We packed a lot into this weekend, and I wish there had been just a little more time to relax and read. Maybe next time!
On Friday night I left Mazen with Matt and my friend Naomi and I headed over to the Shops at Stonefield for the opening of a store called Palette.
Palette is a store-within-a-store concept and 8 local shops had a portion of the store to display their goods. Those shops were Duo, Rock Paper Scissors, Curious Orange, Alakazam, Sweet Haus, Elaine B Jewelry, KiraKira, and Family Ties and Pies. This is such a cool concept for stores that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a store-front or who want to expand but want to get their feet wet first.
We tasted Sweet Haus cupcakes (always delish), sampled a few treats from Family Ties and sipped cava with the chef at the soon-opening Parallel 38.
Afterwards we headed to Pasture to get some savory bites for dinner. Love this shot of beautiful Naomi! We each got a delicious cocktail.
Moms night out!
We enjoyed a savory pumpkin hummus served with jicama, andouille meatballs over grits and an asparagus and arugula salad.
Saturday morning I whipped up some baked oatmeal bites for the boys.
And then we headed over to the market.
I was SO excited to see Sweet Sandies’ new flavor of ice cream sandwich: sweet potato with toasted marshmallow on a graham cookie! I bought two. Can’t wait to try it!
Matt had tried to take the day off (his first Saturday off in a while) but unfortunately he got called into work. M and I went home for naps and hung out for a while until it was time to get dressed and head to the big beer event of the fall: Homebrew for Hunger!
This event was awesome!!!! It was a showcase of 25ish homebrewers from the area, and all profits from the night went to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Each brewer set up a table with a few samples and submitted one to be judged by both fellow brewers and the popular vote.
Matt’s submission was his Bacon Brown – a smoked brown ale (that didn’t actually contain bacon). He also had a Galactic IPA that was a hit as well. His beers got a lot of buzz, and I was very proud of him!!
Sadly he did not win, but the beer that did – an Imperial Red Ale – was pretty good! I also loved a Sweet Potato Ale I tried and a Vanilla brown.
I finally got to try the famous Blue Ridge Pizza Co food truck, and my gosh it lived up to all expectations!
Sunday morning we had eggs, toast and fruit…
…Before I headed to my last soccer game of the season. This was our second round in the playoffs game and sadly we lost. 4-2. But it was a great day for soccer!
After my game I swung by the grocery store and brought home a salad for lunch. Kale Caesar with almond tilapia on top!
I had to spend a few hours on the computer troubleshooting a problem and writing my recap posts, but Matt and Mazen had a fun time exploring the outdoors. Ever since he learned the word “outside” Mazen wants to be out all of the time!
Cute vest! Where is it from?
Gap!
How about the cute sweater? (also with polka dots)
That one is LOFT : )
Thanks!
mmm, those ice cream sandwiches sounds super good.
& that arugula salad, yum-o-yum!
Love your earrings in the Moms’ night out pic. Where did you get them??
Thanks, Larbs brought them back from Europe! They are volcano rock
Love your vest from the homebrewers event. Where’s it from?
Thanks, Gap
Way to go Matt! The bacon brown ale sounds awesome.
I adore Sweet Sandies. I am planning to visit Cville this weekend and hope she still has the sweet potato marshmallow flavor!
I think you can email her to special request : )
I love the homebrew for hunger concept! I’ve got a brown ale in primary that I’m going to add a tea extract into, but (un)fortunately all 5 gallons will have to be consumed by myself and family/friends. Bummer.
Would Matt be willing to share his beer recipes?
Which one are you interested in? I can ask. It would be in home brew terms – mash/boil/fermenter and things.
My husband is interested in Matt’s Galactic IPA recipe.
Candice, please email him at mamonson at gmail.com and he’ll send it over!
Does Matt have a beer blog? My husband brews and I know would be interested in following a fellow brewer.
He used to a long time ago. I wish he would write one, but he just doesn’t have time
What a fun weekend! A new brewery opened in our area recently and their toasted coconut ale is getting a LOT of buzz all around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It’s a tough market too because there are a lot of local breweries and wineries in the area. Matt should t5ry this flavor! Its very unique
Whoaaaa!!! Sounds amazing!
That almond tilapia looks yummmy!! I wanted to see pics of the ice cream sandwiches 🙂
We have a few stores like that here and I love to be able to shop a few different local stores under one roof! Plus you feel good sinking the money back into your own economy. Sorry Matt’s beer didn’t win but I’m glad it got talked about. Loved the Vadar, too funny!
Definitely looks like you had a fun and delicious weekend!
Looks like a fun time and that store looks really neat!
my husband and i so wanted to go the the home-brew for hunger event but we waited too long to get tickets and it sold out. now we know for next year! it looks and sounds like it was a great event!
i’m excited to check out palette! we had a space with a similar concept back in lancaster, pa that i loved.
i’ve lived here in cville for a month and a half now and am so glad we moved to this special town. i would love to meet you someday!
Would love to meet you too!
I love Beer Brew events soo much! My town has a huge craft beer event every year, but the home brewer room is always my fave. The home brewers have the most interesting flavors. Bacon Brown sounds pretty tasty!
Looks like a fun weekend, would be just up my alley. I love trying out new places & small markets. Sadly it’s getting cold here in Wisconsin (brr) so our farmer’s market has been moved inside for a month now. The vendors tend to dwindle after that.
That sweet potato ice cream sandwich sounds amazing! I tried Pumpkin beer for the first time a few weeks ago. It was Timmerman’s pumpkin lambicus I think? It was great!
Your posts seriously make me want to move to Cville! It seems like there are always so many great events on (food events at that…even better!)
And one more, “where did you get…!” I love the necklace that’s big and chunky gold chain – where’s that one from?
PS – Last photo of Mazen is so cute!
Thanks – that one was a gift from a friend and she got it overseas
girls nights out are the BEST!!!
Whenever I see what you do/eat in C-Ville I become more convinced it’s the best little town ever. So many amazing restaurants, bars and shops that cater to foodies & eco-consious yuppies like me 😉
Yes, it does sound fun! If my daughter ends up heading east for college I would love to visit! I am so geographically challenged. What state are yu in?
That last photo of Mazen through the window is ADORABLE!! Fun post, I like all the recap stuff 🙂