Zinc in Charlottesville

After the Trump trip we headed into town and found a gem of a restaurant called Zinc in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia.

We love our farm to table restaurants and Zinc did not disappoint.

The space is a very casual, upgraded cinder-blocked, former auto shop or garage, I'm not exactly sure. 

There were very few folks on a Saturday night, but again this is a college town and we were thrilled for the attention of our waiter.

The Libations' list was extensive. I recently got to meet @FloridagirlinDC and @Frijolita in real life at Woodberry Kitchen a few weeks ago for brunch with Charlie. Feeling inspired I asked the waiter to bring me an old fashioned drink made with gin and to just surprise me. I had my first Martinez and was hooked. 

All of the cocktails looked good coming out of the bar at Zinc.

I asked the waiter if he knew how to make a Martinez. His jaw practically dropped on the floor and said in all his years of working at Zinc no one had EVER ordered a Martinez. We high fived and I had street cred for the rest of the night. Thank you Woodberry mixologists! Who knew a little drink would gain so much respect in a restaurant. Again, still learning to play with my camera so the photo is a little dark...but the drink was superb.

E. ordered the Deviled Eggs to start.

I had the scallops.

E. got the chicken fettuccine for his entree.

I had the Sweetbreads, giving me big points from the open kitchen and executive chef Justin Hershey.

He not only showed off his culinary prowess but charm for the camera.

We were smitten with the food, ambience and tasty beverages.

The best part about my camera is that I'm not using a flash for any shots. Makes for a much less obnoxious dinner with my shooting photos every five minutes. E. humors me and is excited that I have something I'm so passionate about.

It was one of the best meals I've had and was very surprised to find it in this converted gas station. I read that they recently changed the menu. We were thrilled with our choices and I'm frankly glad it wasn't a Tapas joint.

I'll tell you more soon about the new camera. It is so much fun and the best gift ever. Thanks again you wonderful family of mine. I love you. E. thanks for the great date at Zinc. 

Chili Throw Down at Power Plant Live

Via

Calling all Chili cook-off enthusiasts! The Texas Exes are having a Chili throw down on March 3 from noon to 4:00 pm to celebrate their Texas Independence Day. Read here for information on how to enter a team. It will take place at PBR in Power Plant Live and includes a bull riding contest, games for kids and more. 

This photo is of one of my bridesmaids the night of our wedding riding the bull in Kalamazoo, Michigan in her pearls and bridesmaid's dress!!! Could this be any cuter? Love you Marge! I've heard that bull riding is quite a hit so if you haven't tried it enjoy this event at PBR. You will win bragging rights and help a local school as well.

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As my friend, one of the organizers put it, "I mean, Shiner Bock, Blue Bell Ice Cream and chili, right? What more could you ask for?"

Road Trip

Before heading to Charlottesville we ran a few quick errands. Needing to practice with my new camera, I met some new four legged friends. Dolly was adorable and we had a true Smalltimore moment at the Rolland Park shopping plaza. Her owner Eric is friends with our neighbor and my Twitter buddy @roswellencina. As my mother says, I'm shy. The beauty of living in Baltimore is that people are so friendly and I have always loved meeting new people...and puppies.

How cute.

It was a dreary day for a road trip. Even so the rows of grapevines lining the landscape and horse fences all over Virginia were marvelous. I love those long and winding roads.

We stopped at Wendy's for some chili and a Frosty. The lovely lady behind the counter let me take her photo. I haven't done this since my Dewey Beach days. Why do I remember it tasting so much better when I was younger? My grandmother always took us to Wendy's and said, "Lets get a Wendy's" as if hamburgers were named Wendy's. I was sadly disappointed and don't think I'll go back for another 20 years unless I have another craving for a Frosty. After finishing my detox my taste buds have changed. I  swear some food tastes plastic to me.

We wanted to hit a vineyard before checking into the Omni Charlottesville for the first night of our road trip. Keswick was booked solid and E. tried and tried to get us in, but alas, we only had one lovely night there. So we decided to try Trump Winery, formerly known as Kluge. There's a story there.

I started with their Cru. It is 100% Chardonnay, oaked in bourbon barrels with a splash of brandy! Whoa Momma. It was super...alcoholic. My tasting portion was huge too. I loved it so much that I ordered a second. Two Cru's in and I was feeling mighty fine by the cozy fireplace.

We also tried their sparkling wine that was really, surprisingly nice.

E. had to jump up to take a call so I made friends with half a table of spies who didn't want their photo taken. They could have been in the witness protection program. Either way they were a FULL ON RIOT after a few Cru's themselves. Again, I'm very shy.

E. had the flight of reds, so with two Cru's and sparkling wine the whole total was $17 bucks. Seriously! It was cheap a deal. Well done Trump.

