Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, June 26, 2009

A Feast at the Dillard House, Dillard, GA


As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, George and I enjoyed our Anniversary Dinner at the Dillard House in Dillard, GA. Here's a little history of the Dillard House:

Carrie and Arthur Dillard initially established the present-day Dillard House in 1917 in the Georgia mountains, when their first guest was a circuit-riding minister named Rev. Henry Byrd. Carrie Dillard was a woman of high values, strong work ethic and keen business sense. She was a wonderful cook, gifted gardener and very accommodating hostess. Every guest was treated like family, and Carrie taught that practice of hospitality to her children and grandchildren, alike. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of guests have enjoyed wonderfully prepared Southern style home-cooked meals at the Dillard House in the same family tradition as when Carrie first put up her jams and relishes. Now in its 92nd year, The Dillard House Inn and Restaurant have become famous throughout the area for its traditional home-style meals and authentic Southern hospitality - the unique result of our 200-year heritage.

Once a simple and modest mountain home of just 6 rooms, The Dillard House has grown into a modern hotel that can accommodate hundreds of guests at a time. With 92 guest rooms and suites, more than 28 cottages and chalets, a modern business center and all the standard amenities, we can provide comfortable and beautiful surroundings as well as exquisite hospitality and service for every guest we receive.

For more information on the Dillard House, click HERE. We highly recommend this place---not just for the great dinner(s), but for the setting, accommodations and everything else they offer. Check it out! Here are some pictures we took while there.





The outside of the restaurant





This is one side of the restaurant . Aren't the flowers gorgeous? Our table was right next to that last window on the left. We had a great view!!!!





This is the other side of the restaurant---where we parked and entered. I enjoyed seeing the pretty red Geraniums.





Enlarge this picture and read the names of ALL of the food we were given... AND--they will give you refills on anything and everything... As you can imagine, it was WAY too much food even for us hungry hikers. We brought enough food home for at least one more meal, maybe more. AMAZING!!!!!





WELL---this was our table..... Can you believe it??????? (For the girl who needs to eat LESS --not more, this may not be the place to go except on special occasions--like our Anniversary!!!! ha.. I did pretty well though since we did bring so much home with us.)





I thought this tree was interesting---so I took a picture. Do YOU know what it is????? I have no idea!!!





This is one of the views from the front of the Dillard House... Gorgeous, don't you think? Be sure and enlarge these photos.



There were rows and rows of Zinnias --in all colors. My mother used to grow Zinnias --so this brought back memories.





Note the Zinnias and the mountains in the distance.





I enjoyed seeing the Impatiens growing under those huge shade trees.





All of the grounds were well-maintained. I loved that little Gazebo in the distance.





Finally, here's one more photo of the view of the valley --from the front of the Dillard House. Hope you enjoyed our tour.... Now---head on over there and take your own photos!!! And--I give you permission to eat 'some' of that delicious dinner!!

Hugs,

P.S. Brood Number TWO: There are four little blue eggs in our bluebird nest!!!!! Yeah-Rah!

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

A mouth-watering post Betsy! I spotted strawberry cobbler on the menu - one of my favs!

Jayne said...

I'd never heard of Dillard, GA, and Googled it to see where it is in the state. What a lovely place Betsy! Glad you all had such a great time.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I thought I had only witnessed that much food on a table when my mother-in-law had a family dinner...wow.
Most places you pick three of four items from the menu selection, you got the lot !
Those huge trees with the underplanting just made me stop and gaze awhile, absolutely beautiful.
What a lovely, serene and refreshingly beautiful place, glad to hear you had fun !!

Arkansas Patti said...

That table of food can honestly be called a "groaning board". Hard to view before breakfast. Now I am really hungry.
Love the peaks of the N.Ga. mountians. Arkansas has more rounded versions, at least around me. Peaks are more impressive.
Just a lovely place.

Tina said...

