Cocktail connoisseurs will be familiar with the sweet and bubbly Kir Royale, made using Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) and Champagne. The Caribbean paradise of St. Martin is famous for its own rendition of the drink, a tropical concoction especially beloved on the Champagne-loving French side of the island. This legendary folk drink inherits the sweet, spicy, and tart notes of the guavaberry liqueur that replaces the cassis to realize a truly unique flavor.

While visiting St. Martin to taste it would be ideal, the following recipe can help you have a little bit of St. Martin at home this holiday. 

Guavaberry Kir

• 1oz Guavaberry Liqueur
• 5oz Champagne

Pour chilled Guavaberry Liqueur into a frozen champagne glass.

Top with chilled champagne

Dress with a small curl of orange skin

Get to know guava berries and guavaberry liqueur.

First brewed centuries ago in the homes of the locals as a celebratory beverage in honor of good times spent with close loved ones, family, and friends, Guavaberry Liqueur is now a cherished symbol of times passed and old tradition.

The Liqueur is made using aged oak rum, cane sugar, and rare, wild, St. Martin guava berries; which grow in the highlands. The flavor profile of Guavaberry Liqueur is woody, fruity, and spicy with bitter yet sweet compliments.

Though guavaberry trees can be found on other islands across the Caribbean and even in further regions such as the Philippines and Hawaii, it is thought that St. Martin maintains the largest population in the world. An interesting plant that can vary in its growth, from being either tall and thin to short and fuller-bodied, produces green and blackberries; the blackberries are used to make the Liqueur.

The berries have historically been used to create jams, tarts, and fresh juices. In recent times, the commercial production of Guavaberry Liqueur has seen a resurgence in the berry’s usage which for a period was only being consumed by the island’s native birds.

Guavaberry is an integral and distinguishing symbol of St. Martin's culture, heritage, tradition and is a pivotal point of pride for its people. Previously on the island, Guavaberry Liqueur was known as the drink of Christmas and was an essential part of the festivities. Locals would go from house to house singing ‘Good morning, I came for my Guavaberry’. With the countdown to the holidays just days away, there’s no better time to try a Guavaberry Kir and infuse a taste of the tropics into your festive fun.

Unless you live in a big sanitary bubble, there is a good chance that you have had to take a COVID test at some point since 2020. 

Jobs require them after travel. Schools require them after a day of illness.  And these institutions don't want any test result; they only want to see the negative results of a PCR test. So these tests are like the god of all tests and are the most accurate for detecting COVID. 

I have driven my car into the Kidd Road parking lot at a Wake County testing site for PCR testing more times than I can count.  In some weeks, I've gone two days in a row with a different child in tow. I seriously wonder if they know my car by now. I mean, I am pretty memorable. 

During one of my testing days, two young test workers were moving a box of tests, and a sample was dropped.  I anxiously put down my car window and yelled through my mask, "You lost a test!"  And just like that, I helped a random person know if they were positive or negative for Covid.  It truly does take everyone to make sure we are all safe during these COVID times. 

Another time my daughter dropped her test tube in the crack beside the passenger seat. I had to get out of the car and run around to the other side of the car to help recover the dropped test tube. It was a good long process because it was stuck under the passenger seat. The point of drive-thru testing is to stay in your car. See, I am memorable at these testing sites. 

Another hip-hip-hooray for the Kidd Road Covid testing location in Raleigh is that it is reliable. Usually, by 10 pm the same day I tested, I get a text that my results are ready to be viewed. And just like that, I have an answer to my question and I go about my normal routine. 

But what happens when this great testing site is closed, or you can't get an appointment for a test? Then what? 

This is the story of my COVID testing gone crazy. 

As the holidays ramp up and the new variant Omicron soars in the atmosphere, at-home COVID tests are flying off the shelves just like the most wanted toy of the year. 

Last week, I had exposure to COVID after traveling. I took two PCR tests after learning about the exposure.  I had cold symptoms plus a cough. Both tests were negative, but since I've been around the block a few times on this COVID testing, I knew the best day to test was on Day 5 after exposure. 

I drove around to four pharmacies over the weekend trying to find an at-home Covid test. Finally, on my 5th pharmacy trip, I hit the jackpot. I bought two tests because just like toilet paper, one roll is not enough. 

On Day 5, I unboxed my test on my kitchen table.  And just like that, the results were in front of me and I had no idea of what they were telling me.  I got my reading glasses out, and I still could not see what the test was trying to tell me.  Is there a line?  Yes, there is a line.  No, there is not a line. Yes! No! Yes! No! . What the hell? This tells me nothing.  I send it to seven women over text.   They all say, "I think that is positive?"  They say, "You have Covid!"