The new manager had only been there a few weeks and was really nice. He apologized that the website said they were open until 8:00 pm on Saturday's. They close at 6:00 pm. Good thing or I would have been three Cru's in and a mess for dinner. E. bought me a bottle of the Cru and I'm looking forward to it with blue cheese and honey on gluten free toast points (if there is such a thing).

Tranquil Tuesday: God's Affirming Love

All Will Be Well

On the feast of Saint Valentine I would like to give you all a gift and introduce you to Julian of Norwich. I reached out to a dear friend and Bible study leader and told her that I was feeling a need to be fed, loved and affirmed by God. She suggested anything written by Julian of Norwich who was a saint living in the 1300s. She was a monastic. She had visions and she writes about our Lord as an intimate friend, father, mother who is knit to us closer than our own spirits. I've been learning how to knit so this visual is beyond beautiful and with every knit and pearl I keep repeating Psalm 139, You were knit together in your mother's womb. 

I can't tell you how much this book has changed my core. It give me chills just thinking about it. I purchased it on my Kindle and may need to buy the hard copy to touch the pages. I have so many bookmarks that I can't choose one to share with you. But if you are feeling a bit blue in the deep, cold, darkness of the winter and need a lift from the true source of joy, I highly recommend this book.

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Each day is marked by a reflection in "My Day Begins", then "All Through the Day" you repeat a mantra of sorts inspired by Julian's words such as "Nothing less than God can satisfy us". Then when you get home from work, or as the day is ending "May Day Is Ending" has another reflection on what happened in your day. Did you imagine God's concern for you? And asks you questions that deal with the earlier reflection of the day. You can journal or just talk it out with yourself or a friend. Finally, the "Night Prayer" closes your day before bed. It is remarkable and I've truly felt affirmed in God's love. I hope you will too. Happy Valentine's Day!

Birthday at Gertrude's

We have had such a great week. To say the least. Last weekend at Keswick was dreamy. This past weekend we spent having cocktails at Wit & Wisdom on Friday, closing Woodberry Kitchen down with friends on Saturday and waking up to brunch with pals at Gertrude's on Sunday morning. 

I look like my mother in this photo. I love that. The restaurant had the jazz band play Happy Birthday and the table sang which is still wonderful. I still feel 7 when it's my birthday and love flowers, balloons and anything celebratory like stupid hats.

"My" gorgeous Johns welcomed our group with open arms. It's always a pleasure seeing them.

We were tucked away in a quite banquet.

The breakfast breads are fabulous boasting of biscuits and corn bread.

The Gertrude's Benedict has a crab cake of course.

I also enjoyed my first Dirty Gertie, I'm embarrassed to say. It is rimmed with Old Bay.

I snuck in to the kitchen to see my pal Doug, the pastry chef. He was prepping for high tea. Who knew they had high tea? I'm so excited to go back.

Macaroons. Have mercy.

Doug surprised me with a gluten free chocolate pecan birthday pie. The crust was made with almond flour and was perfectly flaky. When we first worked together John and Doug arranged for mini chocolate pecan tarts for our event. They were to die for. This pie was just as good or better. The almond flour was a great addition with the nutty pecans.

It was wonderful seeing my Charlie so relaxed this past week.

We were surrounded by great friends.

My dance around the island girls!

I was coveting Emily's neck scarf. She insisted I open my present the minute we arrived. She had knit me my very own Cowl Neck Warmer in my favorite colors!!! It deserves it's very own post so I won't gush too much here as much as I want to. 

It was wonderful having a small gathering with just a few friends so everyone could talk to each other.

Laughter ensued.

Deep conversation.

And photo shoots took place with my new camera. SDM is so Mad Men. He borrowed the cigarette from someone outside just for the shot! He also monogrammed the table for our place setting on the craft paper. He gave me the most fabulous coffee table book called Equestrian Style. We are preppy soul siblings!

Always so wonderful to see our friends who are the reason we moved to Baltimore! I knew we would be okay having just one set of great friends here before we moved from DC. We have lucked out meeting so many new friends in the last four years.

Instead of a goofy party hat I choose a hot pink pair of party shoes and my all time favorite new Lilly dress. I wanted to rock the hot pink and navy inspiration from this gorgeous Pin. I'm still beyond addicted to Pinterest.

Katiecakes, you look like an angel. Thank you for being such a dear friend and for organizing the wonderful brunch! You are the reason we know half the people in Baltimore that we do. John and John, you all are the BEST. I'm so tickled by the gift of sauerkraut. I feel like a real Baltimore gal now. I'll write more on Em's handmade gift as I said but am so thankful for the gift of knitting that you've given me. We couldn't be happier to be blessed by such dear friends. Thank you all for making my transition into the next decade most enjoyable for those who were with me in person and via Facebook. Feel very lucky to know so many incredible people on this journey called life! With tons of love, Nelle