I am so excited this week because I get to do a twofer...Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday! Be sure to visit our two wonderful hostesses, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see some fabulous tablescapes and Michael Lee...our dear Gollum...at Designs by Gollum to find some yummy recipe ideas!
As I am sure I have told you by now...lol...I am such a lucky duck because I spent several days last week at the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. I am lucky because...
...I got to meet Barb at Grits and Glamour and Kathysue at Rate My Space, two dear blogger friends of mine! (That's l to r...moi, Barb and Kathysue!) We had a wonderful time exploring Asheville and the inn itself! And I must say that one of the best parts of the inn was...
...you guessed it!...the dining room...for several reasons!! Here is the beautiful window seat where we had breakfast! Of course, you know me, I had to check out the...
...plates! Each of the tables was set in a different china pattern, from elegant...
...to floral...
... to simple, yet pretty...
...and quietly refined! But, believe it or not, what fascinated me most were...
...the napkin rings! I have never seen a more interesting assortment in my life! They were all Reed and Barton silverplate...very nice! The first one I noticed was this one...the froggy! I love his outfit! He makes me think of Toad in The Wind in the Willows or Beatrix Potter's Mr. Jeremy Fisher! But when I looked around, I saw...
...a doggie chasing a squirrel...
...a bear going after some honey...
...a funny little monkey...
...a beautiful swan...
...a very patriotic eagle...
...a frenchy rooster...
...an elegant peacock...
...and a cute little bunny! Aren't they charming? I think the froggy is my favorite, but this bunny certainly is sweet! We actually did manage to eat! The breakfast was wonderful! The best part was ...
...the baked French toast! I ate mine so fast that I didn't take a picture, but I did find their recipe online and made it at home! Here it is:Baked French Toast from the Black Walnut Bed and Breakfast Inn in Asheville, NC
1 loaf of Raisin Bread
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
7 eggs
3 cups milk
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Icing sugar (1/4 cup confectioners sugar and 1 tablespoon milk)
Maple syrup
Slice and cube bread in one inch cubes. Cube cream cheese into small pieces and toss together and slightly greased 9 by 13 inch dish. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg together and pour over bread mixture. Ensure that bread is completely covered. Keep refrigerated overnight or at least 5 hours.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Serve with maple syrup and icing sugar.
Serves 8
Slice and cube bread in one inch cubes. Cube cream cheese into small pieces and toss together and slightly greased 9 by 13 inch dish. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon and nutmeg together and pour over bread mixture. Ensure that bread is completely covered. Keep refrigerated overnight or at least 5 hours.
Bake in 350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Serve with maple syrup and icing sugar.
Serves 8
It is very light and delicious! I also sprinkled a little confectioners sugar on top! Yum!
I hope you have enjoyed my breakfast at the Black Walnut Inn! You have to admit that I more than got my money's worth out of that visit...a week's worth of posts!! lol
Debbie, this is a wonderful post. I love the start so much with pictures of fellow bloggers. Then came the beautiful dishes followed by those wonderful, fabulous napkin rings! I wonder where they could be found to purchase.
ReplyDeleteThat recipe looks great too...an nice change from an egg casserole to serve company. I'll be trying this.
Thanks for sharing it all! :)
Donna
Oh Debbie I think I am a napkin ring addict!! This is just too good--except that now I want them. The inn looks lovely and like such a great girl trip!! Thanks for sharing it with us--now I'm off to google R&B napkin rings :)
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, just one more wonderful moment to share of you three girls wonderful trip. I love that pretty dining room. I'm fascinated by all the beautiful linens and the gorgeous dishes. The napkin rings are just too cute. I love them all, hard to pick a favorite. I love baked french toast and this sounds like such a great recipe. I will definitely have to try it. Such a great post, I loved it. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, what a lovely place! I would have loved to have been there too! I love how the tables are set and to have napkin rings! Those are darling!
ReplyDeleteThanks also for sharing the recipe - I'm going to try this!
be a sweetie,
shelia :)
I just love the napkin rings! I'm torn between Mr. Toad and Mr. Bear, but they are all beautiful. And that last china pattern, you just may turn me into a dish addict yet lol. Love the recipe, bet I can get Cait to make this the next time she's in town! Hugs, Kat
ReplyDeleteI love seeing those pics of those fascinating napkin rings that we stole - oh I mean admired. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt was tempting, huh?
I wanna go back this weekend. :-(
I have saved that recipe and can't wait to try it. How clever that you found that recipe. Yours looks prettier with the yummy-looking fruit slices.
Have a great weekend, my friend!
Hugs, Barb
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI have been following bits and pieces of your trip to Ashville (I read a bit on Barb's blog and scrolled down on yours).The Black Walnut B&B looks like a wonderful place to stay or dine. I really enjoyed the pictures you took of the place settings. How elegant to have such a beautiful assortment of china to drool over. The napkin rings are adorable~I agree with you about the frog! Your camera flash must have been blinding people!!!
