Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Celebrities for Dinner

I am glad to be joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. As I've said before, they complement each other and I am happy to visit both! This week I was in charge of a committee to do flowers for a luncheon of about sixty women--eight tables in a lovely setting overlooking the city. Between that pig thing going around and wanderlust, I ended up as committee of one. The good news--no boring meetings to discuss strategy. The bad news--I am NOT a florist. But I do have a Costco card and I know how to use it!





The luncheon went off without a hitch and now I am left with all these flowers! So .....I invited celebrities for dinner!





I started out with these lovely cream colored dishes with scalloped edges and brown etched fleur de lis accents. They are made by Nina Campbell a London designer with a home line that I believe is offered exclusively at Steinmart. She has beautiful basic pieces with lovely details in several colors. I like the cream and brown for fall. Besides it works so well with these wooden chargers with the leaf design.





I layered a dark green salad plate on top of the Nina Campbell. The salad plates are a Marshalls find. I like to buy salad plates or bowls. They can completely change the personality of a neutral plate. These have a raised grape and grape leaf pattern on them and are called Bordeaux made by Raymond Waites.











I recently saw this idea for individual bouquets that hold place cards. They are actually salt and pepper shakers from Walmart with the top removed . I just added a few mums and fern fronds from the yard. I use these stemmed votive holders all the time. I like the heighth on the table. Now, let's see-- that's a place for Ted and a place for Bob.




Alice will sit here. The bold plaid of the napkins have all the tablescape and flower colors--orange, gold, greens, and brown. I just pushed them down into the stemmed bronze tea glass. They may be celebrities, but they're just folks like us.



If you like old movies, by now, the names are beginning to sound vaguely familiar! Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice was was a risque' movie in the late sixties when free love was just making its way to the over thirty set! I love all these actors! Honestly, those are the first four names that popped in my mind as I was making "faux place cards". But what do you serve for dessert when Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice are coming for dinner.....no, not that :)




There is Carol's spot with Cinnamon baked apples with dumplings! These are my grandmother's sherbet glasses. I finally got a shot where you can see a little of the beautiful etching.






Baked apples make a great guilt free fall dessert and this presentation makes it an elegant dessert as well. It will look like you went to a lot more trouble than you did and I'm all for that...even for celebrities :).






Core Rome or Golden Delicious apples. I don't all the way through to the bottom, Fill it with whatever concoction you like--brown sugar, Splenda, butter, raisins, cinnamon, etc. Next, lay a prepared pie crust out on a floured surface. (I've told you --Sister Schubert makes my rolls and the dough boy makes my crusts :) Cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 10 inches long. Criss cross two strips to form an X and place the filled apple in the middle. Pull strips up around the apple and tuck into the center. Next, using the leftover crust cut out small leaves an attach to top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. You may need to cover the leaf garnish with foil at the end to prevent over browning. Garnish with a cinnamon stick stuck in the center. Serve warm. Great with whipped cream or topping.




Just a reminder about Deck the Halls on Tuesdays starting December 1. If you'd like, go ahead and take the reminder button from the sidebar. I'd be grateful if you helped me spread the word. I will be doing a full post about it next week. Gotta go--Elliot Gould needs me!



Click on the TT button to see more tablescapes and on Friday click the Foodie Friday to head over to Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday!

55 comments:

  1. Oh how pretty. I love your dishes and especially the pretty brown chargers. I have been looking for some of those. Everything is so beautifully put together. I love the apple recipe. I will definitely try it. Hugs, Marty

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  2. I love your beautiful fall table
    xoxo
    Julie

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  3. What a delightfully fun & funny tablescape! I remember that movie. Very pretty dishes & may I benchmark your little place card holder? Innovative idea for a casual party.
    Thank you for the recipe for that delicious looking dessert too. Yummo!

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  4. Hehe...I haven't thought about that movie in sooo many years. This was very clever of you. The flowers are a great individual touch and I love those plaid napkins. This is the perfect time of year for baked apples!

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  5. Your tablescape is gorgeous! I love the colors and the placecard idea. And, those cinnamon apple dumplings look so delicious!

    Jane

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  6. You did good girl! Everything looks so beautiful and that apple dessert is amazing! Well done committee of one!

