Never too many orchids

It's our 47th Valentine's, aka the 47th anniversary of our second date. On that Valentine's day that many years ago my soon to be husband gave me 9 orchids and asked me to marry him.  I wish I had a picture. This year that sweet man bought me 12 dinner plates with orchids.  

Side Note: his dad had the largest orchid greenhouse between Dallas and Hawaii. That tidbit was learned later as we dated some more.

I

Hence, I have this thing for orchids. Apparently I'm more sentimental than I ever imagined. 

He really took me by surprise. Orchids on dishes. He does think we have "more than enough" dishes, but I guess I'd been yammering about these that I came across on Ebay for so long, he pulled the trigger. 

 

These are Rosenthal Winifred Orchid. Surrounded by the yellow rose of Texas, my favorite Lilies of the Valley and forget-me-nots this plate has moved itself to the top of my favorite list. The plate has a back stamp dating it to US Zone Germany 1946-1949. They are in absolutely perfect condition and arrived without one plate being shattered.

The cutlery is Community (Oneida) White Orchid. I had purchased it years ago at an estate sale on the half price day. They opened at 9 and I was there at 8:20am. I purchased it with the future in mind, as I bought them probably 8 years ago?? White Orchid was first produced in 1953 and the bill of sale included with this set is dated in 1953. It's as old as I am. 

I had previously used these Rosenthal Aida orchid plates on a table I did to showcase a tablecloth from a friend of mine. You should check out her linens here. They are wonderful!! I had the soup bowls, which I tend to use for salads as well, bread and butter plates and that was it. Then my sweet friend who had the rest of the pieces (dinner plates, salad plates, serving pieces) decided to let hers go and thus I now have 12 place settings of this china as well. At the time, I did not know about the others on their way :). These date from 1953 to 1956. 

Tried out this combination of blue placemats and pink napkins, but a whole table of pink and blue.. well it's not my cup of tea.

From a few weeks ago. I think maybe if I had some pink in a floral arrangement it might work so I haven't discounted setting one like this in the future. However, my sweet husband is "not into pink". Those are Heisey Orchid candleholders on the table.

Pink really is pretty with the dishes though...

So we'll be dining on the blue linen this Valentine's evening. Sterling napkin rings contain white damask napkins, Heisey Orchid water glasses to be used for wine instead of the pictured Libbey Rock Sharpe and the menu is his favorite veal piccata, the link to the recipe is here. He's also purchased a sweet white orchid for the centerpiece.

I wish you much love, joy and happiness in the year ahead. May your memories sustain you and bring you joy.

A Valetine's times two tablescape

 

What's in a name? Oh I know Shakespeare has the answer, but that's not where I'm going!

The ever so delightful and ueber-talented Cherry Kay from Entertaining Women blog is my partner at the table setting party tonight!  

 We chose to use our Schumann Dresden dishes. I've used them before HERE and HERE. And I just realized I used the same tablecloth from one of the tables. But with a twist. I paired them with a gold charger today and used gold flatware. 

We actually used this table last Sunday evening. So I didn't use a lot of any hearts. Shame on me. 

In their stead, I used some vase napkin rings to reign in the napkins, freshly embroidered. In each vase, I inserted a single alstroemeria blossom.

I love how the sweet blossoms present their precious heads far above the plates.

Now don't laugh.. but I have a confession to make. I'm sure this has never happened to anyone else. Ever. I probably took the first 20-30 pictures of the table.... sans glasses!! Yep, as I was fixing dinner, I noticed my omission. And sprung into action and pulled out some glasses. I'm sure the guests would have just had a good laugh and dinner would still have been a success! I wonder if I would have laughed at myself.

I placed a hot pink tablecloth under the lace to set the tone for the table. 

By this time the late afternoon sun was streaming in the window and there was no

 way to avoid the sun dance!

I used the silver candelabras on the table. I think it's perfectly acceptable to mix metals. 

What do you think?

Because all good things are in 3's... the silver plateau found it's way under the bouquet of flowers. Which, truth be told might be a tad bit high, but everyone could still be seen over them, and conversation flowed as freely as ever.

I think the lace, embroidery and crystal help give the table a very romantic look, even without hearts. What do you think?

I love how crystal seems to come to life when the sun or lighting hits it just so.

Finding flowers for the centerpiece proved a bit of challenge. Here's a tip.. take a picture of the dishes, carry it with you and then hold it up to the flowers in the store. It's amazing what pops out at you when you do that. 

No roses, but every color in the bouquet is in the dishes.

Because Cherry Kay often uses soup tureens as centerpieces; in her honor, I used the matching one to the dishes to sit in as a container for the flowers this evening. 

The silver butter dish and the Lenox swans add a bit more jewelry to the table.

After the near disaster of the missing glasses, I didn't take any pictures with the candles lit that evening. Too busy with guests and getting our dinner of pecan crusted trout, garlic roasted red potatoes, steamed broccoli with hollandaise sauce on the table. Our first course was a fresh mixed lettuce salad with vinaigrette. And to follow all this up, I served a mixed berry dessert over which I spooned a tequila cream sauce. Yummy!