Betsy,
Love your new headliner pic!! Gorgeous! I am sure you will remember this meal for many years!! All that wonderful food and such picturesque grounds that surrounded the restaurant!
...and more blue birds eggs!! are you in competition with Dave? tee he
Have a good weekend!

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy....it's exactly as I remember,plates of meats and bowls of veggies! I'd love to go there again! Thanks!

I Am Woody said...

Wow, what a wonderful place! I can picture a beautiful wedding in that gazebo!

Dorothy said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to visit. My cousin and her friend went there and sent me pictures. If we are ever over that way, we plan to go there.
Love your new header!

Unknown said...

Such an absolutely gorgeous place! It's like a dream of mine! What a wonderful way to enjoy your anniversary! The masses of food reminds me of a place here in Frankenmuth, Mi. brought country style. That menu looked like my kind of eatin!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

This place sounds delightful.The scenery is breathtaking.
Betsy,I am in love with your new header picture.WOW!GORGEOUS!
BLessings,Ruth

Susie said...

Glad to hear about the 4 little blue bird eggs. I know you are happy about that.

Thanks for showing the pictures of the restaurant. When I went there years and years ago it didn't look anything like that.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Grammy said...

That was quite a spread there. I love all the flowers. I am glad you had a wonderful time.

NCmountainwoman said...

What a beautiful place. Nice grounds so you can walk off some of that meal.

betty-NZ said...

Your post sure brought back memories! We stopped at the Dillard House when we first moved to Georgia, back in the late 70's. It certainly has become a lot more modern since those days, but it was still a lovely place.

Darla said...

What a beautiful place......love all of the views Betsy. That's the place my husband would love to it for sure!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!And the food looks to die for!
So glad you and George had a great anniversary.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What a neat place, George's plate was sure filled up. I love the grounds and all the neat flowers.

Busy Bee Suz said...

The grounds there seem SO gorgeous...love all the ginormous trees and flowers. Still can't get over the food on the table...gluttony is good every once in a while!

Loran said...

What a gorgeous place for a FEAST! Holy cow that was a lot of food. YUM!

marmee said...

wow that looks like a great place...lots of food. the grounds are very beautiful. happy anniversary! love the beautiful waterfalls from previous post...how wonderful. you guys are just traveling fools aren't you?
enjoy your summer days and the new bluebirds.

Connie said...

Wow! What a fabulous place to go to dinner, Betsy! Sounds like you had a great time.

I love the beautiful rose photo in your header--it is gorgeous!

Hope you have a great weekend. :D

penny said...

My hubby and I rented a cottage there several years ago. The Dillard House is a beautiful place with wonderful food.

Deborah Godin said...

Loved the tour, especially the table - I'm getting hungry! And I love the new header photo!!!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Hmm, strawberry cobbler sounds wonderful! It seems you had a delightful anniversary dinner. Congratulations!

thanks for checking on me. Hubby had gall bladder surgery last Friday, so I've been doing double duty around here this week. Not much time for blogging!

Dirt Princess said...

It is gorgeous! I can't get over all that food!!!!! WHOA!!! I know what you'll be having for dinner (well you probably already had it ). Have a great weekend

SweetAnnee said...

What LOVELY LOVELY pics.. Bet you had a great time.
Smiles, Deena

Jen said...

That food looked yummy-especially those lima beans. No one here will eat them, so I rarely have lima beans.
congrats on your new brood. :)

Small City Scenes said...

Golly, Betsy, that dillard House is one beautiful place. Great scenery too. But that table of food---yipes--I am glad you got to take a bunch home.

I only buy one lotto ticket--because it only takes one to win. Of course I never have won.......

I like the rosy header. MB

Jane said...

Oh, I love restaurants like that! Glad you guys had a great time celebrating!

Jane

Neal said...

I just absolutely love the shot from the front of the Dillard House! I like the other shots but this one is special to me. You should put that in as you header.

Kelly said...

