On January 4 2008 I got an email from Michelle telling me she read the blog and was moving from Charleston to Charlotte to start a new job. Could we do lunch sometime? This was one of our first dinner’s out.
Thus was the beginning of many Charlotte blogger friendships born from KERF! We will miss all of our friends so much.
We were invited to Michelle and Ben’s for dinner tonight as a next-to-final farewell.
Games
Grill
Girls. xoxo
Per usual, it was a lovely feast of fine foods. I started in on these great chips and dips –
Kelly made a separate mango salad without onions just for me 
And Michelle‘s black bean burgers were also onion-free and QUITE delicious!!
I made a [vegan for the men!] cucumber and tomato salad tossed in Garlic Gold Lemon Vinaigrette and basil. Garlic Gold ROCKS on EVERYTHING!!
THIS cucumber from Emily‘s internship farm was the base!!
It was one of those indecisive nights where I tasted a few wines and just didn’t know what I wanted.
I took that as a sign I wasn’t in a drinking mood and ended up drinking mostly water. I’ve had trouble getting hydrated today! I’ve been so thirsty all afternoon.
Matt and I shared a burger, which was still more than enough! Black bean burger on Great Harvest Dakota buns with orzo, cuc salad, roasted veggies and corn. Mmmm!
Katie made vegan carrot cake muffins!
Diana‘s Green Monster Muffins were awesome as well. Lemony!! Couldn’t taste the spinach at all.
I had one of each and shared a little with Matt
Look what I found at EarthFare!!!!!!!!!!!! No sign of cookie dough or carrot cake, but I snatched this one up fast.
After proudly showing it to my friends, I knew I had to share. So we did a taste test. OUT OF THIS WORLD!! It was like Peanut Butter Cookie with chocolate chips embedded. New favorite!!
On the way to Michelle and Ben’s, we said goodbye to our old house 
Someone is clearly living it up in there!
Goodbye old street where I ran and walked for years.
I haven’t really been sad about our move yet, but now I am. Officially.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Moving is so hard. We’re only going down the street, and I’m struggling, both with the stress of packing/organizing, and with letting go of our first house. I can imagine adding distance to the move would multiply the stress! Best of luck with everything.
Woah! That’s one giant cucumber. At first glance, I thought “Geesh, is she holding a snake?”
Awww. It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to people. I’m a weeper for sure. You’ll make new friends in Char-ville though and you can always take a road trip back!
I am sad for you, but am so excited for your new adventure. I know there have been bumps in the road of late, but everything worth having is working hard for; you are already a beautiful example of that!
Chin up buttercup! The ride is just beginning!
oh my goodness that is the biggest cuc i have EVER seen! crazy!
change is always hard, but you’re going on this crazy awesome brand-new adventure! just think about all the wonderful stuff you have to look forward to
wines are good, but that firefly vodka is such a fun drink! we mix it with water and ice, and its super tasty.
That cucumber is humungous!
Your house is so cute! I love white houses with painted shutters like that. I understand you are sad, but think of all the exciting things happening for you! And imagine how much greater your new house is going to be!
good luck on the move!! your old house was beautiful!!! how did you guys pull that off while you were at an unpaid internship and your husband works at a bakery?!?! anyways, hope your new house is just as nice! change is hard, but think of all the new possibilities!
Hey there! I just wanted to stop in and say hi to a fellow Charlotte foodie blogger. It looks like your friends threw a fabulous send off. That cuc is amazing! I hope your move goes easy and the adjustment is smooth.
Moving is always tough… but know that you have a wonderful future ahead.
Looks like a wonderful evening!
Nite
That cucumber is crazy!!!!
Moving is both sad and exciting… new possibilities, friends, spaces and adventures await but it is hard to leave the old…. Atleast you are not going to be crazy far away
(((HUGS))) I know moving must be hard! Your old house is adorable BTW!
Omg! I cannot believe how big that cucumber is! Those carrot cake muffins look so good
Whit and I made Carrot Cake Pancakes yesterday. I figured you would be intersted since you have made so many pancakes lately.
Also we found all of the lara bars at King Soopers. I do not know if you have any Kroger grocery stores by you but that is where we found ours
-Court
Aww…beautiful post Kath! We’re going to miss you too!
Thanks for sharing your Larabar with us!
Moving is always hard.
But there are big things to come!!! And you can always visit. 
What an amazing bunch of ladies! All of that food looks incredible. The kebabs, green monster muffins (!!!), black bean burgers, yum!!!! I love how you had to make it vegan for the MEN!
Moving is so hard. Think positive. I am betting you will love your new home even more than the old. You and hubby will definitely have no problems finding new friends.
Seriously, all of that food looks absolutely spectacular. That is the biggest zucchini I have ever seen.
Aww, moving is always hard
Think of it as a new adventure!
transitioning is hard, isn’t it? a lot to say goodbye to, but a lot to embrace with the new!
