In Close Range - Plan Thanksgiving Outside The Triangle

At last year's Thanksgiving dinner, Gramps said he was thankful for Viagra, and Aunt Debbie served her mushy green bean casserole from recipe circa 1960.

Turkey day stress can rile up the best of us. Skip the drama (but not the stuffing) and join fellow victims of dysfunctional families by making reservations instead. Here are three perfect small town get-away's to regain sanity and unleash creative spirit.

Gobble, gobble all you want. No cooking or cleaning required. Treat yourself to no dishes, no stress, and a feast prepared by owners Sarah McColman and Joanie Babcock of Southern Exposure in Faison, NC. This charming restaurant with exposed brick walls, white linen service and a distinctive Charleston style has a large menu that includes wonderful seafood, and fresh produce from local farmers. You'll also find fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and corn salsa, the restaurant's signature appetizer. Traditional Thanksgiving dishes will include turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie, gingerbread to name just a few.

Faison, a Dublin County one-stoplight town off Interstate 40, with a population of 979 is half way from Raleigh to the coast. Easy driving to this small town will have you slowing down and actually enjoying your misfit family Thanksgiving.

Southern Exposure: 202 West Main Street, Faison, NC. Days/Hours: 11:30am - 2pm and 5pm - 9pm Tues through Sat; and 11:30am - 10pm on Sunday. Call for Reservations. Phone: (910) 267-0496. Website.  

Dine Like You Own the Joint - Don't put your elbows on the table when you can rub them. Upload a better dinner experience with Thanksgiving reservations that include a weekend package and then some.

Timberlake's Restaurant at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC features a menu inspired by the NC artist and designer, Bob Timberlake with some of his culinary favorites. From Mesquite-dusted shrimp and salads of mountain-grown spinach, to Carolina-raised trout and roasted Carolina quail, each dish will be one worth savoring. A mouth-watering array of brick-oven pizzas, tender Angus beef and bison filets, seafood, poultry, and an inspired selection of health and wellness dishes will also tempt palates of all tastes. In addition to serving dinner nightly, Timberlake's offers an outstanding buffet on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Timberlake's Restaurant at Chetola Resort: Click here to view the Thanksgiving Day Buffet menu for Nov. 28th and the Thanksgiving Weekend Buffet for Nov. 29th & 30th. Website.  

Game they'll Gobble Up - Make Thanksgiving more harmonious when you make reservations at The Gamekeeper in Boone, NC. This is a true gourmet restaurant, with the perfect blend of upscale elegance and simple mountain charm. Famous for Southern favorites, ultimate in comfort food prepared with creativity and originality.  Gamekeeper offers an evolving seasonal menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, featuring a selection of perfectly prepared game, fish and vegetarian selections, using humanely farm raised meats, and locally grown organic produce. Much quality and care goes into each dish, from the selection of the freshest ingredients to the wood fire preparation and the exquisite presentation. It is perfection for even the most discerning palate!  

Thanksgiving Dinners are a four course pre-fixe with entree and dessert choices.

The Gamekeeper: 3005 Shull's Mill Rd. Boone, NC, 28607. Call for Reservations for Thanksgiving. Times: 2pm-6:30, Phone (828) 963-7400. Website.

Get out of town and talk some turkey with that dysfunctional family! 

To Bee or Not to Bee

If You Build It, They Will Come - Upcoming Triangle Craft Fairs

For most of us, decorating bare walls involves numerous trips to Home Depot and paint in our hair.      And finishing that well-intentioned craft project? ... Well, perhaps next year.  That is why we are thankful that there are artisans that complete their work in time for us to fulfill our holiday shopping list or deck our halls with a limited edition print.  Over the next two weekends, the Triangle will host 3 craft fairs (below) so mark your calendars.  Your overstuffed craft drawer(s) will thank you for it.

