Our Own Chef ADAM~

If you've attended events and soirees at The PORCH & Atelier, you've met Chef Adam and experienced his culinary expertise~

Here he is, on the Minneapolis Fox 9 morning show (Friday, Dec. 17). As Biaggis (Maple Grove) Chef Partner, he was invited to demonstrate this easy pasta dish. Full of fresh ingredients and sure to please, he prepared Penne Pasta with Porcini Mushrooms and Pesto Cream~

Adam's talent and menus raise our shop main events (April in Paris, Garden Parties--and more.....) to memorable and special. Not every shop has a personal chef, but we do! (It helps if the chef is your son~). To see more about Adam and menus he has served at The PORCH & Atelier, click here. Bon appetit~ TERESA

Springtime in PARIS 2010 part two: food, prizes & the apartment

The MENU at our 2010 Springtime in PARIS event at The PORCH & Atelier~

Chef Adam plans and prepares a unique, delicious, fresh menu for us each year~

He and Malia work well together - no detail is missed~I can't resist showing her here again today~Vichyssoise aux asperges blanc (first course) on the kitchen bar, ready to serve~Fresh carrots, beets, and green beans: blanched, marinated and served cold with fresh Dijon vinaigrette~
Rachel, preparing the wine cocktails served in the apartment~

98% of the prizes (over 50 in all- oh my, we love to give prizes!) were brought home from PARIS last month~ (The crown tray is from Sur la Table, but still acceptable, non?)Souvenir scarves, the', French magazines, Eiffel keychains, cafe au lait spoons, on and on -oh! it was fun!

PARIS shopping here, too - stacks of scarves, bags and bracelets to purchase ~

For those who have toured the apartment before, there were changes in the past year. Like this old aqua shed door, leading into the bedroom~There are now double doors into the bedroom, and I'm loving the European feel!

I hope you can visit me at the apartment sometime~ I love my home in this great old building~ Several people asked how I could ever leave it to do anything else- that's a wonderful compliment, isn't it? It really is magical here~

Fleurs, fleurs, and more fleurs - are you ready for the upcoming feature on all of the gorgeous flowers that were here? Enjoy simple pleasures today~ TERESA

Springtime in PARIS 2010, Part ONE: THE PEOPLE

Can you imagine how much fun I had, with all of these happy, smiling guests?

Thank you to those who were here~

Brenda, and many others from The PORCH & Atelier, were here to serve you~

Like Colleen (more about the food later~)

Some were here to celebrate their Mother's Day~

Or, quality time with friends~

Flowers and smiles - can it get any better than that?

Dawn was here again, with her group of seven friends and family~

They come prepared for a great time (they make it great)~

Celebrating a birthday!

Malia, in the kitchen all day with Chef Adam~

We have so many details to show~ But, we're happiest about everyone who was here~

Alot of people took flowers home with them~

I have to give you a peek at our napkin rings - curtain clips from PARIS, holding a French card~

And, what's better than an impromptu fashion show? Wendy, adorable in this gorgeous frock (it fit like it was made for her), modeled it in the apartment for us, and did take the dress home~

More Springtime in PARIS to come - food, flowers - and but of course, more details of the day~ Merci, TERESA

A Grand Time~

This great old building is the perfect setting for soirees - and grand celebrations with friends and family~

Its ambience and energy is especially striking when in an evening glow~I don't take Chef Adam for granted for one minute---wow, he handled the entire party menu! All I had to do was have the apartment kitchen waiting with cleared surfaces and an empty fridge~ (Have you seen this view from the kitchen to the entree?)The Atelier checkout was converted to bar and buffet~ Nate, at the bar. He smiled and served for over five hours. I am surrounded here by awesome friends and family - the reason for a grand celebration!Carafe of France 76 punch (left)- a definite hit. We first experienced it in the home of friends in Angers, France. Even the Evian bottles were special~ I'll have juice, please~

Friends, food, and old-time music by Adam and Meghan~ How can you top being serenaded by pros with voice, guitar, banjo and fiddle?


My daughter, Rachel and good Elk River friend, Linda~Son, Chef Adam~ Brie, blue, and Manchego cheeses
Crostini with goat cheese, Piquillo peppers and artichokes~
Palmiers with creme' fraiche, and strawberries (in Grand Marnier)
Is it a party without cupcakes?A grand MERCI BEAUCOUP.........to everyone who came---

---and everyone who helped - I don't do anything here without the support of generous friends and family ~TERESA