Cheers to you.  I write this from home and, uncharacteristically, on a Friday night.  Tomorrow I’m going to Chicago and won’t be home in time to get this note out to you in a timely fashion.  Bele Chere (a big street festival, for those of you who don’t live here) is going on and it blocks our shop so we’re closed tomorrow and I’ve accepted an invitation to go to dinner in the Windy City.  Whee! 

But I wanted to tell you about a very fun day I had this past Wednesday.  WNC Magazine came and spent the afternoon and evening with me, shooting a story for their fall issue.  This is a very very nice magazine and I was delighted to be asked to be in it.  The story is a market-to-table story.  The writer and the photographer and the stylist and the art director and the managing editor and a couple of other people all met me in the afternoon at my shop.  We strolled across the street and I “went shopping” while they took pictures.  I had planned a meal for some friends and had, truth be told, scoped things out ahead of time and had even asked a couple of folks to set some things aside for me – not wanting to have them run out before I got there.

Though the day had started in thick clouds and very grey light, by the time the group arrived, the sun was out, the sky was blue, the leaves were richly green.  All was good.  I loaded up three of my new shopping bags (they work VERY well!) and, gang following, went home.

There we set up the table on my deck, took pictures, arranged the groceries in my kitchen, took pictures, lit the grill, took pictures, prepped the food, took pictures, went to the garden to snip some herbs, took pictures, changed clothes (no pictures) and carried on.  The guests arrived right at 6:30.  I had set up a table with some hors d’oeuvres – accompanied by picture taking, and had arranged drinks.  We all stood around, chatting, sipping, nibbling and taking pictures.  Tye, my sweet dog, behaved admirably throughout, posing, greeting, keeping track of me, and smiling when the photographer asked her to.

I kept cooking, arranged the dinner buffet, put together a sample plate, finished cooking, finished the buffet, invited the guests in for a toast and gathered with them – and a few more pictures.  They made their way to the buffet with their plates, accompanied by the photographer (my plate was already arranged from the earlier picture) and came back for dinner. 

The back deck never looked more beautiful.  Sunset pinks bounced off puffy white clouds, the candles in the red votive holders glowed, and stray light scootched in and out among my tumblers.  At moments I stopped breathing, trying to take it all in, this beautiful evening with these sweet friends and this fun adventure in the world of magazines.

My friends and I forgot, finally, about the camera fellow, who snapped away as we ate and told stories.  And then, finished, we cleared the table and then came back for fresh Blueberry Shortcakes made with Elsie’s biscuits (thanks Marty!).  Everything we ate came from the local markets, all except for a few odd ingredients.  What a time.  What a night.

The gang left.  The photographer left.  My friends left (after they helped me put away the chairs and tables.) But my sister stayed and the two of us lazily washed my plates and glasses and odd utensils.  She rinsed.  I dried.  I put away.  She took care of the counters.  And then she left too.

Tye and I sat out on the front steps and watched the moonlight dance on the rosemary and the lavender plants and on the daisies and the zinnias.  Near teh bird bath, lights twinkles.  It was a fine, fine day and a perfect evening too.

I’ll let you know when the story comes out.

And I’ll tell you about Chicago next week.

Until then –

Cheers!

Laurey