I mask up in my home and separate from my family. I declare I want a PCR as soon as I can.  I did a home test the following day with that second test I bought.  I sent that test to the same group of women, and it is unanimous.  

That test looked negative. I even added two more individuals for a new set of eyes, which they confirmed negative, too.  I am being told positive one day. Negative the next. Is this the new normal?  My good friend who works in infection prevention advises me to treat myself as a positive COVID case. 

I search for a PCR testing site. My Kidd Road testing location was booked. My husband, who had to sleep on a cot in a playroom, yelled at me for not making the appointment the day before when I knew I needed an appointment. So I went into Covid testing overdrive. 

In one day, I drove around Wake County trying to prove I was, in fact, negative for COVID and could celebrate the holidays and my 53rd birthday not in quarantine.  First, I went to Cary to a different lab.  My rapid at that location said negative.  I also did a PCR there, but on the wall, it said that the PCR results could take up to 36 hours.  I then drove to an Apex location, but as soon as I scanned the QR code for testing, it told me that the testing was done by the same lab I had just left in Cary. Damnit!!! That result may not be ready today either. 

I then drove from Apex to the town of Zebulon. The Zebulon location is the same testing as my Kidd Road location. As soon as I made the 25-mile drive and pulled up to the testing site,  I felt the relief of familiarity. 

Wake County has done a fabulous job of putting testing information together for us, however, when I wrote this post the site crashed.  Appointments can also be made by calling  1-888-675-4567.

By 10 pm on the same night of all my testing, the Zebulon lab texted me my results. At 11:30 pm, the Cary lab emailed my results.  Both results were the same. 

It's reasonably clear that I am not spreading COVID around Raleigh, but there is still this mystery surrounding Day 5's at-home test.  

Health experts say it could be a false positive, but in fully-vaccinated individuals, it could be a transient positive, and you can get rid of the virus much more quickly than someone not vaccinated.  But, the rule of thumb is that if you get sicker after a negative  COVID,  see a doctor.  Your symptoms could be the lingering effects of COVID.

I wish you all a safe and healthy "not-detected" holiday!

You know those people who say, "I don't need anything!"   We all know them.   And, quite honestly, they are probably right.  These people have accumulated a lot of things over the years, and they probably do not need a thing, but that doesn't mean they don't have wants. So, after testing some culinary products gifted to me and hours of mulling over the internet, I've put together a stellar gift guide that can be used for neighbors, dog walkers, teachers, and of course, that person who has everything.  These gifts could stand alone, or you could add two products together to create a theme. 

Top Row Left:  All She Wrote Notes-Mary Square One Thing Everyday Ceramic Mug sold online and in-person at Little Details Boutique, a local boutique located in Garner, NC.  All She Wrote Notes is an NC business founded by Maghon Taylor, who sparked her love for calligraphy into a great business. Mary Square is also an NC-based lifestyle company located in Apex, NC. 

Top Row Right: Zip and Go Reusable Snack Bags in Three Sizes  This gift screams practical and eco-friendly. These bags are great for snacks on the go, lunch boxes, or storing leftovers. Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.  If you wanted, you could Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn made in Asheville, NC with it. This stuff is fantastic. It comes in lots of different flavors. 

Middle Row Left:  Carolina Brewery Sauces.  Carolina Brewery in Hillsborough, NC, is known for great beer, but they also make some darn good sauces. I am a big fan of the Sriracha Steak Sauce and its Eastern BBQ Sauce. The Sriracha Steak  Sauce is addicting, and I've started putting it on everything and in soups.  I love it.  

Middle Row Middle: Guacamole Dip Mix Seasoning by Epicure. This is one of my absolute favorite seasoning mixes. I've been using it for about a year, and it makes delicious guacamole. I also season eggs, veggies, cottage cheese, and tomatoes with it.  At under $10, it is an excellent gift for anyone who will love it if they like guacamole.  Pair it with an appetizer bowl for a more significant gift.  This gluten-free dip mix is all-natural and good for you. 

Middle Row Right: Poco Picante Salsa Mix by Epicure.  We all know chips and salsa make a great meal, and this salsa can be on your table in fifteen minutes.  All you need is this seasoning, a can of tomatoes, and a splash of lime.  This salsa mix can also be used in tops of recipes. 