I’m in love with the cucumber and SO jealous you found the pb chocolate chip larabar. I must go on a quest to obtain one!
Sorry you feel so sad. Physical places can be very emotional entities. Just looking at the picture of your house made me sad too!
That cucumber is scary!
Moving is hard when you have so many emotional attachments to your home.
Jenn
Hi Kath – question for you – Can someone in Canada purchase from your KERF shop and have it sent to a Canadian address?
Thanks.
Rebecca
Yes, they ship to Canada!
http://www2.theopenskyproject.com/faq
It’s always sad when you move because of all the great memories created at the old place. But just think of all the photos you have of all those memories and now you’re ready to begin your new chapter.
P.S. saw that FireFly Sweet Tea sitting there on the bar….love that suff!
Okay first of all, that cucumber is the biggest thing I have ever seen!!! I got a zucchini last week that was about 1.5 times the size of a 2 liter pop bottle, and I thought that was huge!
Moving is really hard – I know the blogging world will lead you to new people!
Closing Time is always rough, but you have such a fun plans.
Aww I’m sorry you feel sad! I accidentally stumbled upon my old house yesterday on a walk where I was already feeling low… I was nostalgic and sad at the same time. Just know that you definitely lived it up in Charlotte, and you have the friends and blog posts to prove it!
Wei-Wei
I’ve moved quite a few times in my life. Although it doesn’t get much easier to say goodbye, each time I am excited about all the things there are to look forward to. Whoever said, “Make new friends, but keep the old ones,” was pretty wise.
I hope you love your new home just as much as you did your old!
Wow, seeing someone in your old house must make it really hit home
I wonder if they know thousands of people on the interenet have seen it too!? 
Looks like a fun evening
I know how if feels to be always moving. It’s always sad to leave your “home,” but at the same time exciting to explore a new place. Friends will always stay friends, though!!
That has to be one of the best “goodbye” feasts I ever seen! Variety galore!
Hey what ever happened to your friend Kelsey? Did she move away too? Good luck with your new venture.
She was out of town
We have had impossible schedules this year! Keep missing each other.
Aw, moving sounds so hard. I’m sure you’re going to settle in quickly in your new town though! And it looks like you had a fun last evening with friends.
Aww! Moving always comes with some bittersweet. New beginnings are great too though and you’re gonna be awesome.
Looks like a fun night and wow, I’ve never seen a cucumber like that!!!
Holy cucumber! We had some sort of squash that grew to a similar size, but I don’t know if I’ve seen a cuc quite that large.
That looks like a lovely feast and a great group of friends. I’m sure it will be hard to leave.
aw you are making me sad. your house was so beautiful!
Oh Kath, you make me sad just reading this
I have no doubt that you will form the same wonderful bonds and meet great friends after the move, but know that they won’t ever replace your friends now…they will just add to the wonderful people in your life! It’s like the song, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold.”
Chin up, girlie. The next chapter of your life is getting ready to begin!
It’s always so sad to leave a house/neighborhood.
Aww Kath. You are dealing with so much emotion right now, moves are hard! I have snatched up all the new lara bar flavors and have yet to try them! Maybe I will HAVE to tonight
I even put some in my freezer so I can gnaw on something 
I am sorry I had to miss your going away party! Looks like you all had a great time. I hate we did not have the opportunity to hang out more an get to know one another better, but I am really looking forward to reading about your adventures in Charlottesville.
You ladies look so pretty all dressed up : ) Try not to be sad, there’s a lot of fun just down the road : )
I’ve moved on my own several times and was okay with it because it was just me and I wasn’t attached. Now this house is my first home with Hunni and our dogs and I’m going to have a hard time leaving the first “our” place.
Sorry I hit submit too soon. It will be hard but you are making great moves for your family and have new exciting adventures ahead.
What a GIANT cucumber
I’ve had a hard time leaving all my homes – I get so attached to places and things around them.
Your old house and neighbourhood look so pretty, no wonder you’ll miss it. Onwards and upwards though, right?! That cucumber is insane!!
Good luck moving Kath! I’m so sad I didn’t contact you earlier, when I first started reading. This whole blog thing was so new to me then. We had a great time hanging out with you and Matt this weekend.
I’m sure I would be sad to see someone else living in my house, even if I was more than ready to move on. Just think about all the great new memories you’re going to make in your new house in Charlottseville.
Oh, I do feel for you! I have moved 15 times in the last 10 years and it’s enough! I don’t know why and what you are moving towards, ( I am new to your blog) but I do wish you the best and I have witnessed that we humans really do get used to – and learn to love – almost anything! Especially black bean burges!!! Do you think your friend would share the recipe? Best from Montréal!
Oh, moving can be so emotional sometimes. Especially if you do not only have to say goodbye to your old house and street but to your friends as well. After some time you will surely get used to living somewhere else and you will love it. It just takes time and some great memories made at the new place. By the way, the food looks SO unbelievably delicious. Wow!