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  7. Oh how pretty - I love all your flowers and the inspiration they brought you.

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  8. I'm a sucker for the metal cookie cutters. Thanks for sharing you celebrity dinner table.

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  9. A very pretty table setting and the apple dessert sounds yummy. I see you use the same chef for your rolls as I do. :-) Are you water logged yet? Mother Nature needs to turn the faucet off for a while. :-)

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  10. Just beautiful girl..love those brown Chargers the flowers are all awesome that you did...May you have a great day...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  11. Hi Susan! Oh, you did good! Everything is so lovely!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  12. What a cute idea. I must be the last person in the world never to have seen that movie....Okay I may have an excuse..I may have been under 10 when it came out. hey I'm just sayin....alright that does make on my way to 50..next year..Thanks for reminding me! Still love the tablescape.

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  13. What a lovely fall table you've created! I absolutely love your little apples. Happy TT to you!

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  14. Everything is so pretty! Love the apple dumplings!

    Katherine

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  15. I have to copy your cute baked apples:) Cosco is the best for fresh flowers in my neighborhood. your table is so pretty and I loved your celebrity guests:)
    Joyce

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  16. Beautiful! I LOVE Tablescape Thursdays! It honestly is the highlight of my week...to view and dream of beautiful tablescapes in my home! Thanks so much for sharing!One day, my life will be a little calmer and I join you guys with my own tablescapes! S.Dowd

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  17. Hi Susan,

    I loved seeing your pretty tablescape and everything looks warm and inviting.
    The cinnamon baked apple dumplings looks delicious.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  18. oh your table is lovely!
    as for the geraniums...not all will go to seed...one or two of the blooms might...and some of the plants are just plain sterile. Not deadheading for a couple weeks will tell you all that you need to know! if you see fuzzies...you have seeds! If you just see dead and ugly after the first couple weeks after the blooms have faded...rip it off and wait for more!

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  19. You have great ideas! I just love your sherbet glasses and the little salt & pepper shaker centerpieces. FAB! I need to start keeping my eyes open for salad plates to accessorize my every day dishes...I would love some creamy colored ones like your plates, wouldn't that look great with my deep brown ( massively large, Mister sized ) plates...lol.

    This post truly brought a smile to my face and a giggle...it was charming. Can't wait to deck the halls!

    Take care~ J

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  20. Such a pretty fall table. The apples smell delicious!(I have a good imagination...)

    Have a great week...
    Jane (Artfully Graced)

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  21. Love your pretty flowers, the sunflowers are gorgeous. What's Deck the Halls? I will be watching for more info. I'm assuming it's showing all your Christmas decor?

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  22. Lovely tablescapes, the s & p vases are a great idea which I shall probably borrow!
    a bientot
    Maggie @ Normandy Life

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  23. That crust looks so crispy and pretty there! I have never been good with crust. The table looks lovely, and you put your Costco purchases to good use!
    Brenda

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  24. Susan.. Love everything here today!!.. and I love the idea for place card holders too!! ~tina

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  25. You have inspired me in so many ways! I am going to get busy. Those apples sound and look wonderful. Thanks!

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  26. Love the table, the place card holders. Adore the sherbet glass and the apples are wonderful!

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  27. A very lovely and warm table. Thanks for sharing.

    Oh, and I love your selection of music.

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  28. My favorite is the place card holders, and your green salad dishes. Oh, the apple dumpling got me craving for sweets!


    Blessings,
    Jan

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  29. The flowers and table are beautiful. I love your dishes! I have only been to Steinmart once and need to go back for more provisions!!

    I want to try to make these apples. They sound SO good and the pastry looks so pretty. I am all for easy and pretty!! lol!!

    Happy TT, Susan!!

    xoxo
    jane

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  30. Wonderful apples! How clever. And to be left with all those flowers -- how sad (BIG GRIN!) Sometimes committees of one are good.

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  31. This is just gorgeous! I'm loving the dishes, napkins, flowers, and the whole Bob, Ted, Carol, and Alice theme.

