Our Weekend with Kate the Great

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that you enjoyed your weekend.  I sure did.  My old college buddy, Kate the Great joined us from the Windy City for a couple of days.  I have done a couple of posts on my friend which you can find here and here.

Chili held watch while Chowdah enjoyed every minute of Summer camp.

Everyone had their chores to take care of in preparation for the royal visit.  This photo shows the Mister preparing to water the window boxes on the second floor with his super-duper James Bond watering pole.

Nobody loves a gadget more than my Mister.  

I was put in charge of flowers

and snacks.

We picked Kate the Great up at the airport around two.  Before we knew it, it was cocktail hour and time for Kate to open her birthday gifts.  KTG was surprised to learn that she was the subject of an unauthorized biography.   

Appetizers included Naan with Shitake Mushrooms, pancetta, and peppadew peppers and...

...Naan with whipped lemon ricotta and cherry tomato salsa. 

The entree of the evening was oven roasted swordfish with lobstah gremolata and remoulade sauce over asparagus wrapped in serrano ham.

And raspberry pannacotta for dessert.

A good night had by all.

The next morning I was on breakfast duty and served fresh fruit, yogurt, and semihomemade muffins.
I had to take a nap after putting this over-the-top meal together.

We then made our annual stop at The Festival of the Arts.

The stunning historic homes were accessorized with patriotic trimmings as well as blooming gardens.  

Next stop was the beautiful Chatham Bars Inn for lunch.

You can't beat the view!

The food was absolutely delicious.

The Mister and KTG ordered fish and chips which took the classic dish to a whole new level.

The desserts weren't so bad either.

We lucked out with another picture-perfect day.

I had to drag Miss Daisy away!

That evening, the Mister prepared a yellow beet and peach salsa with Wisconsin blue cheese, local honey, and chives and tuna tartar with sesame oil, fresh parsley, and lemon and green onion.

They were accompanied by a Clooney staple - homemade Naan. 

And last but not least, lobster rolls on buttered brioche.

We couldn't let KTG go back to Chi-Town without experiencing a lobstah roll! 

Our Secret Service detail on duty.

One of the first things on my to-do list this morning is to call 

1-800-weightwatchers. 

The second thing on my list is to call my old buddy, KTG and ask her when she's coming back.

Until next time...

Special thanks to all the brave men and women in the military as well as their families who have made the ultimate sacrifices for our country.