Barboursville

Mac and I had the most wonderful time wine tasting for our 5 year anniversary at the vineyards surrounding Charlottesville.  Barboursville was definitely our favorite stop!

We dined at the barboursville restaurant, Palladio and it was to die for!  Seriously you must go!

You can choose between a 2 course, 3 course or a 4 course meal with wine pairings and of course they start you off with Champagne.  The food was not only amazing, but the presentation was absolutely beautiful.

Peach bread with olives

Tuna Tartar topped with watermelon

Vegetable Phyllo.  This was seriously the best meal I have ever eaten.

Red Snapper

We drank the Cabernet Franc Reserve while we waited for the entrees and it was so delicious that we left with five bottles, which did not last through the weekend-Ha Ha!

After dinner we took our wine and went to visit the historic ruins on the grounds.

 

We found a beautiful field where we spent the evening drinking our Franc and relaxing.

I highly recommend Barbourville and Palladio for a romantic get away.  We had a wonderful time celebrating 5 years of laughter and love

Can't Believe Summer Is Over

I just can't believe Summer is Over!  I absolutely Love Labor Day Weekend not only because it's my anniversary, but because it's one last time to enjoy summer and cookout before fall begins.  We had a wonderful time celebrating our 5 years of marriage, which I will blog about later, but we also enjoyed Monday off to relax with the fam.  As much as I love fall, I am always sad when summer ends.  So we wanted one last pool day with our pups last weekend to relax and enjoy the last bit of summer!

Louging in the pool with Leonard and Lucile

The Pups soaking up the sun!  Leonard doesn't seem to realize he also has a monogrammed cushion.

What did you all do to celebrate the last weekend of summer.

Back to School

Today is my last official day of summer break :( I have to say I am sooooooo not ready to go back even though I LOVE my job!  Working as a school social worker with children who have disabilities is soooo rewarding, but I have to say I wish I had taken more time to relax during July.  Time just slipped away from me.  I actually think the lady who will miss break the most is Lucile.  She has become such a pool girl and really enjoys lounging daily on her monogrammed lounge chair.

Notice the L for Lucile

 When she's not in her lounge chair she's bound to be found sunbathing on a raft!

I'm not sure how she's going to take the news that her weekly pool days are coming to an end!  So we're off to the pool to enjoy one more day of relaxing before work begins!

OFF YOU GO BY KATE SPADE

This looks like a great opportunity for people who love contests.  I actually never enter any thing, but am starting to realize -Why Not??? You have nothing to loose!

To Enter just Visit Kate Spade on FB!

Refreshing Summer Drinks!

 My father sent me this article from Garden and Gun.  It's his favorite magazine. Although he doesn't drink he sure seems to know what I like!  Thanks DAD! Looks delicious!


Blueberries at the Bar

Chefs aren’t the only ones taking advantage of fresh, local ingredients. Around the South and beyond, mixologists are also finding new ways to usher in the seasons. In this case, blueberry season.

The folks at Parlor Market in Jackson, Mississippi, are taking these in-season berries straight from the bushes to the bar for a cocktail all their own: the Blues Cat. The drink is a delightful and unconventional mingling of flavors, combining blueberries, basil, lemon, rosemary, cinnamon, and a generous pour of locally distilled Cathead Vodka. Chef and owner Craig Noone admits the recipe came about thanks to a happy accident. “We had a ton of extra blueberries and basil from the farmer's market,” he says. “We were just a few guys experimenting.” Experiment or not, we’ll take one, please.

Blues Cat
Parlor Market; Jackson, Mississippi
Serves 1
3 oz. Cathead Vodka
15 blueberries
5-8 basil leaves
1 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. rosemary infused simple syrup

Muddle the blueberries and basil leaves together. Combine remaining ingredients, shake, and strain over flaked ice. Garnish with additional blueberries, basil, and freshly grated cinnamon. 

For more ways to put blueberries in your glass, check out these cocktail recipes from other Southern hotspots:

Southern Blues
Husk; Charleston, South Carolina

Violet Beauregarde
Bottega Restaurant and Café;; Birmingham, Alabama 


I just love fun summer cocktails

Happy Birthday to Vitamin Sea

Today is Vitamin Seas B-day!!!  When I met Vitamin Sea we instantly bonded and discovered that we are just like twins!  We seriously have sooo much in common!

She is getting married in 3 weeks and when her wedding invitation arrived  I was soooo excited!  I can not wait to celebrate with her and I just love summer weddings!  You must check out her precious blog at http://vitaminseava.blogspot.com/

Now I need to design the Perfect Dress!  I think we could use an "Amanda" in the Collection-Don't you?

Happy Birthday! I hope it's a fabulous day!

Recap of Favorite Photos From The Trip

 There were so many favorite moments and photos from the trip so I will post just a few of many to recap!

Cooking fresh fish daily!

Flags of The Caribe

KWYC

Courtesy Flag

Perfect for celebrating the 4th in the Exumas

My shower for a week

 Favorite pics of me and Mac.

Hope you've enjoyed hearing about our little adventure and all the recaps!  We are a fun loving adventurous quirky couple and can't wait for what life brings next!

Touring The Islands

One of our favorite Day Activites was taking Con Pollo and touring the local islands in the Exumas.

We lost Con Pollo in a Storm and were very attached to her after the retrival!  Unfortunately, Mac had to dive into the Ocean (literally) and swim out to her during a driving wind and rain storm to tie her back to the Caribe.  While attempting to get back on the Caribe a wave crashed in and crushed him between the two boats.  I have never been sooo horrified in my entire life and his body and head are still healing from the accident.  Good thing an RN was aboard the Mariah.  I am glad we saved Con Pollo though otherwise we would not have seen these highlights!

Chat N Chill on stocking Island is a must if you are ever down that way!

Very Fun bar and conch covered beach at Farmers Cay Yacht Club.

Regatta Park in George Town.  The Regatta is a huge event in The Exumas held annually!

The Sea Pigs at Staniel Cay.  They literally swam out to the boats and were hilarious!  I'm very quirky and have always wanted a pig.  I told Mac that if we don't have a child in the next 2 years, we are adopting a pig!

Staniel Cay Yacht Club was the most fun place!  It was such an islandy Yacht Club.  Right up my alley!  Here are some cool places in Staniel Cay!

  Accommodations at the Yacht Club.

  My favorite Grocery Store called the Pink  Pearl.

Who wouldn't want to eat here.

I am very grateful we saved Con Pollo for the Island Experiences, but I could have done without the Drama!

There are too many favorite pics to share so I will recap my fav pics tomorrow.   The last night we saw a shooting star.  I had never seen one before and it was truly magical!