Labor Day Weekend

 It's never a boring weekend around our house and Labor Day was certainly no exception. 

Friday night we enjoyed a last minute dinner at Jason's aunt's house in Sanford.  Jason's cousin & her husband came home from TX for the weekend.  They shared with us the exciting news that they're expecting their first child, a little girl in February.  That will be Jason's aunt's third granddaughter. 

Dinner at Margaret & Rupert's in Sanford

Friday night Jason's parents spent the night with us so that Jason & his dad could get up early Saturday morning to work in the yard.  They used some of the cross ties from our dirt pit (former playground area) to give some definition to the flower bed on the left side of our house.  It turned out even better than I expected.

While Jason & his dad worked in the yard, Jason's mom & I prepared several dishes that we would later take to W-S for my dad's 70th birthday celebration that night.  With the help of some of my dad's golfing buddies, the 'surprise' was pulled off perfectly.  It was lots of fun hearing stories from my dad's friends all night about their various golfing, fishing & travel adventures.

Dad being led into his party by Mr Dickerson & Mr Clark

Dad & Mrs Connor serving their plates from the buffet

Dad getting ready to blow out his candles on his banana pudding

Dad & Me

Since we were still in W-S Sunday morning, we headed to K&W for breakfast!  Unfortunately no one in the Raleigh area can share our enthusiasm for K&W breakfasts since the cafeterias over here only serve lunch & dinner.  But let me assure you, it is the best & the cheapest!  Best grits you'll ever eat!

We got back to Raleigh Sunday night & met up with our favorite foodie couple, Ryan & Susan (also great friends from church) for a night out.  Jason remembered that the NC symphony was playing a free concert at the new amphitheatre downtown.  Our friends agreed to the outing & we ventured off.  The symphony played a variety of music from Beethoven, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Swan Lake, Phantom of the Opera and more.  It was nice to actually recognize most of the pieces.  The weather was beautiful & the amphitheatre was packed!

Downtown Raleigh at night

NC Symphony

After the concert we tried a new restaurant downtown.  Poole's Diner tops Jason & my list of Raleigh foodie finds.  The chef & owner Ashley Christensen (who recently appeared on Iron Chef) is in the process of opening 3 new establishments, a fried chicken place, burger joint & bar.  As of that weekend only Beasley's Chicken & Honey had opened.  YUMMO! 

Beasley's Chicken & Honey, on the corner of Wilmington & Martin

The blackboard menu, so chic

Let me tell you, this place is rockin'.  We felt so cool just being inside the doors.  There were only 3 entrees written on the chalkboard menu, 1/4 of a fried chicken ($7.50), chicken biscuit ($6.75) and fried chicken with a waffle ($10).  These could be paired with a variety of southern sides & decadent desserts.  We were seated at the community table in the center of the restaurant with a lot of other strangers who were all obviously 'in the know' when it comes to late night eateries.  Unfortunately I was too excited about eating the biscuit that I missed taking a picture of it.  Did I mention that the biscuit was served with a pickled green tomato & honey mustard sauce?  We had a side of greens with our fried delight.  Greens...doesn't it make you feel Southern to say that?  I love the South!
It won't be long before our foodie friends review Chuck's, Ashley's burger spot which opened this past weekend.

Me & Susan

Monday morning we met several of our YM1 friends at our Sunday school teacher's house for breakfast.  They live next door to our favorite nursery so we could hardly resist buying more plants for the yard.  How can you say no to 25% off?  Luckily we managed to only buy 5 things, 1 magnolia tree, 1 fig tree and 3 burning bushes.  I can't wait to take Moses' picture in front of the burning bush!  So much for not laboring on Labor Day as we spent the remainder of Monday working in the yard.