Kevin and Liesl at lunch at Blackberry Farm.
Liesl and Kevin are back from their honeymoon (the couple I was posting about over last few weeks and will be featured in our Winter issue). They went on a "mini-moon" (a few days off right after the wedding) since their schedules did not permit a longer trip now, and will go somewhere warm later).
Anyway, she just emailed me some pictures from Blackberry Farm in Tennessee where they went -- look how incredible it looks. Don't you wish you were there now?
"Blackberry Farm has earned its reputation as one of the most highly
acclaimed small luxury hotels in the country -- and after our stay, we
know why!" Leisl says. "We can't wait to go back."
(By Beall and Thomas Photography)
Blackberry Farm is situated on 4,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a fully working farm -- it is a celebration of old with an increasingly rare way of living with and from the land. It is a place where skilled artisans practice their respective crafts -- master gardeners, butchers, shepherds, bakers, cheese makers, and renowned chefs! Together with luxurious accommodations, they distinguish Blackberry Farm as a truly unique destination.
They went fishing at the farm. See Kevin in the distance fishing.
Liesl caught a fish! It is catch and release at the farm, so she let the fish go.
Blackberry farm packed up a picnic lunch for them, so they found a cozy spot by the river and had their picnic!
This is the exterior of the mountain home that they had all to themselves at Blackberry Farm. It was hard to leave.
Blackberry farm –- pond and horse-drawn carriage ride around the property.
Liesl and kevin cruising around farm in their electric golf cart!
They relaxed in the rocking chairs nestled on the hillside.
"The Barn" at blackberry farm is a barn from the 1700s that was relocated from Pennsylvania. It houses a new restaurant, their extraordinary wine cellar (more than 170,000 bottles of wine), and culinary events and demonstrations.
Inside the barn, it is so cozy and beautiful. Leisl and Kevin really enjoyed all
aspects of dining here. The food was scrumptious and the decor very
sophisticated.
(By Beall and Thomas Photography )
Here they are with Sam Beall, the owner of Blackberry Farm. He gave Kevin and Liesl a VIP tour of the farm.
The first night they arrived, the chef personally delivered to their home the most delicious meal! Now that's service!
This was the kitchen in their home at Blackberry Farm. See all the treats they had for their arrival!
The exquisite wine cellar in the basement of "The barn." The cellar houses more than 170,000 bottles of wine.
Leisl and Kevin enjoyed all the amenities here and the attention to detail was meticulous.
They mostly enjoyed relaxing together by the fireplace each evening and
indulging in the gourmet cuisine! Here is one of the fireplaces in their
home.
The linens, crystal glassware, and china reminded Leisl a lot of Martha's. These china plates are custom made for the farm. It represents many of the animals and vegetation that are present on the farm. If you will, the "circle of life at Blackberry Farm."
They met master gardener John Coykendall; the gardens at Blackberry Farm are tremendous. Its farm-to-table approach is very apparent in the beautiful vegetables served daily to guests.
What an amazing place! The house and barn are fabulous!
Posted by: Annette | October 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
What a wonderful time. The food looks amazing!!
Posted by: Sugar Plum | October 14, 2008 at 02:09 PM
It's so beautiful! I don't think I would want to leave!
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | October 14, 2008 at 02:52 PM
...what a wonderful way to start out life together! - surrounded in all of God's majestic beauty!
I'm glad I remembered this morning to "stop in" and have a look/see, since seeing Martha's hints to do so yesterday on her blog.
I wish this couple much love as they begin their life's journey together!
(And) Darcy, you are a little darling!...you are an absolute doll! Martha is blessed to have a gem like you on her staff!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 15, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Do you know of any places like this in the Northeast/New England? Looking for something just like this for my mini-moon...
Posted by: Sarah | October 15, 2008 at 10:51 AM
wow, what a fantastic place for a get-away!
Posted by: crescent moon paper co. | October 15, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Looking at the pictures takes your breath away. It looked like the perfect place to take the time for a new start together and just relax. I loved hearing about the whole story about those two. It just tells us all that love can be found anywhere. So I guess Im still waiting for that happy ever after. I have looked up this farm and hope when I have the time I can enjoy something like that too.
Posted by: shelee | October 16, 2008 at 05:10 AM
Thrilled to have read this post on Blackberry Farm. I adored my stay there and can't wait to return. I have many pictures posted from our trip on my blog. Feel free to click over if you'd like to view them. It was spectacular!
http://grannysmithgreen.blogspot.com
Posted by: Granny Smith Green | May 05, 2009 at 06:56 PM