A Weekend at the Ranch House

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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As we drove up the twisting drive to the Hearst Castle, I looked at Sweet Mister and said, "Gee, it's good to be home again.  Will it just be the two of us, or are we expecting guests this weekend?"  This week, I thought that I would share a typical evening at the ranch with William Randolph Hearst.  The guests should be gathering in the living room in just a short while for dinner...

We're here.  Some of the staff will bring our luggage up to the house...

...don't forget anything!  We don't want to have to make extra trips up and down these steps!

It's nice to have a great patio.

Ah, here we are at the ranch house.

Come on in.  

Make yourselves at home... 

 Cozy, don't you agree?  Yep, definitely cozy.  Right.

Mr. Hearst will join us through this 'secret hallway' which leads to the stairs to his private quarters. 

Come on in to the dining room...

  

...there will be eight for dinner.

  

We always dine casual here on the ranch...

...yes, definitely casual.

   

The Booth's Real Old Blue Willow is the only pattern used at the ranch.  After all, it's all very casual here.  It's always about the opportunity to visit with interesting people.  The dinnerware was special to Hearst because it had belonged to his mother.

  

After dinner, we'll mosey on into one of the entertaining rooms for cigars...

...and then, we'll saunter into the next room...

...for a few rounds of pool (or is it billiards...I can never tell) before heading for bed.  Just another low key, laid back evening at the ranch...hope that you've enjoyed yourself.  Do you remember how to get to your room?  Next week we'll take a look at some of the guest quarters!

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of August, I think windows of opportunity to travel to new spots.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday evening is the twenty-fourth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".   Excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!