Week In Burnsville

Blueridge Mountains VA, Mabry Mill by figstreetstudio

I spent a week in Burnsville, NC. I just love the Blue Ridge Mountains and Burnsville is right in the mist. It is supposed to have a lot of artists and lots of art studios. There is a weekend of studio tours too but I am heading out to Washington, DC for a Jazz Fest. I spent most of my time meeting new people and cooking some New Orleans style food. The place is friendly and real safe. The town has two discount groceries. Both have the best deals on food stuff. I see why people here eat at home. The restaurants are not all that good but real cheap. I took a few photographs to paint from but have yet to connect with a spot that I can feel its spirit enough to begin to paint. Seeing a few paintings in the local gallery helped point me in a direction but it has not set the point in my minds eye. Seems pottery is the big thong here with a craft school at Penland I have yet to visit. I passed it up already once looking for it, the sign was too late for me to turn in. Next trip. The highlight for me was a tour of a closed feldspar mine. It closed and flooded in the 1960's but was pumped out enough to make a tourist attraction. It made the stuff used in Bon Amie cleanser. I learned a lot about the mines in this area there and well worth the stop in. I hope by spending time in the Blue Ridge that something will light so I can paint something worthy of the time and place.

People in Burnsville love 'Jerry's Jambalaya". I cooked several batches over the weekend. Here is a link to a recipe-http://stuffedartichoke.blogspot.com/2008/03/quick-and-easy-shrimp-jambalaya.html

Jambalaya by figstreetstudio

Zuma Coffee, and Red Beans and Rice

Last January I passed through Marshall, NC and discovered a nice breakfast spot, Zuma Coffee. It is more than a coffee shop or cafe but a spot in town people stop in and chat, person to person. Not being all that familiar with the area I was amazed at the number of friendly people who gathered here. Today I met one person who was also here in January and hoping to see a few more before I head out to a local grocery. A friend asked I cook read beans and rice for lunch at her office. I will stop in the store get the provisions and cook lunch then head to Asheville for a short visit. It is amazing to me how people love New Orleans home cooking and often I am asked about it as I travel. I hope it comes off well. It is not often I am asked to cook in an office though so I thought that would be nice. Seems red beans and rice are a nice ice breaker when visiting new people. I have some red bean designs on gifts here http://www.cafepress.com/figstreetstudio/1668996

Blue Ridge Mountains On Tap

Blueridge Mountains VA, Mabry Mill by figstreetstudio

Time for my now annual drive through the Blue Ridge on my way to Philly. This year I hope to stay a week near Asheville, NC. The trip I took on the motorcycle 2 years ago was wonderful so I hope to return for a longer stay this time. While there I scout out spots to paint like the Mabry Mill in Virginia I did a while back.