THE KITCHEN'S BOUNTY ~ ~ ~

That is where we had a fabulous dinner last Saturday night with Margo and Rich (he is in the background and you can hardly see his smiling face) and their friends, Don and Christie!  The Kitchen's Bounty in Huron, Ohio is owned by Terri Bergman, who Mansfielders may remember was the Executive Director at our local Rennaisance Theatre!   Terri hosts these wonderful cooking classes in her home studio and this photo will be in our local Heart of Ohio magazine in a couple of months.

Our first course was served in a beautiful bar area, where all 17 guests could sit comfortably as Terri gave us an overview of how the evening would proceed.  These tidbits were so yummy and  recipes for this and all of our dinner were  part of our welcome package! 

 Terri and her staff do all of the cooking and much of the prep right before our eyes in her gorgeous kitchen studio!  We were invited to don aprons and be hands-on guests ~ but nobody availed themselves of her offer!  We were happy to sip our sangria and soak in all that she had to share!

 There were six courses served and this is the flaming hot bacon dressing for the salad course!  Makes a great presentation, for sure! Before this, we had a fabulous lobster bisque ~ after watching Mr. Lobster go for a swim, so to speak!  Next was a sorbet to cleanse the palate before the main course of Leaping Frog chicken, a fresh corn salad and roasted potatoes!  Terri is extremely vivacious and entertaining as she instructed us with the preparation details!  She makes you think even you can prepare this feast for the eyes!

 Somehow, I missed getting a photo of the main course but I sure didn't want you to miss seeing this fabulous dessert!!  An almond biscuit which was more like a delectable scone accompanied by sauteed peaches, fresh berry compote, ice cream and angel whipped cream topped with candied almonds!!

This was the view from the entry hall as we stepped in the front door!   Part of our experience was seeing  this showplace of a home that had so many rooms and twists and turns that we were afraid we were going to miss something! Terri sent us on a self-guided tour as she awaited the rest of the guests. 

Every table was beautifully set and this grouping surrounded a baby grande piana that played itself!!

There was a dark and dramatic dining room where most of the guests were that evening but that's a photo that you can see on her website! 

The six Mansfielders chose these two tables in the kitchen ~ looks just like my kitchen at home!  Well ~ not quite!! Although, we missed out on chatting with her other guests, we had the best seats in the house ~ right at the end of that gourmet kitchen and right where all the action was!! We couldn't have made a better choice!

This was one of the outdoor vignettes that we saw out the many windows that made up the back of the house!  Decks with lots of flowers and furniture ~ also used for dining but it was a really hot, muggy evening so we were happy to be inside. 

We really can't say enough about our time at The Kitchen's Bounty ~ certainly, something we will do again!  We can think of all kinds of people that would enjoy an evening here and definitely plan on returning.  Do check out the website where Terri also shares recipes and gives her schedule of upcoming events!!

Life is busy and hectic at our house ~ I see that it's been three weeks since I've written anything ~ I'll try to do better but knew that you would love to read about this little adventure!  Hope all is well in your world and we'll talk soon!!

Alice

KINGWOOD HOOK-IN ~ ~ ~

Last Saturday , Katie Allman and her little band of helpers, put on such a fun hook-in at Kingwood Center, right here at home in Mansfield, Ohio!  This is some of the wool that I dyed this past week to sell ~ it was a fun show ~ saw lots of friends and sold lots of wool!!  What could be better?!

Every year there is a challenge piece that we pick up for the following year.  This year's challenge was a paper pattern by Karla Girard and we could interpret it any way we chose!   I say we ~ but me ~ mine is still on the frame!!  This box was covered with a hooking by Deb ~ her dad made the box for her.  Her parents joined us that day and her dad is quite the character and her mom, a very sweet lady!

 The bottom framed piece was done by my friend, Jackie ~ needle felted onto black wool ~ it was very eye-catching!  The pillow pair were gorgeous as well as the enlarged design in the upper right!

 

This is a close-up of Jackie's entry ~ you can see all the great texture and little snowflake buttons to enhance the background! 

 These were the rest of the entries and the one with the scalloped edge won the People's Choice award!  Annette is a real creative gal and she won the wonderful gift of wool!!!  There was lots of sparkly yarns used along with all kinds of other materials.  If I ever get mine done, you'll get to see it right here!!!

 These four Henny Penny's were done in a class that Barb Carroll taught here in Ohio last year!  I love them all!  I have one of these that I started at the Woolley Fox last year ~ when I finish that one, you'll get to see it, as well!

 Another little gathering of rugs ~ love the sunflowers!  I don't know who the hookers are ~ I do mention their names, if I do!

These four were done by Fred Grey and I tell you, they are fabulous!!  He uses lots of wool, yarn, roving and it's very chunky and artistic!  His sweet wife Martha is a hooker, too ~ they make quite a talented pair!!

Love the sheep ~ I'm partial to sheep!  I wasn't at a very good angle so these rugs aren't showing as well as they should!  But each one is beautiful!

I do know that this gathering was hooked by Linda Cook ~ she was one of the featured artists that day!  Do you think I got photos of the others that were featured? No!  I know Grace Danals was one of them but her rugs were gone by the time I got in there to take pictures!  And I think Deb Tomchek was another one ~ she is a great gal ~ lots of fun!

Gloria and Desi were hooking away ~ look how happy Desi looks!!

 This is the last photo ~ there were lots of other rugs ~ I just couldn't get to them all! 

Linda Cook was the 'winner' of this original Deanne Fitzpatrick mat that were offered for auction at the end of the day!  There was a fun silent auction and also a live auction of some very special things!  Linda was pretty happy with her purchase!! 

And at the end of day, vendor Kris Miller and I and our Husbands and friend, Jackie, went out for supper at one of favorite local restaurants, Uncle Johns on the Square!! I think we don't look tired at all after our fun day at Kingwood!!  If you've never done a show, it's unbelievable how exhausting it can be ~ but we rallied for the cause!

Thanks, Katie, for hosting a great day ~ the ladies and men who attended had a fabulous time ~ and so did we!!!