An Abingdon, Virginia Christmas

 Welcome!

Christmas is in the air! Evidence is all around us, the sights and sounds of Christmas-Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas lights, images of Santa and his elves, familiar Christmas music wafting through the air. What a wonderful time of year!

And, Christmas is nowhere more evident than in the picturesque town of Abingdon which is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Recently, Greg and I visited Abingdon which is not too far from where we live. We love this quaint town so much that we refer to it as our adopted town.

What's not to love about it? 

The lovely old house above, which is tastefully decorated, even has a colorful Christmas tree on its balcony.

"The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature."-Andy Rooney

 In another old house, the Greenway-Trigg Building, is The Gallery @ Barr Photographics.

We thought it would be a great place to visit, and it was!

We met one of the owners, Dean Barr, who welcomed us and told us all about his interesting shop.

Many talented artists display their work there. There are paintings, photographs, and handcrafted items like soap and jewelry, as well as many others.

FYI

The Gallery @ Barr Photographics

R. Dean & Valerie J. Barr

www.barrphotographics.com

After all of this looking around, we decided it was time for a snack, so we thought we'd try out a new place in town, The Girl & the Raven.

This coffee bar/cafe is in yet another old house which has been recently remodeled. It has been open for only three weeks.

 The interior looked festive with its beautifully decorated mantel.

A delicious cookie and coffee, anyone?

FYI

www.girlandtheraven.com

Wow! The Martha (The Martha Washington Inn & Spa) is all dressed up for Christmas, like never before!

"May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve."-Unknown

On weekends through December 20, vendors in tents on the grounds of The Martha will be selling crafts and kettle corn. This is a great place to find some nice Christmas gifts. As usual, but especially this year, we're supporting small business and buying locally.

FYI: www.themartha.com

Another great idea is supporting the world famous Barter Theatre which is outdoors at the Moonlite Drive-in during this "pandemic." Just got to see "A Christmas Carol," one of my favorites!

"Believe in the magic of Christmas."-Unknown

FYI: www.bartertheatre.com

We'll return to Abingdon soon to stop, shop, and dine some more since it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away! Hope to see you there!

May you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Positive thought: "May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, and the warmth of Christmas grant you love."-Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 3, 2021, Becky

The Christmas Spirit Every Day

Welcome!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

Remember how you felt last month during the Christmas season, all happy, friendly, and giving, wanting to be nice and to help you fellow man? You might have even felt buoyant, lighthearted. If you did feel this way, it's because you had the Christmas spirit.

Wouldn't you like to feel this way most or even all of the time?

I know how you might get that feeling back, or to get it in the first place if you never got it last year or ever.

It's easy. Just go to The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Greg and I were there a few days ago, and I still feel like I'm under its charming spell!

What's not to love about this place?

It's the number one hotel in Pigeon Forge according to "TripAdvisor."

It also got a "Certificate of Excellence" from "TripAdvisor."

It won the "Travelers Choice Awards" in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

It was also the winner, "Top 25 U.S. Hotels."

It's reasonably priced, as well!

Also, the people who work there seem to have the Christmas spirit, as they are personable  and helpful.

Take a look for yourself-

This is how it looked when we arrived at the back entrance. There were Christmas lights everywhere.

A large beautiful Christmas tree greets you in the lobby.

I almost felt like a child again, standing here with Santa and one of his reindeer.

There were manger scenes...

and snow scenes.

There was a small Christmas tree with deer atop the TV in our room with a lovely fireplace DVD that also had beautiful (what else?) Christmas music playing in the background.

The next morning, we enjoyed a large tasty breakfast buffet in the dining room to the sounds of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Christmas songs.

After breakfast, we made our way to the The Incredible Christmas Place across the street which is a really neat place to shop for all things Christmas.   

F.Y.I.

The Inn at Christmas Place

119 Christmas Tree Lane

Post Office Box 130

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

www.innatchristmasplace.com

The Incredible Christmas Place

("Celebrating the spirit of Christmas every day of the year.")

www.christmasplace.com

We really enjoyed our trip to Pigeon Forge which, along with Sevierville, and Gatlinburg, celebrates Winterfest all winter long!

Positive thought: "Wouldn't life be worth living

                              Wouldn't dreams be coming true

                               If we kept the Christmas spirit

                              All the whole year through?"

                              -Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky, www.beckyarnottartist.com