Linda was on a mission. She and her husband, Mike, were hosting a farm-to-table feast at their home north of Kansas City to benefit their church. She stopped by Nell Hill’s on her hunt for the dishes and linens and other supplies she would need to create a beautiful fall table in her barn. A … [Read more...]
Inspiration for Thanksgiving and Fall Dinners
There’s the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving. Beautiful, perfect. Then … there is the Garrity Thanksgiving. Not so beautiful, not so perfect. In fact, after the last friends and relatives wobble out our door after a raucous day of thanks, my home is more fit for a hazmat unit than a photo shoot. I guess … [Read more...]
A Rainy Day Luncheon at the Lake
A few years ago, I threw the hottest dinner party in the neighborhood. Literally. I set dinner on fire. To make matters even worse, I wasn’t even really cooking. I was just reheating some gourmet pizza I had picked up at a restaurant (who knew cardboard pizza boxes were so flammable?). Good thing … [Read more...]
Girls Night Out at Innisfree
Growing up in a small town, I love the feeling of a close-knit community, where folks look out for each other and everywhere you go, you’re greeted by a friend. When Dan and I moved to our little lake cottage, we were thrilled to discover that this special neighborhood was just like a small town. … [Read more...]
A Summer Dinner at Sharon Santoni’s French Country Home
Sometimes you get to live a dream. One of mine was to dine at the French country home of Sharon Santoni, author of the newly released My French Country Home: Entertaining Through the Seasons. She’s been one of my favorite bloggers for years, and we were thrilled to have her come to Nell Hill’s a few … [Read more...]
A Magical Dinner in the Courtyard
On lovely summer evenings, the best seat in the house is outside. That’s why I entertain al fresco every chance I get when the weather is nice. Today, I want to take you back in time a bit, to the courtyard at my old home in Atchison, which was one of my favorite places on earth. For … [Read more...]