I had a fabulous time at The Chocolate Bar last Saturday night.
Rarely do I go out on Saturday night… especially the “night” part. I don’t like to drive at night, and Clifton Forge – where The Chocolate Bar was being held, at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center – well, Clifton Forge is some 35 miles away. Down dark, twisty roads. With an Interstate in between. Both are things I tend to avoid if possible.
But, I absolutely had to go to The Chocolate Bar. Buddy and Betsy Carter had been kind enough to send me a complimentary ticket to the event. God bless ‘em!
In addition to worrying about the driving, I worried about what I’d wear. I haven’t been clothes shopping in, truly, years. What did I have that could pass party muster?
I finally decided on a fabulous embroidered brocade jacket that I’d paid too much for years ago, and oddly never worn. It was perfect! I actually received compliments, something that rarely occur about my “outfits.” I added silver shoes to the mix, and felt darn near “pretty.”
The AHACC was ablaze with lights, and filled with wonderful, well-decked-out people. And, I knew many of them!
I joined Kenny and Tammy Scruggs Duncan, and Wes and Susan Walker – both couples I like very much, and rarely see. We had a great time chatting and chuckling. And, I ran into an old acquaintance, Greg Kristoff, and his lovely partner, Nancy, whom I’d never met. We, too, had a couple of great conversations.
The buffet was nothing short of fantastic. Just some of the tasty delectables I can recall are dates filed blue cheese, baked brie with raspberries, lots of shrimp, a large baked salmon, sausage balls, which I love but can’t eat many of, and a platter of mushrooms in puff pastry, in the shape of pinwheels. That’s all I can remember, but certainly not all I ate!
There was also a huge platter with a brilliant name: Chocolate Charcuterie. A collection of bite-sized chocolate treats that proved to be quite popular with everyone, including myself.
And then, there were the chocolate martinis. Now, I’m not normally a martini girl, but oh, my: Those attractive martinis were delicious! I knew I could/should only have one, because of the drive home at night. But, the glasses were small, and I had two drink tickets. Thus, two chocolate martinis.
Then, there were the arts and the crafts. Heavens, but the AHACC has attractive, intriguing art and splendid crafts. I wished I’d had a checkbook loaded with funds; I would have definitely bought at least one or two things. Especially a hand-knitted brown dog with big eyes that reminded me very much of my dear departed Brownie. I lusted after it, but it was out of my “retired price range.” I’m still thinking of it and wishing the little dog were sitting in the chair next to me, just like Brownie used to do.
The drive home – where I had to take Valley Ridge Road because of an accident on the Interstate – was long and dark, but I was feeling great because of all that chocolate, all that fun, and spending the evening with lovely people.
A gala Saturday night … I gotta love it!
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