The Birthday Dinner

September 25, 2017 By Carole

Just a warning: today’s post will make you hungry. #sorrynotsorry

Back in July I told you that we would be visiting Just Right Farm for my birthday dinner. We went Friday night and when I tell you it was amazing just know that I could be using so many more adjectives! The weather was a huge disappointment as it was rainy and windy and, in the words of my darling husband, “probably the worst night we’ve had this year.” He was pretty spot on with that description but Kimberly and the staff at the farm rose to the occasion.

Generally at these dinners the guests arrive and have a cocktail (it’s BYOB which is pretty sweet) while wandering the grounds, feeding the goats, and admiring the bountiful vegetables and gorgeous flowers. Since the weather was utterly uncooperative on Friday the cocktail hour was set up inside the antique farmhouse. While I would normally have been disappointed by this change, in this instance I was actually pretty happy about it. I mean, we had already toured the farm back in July but we hadn’t been able to go into the house. With this change, we got to see the gorgeous house, meet the chefs and the kitchen staff, and relax on couches while we waited for dinner. Win-win, I tell you.

Dinner was served in the screen house, as always. It was warm and cozy inside, probably made even more so because of the blustery conditions outside. We were greeted by this stunning arrangement of kale and hydrangeas.

And on the same table as the flowers was a big framed menu. I already knew what we were having (it had been posted on the website on Wednesday) but I love how they present the menu and I took this photo so you could see. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

The screen house is set up with long tables, encouraging conversations and meeting new people. I wondered how that would work – if we would have to secure a spot and how we would decide where we wanted to sit – but that was all taken care of as our seats were assigned. I was happy with that arrangement, honestly, and when we found our name we saw that the bottles of wine we had given to the bartender on our arrival were labeled and waiting there for us.

This is not the first course but rather a little extra something. Dale, being a wise guy, took a photo of this and posted it on Facebook saying how anxious he was to get to the rest of the dinner! It was so yummy, though, that I could have eaten another spoonful or two. It was chevre with a dollop of hot pepper jelly and a fennel blossom. So simple and a great combination of simple ingredients.

This is the first course and I have to say it was my favorite. Grits and greens with housemade smoked sausage. It was an explosion of flavors and they were all fabulous. The creaminess of the grits with the crunch of the greens and the smokiness of the sausage was just incredible.

Course number two, a sugar pumpkin and roasted onion soup, was Dale’s favorite. The bowls were placed in front of us with a sprinkling of pepitas and crispy bacon on the bottom and then the soup was poured into each person’s bowl by a server sporting a little carafe of soup. It kept it piping hot when it was served and added a bit of flare to the presentation as well. And it was very good.

Next up: beautiful tomatoes (grown on the farm, of course) along with an eggplant confit and fennel slaw. You know what? I grow tomatoes and they are good but these were fabulous! Sweet and vibrant and really wonderful. The eggplant was flavorful and the fennel with a bit of caraway was terrific. What a fun take on a salad! There was also a bread station set up at this point and the bread was amazing as was the herbed butter.

Finally, the main course, and as you can see I started eating before I remembered to take a photo. It was roasted cod with blistered tomatoes and a really silky and delicious lemon and shallot sauce. The cod was set on sliced roasted fingerling potatoes and it was perfectly cooked.

But wait! There’s more! Dessert! It was roasted apples with an almond cake with caramel sauce and bourbon whipped cream. It couldn’t have been more delicious. The apples were perfectly cooked, firm but tender and very very flavorful. The cake was fabulous, I love anything with almonds.

Then, for the chocolate lovers in the room, the chef came around with a chocolate ganache tart. Talk about fabulous! The chocolate was rich and smooth and so decadent.

And decadent just might be the perfect word for the entire evening. Luxurious, too. Everything was perfectly cooked and presented with style, it felt more like a performance than a dinner. I originally said we’d just go this one time because, let’s face it, it’s a big splurge. But now that I have gone and now that I know how amazing it is, I can promise that we will go back!

Three On Thursday: The One About My Birthday

September 21, 2017 By Carole

Tradition has been that Dale writes a post for me on my birthday. This year, however, he didn’t meet the editorial deadline and I find myself having to write this one myself. You know what, though? It’s okay. If I have learned one thing in 52 years it’s that . . . wait . . . I bet I can come up with three things instead of just one thing . . .

I have learned that life is short and people matter more than things. I lost a brother when I was 17 and another when I was 31 and then my mom when I was 32. You don’t go through those kind of losses without realizing that there are no promises when it comes to your own longevity or anyone else’s. And what that teaches you is that you need to say the things you need to say while you can. Because no guarantees. Telling people you love them matters. A lot. Other things that matter a lot: forgiveness, trust, understanding, and recognizing that your own standards aren’t necessarily anyone else’s.
I have learned that the key to happiness is being satisfied with what you have. Would I love a fancy house with lots of closets and a gigantic master bedroom suite? Kinda. But on the other hand am I willing to sacrifice to get that? Not so much. I love that Dale and I have jobs that allow us to be together a lot even if they don’t pay us a lot. I love that our mortgage is low and that we live in the same house we have lived in for our entire married life. I love that we live next door to Jack, that both of our daughters live within walking distance, and that we can see our family frequently and easily. So, yes, there are things I would change, but I’m content with the way they are right now. And being content is way more valuable than a master bathroom. (maybe)
I have learned that it’s never to late to live an authentic life. To try new things. To go outside your comfort zone. To stand up for yourself and how you want to be treated. To spend time with people who matter because time is a precious commodity. To be true to yourself and to be present. Because being present is really all you have. And, best of all, it’s enough.

