Valentine's Dessert

It's too early to do a Valentine's Day table, but I found the perfect dessert for people who don't bake and want something easy, yet impressive for V Day.  I thought I would share just in case any of my readers want to use this idea.

This picture is thanks to Woman's Day magazine.

Is this impressive looking or what?

You can go there by clicking here to get the full recipe.

Books on the Art of Entertaining

I have a pretty big collection of cooking/entertaining books.  About 15 years ago I attended an estate auction of a deceased 90+-yr old woman and I bought a few boxes of her cookbooks.  She was in a book club (many of the books were labeled "book club edition").

Many appeared to have never been opened, like this one from 1960 titled, The Art of Serving Food Attractively.   There are none of the beautiful color pictures that we are used to today in this 51-year old book.  In fact there were only a few black/white drawings, like this one showing how to make bologna and cheese sandwiches look good--what fun!


This book was published in 1992, but is still in black/white.

It has a suggestion for a  reunion patchwork cake:

I work with people who plan parties, but I have never had a reunion serve a cake like this!

This book published in 1983 is one of my favorites:

It has a buffet that I have been wanting to do for years--but never have. It's now on my bucket list--seriously, before I die, I want to do this sandwich  buffet table for Halloween:

Have you ever seen a cuter way to serve a sandwich buffet than this?   It looks very easy to me.

One of my more current entertaining books is this one from Christopher Lowell--you can tell it's fairly current because he uses the word "tablescapes":

He has wonderful color pics and sets the type of tables we are all setting today.  Look, he even used zebra fabric on this one!

What about you--do you have any favorite entertaining books?

Simple Zebra Tablescape

When I saw this tapestry fabric yesterday, I immediately thought of my zebra salad plates --see the plate in the right hand corner?


After 4 hours of sewing and about 20 minutes to set the table, I ended up with a totally new look for my dining room:

 I made six chair covers to match the plates. They also go nicely with the new green color that we painted the dining room this fall.  I immediatley set a quick table so I could see how it would look.  I really like the chair covers!  I am always thrilled when I spend hours making something and I actually like the finished product.  So often, that is NOT the case.

I even got to use my blah pea-soup-green napkins--they rarely go with any table. But for this one, they were perfect!

I think it's a fun change for the new year. If you look in my header, you can see these same plates used with a 1950's aqua-rimmed dinner plate.  Who would have thought zebra plates would be so versatile?

 I also bought a neutral home-dec fabric yesterday to make another set of chair covers.  I can't tell you how much fun I have with chair covers. They are so easy to make-basically just a big pillowcase.  I already have a gray set, which I use quite often. 

Do any of you make chair covers?

Update: I removed the cedar greenery and redid the candles with bows and zebra fabric.

Christmas Table for Two 2010

Since I have a busy week of work and holiday preparations, I decided to set my Christmas table for two when I got home from work today. I set a small table for two right in front of my Christmas tree.  It's a very simple table that DH and I will use to enjoy a cozy meal later this week.

Of course, I had to use my big red wine glasses.


The tiny table had room for just one chunky candle wrapped in a piece of birch bark I found in my yard this fall. 

Here is a flash shot of the green and red plates I used.

I used sparkly gold beaded chargers. The denim stockings that I have on my tree  hold the dinner napkin.

I added a red striped candy to tie in the candy theme of the tree.

It was a very quick and easy table that will add a little bit of cheer to our holiday.

Sunflower and Blue Jean Stocking Christmas Tree

This year I decided to do a very country Christmas tree.

It is loaded with gingerbread men, sunflowers and blue jean stockings.

 

I also used three different textured green balls, real lollipops, and a few different candy-themed ornies.

Now I need to come up with a tablescape to coordinate with the tree.

Stay tuned to see what that will be!

Thanksgiving Tablescape

Last week I made this 'Give Thanks' banner. I decided to put it on my dining room cabinet.

I added a lot of pine cones and grapes to my fall leaf garland. I even put some on the opening knob of the cabinet.

Tonight I set my Thanksgiving table to coordinate with this cabinet.

I used my turkey soup tureen as the centerpiece.

This tall metal candle holder was also adorned with grapes and fall leaf garland.

I used my favorite vintage dishes -- 'Windsor Fruit'. These dishes just say "Thanksgiving" to me. You may have noticed that I also used them in my header, which is a Thanksgiving table from a couple of years ago.

The gold beaded chargers provide some sparkle.  I love sparkle!

These green/gold candles seemed to work with this table.

 So now my table is all set for the big feast! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Ants are Welcome at this Table

I did not think I was going to get the heavy metal ants I ordered last month. Two weeks ago I got an email that said they were out of stock for the season. Then last week I got an email that said they had shipped!

We are grilling steak tonight. I thought I'd set a quick picnic-type table. I went out to my gardens and picked some flowers

and put them inside a picnic basket. Then scattered the ants around.

Dessert was homemade chocolate chip cookies--it looks like the ants like them, too.

Here is the complete table setting for just the two of us.


I can't wait to use these ants for a summer dinner party. I think they will be quite the conversation starters!