After an enormously successful reunion of suitemates from UNC down at Ocean Isle in April, it has energized additional smaller gatherings. First was an evening here with Ronnie and Tina a few weeks ago; then I had lunch with Arnold and his family as they passed through Greensboro in early June (photo below).
This past Saturday night, Ronnie and Tina returned and we were joined by Jimmy and Julie for a dinner evening together. Oh, what a marvelous occasion, stretching late into the night, full of conversation and catching up and tales of kids and weddings and grandkids (well-timed topics on the eve of Father’s Day). Pictures shared as phones were passed around the table, notes compared on North Carolina pottery craft and history, stories brought forth of high school band and color guard and flag core and cheerleading…we had long finished our desserts and still around that kitchen table we sat until we realized it was after 11 pm and they all still had drives back home to undertake.
Having everybody here was a suitable incentive for a big ol’ pan of lasagna and fresh-made focaccia (boosted with delicious olive oil gifted by Ronnie and Tina when they were last here). A sad salad of iceberg lettuce bejeweled with a crown of homemade Thousand Island dressing brought an illusion of healthiness to these well-freighted plates.
We started off with some homemade pimento cheese, though, that received approving remarks.
And the evening concluded with a new approach to tres leches cake, with its small hint of warm cinnamon and plenty of luscious sweet milkiness throughout. I was called out by the guys a few days later after confessing in a group text exchange that some cake squares still remained after everybody had left.
I remain grateful for these enduring friendships!
"South Carolina-Style Pimento Cheese." Recipe worked out by me, based on Sharon's Palmetto Pimento Cheese.
"World's Best Lasagna," by the late John Chandler (Dallas, TX). Found online at AllRecipes.com.
"Easy Rosemary Garlic Focaccia," from Adam and Joanne Gallagher of InspiredTaste.net.
"Thousand Island Dressing," which was based on a version from Graybert on GeniusKitchen.com.
"Tres Leches Cake with Whipped Cream and Dulce de Leche," from the Busty Baker: Putting the 'Cup' in Cupcakes. [Published 21 February 2009]
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