I hope you will find your way over to Cherry Kay's to see her table, which I might say is absolutely fabulous. She, too, chose pink as a backdrop.. but oooh with just her special touches, it looks so stunning.  You do know that it was her gentle nudge that pushed me ever so gently into forward motion and got me collecting these beautiful dishes. So it was fitting we teamed up to bring you a duo of tables for Valentine's. 

Wishing all of you a Valentine's day full of happiness and joy. It's not the big things that matter, but all the little things that happen along the way that really make a difference. So single, in a relationship or married for eons; do something fun, enjoy the day and buy yourself flowers if need be.

Cast:

Chargers - Hobby Lobby

Dishes - Antiques, Schumann Dresden (ebay)

Flatware - International

Water goblets - Mikasa Parklane

Wine glasses - Libbey Rock Sharpe

Silver candelabra, silver plateau - antique 

Lenox swan salt cellars - Lenox "To the Bride"

 Embroidery design - Sonia Showalter designs

 Joining the party over at Cuisine Kathleen's - Let's Dish - on Wednesday evening

And then I'll be partying over at Susan's Beneath Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday!

Happy Valentine's

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I am a hopeless romantic. I admit it. I love a sappy card. Nothing like a chick-flick to capture my attention. I believe in Valentine's. Life gets busy, we take things for granted, February 14th is just a day to pay a little more attention, to be kinder, to smile, to see the good in others. To succumb to the mystique, even if only for a fleeting moment. Thirty-seven years ago today, my husband proposed to me. Four days after our first date. Ten months later we were married. And the rest is history.

Today, I thought I'd speak to the softer side of life, to romance, to couples, fictional and real.

 Romeo and Juliet

 Romeo and Juliet came from feuding families: the Montagues and the Capulets. Although they met by accident, it quickly became clear that the two teenagers were fated to be. With the assistance of a friar, they devised a plan that would ensure they could remain together. After the friar married the couple, he gave Juliet a vial of potion that would allow her to appear dead, but in reality would simply put her into a deep sleep. Once her family found her body and placed in the tomb, the friar would send for Romeo to rescue Juliet. Unfortunately, news of Juliet's death reached Romeo before he received notice of the friar's plan. Thinking that Juliet is dead and vowing to be with her forever, Romeo purchased a vile of poison for himself. After entering Juliet's tomb and kissing his beloved, Romeo took the poison. Shortly after, Juliet awoke to find Romeo lying dead beside her. In unbelievable anguish, she took his dagger and plunged  it into her heart, ensuring they would be together, even in death. (from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9)

Anthony and Cleopatra

 Antony a soldier of Rome under the rule of Octavius Caesar and Aemilius Lepidus, was infatuated with Cleopatra. He fought the attraction going so far as to marry the sister of Octavius (Octavia). But Cleopatra figured

out a way to get Antony to come to Alexandria where she exposed the fact that Octavius and Lepidus had broken the triumphant that had been agreed upon. Antony crowned Cleopatra and himself rulers of Egypt and the eastern third of the Roman Empire, which was Antony's share of land awarded to him as part of the triumphant. Octavius, displeased with Antony's actions declares war. The battle, fought on the sea, where the navy of Octavius was lighter, more mobile, and better-manned, frightened Antony who was used to fighting on land. Cleopatra, in a grand show of support, pledged her fleet to aid Antony. However in the middle of the battle, Cleopatra fled thinking that Antony had been killed. Antony followed, leaving his army in ruin. Ashamed of his actions, Antony branded himself a coward, but still could not bare to part himself from Cleopatra. With her encouragement, he eventually agreed to fight one final battle against Octavius. But, many of his men deserted him and he could not continue. No longer able to deal with what he had done, Antony attempted suicide with his own sword, managing only to seriously wound himself. Cleopatra, hearing of Antony's actions, locked herself in her monument, vowing to die with Antony's name on her lips. She had Antony's body hoisted up into the monument with her where he died in her arms. Realizing that her one true love was gone and that Octavius planned to take her back to Rome in shame, Cleopatra killed herself using the poison of an asp. When Octavius discovered the bodies of the two lovers, he took pity on the tragedy of their undying love and he agreed to bury them together. (from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9)

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  Alexandrina Victoria, Queen Victoria, met her distant cousin, Prince Albert in 1839. It is said that she fell immediately in love with the young man. They were married in 1840. Victoria bore nine children over the next eighteen years. Albert was well known as Victoria's advisor, confidante, and best friend. She valued his opinion above that of most of her own state advisors. There were nearly always inseparable. Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in December of 1861. Victoria continued to carry out her constitutional duties but she completely withdrew from the public view. She even refused requests from her government to open Parliament in person. Although there were some rumblings about Victoria's involvement with John Brown, a Scottish servant, most historians believe their relationship was strictly one of plutonic friendship since Victoria never appeared to recover from the death of her beloved Prince. (from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9)

