Yippee!

It has been a LONG time since I've blogged.... ooops, so sorry. I will be traveling to Paris and the south if France. Sounds fun right????
I am leaving my family behind ( just for a short time) and meeting my friend Jackie there! We have been friends for over 30 tears, she is hilarious , so imagine the fun we will have. Jackie told me she spoke fluent French , well sort of , with the exception of telling someone her husband was horney!!! How Jackie messed up on that was beyond me! She. Just laughs at herself and moves on. Should I be worried?
I look forward to blogging upon my return, oooooh, just think of the food! I can't wait!

this is where it all begins!

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I love a beautiful table, an informal one for me though. The simplicity of white , with just a bit of color in the napkins , fresh flowers , and lots of candles!  Imagine it only getting better from here!
These beautiful glasses I purchased at the Gardeners Cottage in Asheville down in Biltmore village. A must go to shop. Libby, the owner, is so warm and lovely. She has some of the most beautiful things, from glasses, handblown glasses at that, fresh flowers, gorgeous plants. I could go every day and see something new. I think I probably did one week!
The white plates came from William Sonoma, my sister Sallie said there is nothing better than these dishes made in France! She was right, she's never let me down before!
Just though you might enjoy the beginning of a lovely night!

pretty!

Maybe some of you have already discovered these little gems, they are lemon plums. It's the first time I've seen them in the market, they are lovely. The perfect little treat after dinner, or anytime for that matter!

what's important.....

Anything, everything, little or big, becomes an adventure when the right person shares it.       ..... Kathleen Norris

see what I mean!!!

 Aren't these dumplings beautiful? They are melt in your mouth! Easy to make too! Let me know if you want the recipe. The sauce is the secret!

pork dumplings

My sister Sallie is a very talented cook, everything she makes is divine! While on my most recent visit to Austin, she taught me how to make dumplings! Yep, we made all of these! Ok, so I made 1 to her every 10, I just needed a little more practice! What fun it was! Top these with my brother-in-law Luu's sauce that's made with lots of fresh ginger and garlic yum-mo, it doesn't get better than that. That was only part of one meal. I came back to Asheville, feeling completely taken care of, as always, and ready to make some of Sallie's favorite dishes. .. What fun we had, lots of laughter, I can always count on Sallie for the reminder of what joy really is!

Yikes!

Wow, life gets busy, so busy that I forgot, sort of, that I would be away. Though, I thought I could still blog. Then things happened, I left my computer, nook, and other things that I thought I couldn't live without..... for a bit, I was freaking out that I walked out of the house without these things, but realized that I'd be just fine! Breathe!
Ok , I was only in Austin, Tx for several days, but still-you know what I mean!!
Long story long, have some great food pics, my sister Sallie is a fabulous cook. My brother-in-law Luu, is Chinese, (his sauces should be bottled) so the combination of the food Sallie cooked, and the sauces that Luu made were to die for! OMG! Yep, that good!
Will nestle in after a sister trip and do my foodie blog! Thanks for your patience!
Just a reminder and a tease , we will be in France in April, imagine...... talk about food to die for!