This is the time of year when many of us take vacations. It’s the holiday season, actually, of pumpkin spices, the tartness of apples and the comfort of cinnamon… cold, piercing breezes that sweep the golden leaves back into the lawn you so carefully raked the evening before (they’re so attractive in their look and feel, soft like butter leaves, why shouldn’t you bring them inside? Sprinkle them over the hearth…), but breezes you can’t help but succumb to. After the heat of an extended summer well into September and October, feeling the nip and nick of chilly autumn air is like the Holy Water of oxygen.
But it’s such a pleasure to look at the colors that pop out at you like an old 60’s photograph, against a vibrant blue sky…it brings to mind White House images of the Kennedy’s, red and orange landscapes, dotted by white clouds and the boxy candy colors of Jackie’s suits. Autumn is a season rife with memories for us all, whether the tingly excitement of trick-or-treating with friends as children or simply sensory memories of happy fall feelings gone by, there is so much to celebrate right now.
So, in the spirit of these musings, I came up with a list of fall indulgences around the Charlotte and Belmont area, some of which are my personal tried-and-triumphed activities, things one can do to relax and unwind from stress. Vacation. What a word. If only it lasted year long. If you have time, consider it!
Fall is here, gang. But that doesn’t mean you have to stress about work, family, who’s going to cook the turkey, why can’t aunt Mabel do it? She may complain about her arthritis, but that doesn’t mean she has to stick *you* with it, and what about your sister-in-law? Her cranberry salad is sour and so are her children…oops….
Indulge in….
...French pastries:
Amelie’s French Bakery
2424 N. Davidson St, Charlotte
(704)-376-1781
http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com/
Nowhere in Charlotte can you find a little taste of Francophile heaven than Amelie’s. The shop is small (and sparsely decorated the last time I was there) but is thoroughly authentic in terms of what you’ll be eating. Everything is made with French ingredients, in the French style and manner. The glass display case may cause you to faint upon first sight from the sheer bliss of it all, but once you pick yourself back up, whatever you do, try the twice-backed almond croissants. These are gooey, moist and dense, filled with almond paste and dipped in a syrup before being baked. Stupefying of your taste buds may occur. The tortes, tarts, cakes, pies, buns, palmiers and other delicacies are just as scrumptious. With a warm cup of coffee or tea, the drive uptown is worth it for half an hour of sweetness.
…A pedicure (for the ladies)
William Henry Signature Salon and Spa
15 S. Main St., Belmont
(704)-825-9040
http://www.williamhenrysalon.com/
There is much to recommend for spending half the day in Belmont. From Charlotte or Gastonia, the drive is nothing and the benefits are worth everything. One of these is the exquisite care you will receive getting a pedicure, manicure, massage or any other comforting service William Henry will provide. The building has been renovated into a creative space with plenty of light, as acoustic coffee-house music wafts through the air, as does the scent of candles and the friendly jabber of the staff. It’s a place to escape. Tour the website for a selection of services they provide. And speaking of Belmont....
...Small-town quaintness
Downtown Belmont is where you’ll find the Caravan Coffee house with a Near Eastern/Moroccan look and feel, as well as the Old Stone Steak House, owned by the LaVecchia family, a name synonymous with fine dining in the Charlotte area. These are across the street from Stowe Park, a tree-laden hilly area to romp with the family, get some ice cream from the small concession shop at the corner and watch the changing colors of the lights in the fountain. This is usually the scene for most of the outdoor festivals in Belmont at various times of year.
...A simple walk
Belmont Abbey College Campus
100 Belmont - Mt. Holly Rd.
1-888-222-0110
But it’s such a pleasure to look at the colors that pop out at you like an old 60’s photograph, against a vibrant blue sky…it brings to mind White House images of the Kennedy’s, red and orange landscapes, dotted by white clouds and the boxy candy colors of Jackie’s suits. Autumn is a season rife with memories for us all, whether the tingly excitement of trick-or-treating with friends as children or simply sensory memories of happy fall feelings gone by, there is so much to celebrate right now.
So, in the spirit of these musings, I came up with a list of fall indulgences around the Charlotte and Belmont area, some of which are my personal tried-and-triumphed activities, things one can do to relax and unwind from stress. Vacation. What a word. If only it lasted year long. If you have time, consider it!
Fall is here, gang. But that doesn’t mean you have to stress about work, family, who’s going to cook the turkey, why can’t aunt Mabel do it? She may complain about her arthritis, but that doesn’t mean she has to stick *you* with it, and what about your sister-in-law? Her cranberry salad is sour and so are her children…oops….
Indulge in….
...French pastries:
Amelie’s French Bakery
2424 N. Davidson St, Charlotte
(704)-376-1781
http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com/
Nowhere in Charlotte can you find a little taste of Francophile heaven than Amelie’s. The shop is small (and sparsely decorated the last time I was there) but is thoroughly authentic in terms of what you’ll be eating. Everything is made with French ingredients, in the French style and manner. The glass display case may cause you to faint upon first sight from the sheer bliss of it all, but once you pick yourself back up, whatever you do, try the twice-backed almond croissants. These are gooey, moist and dense, filled with almond paste and dipped in a syrup before being baked. Stupefying of your taste buds may occur. The tortes, tarts, cakes, pies, buns, palmiers and other delicacies are just as scrumptious. With a warm cup of coffee or tea, the drive uptown is worth it for half an hour of sweetness.