 Robert and Elizabeth Browning

Few literary couples can conjure up the image of the love affair created by Robert and Elizabeth Browning. Elizabeth suffered a severe spinal injury at age 15, causing her to be confined to bed. To fill the time, she began seriously writing poetry something she had started as a hobby at the tender age of 13. In 1844, she published her first complete book entitled Poems. Her work impressed another poet by the name of Robert Browning. He corresponded with Elizabeth and they began a courtship by mail. Eventually they met and fell in love, becoming engaged in 1845. However, the opposition of their union from Elizabeth's father forced them to elope in 1846. They eventually fled to Italy where they lived and worked for 15 years. Their own long romance and the many poems written to one another inspired a great deal of their combined work. Upon Elizabeth's death in 1861, Browning returned to England where he continued to work until his own death in 1889. (from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/117920/historys_greatest_lovers.html?cat=9)

 

     Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III

Known as the wealthiest bachelor in the world, Prince Rainier once broke off plans to marry a girlfriend because she was infertile. Grace Kelly met Prince Rainier in May, 1955, when Grace was attending the Cannes Film Festival and had agreed to be photographed with the Prince for Paris Match. She was 26 years old. The Prince was just a few days shy of being 32. After the photo shoot, the Prince and Grace visited the Prince's gardens and small zoo.

Their second meeting was a dinner date and a meeting with Grace's family.

Engagement:In December, 1955, the engagement of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier was announced. He first gave her an friendship ring of diamonds and rubies. Her engagement ring was a twelve-carat emerald-cut diamond ring.

Weddings:Grace and Prince Rainier had two weddings: one was a civil wedding, and the other a religious ceremony.

What is your love story? Who is your favorite couple?

Blooming Romance Tablescape

Come live with me and be my love,

 

And we will all the pleasures prove

That hills and valleys, dale and field,

And all the craggy mountains yield.

There will we sit upon the rocks

And see the shepherds feed their flocks,

By shallow rivers, to whose falls

Melodious birds sing madrigals.

There will I make thee beds of roses

And a thousand fragrant posies,

A cap of flowers, and a kirtle

Embroider'd all with leaves of myrtle.

A gown made of the finest wool

Which from our pretty lambs we pull,

Fair lined slippers for the cold,

With buckles of the purest gold.

A belt of straw and ivy buds

With coral clasps and amber studs;

And if these pleasures may thee move,

Come live with me and be my love.

Thy silver dishes for they meat

As precious as the gods do eat,

Shall on an ivory table be

Prepared each day for thee and me.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing

 For thy delight each May-morning;

If these delights thy mind may move,

Then live with me and be my love.

(The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlow)

Cast:

Dishes: Arzberg Schumann Antique Roses (my favorite dishes)

Gold Flatware: International

Wines: Antique, Libbey Rock Sharpe

Napkins: Irish linen hand sewn by myself

Vase: Mikasa Cheers votive!

Crochet tablecloth: handmade by my mother

Red linen tablecloth: Williams Sonoma

Roses: Sam's foral

Metal cherub garden piece: Estate sale

Votives: crystal by Dollah Turee

Heart boxes: made by myself

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. May the day be filled with sweetness, kindness and many blessings for each one of you. 


Veal Piccata
(my husband's favorite meal in the world)



1/2 lb veal scaloppini, pounded  into thin slices
salt and pepper
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 lemons
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons capers (drained if in brine, rinsed if in salt)
3 tablespooons parsley, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes

 This dish cooks quickly, so have everything prepared and in small bowls!

Turn on oven to 200 degrees and place ovenproof plate in it to warm up the plate. Do not skip this step.

Saute veal in two or more batches. Slice one lemon in half lengthwise (end to end) and cut one of the halves into very thin slices. Over strainer, squeeze the juice of the remaining 1 1/2 lemons. Mince garlic and parsley and place in separate small bowls. 

Put a heavy bottomed fry pan on the stove over medium high heat. Quickly, season the veal slices liberally with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Shake off excess. Place one tablespoon oil in pan and cook the meat for about 2 minutes on each side. Don't flip over and over. When done, place on plate in oven. 

With the pan on medium high heat, add the garlic and saute until fragrant (about 10 seconds). Deglaze the pan with wine (add the wine and scrape up whatever browned bits might be stuck on the bottom of the pan). Add the lemon slices and reduce until there's about 1/3 cup liquid remaining (5 minutes or less). As soon as the sauce reaches a boil, turn off the heat and add the parsley. The goal with the last bit of heat is just to warm the lemon jice, capers and garlic rather than cook them. 

Add the cubed butter a piece at a time which gently whisking. This will thicken the sauce. Serve spooned over veal and gnocchi. A dinner salad and fresh bread is a great way to finish off this meal.

I'm linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop in late Wednesday evening or Thursday to see all the beautiful setting in store just for you. 
I'm also linking up to The Little Round Table - colors of love party. You'll want to drop in there as well! 
Linked up to The Tablscaper's Seasonal Sunday too!