Just wrapped up quite the dynamic and fun weekend!
Friday night I went out with my girlfriends to see Eli Young Band! Crazy Girl is one of my all-time favorite country songs.
We had dinner at Downtown Thai, and I had the Panang Curry with Tofu. Love me some curry!! Boy was it spicy. Plus a glass of white wine.
While walking to the show, we actually bumped into two of the band members behind the venue. They were friendly but I’m not sure they wanted to hear another fan say “I love Crazy Girl!!!”
I ran into some friends who wanted to take photos “for the blog!” #patrickdrinksrealbeer
The show was good – a bit more tame than some of the other country shows I’ve been to this year!
Saturday morning I had breakfast with my cutie bean and KK, who arrived late on Friday. We had pancakes and coffee! (And Karen is now sold on our Nespresso machine!)
Mazen and Karen love riding the bus together! Here they are on the way to the bus stop.
Lunch at Brixx!
And new shoes!! We are now in a size 9.
Guitar lessons with daddy –
Saturday afternoon I said goodbye to the family and headed out to Keswick Hall for a blog event. To celebrate its 50th Anniversary, Southern Living magazine has partnered with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to develop a Virginia-based blogger network. I was invited to be one of a handful of bloggers to participate and I’ll be writing a few posts about Charlottesville for the Southern Living blog, The Daily South.
This was also my first time (and maybe my last!) getting to stay at Keswick Hall! It’s super fancy and while bloggers came from around the state, I was thrilled to get to stay there as a Cville local too!
After checking in, we met a bus to go over to Blenheim Vineyards for a wine tasting and tour. Love it at Blenheim!
Our private tasting was held in one of the historic buildings on the property, which used to be a chapel and a boys school and also happens to be the spot where Dave Matthews, who owns Blenheim, was married!
We were given some background on the winery from Winemaker Kirsty and tasted our way through a flight.
I brought my friend Emily along as a special guest!
Shout out to Miss Eating Bird Food! So fun to catch up with her.
Then the property historian gave us a tour into several of the buildings, including the main house Dave Matthews bought for his mother. Super cool!
Back at Keswick we had some time to unwind and relax before the Southern Living reception began.
The signature cocktail was made with sweet tea vodka, mint, simple syrup, lemon and champagne. What a delicious combo!
We had fried green tomatoes, fried oysters and this epic cheese board to start.
Following the cocktail hour, we made our way downstairs for a seated dinner. It was lovely to meet so many folks from Southern Living, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the firm that represents the VTC. So much Virginia love in one room!
We started the dinner with a choice of four courses paired with Virginia wines.
Pear & Arugula Salad // Spiced pecan crumble, Pt Reyes Blue Cheese, aged balsamic and pear vinaigrette
Cassoulet with Lobster // Flageolet beans, pistachios, bacon mirepoix, bread crumbs
Pan Seared Striped Bass // King crab vinaigrette, savoy cabbage, turnips, roasted fingerling potatoes
Apple & Quince Confit // Chestnut shortbread, apple butter jelly, cinnamon ice cream
Everything was so delicious!!
I called it a night before 10, skipping a late night visit to the bar in lieu of my comfy bed and got a nice night’s sleep.
In the morning I ordered breakfast up to my room – eggs, bacon, fruit, toast and coffee. Breakfast fit for a queen! My favorite touch was the little butter crock : )
Sunday morning I went home to hang out with the family a bit before embarking on another blog trip – stay tuned! When it rains, it pours and right now I am loving the rain!
[email protected] says
That looks like such a fun trip! And your breakfast looks amazing! I love hotel breakfasts!
Bird says
I want to send my thoughts and love to Karen. She’s looking great! I hope she’s feeling strong. Thanks for the updates, Kath!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun blog event! And the food looks amazing!
Emily says
Ooh, yummy weekend, chestnut shortbread sounds amazing!
Tonya says
KK’s got some cool style!
[email protected] says
Those eggs look PERFECT!!! Always jealous of your breakfasts!
Elizabeth says
Wow, what a fantastic event. The food all looks amazing! I live in Northern Virginia and adore the VA countryside. I’ve always wanted to stay at Keswick Hall. Why do you say it might be the last time you ever stay there? Seems like an amazing place for a staycation!
Can’t wait to see where your next trip takes you.
KathEats says
I just mean because it’s not often I get invited to opportunities like this! If we’re going to do a bed and breakfast ourselves, we’d probably travel a bit for one.
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Looking forward to following you on all your amazing trips! Keep it raining and pouring!
caitlyn says
Sounds like a fantastic trip. Hooray for Southern Living! Is the butter crock you mentioned in the picture? I can’t pick it out! Otherwise, the breakfast looks delicious. What a nice place to spend a weekend.
Robin says
I was thinking the same thing- I can’t find the cute butter crock, either!
KathEats says
Oh sorry it was out of the photo! Should’ve put it in!
Hilary says
That sounds like such a fun weekend! That blogging trip sounded like such a nice getaway!
Allison says
That B and B looks amazing! I just can’t get behind the lyrics of Crazy girl.
Kathleen says
Very cool experiences you had! My Dad’s construction company (Gibson/Magerfield Corp.) did the original preservation work on Blenheim back in the 80’s as an historic preservation project for the Department of the Interior. This was, of course, before it was owned by Dave Matthews. Charlottesville’s a great town, rich in history and culture. I know you’ll enjoy writing more about it for Southern Living!
Oh, and by the way, my Dad’s office is right down the street from the bakery, so stop in some time if you ever want to hear more about historic preservation in the area! 🙂
KathEats says
Very cool!!
Alice says
Oh, that all looks so good! What is “mirepoix”? All that food looks amazing. I don’t know if I could have gone to the bar in lieu of going to bed – that bed looks so luxurious! Always good to see Karen and her bright smile.
Jennifer says
mirepoix is chopped onion, celery & carrot
Alice says
Onion?? 🙂
Amanda says
That cheese board looks phenomenal!
Jennifer says
Yay breakfast in bed! I like when they have little medallion stamps of butter on a plate, too. The dinner looks delicious but those portions are soooo tiny! well I suppose that let’s people enjoy a bite of everything and then have snacks later if you wish, with not a lot of wasted food.
Carrie @ Season It Already' says
What a cool winery. You’ve got so many great places to dine and experience in your neck of the woods!
Jennifer Schmitt says
KK is so well styled in every photo! Tell her she needs to start a fashion blog!