Spiked Punch Bowl: Reliving Teenage Years

     I thought it was time to do another post about local fun and finding other recipes to live an interesting life.  Now this is not a drink recipe for a spiked punch but rather a play on words and meaning for what I am about to discuss.  I have blogged about ways to have fun during the summer; outdoor activities, music festivals, and even menus for physical activities to enjoy life. Here is a little recipe for fun with friends reliving special events in your teenage years with an adult twist.

     A close friend was turning the dirty 30 before the Christmas holiday.  Another coworker's birthday was happening too.  These two decided to have a little fun for their big day.  Why not have a Prom for adults?  You know what they were thinking.  Prom gowns, suit and ties, a band, decorations, pictures, etc. But this time the punch bowl wouldn't contain just a fruit based Kool-Aid but a full stocked bar, a rocking band/dj, and good adult fun without the chaperones. So, what might this type of recipe entail you may be asking?  Well this is what we called our Adult Prom

 

 

     Imagine a room filled with decorations.  The theme for this was a Winter Wonderland.  Snowflakes hung from the ceiling, boards, and streamers.  An arch for prom pictures decorated with lights. A corsage for your date and maybe a boutonniere for yourself.  We all arrived at separate times but the excitement we all felt was the same.  What we were supposed to do?  As adults we can forget how a simple dance or event can be just the thing we need to put excitement into our lives.  As we all settled down with our drinks, our dates next to us, and the conversation starters, we all started to feel a bit more comfortable.  It was bizarre at first, an adult prom. How do you act? Do you go straight to the dance floor, the bar, or the food table?  Eventually you sit back relax and the fun just comes naturally.

     The drinks begin to flow, the music begins to entice us to the dance floor, and some even sneak outside to smoke a cig acting as if hiding from the teachers so not to get into trouble. The night carries on with laughter, dancing, cheersing, and even a slip or fall here and there.  The time flies as everyone is having a great time. A king and queen are even crowned to add to the hijinks of the adult fun. Reliving their youth going back to their prom but this time with the ability to have more fun without the consequences, (well with the exception of the hangover that occurs now as we are much older). So there it is the recipe for the spiked punch bowl.  What kind of prom would it be without it?

 

 

1/2 CARAFE of Wining And Dining

     As with a few of my posts, this one has to do with a great "recipe" for local fun, dining, and relaxation.  Not too far from where I live there are a few different wineries.  Now I know what you are thinking, "Does WV have the climate for good wine making?" Your answer is yes.  Just about an hour away from my hometown sits a little farm where they make their own wine and whiskey's.  Along with taste testing their fruit of the land they also have an upscale fine dining venue that one can enjoy while experiencing some good flavors of libations.

     An old friend of mine from high school had called me up and was in town and wanted to drive on up for the evening, meet up with another friend from school, and have a great night of wine tasting and dining.  Who was I to turn down an evening with great friends, great food, great wine, and even better spirits?  As it turns out an old friend from high school and her husband own the place and we were lucky enough to have them show us a great evening and how they give their own spin on the meaning of hospitality.

     It was just a normal Tuesday evening after work that we decided to head on the road for the very short hour drive up to Heston Farms in Fairmont, WV.  Not that hard to find, the farm sits right off the exit on Interstate 79.  Short couple miles up this road up a hill and "Ta Da!" you are there.  The winery/ restaurant has this very attractive open garden in front with a stage off to the right where they allow live bands and musicians to perform for the entertainment of the diners and tasters.

     Walk through this garden entrance and enter the front door where you are greeted with a sort of rock cavern where the tasting occurs.  The walls are lined with wine bottles, whiskey, and homemade items for sell.  To the front sits a long counter where one can taste the multitude of homemade wines and whiskey's they have right at your disposal. 

     Off to the left is an indoor dining area followed by a walkway that leads upstairs to more indoor dining.

     My friend and I did a little wine and whiskey tasting before heading out to our table in the front garden area where we were joined by our other friends/owners of this fine establishment.

Good meal with good friends

 

     The menu from the Foxfire Restaurant within the farm ranges from appetizers, main courses, desserts, to even sandwiches.  The variety of different items goes from Filets of choice beef, pastas, grilled items, seafood, etc.  The upscale dining experience is quite good and we definitely ate our share of a couple different items.

