You’re Gonna Have a Fit!

It’s been two months almost to the day since I posted last…I’ve missed you! We have been busy as bees around here with wedding festivities for our youngest son and preparations for our daughter’s baby soon to be born BUT you just have to see this!

Here in the South one of the nicest compliments you can give is, “I just had a fit over it!”. Recently dear friends of ours gave a seated dinner for ninety for our son and his fiance. I can tell you these ladies did all the work themselves and put endless hours of thought, preparation, and work into this event and I just about had a fit when we saw it….I think you will too!

I felt as if I had entered a photo shoot for Southern Living and Southern Lady combined. The majority of the tables were set in a woodland theme on long sweeping porches on two sides of the house. Napkins were held by mini flower pots and each guest was provided a fan tied with satin ribbon with the bride and groom’s name on it.

The theme was evident from the very beginning when the invitation arrived in what appeared to be a brown paper sack addressed in calligraphy (of course :). The invitation itself was a replica of a vintage seed packet. Each guest received a tiny seedling planted in the mini pots as a favor. As the sun set candles surrounded by parchment paper provided a romantic glow on the tables.

Long stretches of tables with tulips in galvanized bucket- like containers provided seating for every single guest.

Oh, and don’t overlook the moss-covered fauna on each table. This little bunny is sitting on a bed of polished stones. Each “placemat” was made of astro turf.

The brown tablecloths provided the “earthy” background. Our boys have hunted together since junior high school and the hostesses knew the groom would revel in the theme. His favorites were this duck and a huge wild turkey!

A mossy little fox graces this table. The Mason jars were filled with water and garnished with lemon before dinner.

A giant moss butterfly provided the appropriate whimsy for the bar tucked away in a corner! Soft lighting in the surrounding foliage was beautiful after dark. I half-expected woodland fairies to pop out!

Tables of appetizers filled the patio area before dinner. The white Adirondack chair was a gift to the bride and groom. Each guest signed it and it was later covered with a finish to preserve the memories of the night.

My personal favorite was the gazpacho served in shot glasses! And finally a feast was served buffet-style…..

A tuxedoed buck and veiled doe served as the centerpiece for the buffet table!!!!!

It was a magical night none of us will ever forget….well, you know….. I just had a fit over it :)!

I’m linking this to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and to Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for Saturday’s My Favorite Things. I hope you’ll visit these two ladies and tell ‘em I sent you :) I hope to post the nursery on Sunday and I think you’re gonna have a fit!!! It’s good to be back….:)!! Thanks for stopping by…leave me a note!

EDITED--In my absence, Laurie has decided to discontinue her Saturday meme, so I won't be linking BUT still hop over for a visit. You won't be sorry!

Eggceptional Breakfast for Two

About three weeks ago I went to my front door…….the one with freshly planted Kimberly Queen ferns…..

the one with the spring and Easter wreath that I have neglected to show you :)…….and there was a surprise!

My friend Kathleen of Cuisine Kathleen fame had sent me a gift. I had won one of her very gracious giveaways! Kathleen and I share a love for the same man…..Bill. You may know him by William Sonoma, but trust me on this one. Kathleen knows him well and calls him by his nickname :)

Inside the envelope I found six beautiful napkins!! They were covered in sunny happy barnyard animals and just naturally made me think of pairing them with these happy placemats for a special breakfast for two.

These placemats are so cute that it’s almost a shame to cover them with a plate….almost.

Now red and yellow is not a color scheme that I would normally even think of. But some tablescapes just create themselves. This one was just waiting to be born!

My cute little egg cups with rosy cheeks and yellow egg-shaped bowls with strawberries cinched the red and yellow theme.

These mini mason jars make perfect bud vases for individual place setting arrangements. They are actually salt and pepper shakers from Walmart. An unusual container makes a floral arrangement easy!

And of course, the bunny and carrot salt and pepper shaker had to make its appearance no matter what the color scheme is :)

I’m joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Please visit her by clicking on her button on my sidebar. And be sure to visit my benefactor Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen here! She is a master of food and its presentation!

