Last year for my birthday my sisters, Kay and Lucy, surprised me with a beautiful handmade charcuterie board…A very special board, handmade by Karen Walkup of French Broad River Lavender Farm.
Karen and Mike Walkup were neigbors of my parents in South Knoxville. Kay wrote in her birthday card, “This charcuterie board was handmade for you by Karen Walkup. Karen and I selected the initial board from a fallen poplar tree (similar to trees found on Mom & Dad’s property). Mike Walkup cut the boards from the tree on a sawmill similar to Dad’s. Karen then cut out the charcuterie from a design I chose (with her help). The KathyMiller Time etching was provided by another friend.”
A posting on FarmSouth Facebook page says, “Karen’s newest creative outlet has been the creation of gorgeous charcuterie boards, crafted from fallen trees (oak, ash, walnut and poplar) on the farm. Mike cuts the logs in his sawmill and Karen takes it from there. They are true works of art.”
My first Charcuterie Board using the KathyMillerTime charcuterie board..this included a Hildene Goat Cheese/Maple Syrup Spread, made using goat cheese and maple syrup from Hildene Farm in Manchester, Vt. Simply add a little maple syrup to goat cheese and stir.
I also like serving this salad on the charcuterie board, allowing for the KathyMillerTime logo to be seen. The serving of salad on boards was inspired by friend, Stephanie Goldberg. Click here to see post and the salad recipe.
I absolutely love my personalized charcuterie board! I thought you would like to see the design process.
Mike Walkup’s sawmill that cut the board
The poplar board with dimensions
Charcuterie board ready for personalizing
Karen Walkup with final sanding
“French Broad River Lavender Farm is owned and operated by three generations of the Walkup family in Knoxville, Tennessee. The farm is located just 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville on 21 acres. We currently grow 5 different species of lavender. We encourage you to shop for our products at FarmSouth or Painted Tree in Knoxville.” from their website.
Karen Walkup cutting lavender.
Cutting boards with man’s best friend.
French Broad River Farm, cut flowers and lavender.
Thank you Karen for the lovely charcuterie board.
If you are in the Knoxville, Tennessee area please visit the farm or find their products at FarmSouth, 1603 Tipton Station Road and at Painted Tree, 9630 Kingston Pike.
Have a wonderful summer with all things lavender.
Come celebrate with me. I’ll save you a seat at the table.
3 Comments
This was such a special time, working with Karen on the design process and watching it come together. It was also nostalgic to visit Mike and Karen’s farm so near to Mom and Dad’s property. Many thanks to Mike and Karen!!
I love this board! And the fact that it is handmade from top to bottom, from the milling of the log to board, to cutting out the shape to the finished product. So special! Thank you Kay and Lucy. Thank you Karen and Mike
The wood grain from the poplar really makes this Board. Be sure and try adding the maple syrup to your goat cheese- it is wonderful!