Good Morning, Darlings!
Whew, I am finally at home after being gone since last Wednesday. Three days at the lavish Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island on assignment for Design Is, and then up to Sky Valley for some R&R with our sweet friends Clint & Matt in their cozy mountain cabin in North Carolina. Even though Eric and I were there to relax, I couldn’t help but see a story in the weekend. Those two really have this weekend guest thing down to a science. Everyone is responsible for a meal (including happy hour snacks), so no one is stuck doing all the cooking. Brilliant, yes?
Eric and I were in charge of Saturday night supper, since we got there too late to enjoy Friday supper with everyone.
I love all the sweet touches at the cabin...
We had the greatest time with our friends (including Carrie and Steven), laughing, eating, drinking, walking the loop (you can smell bears!) and even popping into Highlands, NC, for a little lunch at the precious old time drug store (mountain tip – eat at the Highlands Pharmacy – best onion rings ever). There were movies to watch, iPad games to play, magazines to flip through and a kitchen to putter in. And comfy beds in which to nap. And nap I did.
This was the cooking detail for the weekend:
Friday Night – Clint & Matt (we missed out on barbecued chicken!)
Sat. Morning – Carrie and Steven
Sat. Happy Hour – Carrie and Steven (two in a row!)
Lunch – Out
Sat. Evening – Eric and I
Sun. Morning – Matt and Clint
See? Easy peasy. And everyone gets to show off one of their specialties. Fun!
Carrie's scrumptious dutch pancake with blueberries and peaches
This was the yummiest breakfast. Carrie paired it with a colorful fruit salad and a pot of coffee and we were ready to face the day.
After our side trip to Highlands, we split up. Carrie, Steven and Matt went hiking while Clint, Eric and I went back to cabin for movies and naps. We all reconvened for happy hour around the fire pit, where we asked each other questions about life situations from a book Matt had and an iPhone app Carrie had that had us all in stitches. Carrie’s delicious flatbread with fig preserves, goat cheese and dates, served alongside mini capreses, was a wonderful way to begin the evening.
We remembered to photograph the flatbread before it was totally devoured
Luscious fresh caprese with tomatoes fresh from Carrie's garden
Eric and Carrie
Eric and me - Newspaper Edition...lol
Our fabulous hosts, Clint and Matt
Clint contemplates the meaning of life. Or flatbread. Either one.
Carrie and Steven
Our contribution - grilled pork chops with a mustard, horseradish & honey glaze, mashed potatoes and spinach salad
It was a wonderful weekend. Boodles of thanks to our darlings, Matt & Clint for having us up. We had a blast! You all are the greatest!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to John Denver – Rocky Mountain High
What fun!
@Arlynn – Amelia Island was awesome! The pork chop recipe is super easy. Get some big ole pork chops. Cook em on the grill. Mix together a bit of horseradish, honey and mustard. Brush on the chops right before they are ready to come off the grill. Voila!
@Matt – you are the greatest! We had a ball! xoxo, P
What a wonderful weekend! Thanks for the kind words and great pics.
C
Clint, you are the greatest! Although it seems crazy that we have to drive 2 hours north to visit when we live 5 mins apart! xoxo, P
Hi Miss Carrie,
Loved spending time with you this weekend! Must get together soon soon soon! xoxo, P