Thanks so much for stopping by for breakfast :) I wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Easter! I hope you’ll drop me a note!~~Susan

Pink and Blue Extravaganza

I’ve been thinking, planning, and dreaming in pink and blue for over a month now. I’ve been teasing you for almost a week. Last Friday our daughter had her first sonogram. On Saturday we had our Him or Her party to reveal the gender of our coming little one----No one knew but the sonogram technician and the bakery!

The dining room table was a sea of pink and blue for a big family dinner. The paternal grandparents traveled from five hours away to witness the announcement. My oldest son was on speaker phone from Delaware to witness the breaking news.

Of course, you know by now, I always start with flowers and a centerpiece. I found these gigantic pink and blue hydrangeas in the Kroger floral department. I arranged them with baby’s breath (gysophila) in a small wicker bassinet I found online. I have used this bassinet countless times for baby showers.

These large stemmed candle holders are one of my favorite tablescaping staples. By changing the candle color or adding ribbons, I can adapt to almost any theme or holiday.

I scattered pink and blue trinkets from Dollar Tree around the table.

I must tell you I searched relentlessly online and locally for pink and blue salad bowls or plates and had no luck. In the end, I had to settle for paper (OH NO!!!). I did like the way the square plate looked on the now-famous Big Lots white china. The napkins are bunched in pink and blue polka dot favor buckets.

Our friend Marty from A Stroll Thru Life introduced me to the versatility of cloches. This made a perfect centerpiece for the sideboard.

I used silver mementos that belonged to the mother-to-be under the cloche and, of course, more baby’s breath. But the main attraction on this sideboard was this

The inside of this cake holds the answer: Pink or Blue ????????

Thanks for sharing in the joy with me! Hope you’ll come back tomorrow for the menu, a recipe, and the answer!!! I’d love to hear from you! :)~~Susan

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescapes by clicking on her button on my sidebar!

Recipe for the Perfect Storm

Sometimes the stars align just right, conditions all come together, and the stage is set for the perfect storm. No, not the kind that produces torrential rain or snow….but, that’s part of it. On Monday morning, I awoke to this

A beautiful winter wonderland in a place more accustomed to power-threatening sleet than pretty white soft stuff.

Our house which lately has resembled the “Do Drop Inn” looked like this… not just empty….peacefully, joyfully quiet :)

Beloved closed up early and came home with plans to rest up for the big game. And while we are not Auburn fans, I always root for the SEC.

After a quick kitchen inventory, I knew I had the ingredients to complete both the recipe for a perfect evening and a perfect-for- the-occasion soup.

Dinner for two in front of the fire….and the flat screen tv :)

The fire’s reflection caught in mom’s old Community silverplate—White Orchid.

Is there anything better than a warm fire, warm soup, and a warm hand to hold?

Beef and Cabbage Soup

1 1/2 pound ground chuck

1 small head cabbage, cut into large pieces

1 large onion, chopped

28 ounces water (use the tomato can)

2 cans red kidney beans (dark or light)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3 stalks celery, chopped

3 tablespoons beef soup base

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon black pepper

28 ounces stewed or crushed tomatoes (we prefer the larger stewed)

Brown beef with onions and celery. Add all other ingredients and extra water if needed. Simmer covered for at least one hour.

Serve with the best-ever cornbread recipe here.

Simple, huh?

I am joining my friends Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday. You can find them by clicking on their buttons on the sidebar!

I know I have been sporadic in my posting and even more so in my visiting. Both sets of wedding plans are well under way. I am working on a whole new room and a surpise I hope to share with you soon :) Thanks for hanging in there with me!~~Susan

Harvesting Lunch...The Perfect Pair

I have always half-joked with Beloved that our marriage vows say, “for better, for worse, but not for lunch”:). I just thought having a man at home in the middle of the day would interfere with my routine---not to mention messing up the kitchen again.

However…(don’t you love that word? It opens the door to so many possibilities :) Firstborn’s schedule now brings him to my neck of the woods a couple of times a week. What’s a mother to do? Feed him of course! One of his favorites after the weather begins to change is soup and sandwich, the soul-warming lunch classic …the stuff tv commercials are made of :)

I’ve taken the candy corns out of the stemmed pillar holder and substituted fall berries, nuts, and candles called “harvest home”. The smell is divine and makes me want to stay in and “nest”!