Bottom Row Left: Villeroy and Boch New Wave Square Dip Bowl.  Who says a bowl has to be round? My own personal china is Villeroy and Boch, and I love these square new wave dip bowls, priced at just $12 each.  They are classic but yet modern. Pair it with any dip seasoning mix for a great gift. 

Bottom Row Middle: Mulling Spices by Epicure Nothing says happy holidays like mulling spices. These mulling spices work with apple juice, wine, or cranberry juice.  It's a taste of the holidays with aromatic cloves, star anise, and real orange peel.  North Carolina is known for its Moravian bakery in Winston-Salem.  Pair these mulling spices with some Dewey's Moravian-style cookies for an authentic holiday gift. 

Bottom Row Right:  Mountain Chai Tea from Asheville Tea Company.  From farm to teacup, this is one of the best tea blends I've tasted.  If you have a tea lover in your life, then you will love Asheville Tea Company Tea.  You can't go wrong with any blend. 

This year, the Mountain Chai blend is a new blend, and honestly, it is heaven in a cup. I drink this tea with a little bit of honey and milk. 

When you are a mom, you are always looking for quick dinner ideas that are not only quick but something your kids will eat. However, when you are single, you barely want to cook. Therefore,  boiling water and throwing something in a pot sounds like a good idea. 

When you browse the aisles of an American grocery store,  it's quite easy to see that brands are catering to this growing trend by putting more boxed meals on the market.  Rice-A-Roni is a great example. Who remembers that commercial jingle?  The company has evolved into selling products that you can make in the microwave with single servings in three minutes through the years. 

If you like Rice-A-Roni, but want less sodium and want to eat healthier with little effort, then give this side dish a try.  It's so easy and delicious.  You can serve this with chicken, seafood, or pork. 

EASY GINGER RICE: A Recipe from Epicure

INGREDIENTS

If you like this recipe,  you may also like 3 Onion Sesame Crunch Rice. 

And you will love cooking rice in the Epicure steamer.  It is awesome. You can take the dog for a walk and not worry about the pot boiling over.  

Updated 2021. This story was originally written in the summer of 2020 during the middle of the Covid pandemic. Since our visit, my beloved pet, Andy, crossed the rainbow bridge. This story will always be special to me because it was our last trip with Andy. He died in November 2020 of congestive heart failure. We have since added Ollie, the poodle, to our family.  He is currently nine months old, and I'm not sure if the Chetola Resort is quite ready for his puppy ways, but I do look forward to traveling to Blowing Rock again in the future.  In 2021, the Chetola Resort still offers a dog-friendly package for its guests.  Summer is one of the best times to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC. 

Travel in 2020 has been a downer. For many, it has been non-existent. With hotels and restaurants closed, COVID quarantine restrictions, many traveler's plans were scrapped, or people were afraid of traveling. My own family vacation to France and Germany came to a screeching halt. No flights going to France made that decision automatically for us. Still, even if traveling continued all summer during this health crisis, I do not believe we would have continued with our plans to Europe at all. More than likely, we would have canceled them on our own. 

Lucky for me, I live in North Carolina. So I have a beautiful state to explore in my own backyard. North Carolina ranked sixth in the nation for overnight visitation in tourism last year. In fact, North Carolina was on an upward swing in tourism spending in all 100 counties. 

The Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC

Unfortunately, no one could predict the massive tourism halt that COVID caused in 2020. First, hotels and restaurants were closed to guests for months. Then, when they slowly started opening at 50% capacity, they were faced with the public hesitation about travel in general and the additional responsibility of extra sanitation and safety diligence. 

During quarantine, I launched a new Live Interview Chat from my home office on OutaboutNC Instagram. Each week, that interview segment became my weekly dose of joy and my new connection to NC. For example, when Governor Roy Cooper announced the state could operate in Phase 2 of COVID Restrictions, I interviewed management with the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. It was one of the first hotels in North Carolina to undergo the new "Count on Me NC" NCRLA Safety Certification. 

After that interview with Chetola, I had the itch to travel and look at something besides my living room.  Will was more skittish about travel than I was. However, he was sad about missing our trip to Europe.

My list of pros for visiting the Chetola Resort was strong. 

I stressed that the hotel was taking a full 24-hours between guests to clean rooms during COVID. This top-ranked North Carolina mountain resort, located on 78-acres between the mountain towns of Boone and Blowing Rock, has received many housekeeping accolades throughout the years, so cleanliness has always been a resort strength. Still, that strength is even more critical in 2020 and is at the top of every guest's checklist due to the COVID circumstances. 

