Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday..Spinach Salad

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting her 51st Tablescape and Michael at Designs by Gollum is hosting Foodie Friday. I'm so glad these two lovely ladies invite us on consecutive days. They work so well together--especially for us at our house. When I set the table, we usually eat :) This past weekend we had 16 gathered at our house for dinner on Friday night--not a big fancy dinner party--just family and several friends. Tablescaping was in short supply, but food was plentiful! By Tuesday, I was ready for something more intimate. A table for two on the deck seemed just the answer.




The little bistro table in the corner is the perfect size for two. I found these turquoise and yellow flower plates in my cabinet last week---I'd forgotten them! I bought them on sale at Steinmart months ago and put them away just a little too well :).



But it was meant to be! Without a definite plan in mind, I seemed to have been drawn to turquoise this summer! I had bought the place mats earlier because I love the stripes and polka dots together. I think it's just happy, and I like happy!

I even had this adorable firefly just waiting to light on our birdcage (as if we needed more bugs!) . See this little nest inside? I won this as part of a lovely giveaway from Tam at The Gypsy's Corner in the first month I started blogging! (note to Susan at BNOTP: I have not won anything since--hint, hint :) The little eggs in the nest are pale yellow and pull out the accent colors on the table. The Target birds came by to visit the nest.

I found these little containers for the daisies in the glassware section at a locally owned dollar store. They look like small milkshake glasses, but I have lots of ideas for them. Today I used them at each place setting as vases. Later I think they will be perfect for little amuse-bouches before dinner. I've even spray painted a couple for a future tablescape--very versatile little glasses indeed!

We'll be eating a fresh spinach salad tonight. Even the eggs are cooperating with the color scheme!

Dessert is being served in crystal sherbet glasses. These belonged to my grandmother and I have no information on them. They are delicate with beautiful flower etchings in the crystal. Beloved and I ate homemade blackberry cobbler with homemade ice cream this weekend, so we are both cutting back on dessert calories, at least momentarily! I found this frozen lemonade by Nestle in the ice cream section. It tastes like gelato and is a perfect light dessert! But just because Beloved and I are feeling a little "fluffy" (Beloved thinks this sounds much more positive than "fat"), doesn't mean you can't have dessert --Have a big piece of birthday cake to wish Susan a Happy Blog Birthday on the 18th !

The spinach salad is truly one of the best I have ever had. I get requests for the dressing recipe every time I serve it, but let me warn you: I don't think the recipe sounds good. You'll just have to take my word for it until you try it.

Fresh Spinach Salad Dressing

Mix 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 tablespoon onion juice, 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup canola oil, and 3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese. Serve over fresh spinach topped with crumbled bacon, sliced mushrooms, and sliced boiled eggs.

Click on the TT or FF buttons in the sidebar to visit Susan and Michael for more tables and food! I am also linking to http://annkroeker.wordpress.com.