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Dress Up For Lunch

Sometimes there’s nothing more special than a fancy lunch.

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Karen took Matt and me out to Keswick Hall in the Virginia countryside for a Christmastime buffet lunch in the company of a giant Christmas tree and a beautifully decorated estate.

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We dined in a beautiful living room ambiance in big wingback chairs

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The first course was served – a Root Vegetable and Apple Soup

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It was fantastic!

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Second course was a cobb salad, which tasted so good to me today with bacon, bleu cheese, tomatoes and romaine

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And then there was the buffet…. a piano full of chilled dishes

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I loved the artichokes, the blue cheese brie and the smoked salmon!

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A few warm dishes finished [almost!] the meal – Beef Bourguignon and buttery carrots. I almost skipped this course because I knew dessert was coming, but I’m glad I didn’t because the beef was outstanding! Flavored with alcohol – red wine, I believe.

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And finally, the dessert table, which I’d been eyeing since I walked in!

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We must have pondered for 5 full minutes what to have! We decided on shared rotating plate-style

White Chocolate Mousse

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Chestnut Roulade

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Fruit Crisp with Berries

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Vanilla Panna Cotta

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And my favorite…a Brownie Cake!

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Compliments to the hostess for such a fun lunch!

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The meal may have seemed over the top, but we did not finish everything on our plates and while I do feel that I ate a rich lunch, I don’t feel that full – guess that’s good because I am headed to do some YOGA tonight – a special event with Faith!

This morning I actually walked to my gym because I was afraid to bike in the snow. Turns out this wasn’t the best idea because while the roads were mostly clear, the sidewalks were not! It took me about 45 minutes to walk there (talking to my mom on the phone!). I did some weight lifting and started the trek home, running and walking intervals this time. it was great to be outdoors again.

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Gotta go change outta my nice clothes back into yoga pants! Good thing they s t r e t c h!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I love holiday buffets…our school had a holiday buffet last week with pumpkin ravoli, tons of veggies, fish & meat, & tons of delicious desserts

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  11. Lunch looks delicious and who cares if it was hearty?! How often do you go out for such a delicious meal. You did right to enjoy it. Everything looks fabulous.

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  20. Your lunch looks so amazing and beautiful, especially after running ten miles. I’ve got to dig up something to eat, hope I can find something half as decent as yours looks!

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  24. sure looks like a lovely lunch, but GASP it is blasphemy to put food on such a gorgeous piano! it’s a musical instrument, not a serving table….

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  35. *whimpers* Ever since I had a Mont Blanc in Japan in 2007, chestnut desserts have been my favourite desserts, but it’s impossible to find them here in my city in Australia! I’m so envious!

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  36. That looks like a lovely lunch. Such beautiful scenery. However, I am disappointed that you made it a point to say you had a fancy, rich lunch but you didn’t feel stuffed. But then you go on to make the quip about the stretch pants. Why can’t you just enjoy a nice meal without having to defend it (but I’m going to do yoga tonight and I walked to the gym today!) or make fat jokes about it? I really do enjoy your blog, especially the gorgeous photography and scenery, I just think this is a flaw of most “healthy living blogs.”

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      • Sarah,

        Our church sometimes decorates the piano at Christmas, and one dear older lady always used to say, “We don’t decorate the piano. The piano is a muscial instrument.” I’m inclined to think she is right.

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    • food is definitely not allowed anywhere near my piano!!

      i remember as a kid, i would be horrified when at parties my parents would have, a guest would set their glass of wine down on it…

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  44. Keswick was the site for my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding reception a year and a half ago. The wedding was at a beautiful little country church a little farther down the road. The setting was absolutely breathtaking and their wedding pictures at Keswick are fabulous. We do need to get back to Charlottesville for a special dinner or lunch there.

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  45. i LOVE keswick’s lunch spread…i’ve only been once, but it was so freakin’ good. if i ever get visitors i’d love to take them there. and youre right…just enough to be full, but not feel out of sorts. and the grounds are so gorgeous!

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