The Chetola Resort recently received the AAA "Best of Housekeeping" Award.  Following CDC guidelines, masks were also required in all public spaces. In addition, the temperatures of all guests were being taken at the entry gate before checking in. 

The resort's Timberlake restaurant served at 50 percent capacity, offering take-out, room service, and outside seating.  The hotel also had a list of restaurants at the Front Desk that offered outdoor dining and take-out in Blowing Rock and Boone. 

Another strong pro travel point I gave to Will was there were activities for us to do on the property, so it would definitely feel like a vacation. The pro there for safety is that there was a lot to do outside while staying on the resort property.  If we didn't feel safe leaving the resort to go into Boone or Blowing Rock, we would be entertained with tennis courts, resort activities,  hiking, and swimming. 

The Blowing Rock-Boone area is also an easy drive two to three-hour drive from Raleigh. However, it is shorter in length than a trip to the Asheville area. 

And last, but certainly not least, our dog, Andy, could go with us to Blowing Rock for this get-away. The Chetola Resort is pet-friendly in the newly-renovated Chetola Lodge only. The condos available for reservations through the hotel reservation system and The Bob Timberlake Inn do not allow pets.  VRBO rentals on resort property for individual condos could possibly allow four-legged friends if you want to stay on the resort property in a larger space. 

Andy, our poodle, loved the Chetola Resort.

I could not think of one negative con to put on the list for not making the trip. However, we did agree that if either one of us did not feel comfortable about something while staying at the resort when it came to COVID safety, we would leave even if on a press trip. 

The Chetola Lodge is my Preferred Lodging Choice

I like the location of the Chetola Lodge, which is the resort's pet-friendly option for guests. There are 42 modern, nicely decorated, and also in this building is resort ware and local sundries, including the best cider from Appalachian Mountain Brewery. The lodge is adjacent to the Bob Timberlake Restaurant, and all the resort amenities such as the indoor pool, the spa, and recreational activities ran by the hotel. 

The Bob Timberlake Inn is operated more like a Bed and Breakfast manor above the resort's restaurant in the estate's old manor house. It's a romantic hideaway for couples only featuring a complimentary cheese and wine reception plus a butler's pantry for ice cream and drinks.  The inn rooms depict artist Bob Timberlake's craftsman furnishing style and feature period furnishings from the 1920s to the 1940s. 

The Chetola Premier Condominiums make up the majority of accommodations on the scenic 78-acres. One hundred one to four-bedroom condos are individually owned, and many are available for both nightly and weekly rental through both the resort. 

Condos are dotted throughout the estate, and some condos are a mile or so away from the restaurant and resort activities.  All condominium guests have access to resort amenities, but they do not have housekeeping services. In addition, condos under the resort's management are not pet-friendly. 

Check-In and Housekeeping During COVID

The Chetola resort has implemented a touchless check-in service since reopening after COVID, and the housekeeping staff does not enter your room once you have checked in. Each morning, I greeted housekeeping in the hall, got fresh towels, and replenished coffee supplies. As a result, our room was spotless, and I did not have one concern about cleanliness. 

I loved our balcony overlooking the resort lake, and all of you know that this type of vacation is my cup of tea. We are not very active. Some may call my family boring, but we had enough adventure and relaxation mixed in with this stay, and we left feeling relaxed and rested as opposed to being on the go. 

The Spa at Chetola Has Medical Grade Ventilation Fans in Treatment Rooms

Spa services are back open at Chetola. This was my first time visiting the spa on the property, even though it was my third time staying at the resort. The Chetola spa is tucked away adjacent to the indoor pool. It's full-service but small in capacity even before COVID.  In 2020, spa capacity is so low now for that safety reasons that you feel as if you have been whisked away like a Hollywood Star, and you are the only person they are pampering. The resort is spacing out their appointments, so that will be the case. It is truly a magical experience and probably at the top of my spa experience list. 

The Chetola Resort spa menu is extensive, and they are offering their full-spa menu except for a couple massages.  Spa guests are asked to receive spa services in a mask. 

When this spa first opened, it was built as a medical-grade spa, and that is now a blessing for the resort because the ventilation is top-notch, which is another plus that makes guests feel more comfortable post-COVID.

This spa experience was so great that I think it would make the perfect girlfriend getaway for a spa weekend. Blowing Rock is known for its adorable shops, great food, and add a visit to this spa and resort, then you will have a perfect getaway. 