…A pedicure (for the ladies)
William Henry Signature Salon and Spa
15 S. Main St., Belmont
(704)-825-9040
http://www.williamhenrysalon.com/
There is much to recommend for spending half the day in Belmont. From Charlotte or Gastonia, the drive is nothing and the benefits are worth everything. One of these is the exquisite care you will receive getting a pedicure, manicure, massage or any other comforting service William Henry will provide. The building has been renovated into a creative space with plenty of light, as acoustic coffee-house music wafts through the air, as does the scent of candles and the friendly jabber of the staff. It’s a place to escape. Tour the website for a selection of services they provide. And speaking of Belmont....
...Small-town quaintness
Downtown Belmont is where you’ll find the Caravan Coffee house with a Near Eastern/Moroccan look and feel, as well as the Old Stone Steak House, owned by the LaVecchia family, a name synonymous with fine dining in the Charlotte area. These are across the street from Stowe Park, a tree-laden hilly area to romp with the family, get some ice cream from the small concession shop at the corner and watch the changing colors of the lights in the fountain. This is usually the scene for most of the outdoor festivals in Belmont at various times of year.
...A simple walk
Belmont Abbey College Campus
100 Belmont - Mt. Holly Rd.
1-888-222-0110
Belmont Abbey College is a short 2 minute drive from downtown and its foliage possesses all the glory of fall colors you could imagine. 110 acres house both the Benedictine Monastery and the college's facilities, lending a cozy, acquainted feeling - just the kind of atmosphere to stroll along tree-lined Abbey Lane, visit the Grotto for prayer or reflection, or take a deep breath in the Monastery Garden. Holy Grounds Coffee House is a popular pit stop for Abbey students, where Starbuck's coffee is served along with wi-fi. It seems nearly every nook, cranny, and hidden area is picturesque and worth the time of stopping to take it in. See for yourself.
...The Outdoors
This is a fairly simple pleasure, without a price tag, non-fattening, and can be done any time of the day (or, if you're adventurous...night! Strong moonlight, like the reflection of fine white satin, under a full moon is not to be missed. Stand under it outside for a while and you'll see). At this time of year, despite the cold, the sun always seems to shine with more a gleam than any time of year. Late afternoons in autumn are particularly evocative of what fall "feels" like in the collective unconscious of American imagery. Think Norman Rockwell, film, or back-to-school advertising. Go outside, find a cluster of trees or an open space in the country. Stand there and let yourself be still. Breathe in the scent of what real earth is. Don't gather your thoughts around you, do not bring anything into that space with you other than God. Ah yes. We've touched upon the ultimate meaning of what relaxation is! :)
...The Ultimate Indulgence: Prayer
For people of faith, prayer is something that is encouraged on a daily basis. A constant dialogue with God. Giving up your tribulations, trembles, fears, thoughts and hopes to your Creator, who is there to comfort you, brings much consolation to those who put their faith in Him. But prayer is more than just a stress reliever. What I have meant to touch on here is that while there are tangible effects to calming the mind and quieting the soul, spiritually speaking to God is incomparable to anything else. It's the key to a true peaceful soul. Fears and anxieties melt away, the more and more you meditate. Think of it as more than a warm cup of tea for the soul. Embrace your prayers and think of it as a spiritual four-star meal. In the same sense, and just as importantly, reading Scripture serves as that spiritual food. Read the Bible, any part of it, take comfort from what you read...breathe slowly...relax...close your eyes...remember you are loved, special, unique. Celebrating His birth is just around the corner!
...The Outdoors
This is a fairly simple pleasure, without a price tag, non-fattening, and can be done any time of the day (or, if you're adventurous...night! Strong moonlight, like the reflection of fine white satin, under a full moon is not to be missed. Stand under it outside for a while and you'll see). At this time of year, despite the cold, the sun always seems to shine with more a gleam than any time of year. Late afternoons in autumn are particularly evocative of what fall "feels" like in the collective unconscious of American imagery. Think Norman Rockwell, film, or back-to-school advertising. Go outside, find a cluster of trees or an open space in the country. Stand there and let yourself be still. Breathe in the scent of what real earth is. Don't gather your thoughts around you, do not bring anything into that space with you other than God. Ah yes. We've touched upon the ultimate meaning of what relaxation is! :)
...The Ultimate Indulgence: Prayer
For people of faith, prayer is something that is encouraged on a daily basis. A constant dialogue with God. Giving up your tribulations, trembles, fears, thoughts and hopes to your Creator, who is there to comfort you, brings much consolation to those who put their faith in Him. But prayer is more than just a stress reliever. What I have meant to touch on here is that while there are tangible effects to calming the mind and quieting the soul, spiritually speaking to God is incomparable to anything else. It's the key to a true peaceful soul. Fears and anxieties melt away, the more and more you meditate. Think of it as more than a warm cup of tea for the soul. Embrace your prayers and think of it as a spiritual four-star meal. In the same sense, and just as importantly, reading Scripture serves as that spiritual food. Read the Bible, any part of it, take comfort from what you read...breathe slowly...relax...close your eyes...remember you are loved, special, unique. Celebrating His birth is just around the corner!
