This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Dining with Friends and Family

Dining with Family and Friends....in the most perfect family vacation home


This past Fourth of July my family of 5, plus a cousin and my daugher's boyfriend all had the honor and priveledge to be invited once more for the 10th year in a row to our favorite little lake in Maine. Our good friends the Knortz keep the invitation going...so I guess were the "perfect" guest...ha ha. Well there must be something about us. Anyway the Knortz family grew up in Ridgefield and had the good fortune that their father and mother bought a second/vacation home up in Maine on the most perfect little lake.

It's always hot and sunny on the 4th, the sky is bluer than blue and the trees I "swear" are a magical green and, for this water skier the lake is always like glass. I keep telling them that I hope when I go to heaven its on "Knortz" lake in Maine (but only during the summer)....I do have a request in.

The special part about this Fourth is that all the siblings were there together with all their children and,some extended long life friends. Every dinner was at least 16-20 people, which as an interior designer is one of the most special times.

Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Home is the most important place in the world and this is one of the reasons why, to spend time with your family and friends around a table conversing, reminising, reconnecting, sharing recipes and so on is such a special event which doesn't happen too often these days.  Every night I was quite excited for dinner time and to be honest a little intimidated to feed that many although we took turns.

My night was chicken marsala which I have to say was pretty good and was able to feed everyone with the help of  the tomato pie and cole slaw (pictured) which was deelish! On another night we had grilled venison and my dear friend Nancy made mashed potatoes from scratch....yummy comfort food and imagine making it for 18! Can you do that? I couldn't.

Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The interior of the home has not changed since the last time the senior Knortz s were there. As an interior  designer I was hot on the trail to reconfigure the floor plan, update some of the upholstery, and get a dishwasher, etc etc but, you know sometimes a place is just comfortable the way it is...doesn't need any changes and this family is certainly  not changing what works for them. There is no TV so every night after dinner there were big conversations on all the.... let's say.... well dated furniture, but it din't matter we were all so comfortable and could feel the love from family and friends. Isn't that truley what life is all about. So set your table for your crew, invite some friends over and, enjoy life while its here. Life is Good and Home is the most important place in the world. Thank you Herb and Lorraine.

Terri Reilly ASID allied

TR Design

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?