removed. Now there's only this last one...and it's days are numbered LOL!
ReplyDeleteManuela
Oh, I LOVE Pinehurst! I was able to spend some time there one time with hubby for a convention... thank you for the pictures! I'm so glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeletexo,
Kim
Jen, so glad you were in NC while the weather was great - it's turned COLD again and we are due overnight temps. around 30 this weekend. Frozen eggs on the Sun. hunt I fear - and I'm nervous about plant/shrub damage.
ReplyDeleteYes, the pines are a problem. Altho' I love trees I don't have anything positive to say about the pines. We have now removed all our pines leaving just the hardwoods. Pines are so tall and snap off in storms/hurricanes. They often have pine beetle disease which seems to kill a tree overnight - we awoke one morning and found an 80 ft. one leaning dangerously toward the house - luckily supported by an oak - so that made us realize they all had to go. Oh, and that pine pollen - awful if you have allergies!
Of course Pinehurst is the golfing capital of NC but we don't play. If you are ever this way when the huge nearby CAMERON flea market is held - I'll have to check for the date - you might love shopping there.
~ Mary ~
Just Googled CAMERON, NC and see the the Cameron Antiques Street Fair is on Sat. May 5 this year.
ReplyDeleteThere are 12 permanent antiques shops (in quaint old historical buildings) in the village. I love the individual dealer shops set up inside the old Mercantile building - neat cafe on the lower level for lunch. At this annual street fair there are also dozens of outdoor stalls - I've seen great vintage/shabby items here. Cameron has apparently become a destination for the serious collector and has been featured in Southern Living etc.
Sounds like you won't be back here until Fall, perhaps next year you can arrange your family visit when they have the fair if you're interesting in shopping.
I'm not a big pine fan either, but it looks like a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful town! I have friends from the Cape who relocated to NC and they just LOVE it! So much so, I don't think they will ever make it back here to the Cape for a visit - we have been told we need to go to NC! lol
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Easter! =)
Welcome Home -
ReplyDeleteWe had the pleasure of visiting North Carolina many years ago and were taken by the beauty & friendliness of everyone we met.
Wishing you a very Happy Easter.
Debbie
What beautiful pictures, and a charming place! I can easily see why you stay in love with it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you!
Andrea
How funny to see this post, I work down the road from the Southern Pines shops...and live in the Southern Pines/Pinehurst area!! I love all the shops but many are over priced, there's tons of "secret" shops hidden in different areas off the beaten path. I am looking forward to the Cameron Antique show...I'm glad Mary mentioned the date because I was thinking it was the 3rd Saturday in May not the first one :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a nice visit to our area :)
lucy
I want to wish you a Happy Easter and invite you and a friend to my Spring Give-a-way. Hope to see you there!
ReplyDeletePoor Emma! I can remember hiding when it was time to leave my Mamaw's house in Kentucky....I didn't want to leave!
ReplyDeleteGlad your trip was so nice. Have a lovely Easter!
God bless!
Terri
bummer about the store, but good to know i haven't missed anything! thanks for the report!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Jen! It really looks beautiful there in Carolina and I love pine trees and pine cones, especially the big ones! Hope you've enjoyed and still do a very happy Easter! Carol xox
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter! It looks like you had a lovely & inspiring time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and your family enjoyed your trip to North Carolina. The pictures of the town are just lovely!
ReplyDeleteHello Jen!!
ReplyDeleteI've just tagged you for The Thinking Blogger Award. Please check my April 9th post for details!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Hi Jen, I didn't see where I could contact you via email so I thought I'd just leave you another comment. No, of course I don't mind being added to your links. I'm honored!
ReplyDeleteI see you're reading Down to Earth Gardener too!
Manuela
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I was born in North Carolina. I've only got to go back once on a Prison Ministry Conference. It was springtime and everything was blooming, and much earlier than springtime starts here. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! Glad you had a good trip!
ReplyDeleteCarol
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