Bella Sera

[wren08]

Bella Sera

A few days ago, Mom told me that I would have more fun at this if I had someone to go with. She might be right, but I had part of dinner with Jay, the event accountant, another part of dinner with a nice young man who walked over the river from his house, dessert with a nice couple and several nice conversations with other people I just met. As well as seeing a few I already knew from work.

The event was poorly organized, there were many more volunteers than needed so they told me I could go home. I just made a face and asked "Are you kidding?" so I bought a ticket and stayed and didn't even have to work. Plus I got to go home early- the heat and the noise and the wine gave me a headache after a while.


Going In




Constructed Wetlands


and their explanation...


A really cool piece of art that I don't even know what to call!






Tennessee Leaf, 2010 by Terry Allen






I thought this poster was great...


Same view, no zoom.


Path down to the waterside


Getting set up












A mulberry tree








Alleia Booth
Ricotta & Georgia Peach Brushetta with Vincotto, Housemade Penne Pasta with Spring Peas, Grilled Pancetta and Mint
Wine: Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio








Blue Orleans Creole Restaurant Booth
To get a string of beads, you had to tell a joke- I was tempted to stand there all night! Since I couldn't remember a joke off the top of my head, I told the story of Eliz and the cats in fur coats and earned two strings of beads- I gave one to Emily when I got home.

Crawfish Pasta Salad, Abita Shrimp Skewers, Raspberry Napoleon
Wine: San Huberto Malbec and Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay





Niedlov's Breadworks
Assorted handcrafted artisan breads




Niko's
Riverview Farms Corncake with Sequatchie Cove spicy pork and pickled Crabtree Farms Kolhrabi, Piperies (Stuffed) Peppers, whipped feta and capers, Semolina Cake with honey thyme syrup
Wine: Estancia Shiraz










Chili! (Yes, that's really his name. Nice guy.)


Blue Orchid Bistro
Tuscan Chicken Salad (Roasted chicken and sun-dried tomatoes tossed in a creamy basil pesto dressing, served with a roll), White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse (Silky smooth white chocolate mousse laced with a hint of peppermint)
Wine: Layer Cake Virgin Chardonnay


Greenlife Grocery
Mountaineer, Meadow Creek Dairy of Galax, VA
A raw milk alpine style cheese

Landaff, Jasper Hill Farms of Greensboro, VT
A raw tomme style cheese
Wine: Acrobat Pinot Gris










Chattz
Iced Coffee

I don't know how this guy stood up to the heat- I was sweltering!


The Silent Auction tent


My favorite piece- the title is Bella Sera Cat and he's made from a violin case!


Whipped Cupcakes
Mini Cupcakes- Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, and Lemon Cupcakes




The guy in the far right of the frame is Jay- we talked several times :)


Kathy


The Wine Taster's Special tent- I didn't have a ticket to go there and I'm not sure I could have managed more wine!














When the noise got to be too much, I took a walk around the rest of the park...








The raspberry napoleon

Somehow I missed getting a picture of Foodworks and Blue Water Grille and Taco Mamacita's. Foodworks was serving what they said was Kobi beef but if it was then it was either a very inferior cut, poorly prepared or it is not worth the hype it gets because I could hardly bite through it. Most of the food was pretty good but nothing worth paying a premium price for, I wouldn't go out of my way to have any of it again.

The band was really good but very loud. I enjoyed them much more when I was further away.

All in all it was a fun evening but it could have been better organized and it was too hot and too loud. I probably won't go back next year.