Get Art Smart: NCSU Crafts Center's 29th Annual Holiday Crafts Fair & Sale , Nov 23: The Crafts Center at NC State University functions as an art school specializing in crafts. Classes are offered each semester in various media such as pottery, sculpture, photography, woodworking, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, metals and more. On November 23 from 10am to 5pm, The NCSU Crafts Center will host its 29th Annual Holiday Crafts Fair & Sale, featuring work by The Crafts Center's own artists and craftspeople. Come meet the artists and enjoy complimentary refreshments while shopping for unique items for yourself or those special people on your holiday gift list. Admission is $1 per person, $2 per family, & FREE for NCSU students with ID.  Website 

Craft Singles: Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild's 44th Annual Fine Designer's Craft Show - November 29 - December 1: Come meet over 115 artists at this outstanding show and marketplace at the NC State Fairgrounds Exhibition Center. Since 1970, the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild has provided a profitable marketplace for the finest contemporary crafts in the Southeast. Their Fine Designer Crafts Show is held every Thanksgiving weekend and features the best work of guild members in Pottery, Jewelry, Sculpture, Glass, Wood, Fiber, Furniture, Print Making, & Mixed Media. There is something for every taste and every budget. Times: Friday 6pm - 9pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 11am - 5pm.  Tickets: Daily Tickets are $7 and Weekend Passes are $11 with children 12 and under free. Click Here for the Event Catalogue or go to their Website for advance tickets and information.

Art's Cool: The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market - November 23 & 24:
The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market is a festive holiday celebration of visual arts and fine crafts held in  downtown Durham each November, featuring the work of numerous talented artists in a few central locations. This event kicks off the down-town Durham holiday season by bringing thousands of art lovers for a weekend of holiday shopping and exploration of all that Durham has to offer including world-class restaurants, great shopping, innovative businesses and fascinating historic sites. Sites are within easy walking distance around downtown. Visitors will also be able to hear live musical performances at The Durham Arts Council, The Durham Convention Center, and Vega Metals. This event is free and open to the public. Times: Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 1 - 5pm.  Website 

Cameron Clothing Co. - Amy Kahn Russell jewelry Trunk Show is at Cameron Clothing in North Hills now till Christmas. Amy Kahn Russell was the first important designer in the naturalistic trend in jewelry design. Her distinctive pieces incorporate fossils, natural minerals, pearls, and semi-precious stones with sterling silver. Amy painstakingly designs every piece herself, often using rare and unusual materials which make duplication impossible.

Cameron Clothing Co.  4351-111 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh, 27609, Phone: (919) 420-0411, Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10am - 6pm. Website. 

Three Homes For Sale In Olde Raleigh

3800 City of Oaks Wynd: $599,900

4308 Johnston Busbee Wynd: $1.195 or Executive Rental @

$5000/mo.

7,214 SF, Transitional w/ All Hardwoods, Gracious Formals, Keeping Room, Master Wing w/Gentleman's Office, 6 bdrs/5.5 baths, Children's Study, Fin. 3rd Floor, 3-garage, .57 Acre. (photo right)

4101 John S. Raboteau Wynd: $699,000

4,012 SF, Large Living Areas, Sunroom,4 bdrs/3.5 baths, Bonus,.52 Acre. (photo left)

Olde Raleigh features three beautiful lakes with centerpiece fountains, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, clubhouse, veranda and two tennis courts. 

Contact: Jill Rekuc, Owner-Olde Raleigh Real Estate

Website: www.olderaleighrealestate.com

Email: Jill@olderaleighrealestate.com

The Knitty Gritty at Certain Things - Fall Sweaters galore! Come see the variety of sweaters in all weights, colors and sizes. But hurry before they're gone!

Certain Things of Cameron Village - 404 Daniels St. Raleigh, NC 27605, (919) 828-5055Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm.  Website.

CT Weekends - Looking for a great fitting jean? Look no further. Jag and Liverpool jeans are available in denim and colors only at CT Weekends in Cameron Village, 437 Daniels Street, Raleigh, 27605,

Phone (919) 787-9073, Hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Website. 

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. -  The Annual Fine Jewelry Winter Catalogue Auction is December 5, 6 & 7, 2013.  Just in time for the holidays. Mark your calendars!

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.: 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC, 27278

Phone: (919) 644-1243, Website.

Core Results - Personal Training is teaching people from all over the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area how to meet their fitness goals. From kettlebells to TRX, everything is top of the line and brand new at the private Core Results studio. Call and make your first appointment for a Complimentary Session!

Core Results: 1330 St. Mary's Street, Suite A00, Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 946-1737, Email:info@coreresults.net, Website.   

Kenna Custom Painting is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website.

How to Decorate When You're Starting Out or Starting Over

A Young Entrepreneur - Please Support! 

Car Wash Service