Good Morning, Darlings!

Happy Monday to you all. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. On Saturday night we gave a dinner to thank some very special folks for being so good to us. Joining us were Spencer, Allison, LaToyin and Neil of Black Tie Barbecue, Laura Scholz, her husband, Tim and our new friends Teresa & Nicholas.

Menu

Grilled Shrimp w/cocktail sauce

Chips w/cheese dip

Grilled Ribeyes wrapped in bacon

Twice-baked stuffed Potatoes

Salad w/raisins, almonds and red onion

Garlic Bread

Pound Cake soaked in Lemoncello

Apple Pie

Sesame and Chocolate Cookies

Vanilla Ice Cream

Malbec, Chardonnay, Cava

Pellegrino

But first, you have to start with a pretty table. I dressed the table in all metalics to give it sparkle. Gold runners, candlesticks and napkins rings paired with silver chargers.

Teresa and Nicholas were the first to arrive. And bless them for taking a chance on two chatty folks they had met at Shaun’s just a week before. They are total delights and I knew everyone would love them. It’s always fun to invite a couple of people no one knows to mix it up a bit. Plus, Teresa had previously worked at The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island so we had some friends in common and Nicholas is from England with that cool accent and hilarious sense of humor. They totally fit in.

LaToyin and Neil arrived with their bundle of joy, Nevada, who was passed around and cuddled by everyone before she decided she had had enough of the adults and fell fast asleep.

Laura and Tim were next, with Spencer and Allison close behind. Time to party.

The cava was popped, grilled shrimp was passed around and everyone dug into the cheese dip and chips.

Where’s the bubbly? Why, it’s on the bar.

Time to sit down to these:

I’m starving. All I’ve had today is a plain, gluten-free waffle and a glass of pomegranite juice. I just forget to eat when getting ready for a party. Oh, if only everyday could be party day!

Um…I didn’t take any photos of us eating. Sometimes that just seems so intrusive. But take my word for it, it was one of the most lively groups we have ever had at our table. Tons of fun.

We ate and ate and then had dessert. It was all so delicious. And the food was good, too.

And on a nice Atlanta night, inevitably we end up on the front porch for after dinner drinks.

You know, it always ends so quickly. I plan and plan, Eric and I spend the afternoon puttering around the kitchen together, in our little kitchen rhythm, our friends show up and illuminate our home and then you are left with the most fabulous memories.

Thanks for always allowing me to share them with you.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The White Stripes – We’re Going To Be Friends (if you have never heard this, I promise you will love it)