For a combined Mother's Day and Father's Day gift this year our daughters gave us tickets to a treat of a lifetime...reservations to a dinner sponsored by Outstanding in the Field. Founded by a Californian artist, Jim Denevan, the mission of this group is to re-connect diners with local food, the land it is grown on, the farmers that grow it, and the artisans who prepare it. This was the first year that a dinner was held in RI and only the lucky ones who had heard of it early were able to get tickets...they sold out fast. Our dinner was held at the Aquidneck Farms in Portsmouth, RI which raises grass fed beef and is situated on the Sakonnet River. My words can't describe how beautiful the evening was but maybe my photos will...
When we arrived we were first greeted with sparkling wine under this wonderful old tree...
We waited there only long enough to gather enough people for a hay ride around the farm with one of the farmers discussing how the farm was run and answering questions...
...We met some of the farm residents...
...then headed towards the river.
Here there were more servers waiting with local wine and the first courses...
The workers live on a bus for the five months that they travel around the country presenting these meals...
To get to the dinner table we walked towards the water...
...and there it was.
Long enough for 150 people...
The view was breathtaking...
....The food was served family style and was simply amazing.
Jim Denevan sat across the table from us for part of the meal...
Mr O and I enjoyed ourselves completely...
We managed to miss a rainstorm and capture a small rainbow just as it was turning dark.
As the meal ended with dessert wine the candles were lit ...and the mosquitoes came out...Time to go home...
This was such a wonderful gift!...Thank you to my wonderful daughters!
...In some places rainbows are rather commonplace, but not here and I still get excited when I see one...
