If you agree that nothing captures the essence of summer quite like vine-ripened tomatoes, I have a not-to-be-missed evening for you!  The Farmers’ Market Dinner at The Old Granary Restaurant  with Joan and Charles Holeman of Flat River Farms will highlight a wonderful variety of Flat River Farms’ heirloom, vine-ripened tomatoes including Black Krim, Banana Legs, Juliettes, Red Zebra, Green Zebra and Pineapple. The four-course tomato dinner will be prepared with great care and imagination by Granary Chef Stephen Amos and complemented by some of North Carolina and Virginia’s finest wines selected by Fearrington Sommelier Maximilian Kast. This fun summer event on Wednesday, July 16^th, will start with an outdoor reception at The Granary with introductory comments from the Holemans, followed by dinner at 7. Reservations are required – (919) 542-2121.  

Daneen

There are few things as intimate as wearing poetry against your skin, and I have fallen madly in love with Jeanine Payer’s beautiful collection of emotionally engaging yet subtle jewelry where she and her highly skilled team of 15 metalsmiths hand engrave poetic verse onto precious metals creating wondrous pieces that are at once both powerful and private.  Payer’s designs are graced with the words of both contemporary and ancient voices.  “Each person brings their own particular meaning to the jewelry, therefore each piece becomes highly endowed,” says the designer.  “These pieces become talismanic as they are chosen to mark emotional and philosophical moments in each person’s life.”  A precious baby bracelet caught my eye today at Bluebirds and Hollyhocks with an inscription that read: I’m youth, I’m joy, I’m a little bird that has broken out of the egg.” – J.M.   Can you imagine a sweeter heirloom? 

Daneen

It's Christmas in July in the world of retail and we are combing the Gift Market in Atlanta this week for fabulous suggestions for your Christmas list. 

Back soon with a world of possibilities!

Daneen

If you are looking for a magnificent statement piece for your summer garden, consider the crimson Lord Baltimore hibiscus now blooming at The Potting Shed.  Trumpet-shaped 10 inch blossoms are the most pleasing shade of red with a touch of pink toward the throat.  These shrubs are tall with willowy branches creating a graceful silhouette in a pot or border.

Perennially yours…..

Daneen

If your family vacation plans involve travel, check out McIntyre’s collection  of travel games for kids ages 4 and up that will surely cut down on  the number of times you are asked, “Are we there yet?”  Melissa and Doug’s “Flip to Win” wooden games bring back old favorites like Hangman and Bingo in a convenient, easy to use travel format. While you are in the bookstore, pick up some additional summer reading  for the kids as well as for yourself.  Pelican & Pelicant by Sarah Froeber and illustrated by Kim Mosher features two delightful beach birds from the Outer Banks of NC. A great children’s book about friendship and self esteem and a McIntyre’s mainstay in the children’s department – perfect for summer reading. For adults, Pete suggests John Hart’s awesome debut mystery, King of Lies, if you are looking for a great summer read that will out-Grisham Grisham.  Set in Salisbury, NC (the author’s hometown) this book will keep you up long into the night – even after you finish it!  

Pack up and go!
Daneen

I missed lunch today and decided to quell my mid-afternoon hunger pangs with a quick stop by The Belted Goat where I bypassed the Veggie Chips and decided on one of Jill’s enormous decadent hunks of chocolate delight better known as a “brownie.”  Like no brownie I have ever seen!  “Sinful” seems to describe them in a nutshell (walnuts, to be exact – scattered throughout).  Available every day at The Goat – while they last. 

Daneen