from Jennifer
Earlier this month, I posted a blog about my journey becoming “mostly” vegetarian. I said that I eat vegetarian about 90% of the time. When I “cheat,” it has to be for a good reason. Billiken’s Smokehouse in downtown Fredericksburg is one of those reasons.
The chef is a former sous chef at Stevenson Ridge, Casey Foster. When I heard he was running the kitchen at a BBQ joint downtown, I had to go check it out. …
from Jennifer
Vegan. Vegetarian. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Low Carb. These terms used to bug me. I used to think these dietary choices (unless dictated by a health condition) were pretentious and especially annoying when it came to catering. However, today, I write to you as a convert. Last November, I tried eating vegetarian for a whole week. I made it through the week without cheating only to celebrate at the end with a menu tasting for my step-daughter’s wedding—a gluttony …
from Jennifer
Blogging is not my forte! I’m not a big fan of writing, and I enjoy my privacy. I tend to be more picture-heavy on my personal social media and let them speak for themselves. So, when I enrolled in a blogging class hosted by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Economic Development, I was hoping for some direction and inspiration.
Accompanied by a couple of my leading ladies at work, Cassandra and Kellyn, I arrived to the …
from Jennifer
My friends didn’t have to look too far when they were deciding where and when to throw a baby shower for me. My husband and I are expecting a little boy in mid-March, so my friends and family decided on the last weekend of January in the Riddick House as the perfect time and place. Elizabeth and Bettina worked with one of my best friends from high school and with my mother to throw a wonderful shower.
Lemonade …
from Jennifer
Our new walking garden behind the Lodge is not only blooming with gorgeous flowers, it’s also home to some other unexpected treasures. I caught this earlier this week and thought I’d share. Take a look, but then take a closer look.
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from Jennifer
Cheers to “World Gin Day”!
Today is World Gin Day, according to the VA Bureau of Alcohol and Beverage Control. Derived from fermented juniper berries, gin is one of the broadest categories of spirits available. Bon Appetit calls it “the best clear spirit on your bar.”
Here are some great recipes for you to try out, courtesy of the magazine.
Cheers!…
from Jennifer
We recently hosted a lunchtime event where Chef Brad had to whip up some sandwiches. They looked too good not to share….
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from Jennifer
We told you last month that we were having new flooring installed in the Lodge, and we promised to show you the finished project.
Ta-daa!
Here’s the new look in the basement:
And here’s the new floor behind the bar upstairs:
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from Jennifer
We’re floored—literally. Dan has had workers in all week installing new floors in the Lodge. Upstairs, our bar area is getting a new ceramic tile floor. Downstairs, part of our rug is being replaced with tiling. Here’s a look at the work in progress:
The old carpet downstairs was great in its day, but once we started catering, with lots of traffic and food coming in and out of the kitchen, it quickly became apparent that the carpet’s …
from Jennifer
We’re usually closed on Mondays, but I’ve snuck into the office for a little bit to get caught up on a few things. It’s been quiet around here since Christmas Eve, but the work never really stops completely.
We’ve had several guests on the property over the holiday, so the housekeepers have been working to keep things tidy. Dan has started construction on a new house in the woods near the Tobacco Barn, so and his crew have …