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I’ve been such a busy girl! So grab a "Licka" drink and let’s catch up. And, speaking of hooch, my first adventure since our last chat started at Vineville Beverage.
As our caravan of goofy, giggling girls pulled up and descended on “the candy store” I was overwhelmingly excited to see Tony Walsh. “Y’all are headed to Oktoberfest aren’t you” he said, with a gleam in his eye and a perceptive smile. “Tony’s” is the only Hooch store I’ll ever Toast!
As can be unfalteringly expected, he had “the scoop” . . . the inside line on a wooden boat show on Lake Burton. And, after the necessary supplies had been packed into trunks, I told the girls the exciting news. “What would we want to go to a boat show for?” they asked, almost in unison. “I’ll tell you all about it on the way” I laughed, realizing (as most of them were a good bit younger) just how much they had left to learn.
The view from Safa’s cabin was spiritual, the Beer goggles in Helen were a vision of hilarity, the hot tub was bubblin’, an impromptu dinner party of Pork Tenderloin, ginger-sweet sauted Butternut squash, & roasted corn was delectable, and the sugarplums dancing in my head were cruising the lake in those beautiful wooden boats!
I don't think there's a single sensory indulgence that compares to allowing your fingers to slowly glide down a beautiful length of wood. The nuances in age, patina and character are appreciable in any combination. And there is no more beautiful place (that I’VE ever known) than Charlane Plantation, to surrender to this exquisite indulgence. Friday’s cocktail party was utterly delicious heaven! The caterer is my new “best-kept-secret.” Her puff pastry snuggled venison, lolly-pop lamb, and precious little pumpkin pies the size of Hershey kisses . . . words don’t even begin.
“Reach over in the corner, hand me my travelin' shoes” Chuck bellowed, as he serenaded the party. From “Route 66” to Clapton’s “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out” – the ivory felt the thunder and our ears felt the magic that night. My favorite? Happy Birthday, sung to my darling friend Josh during an encore for those of us whose goodbyes lingered. My fashion sense was Toasted quite a few times, and even that I owe to “Rosie” who began styling me in my formative years. Her eclectic artistry is in my soul. I mean, lets face it, my mother even bought our housekeeper Geraldine's clothes at Cornucopia.
And Charlane has definitely undergone a stunning renovation (the outdoor shower is to-absolutely-die-for!) but the one thing hasn’t changed . . . When you’re there, you always know that you’re among friends.
And then the next day the impossibly adorable Doctor Turvy swept me off my feet and took me on another grande adventure! And I can’t tell you all about it – my teacher has suggested that I save my travel writing for submission. But I can tell you that there were great big bathtubs filled with water drawn by the Butler, a men’s room (as is customary at this particular 100 year old establishment) that I was invited to tour, a chef named Clayton who made his way to my heart through my stomach, and a libation called the Juliet & Romeo that was garnished with drops of fresh rosewater.
But THE Toast of my week . . . goes to a new friend. My Fairy Godmother, my Glenda the Good Witch, a woman whose kindness was beautifully rare. Her name is Allison LaRue. And in less than ten minutes she introduced me throughout the entire ballroom as a Princess. And made me realize that, in fact, I have been all along . . . despite the wicked witches of this world. She gave me my glass slippers and for that she will always have a particularly special place in my heart.
To Allison.
aS
(Ooh Girl It Is SOOO) Hot This Week . . .
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Seasons of the Vineyard
First Friday
Museum of Aviation Celebration
Amerson Waterworks Park
Second Sunday
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