If I can add one more thing I have learned, it’s that birthday wishes make birthdays much much better. Yes, that’s a hint and I hope you’ll take it and leave gobs of comments today. Thanks, friends.

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Happy Birthday, Dale!

June 26, 2017 By Carole

Today is one of my favorite days of the entire year. It’s Dale’s birthday. He thinks it’s funny that his birthday is my favorite day and not my own but I don’t find that funny at all. He is such a gift to me and the day he was born is the day our journey towards each other began. Sure, it took us 44 years to get there but I’ve been reveling in the joy of knowing and loving him ever since.

We’ll be celebrating vacation style today. I told him we can do whatever he wants (except visit a fort, I mean, come on) and so far the only thing I know for sure is that there will be lobster. I’m good with that. (Also, the fact that we almost always have lobster on his birthday might be part of that whole favorite day thing.)

Happy 66th Birthday, Dale. Congratulations on another trip around the sun. And thanks for all of the love, joy and laughter you bring to my life.

Birthday Recap

September 22, 2016 By Carole

Thank you all so very much for the warm birthday wishes yesterday. Dale does such a great job when he takes over my blog once a year and yes, as many of you noted, I am very lucky to have him.

I had a great birthday yesterday. I worked, of course, since it was a Wednesday. And I had a meeting to go to which took up a chunk of my day. But, you know, I don’t mind working and going to meetings because it’s part of who I am but it also means I get to see my colleagues and friends and share some birthday love with them. Plus I got to ride to and from work in the Mustang with the top down and that’s a real treat.

In the evening Dale and I went to the Sun Tavern, one of my favorite restaurants, for an oyster and beer night. The oysters were plentiful and delicious! There were tons of raw Island Creek oysters along with oyster stew in a shot glass, oyster po’boys, oyters rockefeller and oyster fritters. The beer was cold and great and served to us by the owner of Mayflower Brewery. I did treat myself to a martini, though. I mean, it was my birthday! It was really a beautiful day and my only lament was that I didn’t have any cake. Then I walked into the kitchen and there was Dale with a whoopie pie on a plate, lighting candles and singing to me. It was a perfect moment, that whoopie pie was delicious, and yes, we ended the evening with a dance.

And now I move forward and see what it’s like to be 51. I think, much like being 50, that it will be more about being my more authentic self, more about finding new ways to be creative and fulfilled, more about living my story and accepting whatever that means with grace, embracing the good things with joy, and always finding ways to shine.

Thanks for being with me on this journey of my life.

Birthday Fun At 51

September 21, 2016 By Carole

Good morning (or day, or evening, depending on when you read this), Dale here commandeering Carole Knits once again to give her the day off to celebrate her birthday. Last year was a big birthday for Carole which called for me to write a post that included a lot of philosophizing, reminiscing and celebrating, as monumental birthdays do. This year, though it’s just back to regular ole birthday fun.

As readers of this blog you know that Carole has a lot of fun in a lot of ways and she’s always looking for new ways to enjoy life. She keeps finding them, too! She also hangs on to the tried and true things that have brought so much joy into her life – like me, for instance. But really, for Carole, joy comes from spending time with family and friends, keeping traditions, reading (lots of reading!), entertaining in our home, and cooking for the people she loves.

An important source of joy for her that not everyone gets to see, though, is her love of music. Music has played a very big part in our lives. I imagine that most of you know that I met Carole when she came out to see me singing in my band. We both had large collections of vinyl and CDs back then and our tastes were pretty varied. We both grew up listening to music with our parents and Carole also had two brothers who influenced her tastes with their music preferences as well. After being together for over twenty years we have blended our individual favorites so that we’re generally about 98% on the same page. (I’m sorry but I just can’t get down with that Uptown Funk stuff.)

You probably also know, since you’re here reading the blog, that once a week or so she and I enjoy a night of music listening which usually ends with a dance in the kitchen or out on the deck. I don’t think, though, that she has ever mentioned our sing-a-longs. Carole loves to sing, but never in public! We have favorites that we join in on and she always teases me when I don’t know the lyrics, which is frequent and probably not good for a lead singer. It’s never stopped me from singing, though, I just make up what I can’t remember. Carole, on the other hand, knows all the lyrics but thinks she can’t sing. I beg to differ and think she sings just fine and we make good music together. You should hear our rendition of Sonny and Cher’s I Got You Babe! (which, by the way, inspired the photo included at the top of today’s post, that’s us on our first wedding anniversary celebrating at a costume party for our town’s 175th anniversary.)

I guess my point is that music makes Carole happy and birthdays are all about being happy and sharing happiness. So, in that spirit and on this occasion of Carole’s 51st birthday, I’d like you all, no matter where you are, or whether you think you can sing or not, to lift up your voices and sing Happy Birthday to Carole. Since she can’t actually hear you singing, it’d be great if you left a comment, too. I know she’ll appreciate it.

And, I have a request for you, Carole. Tonight, after we come home from our dinner out, I’d like you to play that John Denver song that has the lyric “it’s the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you,” and we can dance and I’ll sing to you and wish you the happiest birthday ever.

You all can just pretend you didn’t see that last part, okay? Because that’s just for Carole.

Thank you all for tuning in! I’ll see you back here next year, God willing, and we’ll do it again!