On-Site Chetola Resort Recreation

The Chetola Resort offers many fun activities for the family, such as campfire s'mores, paddleboat rides, archery lessons, disc golf, tennis, pickleball, lake fishing, and hiking. My family loved the archery lessons. While the girls toured all the accommodations on the property with marketing, Will and my son got in a game of disc golf.  That was also great exercise because the course took them throughout the resort's sprawling condominium area. 

Chetola Sporting Reserve

The Chetola Resort Sporting Reserve is off-site of the main property and is about a 30-minute drive away from the resort.

The Chetola Resort operates a state-of-the-art sporting reserve about thirty minutes away from the resort. To get there, you basically go up a mountain then back down a steep cliff. I did not visit the reserve, but Will and my son decided to reserve a spot for shooting. They loved the experience. Will thought there was a lot of value for the approximate $200 cost for the two of them. I think this activity was a highlight for some father and son bonding. Meanwhile, Andy, my daughter, and I tried the paddle boats and kayaking. 

The Sporting Reserve features clay shooting, rifle and pistol range,  archery, Orvis endorsed fly fishing and special events. The sporting reserve also coordinates snow skiing, tubing, zip-lining, golf at Hound Ears Club and white water rafting. 

Timberlake's Restaurant at the Chetola Resort 

I like to save the best for last when I write about hotel stays. Guests need to eat, and when a resort restaurant is good, that makes a hotel stay even better, especially in this post-COVID travel time.  For us, dining at Timberlake's was an easy choice, especially because Andy was with us on this trip.

 As sweet and cute as he may be, Andy is, unfortunately, a high-maintenance traveler and barks when he is left alone in a room. So we had no choice but to take him with us wherever we dined.  

Under the culinary leadership of Matt Rivers, Timberlake's restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a very casual, comfort-food style, and Bob Timberlake, a foodie, gave his seal of approval before putting his name behind any menu item.  We ate two dinners and one lunch at the restaurant. One last dinner at the resort was a carry-out meal that we ate on our porch. 

I was extremely impressed with the food, and that's nothing new for me because when I visited the resort years ago, I felt the food was very memorable then.  I plan to share one of Matt River's recipes on this blog soon for the home chef. 

The special lunch order request for the delicious Korean BBQ short ribs

The Korean BBQ short ribs were a clear family favorite entree.  I had it with delicious collards and golden roasted potatoes. After tasting my entree, my youngest child loved the short ribs so much that we had to ask if they would make a lunch portion for her.  It's also important to note that our waitress had no idea that I was there working with the resort for an editorial review. She immediately asked the chef if that was possible. He had not even met me yet, but Chef Rivers was so thrilled that some child would want his Korean BBQ shortribs for lunch that he gave her a huge portion.

I personally think the gesture speaks volumes about the resort's customer service. Staff from housekeeping to the front desk make this resort so special. Resorts can have the most beautiful views and facilities, but a guest's stay is off if customer service is off. I feel 100 percent confident in recommending this resort to vacationers.  The  Chetola Resort is a family-owned resort, and by its customer service, it shows.  They treat their staff like family, and the attitude is passed on to its guests. 

The sesame ginger dressing was divine. It was so good that I almost licked the bowl.

I must point out that this area of the North Carolina mountains has great food in general. Some of the meals I had at other area restaurants are some of my best-tasting meals in 2020.  Be sure to watch my live interview with Chef Matt Kelly on Timberlake's patio. He shares some hints about how he makes his Korean BBQ and the sesame dressing I adored. 

Resort Packages at the Chetola Resort 

Many resort packages are bundled together for travel savings. We experienced the resort's doggone-friendly package. At the front desk, there was a welcome sign for all the guests with four paws. Typically, pet owners are assigned to the first floor of the lodge for easy access. 

The pet fee is waived when the doggone-friendly package is active (it goes in and out on the calendar and is a popular summer package). Dogs get a complimentary bandana, leash, doggie treats, and pup bags in a cute fire hydrant dispenser. 

Whether you escape for two nights or a week, you will fall in love with the Chetola Resort. I did. 

Read some of my older Blowing Rock area posts when my kids were a lot younger. 

Check out more recent  posts about this beautiful area in the NC Mountains from my friends at NC Tripping.com

13 Wonderful Hikes Near Blowing Rock, Boone, and Banner Elk

17 Beautiful Waterfalls near Boone, Blowing Rock, and Banner Elk

Glen Burney Trail in Blowing Rock

A Weekend in Blowing Rock: 25 Things To Do, Hotels, and More

We visited the Chetola Resort in July 2020. My editorial writing is funded through my Beautycounter affiliate website. Join my new VIP group on Facebook for Deals and Sales. It pays to shop clean.