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August 2014
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Vol 7, Issue 3
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Doug & Jodee Sellers
877-231-6574
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This has been a great summer for the Asheville  area. We've had cool temps, not a day over 90 degrees yet and several days in July and August that didn't get out of the 70's. We've had a good amount of rain but not too much which made the gardens here and at the Arboretum a rainbow of blooms. Even the French Broad River put on a show with a constant flow of brightly colored inner tubes, kayaks and canoes. We have been most impressed with the output of our Dahlias. Last year we planted one that  bloomed really well so this year we planted about eight sets of bulbs. Jodee puts fresh blooms on the tables nearly everyday and they are hardly missed from the garden. We recently took time to experience a relaxing day on a pontoon boat over on Lake Fontana. It is only about an hour away. We swam, we fished, we ate, we drank we even played on a rope swing, a great way to spend a summer day. But alas, summer will be over soon and the  leaves will be changing before you know it. There will be festivals in honor of everything from October Brews to Wooley Worms. The October weekend nights are nearly all booked, so to make plans to see the fall colors start thinking about mid-week days or early November. You can check out more information about fall color and events by clinking here. Hope to see you soon.
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| A Challenging Proposal | |
We experienced the "Hat Trick" for romantic  getaways last weekend. We hosted an anniversary, two honeymoons and a proposal. As usual the proposal makes for the best story. It is hard to beat the joy of a young lady with a beaming smile showing off a new engagement ring before breakfast. And you have to admire the one doing the proposing for the planning, the courage and the perseverance needed to make the biggest leap of their life. In this case there was much to admire!
Bethany and Mykal told me the story of their adventure proposal as they were checking out. They are a handsome, very athletic couple from Ohio. Being such, Mykal thought it would be very fitting to propose to Bethany after accomplishing a tough, physical challenge together so he chose the Mount Mitchell hike. His plan was to start at the Black Mountain Campground on the Toe River, hike nearly six miles to reach the summit of the highest peak in the east where he would ask Bethany to marry him and then they would hike back down with the joy of mission accomplished. He said he had read that the hike gained over 3600' in elevation but since they were both runners he didn't think that would be a problem. It didn't take long to realize that continuously climbing up a mountain side was different than running on the flatlands. He said they were feeling it in their legs when it started to rain. The sky was still black and raining when, wet and weary, they made it to the top at Mount Mitchell state park where they met a generous couple that offered to drive them back to their car. There lies
the dilemma. Mykal said he knew Bethany was ready to get in the car and get off the mountain. Even he would have liked to accept the offer, it was the smart, dry thing to do.... any other time, but he still had an engagement ring in is pocket.
 So not knowing what Bethany would think he told the couple in the car no thanks, they were going to hike back down. Perhaps fate was just testing his resolve because as they returned to the overlook the sun broke through the clouds, the fog lifted and they could see the awe inducing views of the valleys. He asked her to marry him. She gave him a joyful, definite yes. They took a selfie and made it down the mountain on their own, together, with sore legs and memories to last a life time.
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Cooking Class at Bent Creek Lodge
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You may remember a story in our last newsletter mentioned
 | | The Pre-Class |
that Jodee and I took a cooking class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking while we were on vacation in preparation of a corporate retreat. The corporation was BP Global. We hosted a four day retreat for 11 of their employees from all over the world back in June. I must admit we were a bit amazed that such a major corporation had discovered our little lodge and wanted to conduct a retreat here. From the very beginning Michelle H., the person arranging the retreat asked if we could conduct a cooking class as a team building activity. Most of you know that Jodee taught in the Culinary program at AB Tech. She was excited to have the opportunity to teach again. Like anything she does she was determined to do the best she could. That is why we ended up in a Santa Fe cooking class.
 | | Rolling Phyllo |
She had to plan a class that would last about 2 hours for 6 of the BP employees and would then transition right into a 3 course meal for all 11 employees. When she got all of the menus worked out and the activities planned she wanted to run through it before the BP group was here, so we asked some friends over and had a blast, I mean class. Everyone learned a little bit, had a good time and enjoyed some great food and Jodee was ready for BP.
The core of the class was making the appetizer, "Spicy Shrimp & Black Bean Phyllo Burritos with Cilantro Cream Sauce and Salsa". It gave everyone a chance to work with
 | | Filling the Chocolate Bag |
phyllo assembling the burritos, knife skills making the salsa and working with a cream sauce. Although the class was suppose to be for just 6 of the participants no one wanted to be left out and soon everyone was chopping or rolling or stirring something. They also learned how to make the Potato Pava that went with their dinner of Spicey Beef Brisket and Grilled Asparagus. But the BP folks really showed their inner child as they learned to "paint" their dessert plates with chocolate using a hand made, wax paper, pastry bag.
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Loe-D is a Little Sick Puppy
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 Actually the problem is she isn't a puppy any more. Loe-D and Leona are beginning to show their age and Loe-D is having some age related problems. She didn't pass her annual blood test, there was something wrong with her liver numbers. This explained why she was turning down a walk and not eating sometimes. So now we have to give her this big, expensive, blue pill each morning at least one hour before she eats anything. She was always really good about taking a pill if you put it in a tad of cream cheese so we were shocked the first time we tried to shove a bare pill down her throat. Jodee tried, I tried and then we tried together. Between the two of us we outweigh her about 10 to 1 but we never got a pill down her. However, she is such a sweet dog that she soon came around. Now each morning I squat down on our bedroom rug. She immediately comes over and sits beside me. I sweet talk to her, rub her throat, raise her head and ask her to open up as I gently squeeze her jaw. She lets me shove my big, clumsy hand down her throat and then she amenably returns to her bed. A couple of days ago I wish I could have recorded the event. Just as I asked her to open up, before I ever squeezed her jaw, she raised her head and gave the biggest, wide mouth yawn ever. I dropped the pill in and that was it.
She is doing better. She has lost a little weight, but she will usually take a walk with us and even musters up a short jog now and then. She hasn't slacked off her job of keeping company with guests on the decks at all, especially if there is a chance of a cracker coming her way.
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Remember the Mugs Shots Contest to Win a Free Night!
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There is still time to send us your  pictures for the Mug Shot contest. We have also upped the prizes a little. Now if there was a category for cutest little kid shot Kelly McDaniel would be hard to beat with this shot of her daughter with a Bent Creek Lodge mug.
"MUG SHOTS CONTEST " - Send us a photo of a Bent Creek Lodge mug in an interesting setting by email or Facebook by September 30th. The photos can be of the old blue mugs or the new mugs as long as you can read the name "Bent Creek Lodge". We will post the winning pictures in the next newsletter and a link to all of the entries. First place will receive a Gift Certificate for a free night, in any room available, at the lodge, 2nd place a Gift Certificate for $100, third place and the photo taken the farthest distance from the lodge will each receive a Gift Certificate for $50.
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Doug & Jodee Sellers
Bent Creek Lodge
1-877-231-6574
Remember Bent Creek Lodge Gift Certificates make great gifts and they are now available for purchase on our website.
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