"Mom, do you know the way?"

Hello friends. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

It was a quiet one here at home.  Just the four of us attempting to slow down, relax & reconnect.

Lisa Porter

The holiday season began with the guys doing...well, guy stuff.  Watching games, stacking the woodpile, cleaning and storing away the Weber and lawn equipment for the winter, you know.

The Steward

I held off on jumping into the Christmas decorations, besides, Taylor and I were in the mood for a little excursion.  We headed down south through the Daniel Boone Forest to a homestead that sits along the banks of the Rockcastle River.

 She had the trip mapped out just in case I didn't know the way. 

Taylor Porter

Not to worry honey, I know the way. 

Taylor Porter

A very special & unique family has called this place home for more than fifty years and I could hardly wait to introduce Taylor. Good thing she brought her camera. I love the way she captured the day!

Taylor Porter

At the very heart of the family is Lucille Carloftis, who happens to have an elegant carriage house!  Lucille is a beautiful, strong, elegant woman who warmly welcomes guests to "Come in and stay awhile." She is also quite the storyteller and has recently published her book titled, A Beautiful Journey.

Taylor Porter

The Carloftis homestead is a rolling plot of 50 acres.

It is also home to one of Kentucky's best-kept secrets, The Rockcastle River Trading Company.

Taylor Porter

Remarkable handmade pottery lines the walkway leading up to the barn-red store owned by Lucille and her famed garden designer son, Jon Carloftis.

This place is just as beautiful in late autumn as it was when
 I first visited last spring.

Taylor Porter

To the left of the store, an early American vegetable and herb garden are centered on a restored blacksmith shop.

                           

Taylor Porter

To the right a potting shed, once the centerpiece of the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta, Georgia. This day it was where Granddaughter Carly was serving up her homemade soup!

 Fountains and urns, sundials and ironware are creatively incorporated among the gardens for shoppers to browse and purchase.

Garden tools, statuary, pottery, casual and outdoor furniture, and garden supplies, to satisfy the most discriminating gardener.

A small allee of trees and one of many sweet animals were inviting Taylor up the front steps.

Taylor Porter

At the very heart of the store is Lucille Carloftis. She pays close attention to every detail and Jon personally handpicks the finest goods for both home & garden.

Enter here and you will find Peacock Alley (sheets and bedding), Match (fine Italian pewter tableware, frames, and bathroom accessories), and Vietri (Italian tableware and cookware). While we visited, (see us in the reflection) Lucille wrang me up on her fabulous antique cash register.

You'll also find the best of Palecek and Jamie Young (table and floor lamps), Pre de Provence (French-milled soaps and lotions), Elizabeth W (perfumes from San Francisco), Trapp candles, glass bell jars, and many one of a kind antiques and artisan wares.

As much as she loves to have you look around the shop, she also urges you to roam the grounds and explore the beautiful gardens that Jon has designed to showcase the property. Lucky for us, they were having their annual Holiday Open House.

Before the sun went down, Taylor meandered across the wooden footbridge back through the carriage house from the store, to the back porch of the Carloftis family home.

Taylor Porter

 The house is based on actual historic plans for a Massachusetts saltbox design. Scattered here and there were a few of the outdoor toys & games that all six of the Carloftis children and eight grandchildren have loved on for several generations.

Taylor Porter

Taylor Porter

Taylor Porter

Before heading home, we spent another hour saying our goodbyes to several generations of this warm & friendly, entrepreneurial & adventurous family.

Taylor & I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Being around them for the day reminded us that the greatest adventure of our lives should always be finding our way back home.

We did.

Lisa Porter

We arrived home to a roaring fire and a hungry bunch at the Porter house.

Lisa Porter

Some hungrier than others.

Lisa Porter

It was just the four of us so dinner preparations were all pulled together the day before.

The turkey was in the oven, the pies were cooling on the rack. The conversations about the day filled the rooms of our beloved home.

Lisa Porter

As Taylor and I were setting the table, my heart was grateful for so much & I was grateful that she gladly wanted to help.

Lisa Porter

Remembering the legacy of love and traditions passed down through generations.

Lisa Porter

Offering grace for the bounty we were about to sit down to.

Lisa Porter

We have so much to be thankful for.  So much about which to smile, so much to share.  So much, that in this season of plenty, all we pray for is that we will not forget what He has done.

Lisa Porter

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you exactly where you want to be & I appreciate that you have taken the time to stop by for a visit.

xo Lisa

Join me at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday to see some of the prettiest tables set by incredible hostesses around the world!