     By the end of the evening we were all stuffed and feeling pretty good all thanks to our gracious hosts and good company.  What better way to enjoy an evening out but tasting what your local area can provide you. 


     If you are in the mood for great food, great wine, and even better company please check out Heston Farms website at http://hestonfarm.com/ and try your hand at a wonderful WV winery. No recipe can beat what your local environment can provide straight from the earth to your table.

1-1/2 Cup Of Blues

     Summer is full of options to enjoy the outdoors.  Tubing, white water rafting, swimming, camping, fishing, etc.  You name it; it is available right in your own hometown I am sure.  Even in my little neck of the woods in WV we have quite a bit of different things to enjoy different times of the year.  One of which has been going on for the past five years.  I have attended every single year because it is just that much fun.  Only a half a block away from my apartment is a small street only a couple blocks long right on the river.  What sits here is an old two-story small schoolhouse that used to be the African American School prior to consolidation in 1954.  A local organization has been working on raising money to restore the school as a landmark along with the church next door.

      Each year for 2 to 3 days locals gather to support the foundation that has been created to restore, rebuild, and educate others about the community that built this area.  Bands from all around the country come to play their blues.  Artists, historical preservationists, food enthusiasts, etc., all gather to provide a wonderful weekend of food, music, and fun all in support of one cause; to rebuild the past to better educate society.  The weekend is usually comprised of the main festival on River Street with school tours, art/historical/food booths, music, and crafts and another day or two of gospel gatherings, etc.

     Live music is always a good "recipe" for the monotony that is life. Add in a good cause, charity, and good people and food, and you have a menu that anyone can enjoy. Even for just a quick weekend event or get away, a good festival full of laughter and fun can make any summer a good one. 

    

Dancing in the street

Singing the blues

 Friends catching up

 

Bands

Playing into the night

 

 Singing to your own soundtrack

 

Music Moves The Soul

 

 

     What a better recipe for life than music that serves as your soundtrack.  Ever wonder if your life was a movie what your soundtrack would include?  Ever walk into a bar or restaurant and as the music overhead plays it's as if you are on the screen and the song playing is fitting to you as you saunter by?  One of my all time favorite bands has to be the Rolling Stones.  They are rock Gods. Every time that certain Stones song comes on I sing as loud as I can. And trust me, I sound like a bag full of cats being hit with clubs.  Something about certain bands or songs just gets you going.  Certain songs are the perfect accompaniment to a good road trip or nice afternoon drive down that country road, the windows open, the breeze coming into the car, and that one song blaring aloud. 

     Working a full time job handling the stress of others can place a toll on one without some sort of break.  What better break than to go to a live concert.  The Stones have been performing together for 50 years.  This monumental band shouldn't be missed.  I have been a fan since I was a little kid.  To think that a band has been performing together with the same members for 50 years is amazing.  Not too many other bands are still doing that.  Heck, I can't even think of any others. 

     My friend and I decided to take the plunge and buy tickets.  We headed out early Monday morning and drove the 3 1/2 hours into downtown Washington D.C.  We booked our room at the Marriott in the Capitol Hill district.  We arrived early enough that we headed to the Museum of Natural History.  We toured around and headed to a little Thai restaurant to indulge ourselves in a great meal of traditional Thai food. 

     As the hour approached we freshened up and walked to the arena.  All I can say is it was a great experience and one that I will never forget.  Seeing one of your favorite musical groups is amazing in itself, but to see one that has been around for over 50 years is unbelievable.  To be a part of something so legendary is a great feeling.  Sitting there in the very large arena packed completely with people who know how to just relax and enjoy good music is great.  Any live music is a great "recipe" for enjoyment.  What would life be without pure enjoyment?  Something that moves the soul and allows you to relax.  Life cannot be all about work, work, and more work.  There has to be some play.  Seeing and doing something that you enjoy, even for just a day, can solve any stress related to your normal humdrum life. My recipe for this trip: Pure Live Musical Fun With Friends... Period.

**Below is the Thai dish I ordered. Chicken and Basil with Wide Rice Noodles. Delicious!!!!