I'm glad you got to meet up with your blogger friends and have such a nice time together. Thanks for sharing the pics!!
xoxo
Jane
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI have loved following your trip!! Beautiful china, great food, new friends, what else could you ask for! The napkin rings are just too wonderful, my faves froggy and rooster! Cindy
I do love those napkin rings - My granddaughter Stella would like the frog -- and for some reason I've become enchanted with swans lately (where on earth did that come from?) Anyway, doing a tablescape soon - but alas, it will be without the napkin ring. What a wonderful time you had - and that recipe looks like a great one!
ReplyDeleteBreakfast looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love the napkin rings! Wow!
Yummm, that looks sooo good! I've had baked french toast once before & it's delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteUh oh... You may have found something new for me to look for now! Those napkins rings are just too cute for words! Of course my favorites were the dog & bunny! ☺ Diane
Debbie, your post turned into a threefer when you included the french toast recipe! The napkin rings were adorable and I love that picture of the three of you. You look like old, old friends.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I am so glad you did a post on the french toast,it was YUM!!! The napkin rings were one of my favorite things in the dining room. I loved the whimsy of them next to all the beautiful crystal, silver and china. you know me, I love elegance with a touch of whimsy.Each post you do of the trip just makes me smile and re-live it all over again, I miss both of you wonderful ladies.Hugs kathysue
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful, Debbie. And the recipe sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteDebbie...what a charming dining room...I love the window seat and the figural napkin rings! And breakfast sounded scrumptious...I have to try the french toast! :-) Susan
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to meet blogger friends!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the napkin rings. I saw some similar at Tuesday Morning. I'll have to go back and take a second look.
Hugs
Thanks for sharing -- beautiful tables and of course, I do love napkin rings -- those were very special and so cute!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to have this get together! I think I need a bed and breakfast trip. I'm long overdue :0)
ReplyDeleteI'm a napkin ring addict and these are fabulous!!
great table...LOVE the napkin rings... Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan
ReplyDeleteDebbie, charming napkin rings!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a great time!
How lovely! Great napkin rings, and the plates so pretty. The Inn looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI make that French Toast too. Great for a crowd!
Happy Memorial Day, Debbie!
That B and B is beautiful! You ARE lucky! And this is the second time I've seen the peacock napkin rings...I'm gonna need to find those:)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you are so lucky you got to meet up with fellow blogger! I've been meaning to ask you, what do cats eat in France. Did you have to take US food with you? Liz
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the Baked French Toast and the recipe so yummy! I forgot about the table settings! I love the floral one, the napkin holders are just wonderful! Wouldn't you love to have a set of just roosters! I would! Love it all, glad you had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Those napkin rings are to die for!! Too cute! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I can't get over those napkin rings! You guys look like you had a lot of fun!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Deb... What great ideas you've shared... I love that there were different china patterns on each table... and those napkin rings are just delightful! The window seat would have drawn me there too!
ReplyDeleteand the foodie... yummy... Ricky likes to make French Toast for me on Sunday mornings... I think I'll be passing this recipe on to him...
You've made me want to make a pilgrimage to Asheville... I've never been to the Biltmore... but it's on my bucket list...
I love it all, Debbie. What a fun table they set up for you ladies!
ReplyDeleteWhat a FAB place!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming dining room, just the right fit and atmosphere for 3 charming ladies! Love all those napkin rings and plates. Funny you show that peacock cause I used mine on my tablescape today. I thought they were pewter. Are they silver?..>Christine
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of your little trip to the B&B. Fabulous tables & I love, love, love the napkin rings. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time you had...love those napkin rings....great job on getting pictures ! The china was so pretty too ! Looks like a cool place to have tea !
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Kammy
Oh what fun it is to ride to Ashville, NC!
ReplyDeleteI love the mixing of the china patterns. I first saw this at a table setting in a restaurant in Italy. They were all similar but in different colors. I had to go out and purchase a similar set to create the same effect at home! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos with us! Stop by and see my table setting, if you like what you see, be sure to subscribe to my blog by clicking on "Follow" in the right hand column. This way we can inspire one another frequently! Be sure to stay a while when you're there and enjoy the experience!
ReplyDeleteDebbie! Loved seeing what you found at the inn, and I want those napkin rings! My sister gave me some foxes (am crazy for foxes), but the whimsical ones strike a definite chord with me.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Sheila :-)
SWEET!!! I just love the peacock napkin ring!!! The french toast looks dee-lish! I would love to meet you someday too...maybe we can plan something! CHEERS! Michele
ReplyDeleteVery nice tablescape!! Those naokin rings are ADORABLE! My faves are of course the frenchy rooster, and the bunny too!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post and seeing all the lovley place settings and napkin rings you shared!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post and seeing all the lovley place settings and napkin rings you shared!
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness...how I would like to go to a place like that! Those napkin rings...I nearly fainted! Ok..I didn't nearly faint...but I did gasp! They are all delightful!!
