Dining with Alan in Blacksburg, Virginia

For over thirty years I have been traveling to Blacksburg, Virginia, to visit my good friend Alan. 
I can actually say Blacksburg has become like a second home to this born and raised Ohioan.

I must admit, however, the ride south on Interstate 77/West Virginia Turnpike makes me jittery. But once we turn onto Route 460 East toward Blacksburg and drive through the stunning New River Valley in Virginia, its sparkling beauty calms my soul. I've seen many spectacular places in this country, but I believe the New River Valley is among the prettiest, especially in autumn.

Alan and I share many common interests of which two stand out.  First, both our Mothers have or had Alzheimer's disease. Pretty and pert Peggy, Alan's Mother, lives in southwestern Virginia. My mother, the sweet and talented Eula Jean, left this world over a year ago. For close to ten years Alan and I have bonded through shared stories and shared advice about the care of our Mothers.

On a lighter note, our second common interest is cooking and along with that, the obvious companion of. . . well. . . eating what we cook.

When I visited recently, Alan prepared, once again, a splendid Saturday evening dinner.

Let me share!

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Things got under way about 5:00 p.m. with a California wine, a Brutocao Merlot from Mendocino County. While sipping wine we nibbled on hors d'oeuvres: warm, slightly melted Camembert cheese topped with fig preserves. Then baba ghannouj (eggplant dip) with an assortment of crackers.

About 7:00 p.m., after allowing the tasty hors d'oeuvres to settle for a bit, we moved on to the dining room for the main course: Chicken Parmesan, Asparagus Bundled in Prosciutto, and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes. Perfectly prepared, it was absolutely "scrummy" (scrumptious!) Alan never disappoints!

Dessert was a melt in your mouth Lemon Cake prepared following a favorite aunt's recipe.

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I just have to say, I love it when someone cooks for me. There is something so special when someone prepares and presents me with their own meal creation. I believe it is the kindest, most loving gift that can be given.

Over the years Alan has given me hundreds of special meals, meals that come from his heart.

. . . . And from me, I send to him a heartfelt thank-you for being my friend all these years.