Spending time with friends brings me so much joy, so I invited out friends Rob and Toni over to enjoy the spoils of summer. Add in cocktails, a delicious dinner and the most perfect bottle of rose' wine and you have a perfect evening, at least in my book. Served with a side  of laughter and great stories completes the night.

Without the help of my husband Steve, I wouldn't have been able to create such a special evening. He hung lights, set up the table and chairs and any other task I needed him to do while I made the the side dishes & dessert. 

The weather was perfect for our fried chicken dinner. I need to let you in on a little secret-I picked up the chicken from The Eagle, one of my families favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. Their fried chicken is perfect, why would I even attempt, to be honest, it's just too intimidating.

A few weeks ago I was in Winston Salem, NC for a family funeral and I was able to reconnect with my grandmothers neighbor Loretta. She shared with me that she has my grandmother's fried chicken recipe in her handwriting, I cannot wait to get the recipe in the mail, working on my patience and that is not at the top of my best attributes. The wait continues.

As summertime winds down, invite your friends over and enjoy drinks, dinner, laugh and delight in the time spent together. Below are recipes from three of the dishes served. 

 We loved the way our backyard look filled with light, they are still hanging and are magical.

Cook Curiously, MK