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  32. Pretty table and the apples look delicious! Laughed about your movie theme!!! :D Jewel

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  33. Beautiful table and I love the baked apples. Enough crust to make it tasty but not enough to make it too heavy! I'll be on the lookout for "Deck the Halls!

    Christi

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  34. O, this was the most FUN thing...you had me smiling, big time, right from the start..all the way thru. I loved this!!
    O, and I WILL take your Christmas button for my sidebar to wear..I'll put it right beneath my Christmas countdown button..:)

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  35. I LOVE this tablescape! Especially the cute little place card holders. What a great idea.
    I came by because I enjoyed the comment you left on my blog. You made me laugh! Thank you!
    Great post!
    Traci

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  36. That was just fun!! I loved it. I am putting Deck the Halls on my blog. Can't wait:)

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  37. oh you are so smart! what an adorable table and fun theme!
    Happy Twirls

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  38. Susan, you are just so clever! Your centerpieces for the luncheon are so pretty, and the idea of the little s/p mugs for individual flowers is fabulous! All of your fall colors look so pretty combined in this table, and you did have some famous guests (that was so cute!) That applie idea is great! You are the queen of easy desserts, and this is another one I'll be wowing guests with! Thanks for the recipe. laurie

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  39. First of all, I love this version of Over the Rainbow. In fact when I came to your site it made me smile as soon as the music started. thank you for that :-)

    I love the table decorations, the fresh flowers and the place holders are a really cute idea.

    Baked apples...no kidding. I always forget about that for dessert. Thanks for the reminder, they look really pretty and delicious.

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  40. I just love Costco and Steinmart!

    Last weekend I bought four martini glasses at a garage sale, you know the ones with the offset stem. I don't drink martinis, but bought them thinking they would be great for desserts. This recipe is perfect to go along with that idea! Thanks.

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  41. Everything looks so lovely. I really like the apples... love the way you displayed them too!

    Take care,
    ButterYum

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  42. Pretty as usual. You did a good job and the apples are tempting me.

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  43. Your tablescape is lovely. For one who is not a florist, you did an awfully nice job with the flowers. The baked apples look scrumptious and I love the way you presented them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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  44. Hi, Susan! What a BEAUTIFUL job you did with the tablescape! I love the colors and your choice of dishes. I, too, buy a lot of salad plates and bowls that change the entire appearance of our neutral china and dish patterns. When I married, we registered for Lenox Eternal for that very reason. Instead of buying an entire set of Christmas dishes, we simply bought the salad plates. Very pretty and VERY economical! Same with Thanksgiving and Easter. I love the chargers you've used.

    THANKS for visiting my blog! I hope you'll come back again soon. Yes, we do stay busy, but I like that. That's not to say, though, that I don't get my lazy days in there somehow! :-) It does seem that we're always on the go, but it certainly keeps things from getting mundane! *grin* Come back and visit again!

    Blessings,
    Paula

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  45. I love all your layering. Everything looks so pretty and the apple dumplings are perfect!
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Karen

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  46. I'm a little late for dinner! This post was such a treat. Love the idea of the baked apples with the pie crust detail. I'm definitely using that one! Your table looks just perfect! Life has been coming at me fast so I didn't get a table done for this week. Hope to be back next week with something to share. ~ Sarah

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  47. what cute presentation on those baked apples. We love baked apples around here, but I've never seen them presented like this before.

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  48. I adore your table...those flowers are amazingly beautiful...you inspire me! Thanks for the lovely comment you left on my blog...happy weekend!

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  49. Really like the tablescape and thanks for the reciepe it sounds delicous. I'm also looking forward to your deck the halls in December.

    Thanks for visiting my blog awhile back. Hope to see you again, I'll be back to visit you are well :o)

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  50. Gorgeous tablescape! The baked apples look too beautiful to eat!

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  51. What a clever post and lovely flowers and ideas. Always so good to see how everyone does their tables.

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  52. I love your tablescape but really drooled over those baked apples. Great post!!

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  53. Such a lovely fall tablescape. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I've enjoyed yours and will be back for a visit.

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  54. I love your tablescape, and, oh, those flowers! They look so professionally done. Lucky you, to get to bring them home. That apple looks yummy, and the Dough Boy makes my pie crusts too!

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