Sunday Lunch With Great Friends

There’s nothing lovelier in my book, than spending the weekend with happy-making friends and family.

The weekends are our time to simply recharge our batteries and relax. We mostly spend them outdoors enjoying gorgeous Yorkshire, eating copious amounts of great food (luckily we have 4 restaurants in the family nearby) and resting from the busy week before, with the best of company.

Last Sunday saw us do just that when we met up with our great friends Rachel, Richard and their sweet family in Leeds.

Me mid-chatter (what’s new?!) with Rachael!

Aw, here is handsome little Henry, 2.

…As well as delicious home cooked grub (Rachael is amazing in the kitchen-Richard mentioned he’d burnt the soup on Christmas Day-whoops)- we excitingly got to see their newly renovated, staggeringly beautiful house which was quite frankly like walking onto the set of an Elle Decoration shoot!

Rachael’s background in textiles and Richard’s design prowess has meant this is really is a dream house, with a country-vintage, rustic yet modern style throughout and no more so than in the huge open plan kitchen/diner which will take your breath away.

A sun-trap of a house, with heartwarming log burning fires in most rooms downstairs, their home is so warm and inviting; I literally wanted to move in as soon as we’d entered.

I think Peter might have had too much wine (!) as there just weren’t enough photographs when I came to creating this post (naughty blogger husband!) so I need to return and do a proper home decor shoot in their house one day to properly show it off (if they let me)!

I also think my photographer husband was so eager to eat he forgot to take enough food pics so here’s the rundown- Rachael made butternut squash and sweet potato soup (the best I’ve ever eaten), two homemade lasagnas (meat and vegetarian), baked salmon with lemon, roasted sweet potatoes and parsnip, mange tout, broccoli, carrots and for dessert, a homemade trifle and chocolate cheesecake.

Go feast your eyes-

The kids loved the soup and slurped it down in minutes (impressive huh)-

And they gobbled up the lasagna too-yum!

And how are these for drool-worthy desserts?

Flipping heck, we certainly were spoiled on Sunday!

Aside for the incredible food, what’s so wonderful about meeting up with these guys is the fact our kids get on so well too- they all played for hours happily before eating lunch together which was just a joy to witness!

Really makes the day easier for us adults to unwind and relax too!

After lunch the kids managed to find room for cute little cupcakes Holly and Henry had made with their Mum, earlier in the week.

I love how the children were all unintentionally co-ordinated in stripes too (this really is turning into an Elle Decoration shoot isn’t it)!

Speaking of stripes, I must mention Oliver’s gorgeous jumper by one of our all time-favourite designers, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear c/o the kind folks at Base Fashion for Kids and Teens. Thanks Base, we all love it!

The striped long sleeved number is super soft to the touch (100% cotton) and utterly chic with its Breton Stripes and RL’s signature pony player.

As you can see Oliver likes it too! Just look at that face!

I opted for age 6 although Oliver is just 5, as I do with most designer fare so as to get the most out of the pieces. (Retails at £55).

But back to lunch-I’ve known Rachael and Richard since 6th form (where they met themselves-so sweet) but when I moved to London for uni, we lost touch, reconnecting 4 years ago when I returned back to Leeds, now all of us parents, with that strong historical connection and so much in common.

Some friendships were meant to last despite the years apart and it’s awesome when they do?!

You know a sign of being great mates is when you can just 100% be yourself, feel utterly relaxed and happy in their company, and don’t stop laughing. That was Sunday!

Thanks guys for such a wonderful day-and I’ve loved sharing our weekend just gone, in pictures with you all!

Happy Sunday!

Linking up to Bod for tea’s #sharethejoylinky