Soft Clothes, Full Hearts, and a Charcuterie Board

Just before we called it a night, we wandered out to the woodshop where Brian gave us a look at what he’s been working on. A quiet little board with a tumbling block pattern—and one more memory added to a weekend already full of them.

What It’s Like to Stay In at Truitt

Some visits are worth planning around—and this one started with a shared excitement to hear Holly Chapple speak. But as much as we were looking forward to the event, the real magic was in the in-between: the kind of time you carve out for deep breaths, long talks, and the joy of being fully at ease with people who know you best.

The ladies arrived late on a Sunday afternoon, and we did exactly what we’d hoped—settled in. Hugs at the door turned into a quick change into soft clothes and the kind of catch-up that starts before your bags hit the floor.

When the conversation is good (and it was), dinner can be as simple as a charcuterie board and a fresh salad. It’s what we love anyway. A glass of wine in hand, feet curled under covers, a living room full of pillows and stories—that’s our version of a Michelin-star experience.

We stayed up later than we should have, but why not? Good friends make time stretch and laughter echo longer. Just before the nightcap, we made a detour out to the woodshop—because when Brian’s working on something, it’s always worth a look.

He was kind enough to give us a peek at his current project: a wooden charcuterie board built in a tumbling block pattern. Simple at first glance, it becomes a quiet optical illusion the longer you look. The ladies gathered around, curious and impressed, not just by the design but by the thought and precision behind it. It was one of those unplanned moments that added its own kind of warmth to the night.

Hosting like this—low pressure, high reward—is my favorite kind. No overthinking. Just real moments, a generous board, and friends who feel entirely at home.

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