Dinner with Friends 2014, a Christmas dinner party

Dinner with Friends

Is there anything better (well other than anything that involves children and grandchildren)? 

This years menu:

Appetizers

Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Cardamom Spiced Pork Loin

Burgundy Cardamom sauce

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Green Beans and Shitake Mushrooms

Mocha Ice Cream pie

 The place setting: Zrike

red charger, Lenox Holiday Tartan dinner plate, a vintage pressed glass salad plate in a glorious shade of red, gold flatware, red napkin from Pier One that is edged in gold ruffles, the usual crystal and a showy napkin ring.

I had seen this on the Frongate site. Loved it. Tried to capture the feeling of this. I am truly a Kim Seybert fan and although her designs are pricey, I figured I could recreate her gorgeous napkin rings. I think I succeeded.

Mikasa Parklane water and a yet unknown wine. Loved the gold rim, an ebay find.

Knowing that I was going to use the Frontgate picture as a theme, I added gold trees and candleholders to the Christmas warehouse (aka garage).

The floral centerpiece was a gift from one of the dinner guests.

Tulips and stock (the white stuff). It was perfect for the table.

Found the small red votives this year. Having candlelight on many levels adds to the ambiance of the evening. Do you see the beautiful pattern?

Simple decorations in the chandelier were just what the table needed. Bows, greenery and red glass ornaments.

Found these mercury glass trees at Dillard's last year. They are battery powered and light up, adding one more layer of light to the table.

I'm already planning next year's event. Collecting new pieces has begun and a theme has been set. This makes getting ready for the event so much easier!

I'm hoping that you had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by loved ones and that the year ahead is filled with many blessings, good health and much cheer.

White with a bit of color Tablescapes revisted

June 22, 2011

It's just really hot around here these days.
I mean really hot.

I got in the car after work yesterday and the temp showed 113.

By the time I got to the bank, both the car and the bank showed 105.

ps..the links under the photos are links to the tablescapes themselves.

Thanksgivings 2011

So I've been just wiped out.

But I'm not complaining. 

We have no humidity, normally.

However, it's been like a sweat lodge.

Humidity at greater than 50% some days.

Red and White Holiday 2011

The patio hasn't been completely finished yet.
Our worker has been swamped and so we get pushed to the bottom of the list.
I know I raised him better than that :)!! LOL

Rustic Chic 2011

Needless to say,

I've been a slug.

Lazy.

Not a creative ounce in my bones.

Keeping the plants watered takes all my energy.
Slug.

April in Lubbock 2011

So while I'm longing for cooler temps,

And no new table in sight,

I thought I'd share some previous

tablescape escapades.

Wisteria 2011

And I'm praying you won't be bored.

I'm just sorry I've neglected this blog for so long.

So bad of me huh?
Slug.

Breaking the Fast 2011

But, I do have a brand new table planned for next week!
Well I hope.
Hoping cause I need some flowers.
Hoping.

A Black and White Affair

I'm hoping that the weekend will cooperate.

Cooler temps please, please.

Flowers to be had.

Inspired by Blue

And although I haven't set a table,

I have completed my set of Coalport Athlone blue dishes and Waterford Clarendon wine hocks,

via eBay of course.

A Calm Welcome 2013

And I was the lucky and most happy winner
of a set of gorgeous Noritake Piedmont accent plates.
Cannot wait to set that table!
Thank you Noritake!!!

Paper Roses and Lace 2012

And thanks to my friend Cherry Kay from the gorgeous Entertaining Women blog,
I was able to snag 10 Mottahedeh Musee des Arts pots de creme.
Yep, one more table with these...

Tribute to Mothers Everywhere 2012

So please come back again,
soon.
I know the dog days of summer
will soon be behind us.
Are you longing for Fall, too?

Garden Party 2011

Thank you so much for sticking with me.
Thank you for inspiring me.
Come visit Tablescape Thursdays and Cuisine Kathleen with me!!

Nuts about you darlin' tablescape

I set this table for just the two of us to celebrate my sweet husband's yearly joyous commemoration of his birth.

Setting up our dining experience in a corner under some trees made it seem a bit secluded and special.

The placemat is a juxtaposition to the delicate crochet lace of the tablecloth.

Simple table decor - a nut tree, candles and a spoofed up pumpkin!

A mix of dishes keeps the setting from being too far out of my cowboy's comfort range!

Cute corn husk covered pumpkins for some fun in the bowl.

My favorite silverplate, the viney placemat, brown transferware, texture via the white plate.. so many favorites!

One craft pumpkin, some antique white craft paint, dirty water (paint and lots of water) to settle in the brush strokes of the white paint, some velvet leaves and a plaid ribbon. You can do this too!

Wooden candleholder form the coffee table topped off with a votive holder and a candle.

Tarnished sterling.. salt and pepper dressed in their finest.

So mad there were only 3 left.. I LOVE these bowls. 

I love this tablecloth. So much. Mom's handiwork was always so exquisite.

.Our favorite handblown goblets..

It takes a lot of nuts (and one big one) to cover a styrofoam tree. I recommend brown spray paint on the tree first! Then don't use low temp hot glue.. Just sayin...

The rosemary in the pot gives off such a wonderful scent when you brush up against it. Love white pumpkins.. love them. yes i really think i love them. 

Ralph just does the best fabrics! Love his napkins.

I hope you enjoyed our little fete a deux to celebrate a special understated event.

Cast:

White matelasse - vintage

Crochet tablecloth - my mom

Placemats - Pier One

Dinner plate - Zrike Wildlife

Salad - Wedgewood Windsor

Bowl - Wal Mart

Goblets - Hand blown in France, from Santa Fe

Silver - Old Company Plate

Salt and Pepper - vintage

Napkins - Ralph Lauren Brookfield Print

Craft pumpkin, ribbon, styrofoam tree - Michaels

Thanks for dropping in. I am honored by your visit. I'd love to visit you back, leaving a comment will let me do that easily. Thanks!

Linking up with Susan's Tablescape Thursday.. cya there!