Firstborn appreciates a little pampering, and setting the table encourages conversation rather than ESPN watching :)

I might even let Beloved come home for lunch :)

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich

One slice each of cheddar, Swiss, Colby-Jack, and Muenster cheeses, or any combination you like.

2 slices of Texas toast—I used thickly sliced homemade sour dough

1 package garlic and fine herb-flavored Boursin cheese, softened

Butter, softened

Place cheeses on one side of bread. Spread about 2 tablespoons of Boursin cheese on the other slice. Put the two sides together :) Spread butter on both sides. Cook in a skillet, (I like my black iron one for this), covered, over medium low heat for 6-7 minutes per side until lightly browned and the cheese has melted. ***Covering the skillet ensures that the cheese melts! Enjoy!—adapted from Southern Lady magazine.

I am linking to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Tuesday and to Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Thanks to our hostesses Susan and Michael Lee West! You can get to the parties by clicking their buttons on my sidebar!

Thanks for stopping by—come back for lunch anytime! Don’t forget to say hello!~~Susan

Bundle of Joy Buffet

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for a surprise baby. NO, the baby is not a surprise, but the sex of the bundle of joy will be unknown until the doctor announces it in the delivery room. What fun and excitement! The way we all used to do it!

The color scheme for the shower was completely pastel—pink, blue, yellow, green, and lavender. Cupcakes, mini cheesecakes in pastel liners, pacifier candy favors, and candy-coated almonds lined the sideboard.

I made pastel marshmallow fondant flowers to top the cupcakes and put them together them in every combination I could think of. I didn’t want to influence the outcome :). You can find details on the fondant here and the recipe here.

The favors are made with Lifesavers, icing for glue, pastel jelly beans for the nipple, and LOTS of pastel curling ribbon. They are completely edible!

The centerpiece was a mixture of fresh yellow and green flowers in this adorable bassinet I found online. I truly had hoped to take pictures of the entire table, but this baby shower almost got away from me! I thought it was more important to answer the door rather than keep clicking away!

You can’t have a proper southern tea or shower without homemade pimiento cheese tea sandwiches! I used my acorn and maple leaf cookie cutters.

For me, deciding on a beverage is always hard for afternoon events. I am not a real fan of most punches. However, this Apple Julep was a hit! It’s not too sweet and made a beautiful presentation with apple and lemon slices floating in it. Christy Jordan, who writes A Southern Plate blog, was recently featured in Southern Living and included this recipe. I’ve been reading Christy’s blog for a couple of years and she is as entertaining as she is informative.

Apple Julep

1 quart apple juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix all well and serve chilled or over ice. Makes about six cups and doubles or triples easily.

I am linking to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and to Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on their buttons on the sidebar for immediate inspiration. I’ll let you know what the “surprise” is in about three weeks! :) Thanks for stopping by—leave me a note!!~~Susan

When a Dish Is More Than A Dish

Last week was one of the busiest I remember since the days of wedding planning. But that was not the original plan. Beloved was out of town and I had a total “me” week planned….sushi and ice cream on alternate days for dinner, lots of blogging, lots of reading, lots of blissful nothing. That was not to be. Unplanned events popped up all week.

One of my daughter’s very best friends called me and said she needed a little of my time. I could sense this young working mother of two toddlers needed more than a visit and a latte at Starbucks. So, I put the butter pecan back in the freezer and set the table….for two.

I think all mothers instinctively know when someone they care very much about needs pampering, a hug, or even the wisdom of experience. I knew this busy mother who often lives in a world of chicken nuggets on the run would appreciate a pretty table set just for her. I’ve known her since she was twelve and she likes dishes too :)

Nothing was fancy…no fine china; no good silver.

So I lit the candles for the special occasion of two women caring for and supporting one another. We held hands and said grace together as we have many many times before….. and we talked.

Sometimes a tablescape is more than dishes….

Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll click the TT button on the sidebar to visit Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. I’ll be back tomorrow with the dinner recipe—Shrimp Portofino. See you then!