Weekend with Adorable Jonathon and #1

Last weekend, #1 came home with her adorable boyfriend, Jonathon, for dinner and stayed the night (in separate rooms).  KTG told me to keep Meet the Parents playing as the background music to our evening; as always, I heeded her advice.

  We were going to dine al fresco but 100 degree temps forced me to move the dinner inside.  My table looked sooo much cuter on the patio.  Oh well...

Whenever I invite friends or family for dinner, everyone's first question is, "What is the Mister cooking?"  Not for a moment does the guest ever ask, "Katie, what're you preparing for us?" leaving no question as to my culinary "gift." Okay, that, and I am married to a former professional chef. Because of this, I've never cooked a day in my life. If this isn't your first time visiting Preppy Empty Nester, I apologize for repeating myself; my girls tell me I do that a lot.
  

Best deal of the day.... my ten dollar bouquet from our farmer's market.  #2 and I have made it our regular Saturday ritual to stop by and pick up fruits, veggies, and flowers for the week.

  
#1 and adorable Jonathon in his cute little Vineyard Vines shirt.  Meet the Parents playing in the background.

Our chef, the Mister, who is also partial to his VV shirts. 

 With cocktails, we had a platter of buffalo mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes, red onion and spinach accompanied by an olive  and artichoke tapenade.   It was topped with globe basil from the "Mister's" herb garden
It was accompanied by toasted crostini.  

First course:  watermelon with peach and habanero salsa and micro greens with queso fresco and candied pecans. Orange olive oil from the farmer's market and a drizzle of the Mister's favorite balsamic vinegar added just the right touch.

The entrée consisted of grilled chicken wrapped in pancetta over a bed of spring field greens, all complimented by heirloom tomatoes courtesy of the farmer's market.  Served with and herb vinaigrette and homemade cornbread croutons. 

Dessert topped off the evening with a sweet trio of s'mores in a shot glass, roasted Texas peaches with maple syrup and vanilla ice cream, and, finally, finished with a ginger snap and a dusted amaretto cookie - adding a little crunch.

*****

When our girls were younger, they loved having sleepovers.  Me... not so much.  The Mister was in charge of the food and I was in charge of making sure everybody got at least 10 minutes of sleep.  

The Mister took his job very seriously.  Me... not so much.  He would make up doorknob menus the evening before and each girl would check off what she would want for breakfast.  

He didn't make the menus this Sunday and took his chances preparing the following for breakfast.  (He did buy a couple of things).  By the looks of our empty plates, and our full tummys, he made all the right choices.

Hot apple danish with fresh strawberries!

Fresh raspberries and vanilla yogurt.

Homemade granola breakfast cookies... because cookies are a great way to start the day!

Cranberry scones, and #1's favorite light breakfast - CHEDDAR, BACON AND JALAPENO BISCUITS!

So, here I am on Monday, I have spent the past 2 hours on the phone begging Jenny Craig to take me back just one more time. I told her that I would never stray again.  She told me she's heard that before! 

Hope you're having a delicious week!