ReplyDeleteEverything was amazing...shhh..I am becoming more and more addicted to this "table" thing ...yes I am!
Thank you for sharing that...so..any more pictures? :)
Hugs,
Mona
What a lovely time you must have had. Everything looks beautiful ♥
ReplyDeleteHow FUN! Looks like you gals gathered up some lovely memories...and pics to share!
ReplyDeleteLove that window seat....aaaahhh!
happy holiday weekend!
;-D
Oh, you lucky ladies! What a splendid time yall had. I must look up that place for a romantic retreat for me and Dr. G! I am flat in love with those napkin rings. I have seen them a time or two on Ebay, but your photos make them look even more beautiful. I'm so glad you all got to meet!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Guess who's coming to my house? Yes, Miss Annabel and her chef Daddy. I finally broke down and got my Viking fixed today (what a pity to be doing Foodie Fridays with a hot plate and an electric skillet!! Haha), so we can cook up a storm!
Hugs,
G
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteOh, I am having so much trouble with blogger too! Arrrrgh! First, my posts don't show up on dashboard and then no one else's do either. Now they are coming really late and I keep getting kicked off. If I could find the complaint button I would push it like a 100 times. Yes, I am going to Asheville and maybe Savannah too! I finally got hubby interested when we saw a thing on CBS Sunday Morning. My aunt has a beach home on Oak Island SC so we will go there as well. I don't know the dates for sure yet, maybe later June. I would love to meet up with you and Linda somewhere. It would be so much fun! Last year, we were going to head south but then gas went up to over $4.00 a gallon and we went to Michigan instead. Anyway, I will keep you posted, oh, the apple trees are mostly macintosh however there are a few other varieties that we're not sure about. There are at least 6 mature trees, and some smaller ones and it looks like we will have a bumper crop. I will have them coming out of my ears. I have a big family and I still couldn't give enough of them away. Yikes, sorry to blab on so much, have a great week-end. Hugs, Cindy
Lovely table and I love those napkin rings. I'm going to try the baked French toast this weekend. It sounds luscious.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, How wonderful to get to meet some blogger friends and meet in such a great place. The napkin rings and the recipe were great.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all had a great time.
Oh what fun!!! LOVE all those different napkin rings, and the pretty assortment of dishes, too. :) And I will definitely try that french toast. lol
ReplyDeleteDebbie may you have a wonderful memorial day weekend my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, I LOVE those napkin rings. I've always been attracted to those figural rings, and these are some real beauties! I've never seen anything like that cute frog one! And oh, that toast looks delicious! I'm going to be making that recipe. Thanks for sharing it. laurie
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering to kidnap me. I had so much fun buying dishes! lol Then Hubby and I went the next weekend to the neighborhood garage sales. We had a blast, I bought a whole truck load for $30.00. I am having fun turning it all into things! I just gave a picture frame , I have had a makeover and the chandy Hubby and I made, got silver leafed. Busy making shelves for all my, well some of my dishes! lol Hubby bought me a new print my dining room and it has French words on the signs, Rue is one of the words. Thank you, now I now it means Street.
ReplyDeleteHow much fun!!! The setting is just beautiful. I kept thinking "How much would I pay for those darliing napkin rings?"....TOP DOLLAR...those are awesome!
ReplyDeleteBut you show your kitties... and they are family too...
ReplyDeleteYes... I don't show the faces of adults... unless it's a side view or an obscured view... but the kiddos... they like to see their faces on my blog.. but not their real names...I mean.. who has grandkiddos named Romeo, Panda and Einstein? LOL
I always love the Goodwill finds.. and the stories that go with your plates...
Having too many of something is a personal thing... my too many and someone elses too many are probably a different number...
Thanks for reading between the lines... blessings. Dixie
Debbie, Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I love the napkin rings. BTW, I am so excited!! I finally found a copy of the Country French magazine that I learned about from you. It was at Books-A-Million. You said you got yours from HD. I've been looking in there, but no luck. I just happened up on it after church today when I was looking for another magazine. Can't wait to drool on every page!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Bettye
Hi Debbie. I so enjoyed your post of your trip with fellow bloggers!The BB is lovely. The tablescapes are so pretty! Anyone visiting and enjoying a meal there would feel so special! I adored those napkin rings! Couldn't pick a fav. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had a wonderful time, it looks like such a lovely place to stay. I do love the mixture of the place settings. Those napkin rings are so precious & whimsical. I wonder where they all came from, I am always on the hunt for fun napkin rings, and seem to never have any luck…
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a bit of your trip with us, Nicole
Feel like I know you girls after the great photos, Tell Barb to empty her pockets, I'm sure one of those napkin rings are in there!!! Ha! Wonderful photos of your weekend, thanks for sharing. Posted my first Tablescape last week and I'm hooked, love checking them all out! Stop in anytime, xoxo~Kathy~ @ sweetup-northmornings.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteAfter checking out your blog, and loving it, I just decided to "Follow", keep up the good work, xoxo~Kathy~ @ sweetup-northmornings.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete