An Invitation to Dinner and a Give Away!

Our friends R and V frequently travel to Canada from the U.S. , on a recent trip they stayed with us at our countryside home. I invite you along for couple of the simple meals we prepared.

The tablecloth for the week was a lovely cotton blend in the softest blue almost a grey blue with floral pattern varying in from the lightest to darkest shades of  yellow, rose, and green. The bouquet of fresh cut purple tulips lasted the entire week. Each day opening a little more revealing the tulip's grand beauty.

The Denby pasta bowls were paired with a white square plate, with scalloped detail at each corner. The glasses used were an eclectic group from our everyday glassware ~ we do enjoy a glass of wine with dinner and since our friend V is originally from France the champagne flute (and bubbly) was added a few times throughout as an accompaniment to the preparation of dinner. The small tumbler was used for water. 

For the pasta meals the curvature of the spoon's handle in this flatware set is perfect for twirling the pasta onto the fork. 

A little bubbly to help the cook's ...

and dinner is served. On this particular evening Mr. G was the Chef preparing his signature meal Spaghetti (the long style...)  with a Tuscan olive and tomato sauce, paired with veal, Caprese salad and of course a Calabrese baguette. Now That's Italian!!!

During one of the evenings of relaxing ... We sampled some cupcakes from a new bakery that opened a couple of weeks ago, in the town close to our home. They were delish ~ we sampled chocolate, red velvet and vanilla. The small liquor glasses were used, as we were also trying Bartenura a dessert wine made in Italy from the Moscato grape, for the first time. We discovered  it is not as syrupy-honey sweet as Ice-wine ~ and could have really used proper wine glasses.  

This dessert wine would be great with cheese as well.

Along with the rich pasta dishes we made throughout the week, we did sneak in some healthy ones.  This particular meal we (Mr. G and R) grilled on the BBQ some tender organic steaks V and R purchased at a Butcher, R was familiar with in a near by city. A leafy lettuce, Romano tomatoes, grilled veggies, olives and red onion along with EVO and balsamic vinegar were served individually, allowing each person to customize a salad to their pallet's desire. Small white potatoes and Yams were also done on the grill. A very healthy meal ...

Ok... so we had some cheese cake dessert ... but look at how tiny each is ... some may have indulged in more than one ... 

During their visit our friends rolled up their sleeves and put on gloves to give our gardens and trees some much needed TLC ... you can see them in action HERE.

In appreciation to everyone who continued to visit and send emails (know that your words of encouragement brought hope to my grey days), during my sporadic blogging these past few weeks, I am hosting a wonderful giveaway, for a Gardener's Petite Box! 

Inside: a pair of  The Handy Gardener gardening gloves dipped in nitrile, perfect for protecting your hands and finger nails while you tend to your garden; a Treasury by Shaby Chic journal and pen to perfect for tracking what was planted, when and where or for writing some personal thoughts after an afternoon in the garden; a tube of Gardeners intensive therapy hand cream with Shea Butter, by Upper Canada; and what better way to sit back and relax after a day in the garden, but with a cup of tea ... some spring rain blooming tea from Teaopia. The shipping box is perfect for storing your journal and pen or keeping seed packets organized.

Give away is open to all followers of High Heeled Life including Internationally.

To Enter:

Be a follower of this blog High Heeled Life and leave a comment, It's that easy!

Winner will be announced on Sunday June 10th.

Joining:

Seasonal Sundays ~The Tablescaper 

Show Off Your Cottage Monday ~ The House in the Roses
Table Top Tuesday ~ A Stroll thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursdays ~ Between Naps on the Porch

Creative Things Thursday ~ The Vintage Farmhouse  

Transformation Thursday ~The Shabby Creek Cottage 

Open House Party ~ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday ~The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday ~ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Show & Tell Friday ~ My Romantic Home