...family, friends, home and other tidbits of a blessed life

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Dining Al Fresco

It's hot. Appetites wane. It's hot. Nobody wants to cook! But a great find at the Dollar Tree makes the heat seem not as bad. I walked in last week and saw fabric place mats. Lime green with white polka dots. They were destined to go home with me that day! I mean lime green with white polka dots, who could forgo such a find?? Really now. I had a set of white plates. Then the fun began. Welcome and join me for a cool dinner on the patio.


Dinner plates: Wedgwood Windsor pattern. These dishes have become a staple. The just play well in all different 'sandboxes'. The salad plates came from TJMaxx and are labeled Summer 2010. Oh did I mention the place mats were just a dollar each?

These colorful plates came in yellow, lime green, turquoise and orange. Still looking for additional turquoise plates.


Picked up a bouquet of flowers at the grocery store. They came with the glitter already on them. The dyed colors matched so well with the dishes and table!


Turquoise napkins tied with a lime gingham ribbon. Napkins - Stein Mart. Stitches - Bernina. Thread - Isacord. Napkins are a perfect way to show off those sewing machine stitches. Pick threads in your favorite colors, use an Organ embroidery needle and make sure to wind a bobbin in the same thread! This will ensure that your napkins look equally good on both the front and back sides.

Do you recognize the stitches? Stitches from a Bernina 730 - lime green: #427 as is; orange: #411 SW 5.9, SL 1.71; yellow: #711 SW 5.1, SL 3.01.



The green 'vase' is actually a larger votive candle holder purchased at Big Lots. I loved the green color and the resemblance to mercury glass.


Our margarita stemware was purchased last year at World Market. Instead of having a dark blue ring, this set has the lighter turquoise rim and base.


Once again the fish dinnerware from WMF. Sadly, it's no longer available. The whimsy lends itself well to the festive table.


A citrus salsa served on a bed of lettuce. Grilled Trout with jalapeno mayonnaise. Parslied potatoes. Healthy, yummy and is a great meal for a still very warm evening.


Indulge in a margarita of choice. Over ice or served blended with ice. Perfectly cool. The lime of the drink plays nicely off the lime in the place mats!


And if you gather all the stuff above.... then you too can make the citrus salsa and jalapeno mayonnaise.


Citrus Salsa from the Ultimate Grill Book.

1 large grapefruit, white membrane removed, cut into bite-size pieces
2 large oranges, white membrane removed, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped*
2 T lime juice
2 T orange juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 t sugar
Salt to taste.

Mix all ingredients. Can be made ahead and used the next day.
*Mr. Picky-eater doesn't like tomatoes. So I courteously omit these and serve them sliced on the side. ;~)

Miss Priss lies in the "outer rim", close enough to be a part of the group, but far enough away that no one could possibly touch her! She is just waiting patiently for a taste of trout and I can't say I blame her. She's also asking you to run on over to Susan's Tablescape Thursday! It's a fun place to be inspired to use the things you have... just click the graphic below.



24 comments:

jackie Dundon said...

You NEVER cease to amaze me.....the dinner table is beautiful, now, can I have a margarita please....LOL

Anonymous said...

Oh Marlis, this is just way too tempting and a wonderful way to enjoy summer.

Lynn said...

Looks great! Love what you did with the napkins-enjoy!

xinex said...

Oh I love the brightness of your table. Those placemats are just the cutest and for a $, you can't beat that! Love your napkins and plates too...Christine

Marigene said...

Marlis, love your colorful table...anything blue and green jumps right out to me, especially those polka dotted placemats! The silverware is cute...but my favorite has to be Miss Priss...she is gorgeous.

Tricia said...

First of all, I love your photography! The polka-dot placemats add SUCH a fun note to the table, and the way you've embellished the napkins really adds a special touch. The menu looks amazing, as well!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Those colors look perfect to cool you down on a hot, hot day! Love those fishy flatware pieces.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

What a darling, whimsical table. I love the color combo's. So bright and happy. Thank you for swinging by and saying hello... I loved having you. hugs ~lynne~

Red Couch Recipes said...

What a fun tablescape! The salad plates and STITCHED napkins, not to mention the placemats really stand out. What time is dinner? Joni

Barbara said...

Love those placemats - both the color and the polka dots. You did such a great job with the colors on this table - very festive and summery. Everything looks delicious.

a quiet life said...

its all darling, but miss priss stole the show!

bj said...

OMGosh...everything looks amazing. I can't believe I missed those adorable place mats. So so cute!

Your food looks wonderful...it all looks too cool to be in Lubbock. I can barely step outside, much less try to eat out there.

xo bj

Jacqueline said...

What beautiful bright colors. I would love those place mats. They are just wonderful. The outdoor setting is wonderful too. It looks so inviting. I would love a little citrus salsa right now! Have a wonderful weekend.

Unknown said...

Beautiful colors, love your napkins!!!

All looks so fresh and delicious!
Hugs
Charo

Donna said...

Very enjoyable post. That Dollar Tree sure has some amazing stuff!
Love that store, and love your lime placemats. :)

D

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Marlis, thanks for your visit and your very nice German comment. Your German is perfect. With my weak English I can't tell you how much I enjoyed your table . This placemats are a good find but the salad plates are really stunning. And I love your napkins so much. This is so creative. I would love to have a Bernina sewing maschine with all that creative stiches. I copied your yummy Citrus salad and we will definitely have it at the weekend and I am sure our cats will show off then, too. Your ist so cute.
Greetings, Johanna

craftyles said...

The table is really pretty. I love the napkins-wonderful idea. Gotta love Dollar Tree!

Bill said...

Delightful table -- so fresh and inviting! The placemats, plates, flowers, flatware, those beautiful napkins (how clever you are!) -- it all works perfectly together!

Have a happy 4th!
Bill

Debbie said...

Once again you've put together an amazing table Marlis. LOVE the napkins!! It all looks wonderful.
Happy 4th of July holiday.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

What a wonderful table! I love the polka dot DT find, and the detail to the napkins you added are fantastic! Great job!

Niki said...

What a pretty...and happy...table! I love the color scheme.

Sweetladyelaine said...

WOW!!! I love your tablescape...so bright and refreshing. Your napkins are so pretty....would love a margarita!

Deborah said...

Adorable, Now I've got to run to DT and get me some of those cute placemats. Wonderful tablescape.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Another beautiful and colorful tablescape! I love the color combo! So bright and festive!

Katherine

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