Oh my gosh...what a beautiful place to spend an anniversary. I wish it weren't so far away from us! I enjoyed the history as well. I'm sending it on to my mom and dad, as they often head south for little trips. I know they would love this place. Glad you had a great dinner!! :-)

Leedra said...

Beautiful, love the Impatiens under the huge trees. I told George you two weren't talking much at that table. :)

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hey Betsy,
That meal looks like what the Old Mill restaurant in Pigeon Forge serves up..it's a major amount of food and sooooo good!

Happy Anniversary to you....ain't life wonderful!? Yes, yes :-)

No bear sightings yet..heard that a neighbor through the hollow saw a momma with four cubs a few weeks back..They are abundant around here that's for sure.

Once I quit homesteading and feeding livestock I went all out for feeding the wildlife..It's not near as costly and not much physical labor involved. :0) Yes, it's the good life on the mountain.

I've got new windows in the greatroom...will post pictures this weekend.

I'd love to have a picture of the bluebird nest! I hear a baby bird in a tree right beside the porch but don't know what kind it is since I can't see the nest nor recognize the cry. But it's making a big sound...not the usual tiny baby bird sounds.

Thanks for dropping by to visit and have a great weekend.

Stephanie

Shelley said...

I really wish we had a restaurant like this in Michigan! I was looking at that menu - Yum! I'll definitely take some strawberry cobbler! Looks like such a lovely place to celebrate your anniversary! Yea for your bluebird babies too!
Love ya, Shelley

SmilingSally said...

Yum, that dinner looks scrumptious! It looks as if you know how to celebrate an anniversary.

Rambling Woods said...

I am happy that you and George had a good anniversary trip...Michelle

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, I love that last view you gave...and I love your header Rose.

Anonymous said...

It's a lovely spot - the owners have obviously invested a great deal of attention and time.

That's a most unusual-looking tree, but I have no idea what it is.

SquirrelQueen said...

Here you go, bringing back my childhood memories again. I sort of remember Dillard House, it has been a really long time. It is very beautiful and looks like you had a grand time.

The North Georgia mountains are just as beautiful as I remember.

Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend,
Judy

Lola said...

Congrats on the special 8. Great dinner. Been there several times before DHD. They do have good food. We really enjoyed it. It was a treat going thru to the mtns. I miss those days.

Anonymous said...

wow! that looks like quite the feast!

Anonymous said...

I am fairly new to blogspot and just now becoming familar with the ins and outs and how to navigate thru others blogs. I stumbled accross yours and really enjoyed it. My whole family is located in TN, seeing your posts really make me miss my family, but yet its almost like seeing a bit of home at my desktop to boot!

Happy Belated Anniversary!

Kathy W said...

LOL Betsy looks like they wanted to make sure you didn't go away hungry. Nicely landscaped. Have no ideal what type of tree that one is but it is kinda cool looking.

T said...

How beautiful!

No matter where I eat here in MD - I"ve never found places like this! No one can "do" a resturant like the southern ones can!!!

Love that shot of your dinner table.....to funny!

Karin said...

Wow, Betsy, that was a huge meal!! It's good to keep the Dillard House in mind in case we should ever get down south. I'm so glad you two had a wonderful time - delicious food, delightful surroundings and the joy of celebrating a wonderful event. God bless!

HWHL said...

I have eaten at the Dillard House many times (although it's been several years since my last trip up there) and I can attest.... Betsy is NOT exaggerating.... they feed EVERYONE like this. TRULY AMAZING!!!! :)

Brought back some fun memories! It's "nap-inducing" food, that's for sure! :)

Tootie said...

That is a beautiful place Betsy. And that was quite a meal. :-) I'm glad you and George had a nice Anniversary trip.

Janie said...

What a beautiful location for your anniversary dinner! And the feast looks absolutely amazing.

Diane AZ said...

That huge meal looks delicious! All the flowers outside are lovely and so is the gazebo too. I see why you chose the Dillard House for your anniversary.