Finally getting around to updating about my brother and his girlfriend's visit with us a few weeks ago! Like every natural hostess, I love having guests over.Whether it's just a dinner party or a weekend visit, it absolutely thrills me! I live for making guests feel welcome, well-fed, and warm! The weather was gorgeous down here due to the off wind from Hurricane Sandy. But keep in mind, the reason for their two-weekends-in-a-row visit? In the middle of the week they departed out of our port for a cruise. Luckily, their cruise was only delayed one day. So in essence, they had two vacations!
On the first weekend, the weather was gorgeous, perfectly autumn. We brainstormed some ideas for how to enjoy the outdoor sunshine and cold breeze, so we brought them to the local parks as well as a plant nursery. It was so nice to see the trees move in the what is usually very still wind. My brothers girlfriend even found some plants for her new apartment!
We bonded over silly stories and sharing jackets. The first evening we all went out to the downtown area. My brothers girlfriend doesn't typically drink wine, but on the cruise, they let you bring some bottles of wine, so our mission was to find a bottle that my brothers girlfriend would like! So our first stop was The Wine Room in which they have bottles of wine "on tap". You can try 1 oz, 2 oz, or 4 oz pours and only pay an average of $3 per pour depending on the cost of the bottle. There are many descriptions too like "vanilla + spices" and "soft tannins" so we were able to find two bottles that she brought on the cruise!
After working up an appetite tasting different wines, we went to the Italian restaurant along the busy brick road that I've posted about before here. When I say Italian, I mean really amazing, authentic ingredients, unique flavor combinations kind of Italian! We ordered two pizzas fresh from the fired pizza oven, and dessert too since it was my brothers girlfriends birthday!
The next evening, we stayed in for dinner, but that doesn't mean that we skimped out. I entertained like a true hostess. We gathered bottles of gin, wine, and champagne for an evening of sampling new drinks and pairing with dinner. I made an easy oven-to-table meal consisting of roasted chicken and sweet potatoes from the farmers market. I cooked it in my grandmothers copper pot, so even the table display was gorgeous. We all ate in silence by the time dinner was ready, it was that delicious and we were all hungry from laughing and drinking. Did I mention that I have the best brother ever? Because I really do!
The night consisted mostly of drinks, food, and alternating vinyl records. It was a really memorable visit and really reminded me why I love having visitors. The morning coffee with company, the evening desserts with shared spoons. It isn't just the company that really makes entertaining worth it, it's reinforcing the family.
Salut, Yelle
Your brother has great hair! He and his girlfriend look like a ton of fun. You're such a good hostess, I think the most I'm capable of is making sure the house is spotless and my guests have clean sheets. Other than that, I can't cook, haha. We do have gin! Nights like the one you described sound amazing: good company, good food, good music. No wonder you're in the event planning industry!
ReplyDeleteAwesome brother :P
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely weekend! These are such pretty plants and flowers!
ReplyDeletethat is so sweet. you are an excellent hostess, sounds like a dream vacation to come visit you! i might forget all about my cruise. xo
ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys had a great time! Hanging out with good food and drinks is my kind of night. :)
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I'm getting ready to see family this weekend and I'm especially excited my brother will be in town.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Denton
Aw! Your weekend sounds so lovely! Visits are the best!
ReplyDelete<3Chelsea Elizabeth
Sounds like a fabulous weekend! I too love entertaining guests at home.
ReplyDeleteWhat camera do you use? Love your pictures, and also the layout of your blog - I'm now following with bloglovin :)
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos :)
ReplyDeleteSarah x
sarahloves.co.uk
Sounds like an awesome night! My kind of fun.
ReplyDelete