Farm to Fork Dinner at Circle Creek Home

Saturday night was over the top fabulous. 

As Summer gently stepped out of the way and welcomed Autumn into the Pacific Northwest, we were welcomed up to Circle Creek Home, for a farm to fork dinner, hosted by our good friends John and Brenda.   


John and Brenda's home and business are nestled on 16 breathtaking acres along the Pilchuck Creek.  This was the perfect backdrop for the incredible six course dinner prepared by Ryan Edwards, of Table 9, and his partner Mike.


Check out the farmhouse table, below, made from reclaimed wood, one of the many talents of John and Brenda.  You must visit their Etsy shop here, Circle Creek Home.  I'll dedicate an entire post to Circle Creek Home soon, their vintage finds, handcrafted furniture and hand poured soaps are highly sought after here in Washington and around the world. 


Clyde and I were the first to arrive, of the nine lucky guests fortunate to participate in this end of the season celebration.  Dinner was to be served, al fresco, on the covered deck and the table was beautiful in shades of white and blue.


As guests arrived we mingled and toasted to what was sure to be a memorable evening.


I love this fire pit and the chairs take me back to the Adirondack chairs I grew up with in Maine.


This vintage sign on the coffee table said it all.


First Course: Assorted Charcuterie, Roasted Peppers, Local Artisanal Cheeses, and Fig Jam. John in the background.


We laughed, we shared great wine and we enjoyed every moment.  Clyde, Brenda, and Jay.


Second Course: Artisan Bread, Tomatoes, Boothbay Cucumbers and Capers drizzled with olive oil.


Third Course: Local late summer Corn, house made Crème Fraiche with Cilantro Oil and locally foraged Mushrooms lightly warmed and served with a Thyme Brioche.  I loved my name tag set in a vintage flower frog.


OMGosh, if you could only smell this bowl, it was sweet and earthy and so very yummy, we all raved about the corn chowder. It was delicious and Timi could not bear to leave even the slightest bit behind.


The Fourth Course: Spot Prawn Ravioli with a sweet pea cream sauce, was wonderful, but somehow missed it's photo call.

Fifth Course: Slow Roasted Pork served with a Cauliflower Gratin and Creamy Parmesan Polenta.


With the sun now set and the hush of the creek in the background, we all settled around the bon fire for coffee and some good old campfire chit chat.  Ryan and Mike also joined us.


Sixth Course: John and Brenda made dessert in their vintage 1940's mini pie tins. What a treat!!!  Seriously, is this the cutest mini apple pie you have ever seen? 


My cup was not only half full but deliciously overflowing.  Artisan dinner with friends, foraged mushrooms, 1940's vintage pie tins, Adirondack chairs, amazing; and I haven't even mentioned the unicorns jumping in their apple orchard or the permanent rainbow that resides directly overhead.

Yup, I'd say Saturday night delivered big time with dear friends, great food and an evening that begs to be remembered. 

If you have the opportunity to attend a Table 9 dinner I highly recommend it, and if you ever have a catering event, contact Ryan and Mike, they will exceed your expectations. Click here for more information on Table 9.

Many Thanks to John and Brenda, and Ryan and Mike.

September 11th -

I struggled today to put my thoughts in writing regarding the events that changed our Nation and our world 10 years ago.  My mind was blocked as I wanted to convey the sadness along with the heroic actions and the compassion of a Nation that truly came together.  So I found myself pausing throughout the day attempting to put it all together.

I glanced through Facebook this afternoon looking for inspiration.  I read all the usual posts and I waited for some epiphany to unleash my thoughts but I just could not find the right expression.

As I read the words, Never Forget and In Remembrance it felt static, heavy and still.  I was taken right back to my emotions of that day.  I changed that day, we all changed that day.  Ten years have gone by...... What have we learned?  How have we changed?  How have the events of that day evolved us as a Nation?  I felt compelled to really convey how sacred this day is and how necessary it is to nurture a better tomorrow.  Tonight I watched a documentary of that day, of all that we lost and the impact left on those who experienced it first hand.  September 11th, 2001 was tragic and sad and heart breaking, it was also heroic, inspiring, and hopeful.

"Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must give in return as much as I have received.” Albert Einstein

This evening my sweet, sweet friend Diane called to share some very happy news.  At seven o'clock tonight she became a Great Grandmother, when TWO babies, a boy and a girl, took their very first breath.   We briefly weighed in on how their birthday will forever be linked with this solemn day.  Yet I could not help but feel a sense of comfort because life goes on, with a new soul or two, to leave their footprints upon the world.

And just like all those Facebook posts earlier that I knew would tie into my post tonight.  They are the posts telling their friends, that they spent a wonderful day with their Mom, took their kids to the fair, made oatmeal cookies for a loved one, are proud of their college bound Son, and are cherishing the first signs of Spring in Fiji. 

Life does go on, memories are made and each day we are given the opportunity to leave this world better than we found it. 

The legacy of the Trade Center should be one of humanity, bravery of human spirit, and overcoming adversity.  It has to be positive, because we always have hope and life sustains us by going on.