Welcome to North Carolina Party

Last weekend was my daughter's wedding.  We welcomed family and friends to Western North Carolina with a good old southern party at the French Broad Crossing lodge.  French Broad Crossing Lodge is part of our community amenities and is about a 45 minute drive from Asheville. The roads are crooked and skinny, but once you arrive and see the view- all your stress goes away.  Shuttles transported the guests from their hotels to the lodge.

It was the view from the lodge that was the star attraction. The French Broad River makes a dramatic bend around the mountain and continues to flow north at the base of the lodge.   It is one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north.

We placed cocktail tables around the terraces to take in the views.

Our landscaping crew helped me carry in a large Japanese maple to use on  the table as a dramatic centerpiece. 

The  next day it was planted in our yard to commemorate Julia and Tony's wedding day. 

Wine crates provided a way to vary the heights on the dishes on the table.

Back Porch Orchestra from Greensboro played country hits to a crowd of 115 people.  The food was southern fare- fried chicken, pulled pork, local charcuterie and cheese, deviled eggs, hummingbird cakes and peach cobbler.  

Pimento cheese spread and chicken liver mousse were served in mason jars.

 Pickled Beets and Pickled Peaches were introduced to many non- southerners. 

Candied bacon skewers!

 My new son-in-law tasted his first fried green tomato this week.  He wasn't too impressed.

I will just have to work on him!!  Hen Dough out of Hendersonville made the food for this party and it was outstanding- especially their fried green tomatoes.

Alexa Pulitzer out of New Orleans designed the logo for the party cups, napkins, and invitation.

Peach ice tea for the non- drinkers.  Others enjoyed local Asheville beers.

Then it was back on the busses to head back to Asheville and sleep tight for the wedding tomorrow!

The big day is finally here-