Monday, March 10, 2014

Do Like A Good Party!

I am sufficiently recovered from my weekend and looking forward to being a slug, once again.

L'Amour du Vin was a lot of fun.  I threw on the Spanx, dress, put the hair in a messy updo, added the earrings and heels and received a very pleasing "damn, you are a beautiful lady' from Mr. H.  He's a keeper.  Never gave a second thought to my attire, ready to have fun.

L'amour du Vin


Saturday, March 8, 2014

At the Knoxville Museum of Art

6:00 pm - Wine Tasting and Silent Auction
7:45 pm - Wine Pairing Dinner and Live Auction

Dinner will be prepared by Guest Chef Patrick O’Connell, The Inn at Little Washington joined by the chefs and sommelier of Blackberry Farm

Each course will be paired with wines from Featured Wineries Kosta Browne WineryRealm Cellars and CIRQ

Also joining the event is Featured Artist Richard Jolley whose work Daphne has served as the 2014 signature image.  


L'AmourDuVine'13Blog-8_WEB
Sorry, that's all I got for pictures.  But I do have stories....

How it works:  First there is a silent auction.  Tons and tons of wine, some trips, some miscellaneous stuff, all donated.  There are four distributors present pouring various wines ( roughly 5 to 6 a piece) for you to sample...three to four sips.  Hors d'oeuvres are sent throughout also.  After the silent auction you move into the dining area for dinner, wine, and the live auction.  After it is all said and done you go to the front and pay for what you have won.

Scene 1:

Met a lovely couple, both professors at University of Tennessee.  During the silent auction they desperately wanted the two night stay at Blackberry Farm (it is wonderful) and hovered around the bid sheet.  They were so happy and went on and on about how they won and were going.  At the end of the night, he happened to be in front of me during check out.

Me:  How'd you do?
Mr. C.:  Welllll...  You know the Blackberry thing?
Me:  Oh no!  You didn't get it after all?
Mr. C.:   Wellll...we won the bid but...
Me:  Quizzical look
Mr. C.:  It wasn't Blackberry.  It was Buckberry.  I spent $1000 for two nights camping.
Me:  Oh shit, giggle, giggle.  Really?

Mrs. C shows up

Me:  Blackberry?
Mrs. C.:  No, I am going to friggin' Buckberry!

And that is why our education system is the mess it is.. Damn college professors can't even read.


MENU AND WINE PAIRINGS

A Shot of Roasted Red Bell Pepper Soup
Realm Cellars, Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010

Tin of Sin: American Osetra Caviar
Kosta Browne, "One Sixteen" Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2012

Fricasse of Main Lobster
CIRQ, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2011

Pecan Crusted Barbecued Wagyu Beef Cheek
Kosta Browne, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2012

Chocolate, Caramel, and Hazelnut Tartlet with olive Oil Ice Cream
Realm Cellars, "The Barn" Red Wine, 2011


Scene 2:

Met a man who was very liquored up even before dinner started.  He and his wife happened to be seated with us and two other couples.  His wife was equally toasted.  I did inquire their method of transportation...that's how wasted they were.  Fortunately, they arrived and would leave by cab.  Whew.  During dessert service she managed to miss her seat, fall, legs straight up in the air, gave Hunter a wonderful crotch shot.  They left shortly afterwards.




24 comments:

  1. Oh that sounds like my kind of evening! Food and wine sound sound very delicious indeed and had a good laugh at scenario 2. I fear I may have been in a similar situation all too many times.... but usually don't fall over until I'm home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was a bit shocking and if she remembers I am sure she will be mortified.

      Delete
  2. Love a party anecdote!!! Those professors use spellcheck too much...

    ReplyDelete
  3. What nightmare about the camping trip! That's the sort of stupid thing my husband would do, he never reads anything properly and make mistakes right left and centre, he's got brains but I'm the one with the common sense!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keeps life interesting, a bit frustrating but still interesting.

      Delete
  4. Hello,

    Well, this does sound as if it was a night to remember...that is if one can remember....anything!

    How lovely that you were paid such a compliment by your husband. We are certain that you must have looked marvellous in the dress......the understated elegance of it surely makes it a frock for life!

    Along with many other things, we do not 'do' camping. Surely the professors know a nice young Boy Scout or Girl Guide to give their prize to?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once you have been glamping it is hard to go back to camping. Hopefully they will be pleasantly surprised by Buckberry. I do believe it is more of a "rustic" lodge with a lot of amenities. Still no Blackberry Farm but better than a butt in a sleeping bag.

      Delete
  5. $1000 for camping! my god, I would bereft! yay for Hunter! you looked beautiful in the practises shot so I can just imagine!

    you guys pay a lot for stellar company! love the crotch shot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He said he got to see it all. Bless her heart, I hope she remembers nothing.

      Delete
  6. Hilarious! Yes let's hope she remembers nothing, and a camping trip, geesh maybe they'll "re-gift" that one.
    Sounds like you and Hunter kept your cool and still had fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Better them than me. Hunter has a memory he won't soon forget.

      Delete
  7. Ooh that looks lovely. I've read so many great things about Blackberry Farm. Buckberry, not so much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blackberry is highly recommended if you have a wad of cash. We stayed for two nights and although we loved it, it just didn't feel like vacation since it is only 40 minutes away.

      Delete
  8. You are terrible and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw patpat, I am now eyeballing these Tory Burch sandals thanks to you :)

      Delete
  9. I've always wanted to go to Blackberry Farm, kind of an organic mecca.

    I'll bet you looked terrific and how wonderful to be free of fussing with oneself! You need to get to an event every weekend just for the stories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Save your money and come see me. I promise an endless supply of Dove bars.

      Delete
  10. What a funny night! Fun, too!

    So the drunk woman didn't have any underwear on????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know, I assumed she had underwear. Asked Hunter. He said she did but they were NOT granny panties. Hmmm.

      Delete
  11. What a night!!! We've been to millions of auctions (not as fancy as this one) and one night a person looked over and said about a woman seated and waving her head:
    "Oh poor woman, she'd blind." Blind drunk came the answer. We've also come away with loads of stuff we never got around to going to...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ended up when two wine lots...they will not go to waste.

      Delete
  12. Hi Blue Booby...
    Came via Jo's fascinating blog....only to find you!
    Hilarious evening...wish I had been a fly on the wall....
    I like your style...may I visit again?
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    Ps...you looked great in your dress...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish you had been at our table! Always welcome...especially the compliments :)

      Delete