Bill and Sharon Laing, left, and Richard and Bette Bryan greet their arriving guests on New Year’s Eve.
When the invitation to the New Year’s party arrived in the middle of summer, I knew it would not be an average evening. With the offer of hired drivers to pick up and return all the invited guests, I also knew we would break our tradition of spending at least part of the last night of the year in downtown Knoxville.
Bette wasn’t going to let a broken foot cramp her style. She just put a bow on it!
Let me tell you, folks, the swells in the glittering mansions of New York and Beverly Hills have got nothing on us. We have residents in little old Knoxville who know how to put on the Ritz as well as any of them! And they still manage to be the nicest, most down-to-earth people in the world.
The party hosts were Richard and Bette Bryan and Bill and Sharon Laing, great friends who have traveled the world together for years. “We had to start planning early,” Sharon explained, “because there were two key people we knew we wanted to hire and we had to be sure nobody else got them first!” Those two: caterer Rex Bradford Jones of Abner’s Attic and pianist Jim O’Connor and his bandmates. “We just wouldn’t have done the party without them,” Sharon said.
The venue, the Bryans’ home on the water off Houser Road, is a showstopper even on an average day. In a spacious room just off the living room (“That’s my den,” Richard insists) are parked two Formula One race cars and a number of vintage motorcycles. As I said, not your average “Knox box.”
When it’s decked out for the holidays in Bette’s exquisite style, it’s magazine cover beautiful.
Here’s Richard’s “den.”
This car belonged to seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, who is fighting for his life now after a ski accident in France.
More traditional decor in the living room!
Cute
Guests Charlie and Phyllis Severance
The appetizers were huge hits. Here are the tomato goat cheese tarts.
Ruth Bailey and Dr. Sarkis Chobanian
Rick and Mary Johnson
One of Rex Bradford Jones’ signature dishes is this one: reuben bites.
Theresa Stone, left, and Jay and Joanne Mounger
Barbara and Bill Arant
Best dress award: Susan Seymour! (I love that look she’s giving!)
Alan Carmichael, left, and Arthur Seymour. Alan’s suit, one of his favorites, is from Richard’s company, John H. Daniel.
Another classic: bacon–wrapped figs
Soon we were called to dinner at two beautifully set tables.
Pretty chair treatment
From left, Charlie and Phyllis Severance, Bill Laing, Joanne and Jay Mounger and Theresa Stone
The butternut squash bisque was amazing.
It was made even better by the addition of a little cognac, passed around the table in a crystal pitcher.
Entrees were beef tenderloin medallions with brown sauce, mashed potatoes, copper penny carrots and sauteed spinach.
Dessert: Jack Daniel’s pecan pie with rum raisin ice cream. Loved the presentation!
Chef Rex Bradford Jones
Pretty soon, we were dancing!
Yep!
Fun!
Piano man: Jim O’Connor
Bill Arant has a great singing voice. He performed a few numbers.
More dancing!
There’s that dress again!
Then, a knock on the door. And in walks Bette’s Swedish cousin, Arne! (She really does have a Swedish cousin Arne, but, in this case, she had to fill the role herself. I’m telling you, she is missing out on a career as a stand-up comic!)
Cousin Arne led us in singing a hilarious re-written version of “Yingle Bells.” From left, Sarkis Chobanian, Ruth Bailey and Richard Bryan.
Another talent among the guests: Phyllis Severance delivered an amazing rendition of “Impossible Dream.”
Before we knew it, it was midnight!
Awww.
Happy 2014!
Hey! Stay away from my husband when you are wearing that dress!
Ruth and Sarkis greet the new year.
As do Rick and Mary.
After a little more dancing, we were called to a breakfast buffet set up in the kitchen: scrambled eggs, Richmont Inn bacon, country ham with red-eye gravy, buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, waffles and cheese grits!
Alan’s plate. He loves breakfast.
Apparently, so does Charlie.
Afterward, Richard paid Chef Jones the ultimate compliment. “Better than Denny’s!” he quipped.
Thanks to the Bryans and Laings for ushering in what we hope will be a fabulous 2014 here in the best city in America!
Click on the images below for three brief glimpses of the dance floor. What a hoot!
It was a great evening. Richard and Bette and Sharon and Bill are great hosts. Happy New Year!
I agree, Alan. The food, the venue and the guests made for a perfect night. Plus, you got to kiss Susan!
What a delightful party! And you’re right — Susan’s dress stole the show! Thanks for the pics and videos of food, fun and friendship. Happy New Year to all!
Looks like a lot of fun. I love a midnight breakfast.
Rusha and Gay: Happy New Year to you both!
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