We didn’t know when we drove to church in Asheville that we wouldn’t be home for 12 hours. On the way, we texted with grandson Nathaniel in Charlotte. He was free to have dinner with us at 4:00. Change everything! This was too good to miss.
After church we had a little time to kill, so I suggested we run in the dollar store to buy a few silly things for Nathaniel. Since we knew he would not be with us last Christmas, we didn’t have stocking stuffers for him, as we did for David. Also, his birthday was only six days ahead.
While we were driving, Nathaniel chose a restaurant. Since he is majoring in baking and pastry, he hears about local eateries. We headed for Tupelo Honey, only to find it closed five minutes before we got there because of the Super Bowl game. There was no notice of that on their web site. Thinking quickly, he ducked across the street to the Manchester 1812 restaurant. He must have looked at their menu quickly, because he came back and said we could probably order anything but steak. What a find that was! The place opened the previous year and was said to be a hot spot for trendy people. Because of the football game, there were very few patrons. We had fish and chips, a fried pork chop, and something called Bishop’s Chicken. All the food was good, but the chicken was exceptional – fried chicken bits with a sweet sauce over rice.
We kept asking questions about classes, so Nate regaled us with stories of desserts and breads. The bread baking course was his favorite. He used technical terms that were new to us. As to plated desserts, he said he wouldn’t care if he never had to do that again. We had no idea a plated dessert was different from a serving of pie or cake in a restaurant. A plated dessert must have five components. They are the sweet itself, two sauces, a cold bit (ice cream, sorbet, or whipped cream), and something crunchy. If you go to a fine restaurant and have a dessert, see if your plate has these things arranged artistically.
We gave Nathaniel the dollar store finds when we got back to campus. I had intended to get a pack of toothbrushes, since everyone else got that in their stockings from this dentist’s daughter. We found the brushes and tossed in a tube of toothpaste. Nate said he would have needed toothpaste in a few days. David helped choose a Valentine bowl, balloon, garland, and pillow, knowing Nate likes to celebrate holidays. The photo shows the first things he pulled out.
He laughed at the last item – toilet bowl cleaner. He shares a bathroom with one other fellow, and they have to provide their own supplies. We had hand soap for him, too. For the finale, Nathaniel draped the garland around himself and posed for a silly picture.
We drove home as quickly as possible, because John wanted to be off the road when the Super Bowl game was over. We spent five hours on the road to visit with Nate for three hours. It was worth it! We all enjoyed the time together.
Mehrling Muse 
Gow wonderful to be able to spend time with your grandson. Looks like you all had a great time. Grandsons are the best!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure granddaughters are just as delightful, but we don’t have any.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I have them too. They are also amazing and fun to be with. xo
LikeLike
💗💗
LikeLike
Plated desserts – I learned something. Sounds like some of my husbands creations though I’m not sure about two sauces unless maraschino cherry juice is considered a sauce.
LikeLike
I think something drizzled on the plate counts as a sauce.
LikeLike
Yall are the best grandparents ever! To drop everything and run, just to spend time with your grandsons! I’m sure everyone enjoyed the time together!
LikeLike
It was great that David was with us and didn’t have to get home. He is taking an on-line course, but he didn’t have to do homework on Sunday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great day and now you know how to look at desserts in a different way.
LikeLike
I don’t think I’ve ever been served a dessert as fancy as that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I may have been but I don’t pay attention. These days nothing is plain or simple. It always has cinnamon or some spice dusted around a ripple of some jelly type sauce. I have to pay more attention.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you get a fancy dessert, would you be willing to take a photo of it? Some people don’t do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would but I rarely order dessert. I have trouble finishing an entree although if I go out with my girlfriends, we share entrees and then we’ll share a dessert. I’ll try to remember!
LikeLike
A splendid alternative to football. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s just nothing like time with family is there.
Massive Hugs
LikeLike
I know you know how precious grandchildren are.
xxx Grand Hugs xxx
LikeLike
What a lovely way to celebrate togetherness Anne. Grandparents and grandkids….always a nice blending for a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s nice you got to get together – what a nice break for Nathaniel in his work and studies to spend time with the three of you and a treat for all of you as well. Great that everyone was free at the right time on top of it. I am sure he will be getting a kick out of his stocking gifts til the next time you see him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this post, Anne, but must admit that the item still lingering in my mind is the “plated desserts” description! Drool!
LikeLike
I hope to see a plated dessert some day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and me both!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is nothing like a change in plans to see family and I love the dollar store finds 💗💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a wonderful and spontaneous event! I once drove to see my daughter and grandchildren (on the spur of the moment) in one day (they live 3 1/2 hours away) and it was worth every minute and mile. What a fun day you had and now I have a restaurant idea when my husband and I return to Asheville!
LikeLike
Manchester 1812 was a great place to eat. There was parking, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it would all be taken on a normal day.
I’m glad you had a rewarding spontaneous event.
LikeLike
I would spend 5 hours on the road to be with my grandsons for 3 hours too. It’s a good trade! 🙂 Tupelo Honey was one of the restaurants on our radar during our stay in Asheville, but we never made it there. Maybe next time. I never heard of the Manchester 1812. I will have to tell Bill about it. He is a foodie!
LikeLike
We drove by Tupelo Honey several times in Asheville, but people were lined up outside to get in. I was thrilled that we were going to the one in Charlotte. Oh, well. Maybe another time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How blessed is Nathaniel to have a grandmother who buys toilet bowl cleaner!!😄😄Your sense of humor is the best! He was probably laughing to his friends later about that gift.
LikeLike
Our grandsons are used to me. That could be good or not so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person