Gadding About This Weekend

Cheerwine float.

I have had a busy and fun weekend.  My friend Jeanette came over on Saturday to spend the weekend (she stayed in the ITB B&B (Inside the Beltline Bed and Breakfast) as she has named it, otherwise known as our "garage suite".  On Saturday afternoon we went to Greensboro to see grandson Tyler play in a AAU basketball game.  Tyler is number 20 and he scores the basket at the end of the video.

Then off to Stamey's BBQ for lunch.  I usually get a Cheerwine float when I go to Stamey's and couldn't resist this time either.

Cheerwine float.

Back home we sat on the side porch enjoying the lovely fragrance of our Confederate Jasmine.

Confederate Jasmine.

Sleeping in this morning was a treat.  We had a reservation at noon for brunch at the NC State University Club.  The food was great as usual. 

Watermelon and strawberries at the University Club.

I needed to get some gas at Costco and Jeanette had not been to Costco so we ventured over there where Jeanette got some croissants, French bread, and strawberries for a French petite dejeuner she is treating her first period class to on Tuesday at Wake Forest High School where she teaches World History and French.

Croissants for petite dejeuner.

It was a very relaxing and fun time.  It's always a good time with Jeanette.

A "French" Brunch This Morning

A "French" themed brunch on a lovely May morning.

What a wonderful way to start the Memorial Day weekend with a "French" brunch courtesy of our friend Jeanette.  She brought the most beautiful and delicious croissants that we warmed and served with Bonne Maman strawberry preserves.

Jeanette arrived with a basket of goodies.

"French" croissant with strawberry jam.

Bonne Maman jam.

Jeanette had stopped by the Lyon Farms Strawberry Stand to get a basket of beautiful and tasty fresh strawberries to which I added blueberries for a fruit cup. 

Fresh strawberries from Lyon's Farm.

Jeanette and I made coffee using the new Verismo coffee maker out in the guest suite---once we figured out how the machine worked.  Dan and I aren't coffee drinker, in general, but with this new machine that will make a cup at a time I may become addicted.


A cup of coffee hot from the machine.

In addition to providing brunch, our friend brought us a selection of tea napkins.  The Carolina ones for when I have one of the UNC grands over, and the Keep Calm and Carry On ones that are appropriate as I frantically prepare for a trip to Ireland.  The others are reminiscent of France. 

Cute collection of tea napkins.

Dan particularly enjoys visits from Jeanette who is fluent in French.  He can have a bit of conversation in French when she's here. 



Dan and Jeanette enjoying brunch.

After brunch, we sat out on the back patio, and it was a near perfect May day.  By mid-afternoon, we decided to have another cup of coffee (I enjoy my new toy) and I happened to remember I had these little chocolate crepe cookies that carried out the "French" theme for the day.


These are delicious little cookies.

Thank you Jeanette it was a perfectly delightful day!

Pesto Chicken Salad

Pesto Chicken Salad

Pesto adds a little spark to almost any dish.  Recently I was planning to make chicken salad and noticed that I had a jar of pesto in the fridge I thought I would use it in the salad.  Here's the recipe:

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs poached and diced
1/2 cup pine nuts toasted
1/4 cup basil pesto
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 stalk of celery diced

When I make chicken salad I like to poach the chicken because it always comes out quite tender.

Dice poached chicken thighs.

Toast pine nuts. 

Add toasted pine nuts and pesto.

Add celery.

Add mayo and mix all together lightly. 

Ready to eat. 

I served this on a bed of Romaine lettuce leaves garnished with tangerine slices.  A croissant finished off the dish.