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A Little Fresh Air

November 13, 2013 by Joy the Baker 104 Comments

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There’s a weird thing that happens when what you love to do becomes what you must do.  The blessing of full-time content creation stays a blessing (totally stays a blessing), but it’s also work (aka werk). I feel the need, every once in a while, to slow to a simmer.

I’ve been in the kitchen most of the year.  There is zero complaint in that sentence.  I’ve mostly been working on my next cookbook (October 2014!), making tripods out of stacks of cookbooks (totally professional), and washing a lot of dishes.

This Fall I gave myself some fresh air in a place I’d never been.  I spent a few glorious days in North Carolina, and I’m not sure exactly how I made it on the plane back to California because I’m sure my heart is still in Asheville.

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Original photography shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR. The filmmaker’s camera.

The sky is big.  The trees are generous.  The people are easy to laugh and kind.  The mountains are blue, and green, and orange, and deep.  Such a great place!

Let me show you!

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I started my little journey in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Have you been there?  It’s incredible!  The beach is literally covered is shells.  In California, you’d be hard pressed to find just one of these shells.  On the Outer Banks this is just the ground!

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The closer you walk to the water, the smaller and smoother the shells get.

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Smooth little seashell stones!  You can dig and dig and still find these smooth shell pieces.

This is where I just sat on the ground and stared at these waves.

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I feel like east coast waves have a different rhythm than west coast waves.  They’re deeper and darker.

I want to walk into these waves forever.  It’s like a siren song.

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Beach stairway (to heaven).

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This is where we stayed in the Outer Banks.

Uh huh. Four floors and multiple decks.  I mean…

I was here to teach a few pie baking and food styling workshops.  If going to a beach house is work, then I’ll work forever and always.

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I drove from the Outer Banks to Asheville, North Carolina.

I only killed two squirrels on the drive.  I feel really bad about it.

I made my way to visit Ashley, Glenn, and Huxley.  Do you know Ashley from Small Measure?  She and her family live in a beautifully cozy home just outside of Asheville.  They walked me around the garden and chicken coop surrounded by trees and falling leaves.  Even though we’re new friends, we cozied up in the living room and chatted about what is good and big in life.  Glenn made us the sort of meal that I never even knew I was missing: ham and apples, kimchi, eggs, and fresh cider.

Theirs is the kind of home that feels like a warm, welcome hug (with really good snacks).

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I stopped the car to take some walks.

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I watched my friend Tyler throw a boomerang.

I learned that it’s either harder than it looks, or I throw like a girl (both).

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Up in the mountains I found a… I want to call this dude a Forest Police Officer, but I know that can’t be right.

I’m sorry. I live in a city.

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I really needed to see some green.

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And eat some green.  I made this Mushroom and Brussels Sprout Hash for breakfast.

It seems I never miss an opportunity to take pictures of my food.

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I cooked in a lot, but I also ate at some really wonderful places in Asheville.

Tulepo Honey Cafe, Curate, and French Broad Chocolate were my favorite!

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There always comes the day the pack up and ship out.  It’s hard to say goodbye to a place with so much fresh air, inspiration, falling leaves, and good light. Asheville, I’ll be back.

Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Brown Butter Glaze

I eventually made my way home, found my way back into the kitchen, and make these (self-proclaimed) incredible Pumpkin Pecan Scones.  If you want to make Stella Got Her Groove Back jokes… now would be a fantastic time for that.

Tomorrow we’re talking about DIY gift giving.  We’re in the holiday game!  I hope we can all find some time for deep breathing in it.  I love you, byebye!

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  1. Megan@eatmybeets

    December 6, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Wow. It’s interesting to look at places that I’m used to through other people’s eyes! As a kid, my family and I went to the Outer Banks every Spring Break, so I’m highly familiar with this beach. Looks like you had a lovely time :-)

    Reply
  2. Anissa

    November 19, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    The picture with the “forest police officer”…are you visiting Mt. Mitchell? I think that is a picture of my cousin Bryan. He is a conservation officer there. That’s crazy if it is him//small world. I haven’t seen him in years and find it funny I would get to see him while reading my favorite blog.

    Reply
  3. Julia

    November 18, 2013 at 10:26 am

    North Carolina, particularly Asheville, is one of my favorite places in the entire world, my happy place. The mountains, the air, the people, the food, the beer…the perfect place for some fresh air. I’m glad you were there.

    Reply
  4. icingsugar2

    November 17, 2013 at 11:34 am

    Amazing Pictures Joy! Now I want vacation as well… thanks :P

    Reply
  5. TJ

    November 16, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    I hope you had those cheese grits cakes at Tupleo Honey…I first visited Asheville a few weeks ago and loved it! I went on a girls’ trip, and now my guys at home roll their eyes every time I mention That Thing I Ate or That Thing I Saw on my trip. Their reply lately has been along the lines of, “Oh, you went to Asheville? We had no idea. Did you enjoy your trip?” with much cackling and eye-rolling. Such a good vibe in that town.

    Reply
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  1. A Link for You to Ponder on This Sunday Morning says:
    November 17, 2013 at 6:25 am

    […] Somehow this woman helped me go on vacation for just a few minutes. […]

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