The Twelve Days of Christmas at the Carolina Inn

My friend Marcia and I made a quick trip over to Chapel Hill to see the Twelve Days of Christmas Designs at the Carolina Inn.  We had gone several years ago and enjoyed it so thought we would try it again this year.  The artists who design the vignettes are diverse and creative.

My bff Marcia.  

The Christmas tree in the center of the lobby is always a work of art, and this year was no exception. I especially like the lime green ornaments and lime touches in the ribbons.

I photographed just a few of the displays for your enjoyment.  If you are in the area, you really just not miss a visit to the Carolina Inn for this annual display.

Two turtle doves had real doves.

Seven swans swimming was one of my favorite. 

Nine ladies dancing. Created by Lance McRorie, a professional glass artist.

Ten drummers drumming.  

It would have been fun to stay for the afternoon tea, but there is a waiting list for reservations.  And we resisted the temptation to have dessert before we left.  (We did stop for ice cream on the way home though.)

Birthdays and Basketball

Zach (21) and Claire (20) both have October birthdays and they, Jeanette (Claire's Mom), and I  celebrated the other Friday night with dinner at the newly renovated Crossroads Restaurant at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. I like the contemporary look of the new decor, and the food is as delicious as ever.  The waiter surprised the birthday couple with two birthday cakes. 

Following dinner we enjoyed Late Night With Roy at the Dean Dome where the 2015-2016 varsity basketball team was introduced. The packed Dome was festively decorated and the entertainment was enjoyable, but Jeanette and I didn't stay for the basketball game that was played late in the evening.

Now I'm looking forward to returning to the Dean Dome for the first JV basketball game where my two grandsons are on the Carolina JV Team. 

Carolina Inn Christmas Tree

Christmas tree in main lobby of Carolina Inn.

The Christmas tree in the main lobby of the Carolina Inn is one of the prettiest Christmas trees I have seen this year.  The color scheme is lime green with accents of tangerine.  The cutest aspect of the tree is the collection of elves that are "decorating" the tree.

Elf decorating the tree.

Dragon fly ornament.

Elf climbing the ladder to decorate the tree.

Lovely ornament.

I love the hummingbird ornament.

Twelve Days of Christmas at the Carolina Inn: Part Two

Today's post shows days seven through twelve of the vignettes of the Twelve Days of Christmas that friend  Marcia and I enjoyed at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill.  Check out my blog of yesterday (December 11) for Part One that shows the first six days.

One of the seven swans a-swimming.

Nine ladies dancing on this cake made by Sugarland bakery.

Artist Riley Foster, from Mebane, NC, made ten drummers using found objects and recycled parts from vehicles and machines. A remarkable little band of drummers.

One of the ten drummers crafted by Riley Foster.

Susan Phillips from Apex, NC, designed a whimsical stained glass and mixed media looking box to portray the eleven pipers piping.  When you peek into the box you see nine dogs piping.  It was difficult getting a photo of this but here's the best I could do.

Eleven pipers piping.

Twelve lords a-leaping.  

Here there are cutouts of twelve of the most well known former UNC basketball players mounted on a Christmas tree made of something that looks like a basketball court and the "basketballs" are little basketball shaped ornaments.  Really clever.

Michael Jordan is one of the twelve lords a-leaping.

The Twelve Days of Christmas will be on display at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC thru January 3, 2012, so if you're in the area stop by and see these fun vignettes.  You will be captivated.

Twelve Days of Christmas at the Carolina Inn: Part One

Friend Marcia and I had lunch at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill the other day and while there we enjoyed strolling through the public areas where vignettes representing the Twelve Days of Christmas were on display.  These have been created by various artists during the 14 years of this tradition. 

Partridge in a Pear Tree (actually on a piano).

Two turtle doves (real birds in the cage).

Three French hens.  Notice the flag, the beret and the wine bottle.

These were created just this year by Betsy Vaden who works mostly in stoneware and porcelain.

Four calling birds by Larry Heath from Hickory, NC

There were five golden rings hanging from this tree.

Six geese a-laying.  Egg attached underneath each goose here.

I'll post photos of the other six days on my blog tomorrow.  Stay tuned.