Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Week-Night Setting

Sitting down together as a family at a table has been proven to not only bring families closer together, but improves a myriad of behaviors in children and adolescents.  Meals prepared at home are usually more nutritious, and the relaxed atmosphere certainly helps with unwinding after a long day at work or school.  With this in mind, I attempt to have a healthy, hot meal at least 4 nights a week.  In reality, one of those nights might be Chinese take-out, and one night might be soup and sandwiches.  I am always looking for easy recipes for the crock pot, and I have mastered several 'almost' homemade meals.

If my son, who is still at home, is eating elsewhere, I simply don't want to cook.  He eats with his football team on Thursday nights, he has his football game on Friday nights, so he grabs something after school and after the game, and on Saturday nights he eats out with his friends.  That leaves Sunday through Wednesday.  I find myself not wanting to prepare a meal if no one is going to be home but my husband and myself.  What will happen next year when it's just the two of us at home all the time?   I need some suggestions...

I love red, especially the deep reds of fall.  Found these taupe and white dishes at Goodwill.

These Ralph Lauren paisley napkins had the perfect colors to tie everything together.



The glasses and stems are Mikasa Park Lane.

The charger plates are from TJ Maxx.

The centerpiece pumpkin came from a local gift shop that's now closed, and the little bird S&P shakers are from Pier 1.  White candle holders are from Home Goods.

The centerpiece pumpkin sits atop a cake plate, and I used oak-leaf hydrangea leaves as a base.



Candlelight . . .




Football moms usually prepare or at least serve dinners on Thursday nights.  My job for this week was to make a snack mix called White Trash, named this because it was originally mixed together in a trash bag.

1 (12 oz) box Crispix cereal
1 (12 oz) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (12 oz) jar of creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pound confectioners sugar

Place cereal in a large bowl.  Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter and vanilla over low heat or in microwave.  Cool slightly and pour over cereal.  Mix well.  Add confectioners sugar and stir until coated.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!

One more pic...

Can't wait to hear from you!  I'm still striving for A Perfect Setting!!



22 comments:

  1. It is perfect, although red is not my colour but you done it very smartly that I love the combination very much... Lovethe china, its sober and elegant... napkins are something very beautiful and complements with your entire setting very well...
    I would love if you pay a little visit to me at

    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love Farah

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  2. I am going to share it on my FB page.. hope people will like it...

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  3. Beautiful table! I love red, and your napkins are great:@)

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  4. Those gorgeous napkins certainly steal the show here.

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  5. So beautiful!! Love it all, especially your little bird salt and pepper set and paisley napkins

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  6. Just lovely. I love your candleholders. I have two teenagers and I know what you mean about not wanting to cook when they're not home to feed. It definately is a challenge. ~Alana~

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  7. I love the chargers with the candleholders, perfect to die for.

    Happy TS...
    Greetings from Stockholm,
    /chie

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  8. Love your table. What a fun color combination. I have those same chargers and they are wonderful aren't they. I am your newest follower.

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  9. Oh, those plates are fabulous with the deep red tablecloth! And the paisley napkins add the perfect touch -- what a warm and elegant family table! I must confess that as empty nesters we eat AT the table much less often, though my husband does cook dinner for us each night. Thanks for your visit to my table this week!

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  10. I love your dishes. they are so beautiful, maybe because Taupe is my favorite color. I love the Parklane. I have it myself. Your centerpiece pumpkin is very gorgeous.. thanks for dropping in..

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  11. Hi lovely lady. You have a beautiful tablescape for the fall, your dinnerware is lovely I like the way you put it all together nice job. I have your blog on my Tablescapes come see. I hope you can become one of my followers ~~I hope to see more of your lovely tablescapes.

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  12. Beautiful tablescape...I love those napkins and the crystal is just exquisite!

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  13. This is terrific! Love the plates you found at Goodwill! Favorite place to shop! Everything comes together beautifully,
    Kathy

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  14. The taupe with the red is just beautiful! Love the napkins too! Great job!

    Katherine

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  15. I love the red, what a lovely setting. Maybe you could move the dinners to a smaller table if it's just the two of you? My husband and I have done this, and we love it. Lidy

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  16. Very nice table! The red tablecloth does really freshen it all up beautifully!!! As for what to do when your son goes bye-bye...instead of making dinner, make RESERVATIONS!!! :-) Have a great weekend!

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  17. What a pretty table! I love the color and textures of your dinnerware. I just love the red with everything. I think it is a great color for fall too even though so many save it for Christmas. My red tablecloths are the ones I use the most. Very pretty napkins!

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  18. That taupe and white dinnerware may be the neatest thing that I've ever seen anyone find at Good Will! It is perfect for a sophisticated Fall tablescape with your red table linens. I've actually enjoyed cooking dinners for the two of us after the kids moved on down the road. We found ourselves eating out quite a bit at first, and then we just figured out what we wanted to prepare for home cooked meals, too. Sunday nights we always try to have breakfast for dinner...Sweet Mr. cooks that night. I also firmly believe that children who want to strike out for an adventure in their lives are proof that their parents did something very right in raising them. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  19. What a STUNNING table!!! I love the shades of white and cream. Everything is beautifully put together. SIGH...

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  20. Betsy, please stop by! I have a wonderful surprise for you! You can just email me your mailing info:-) Love this table, and those "Park Lane" goblets are my newest love!

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  21. Your mixture of red with the pumpkins is an unexpected delight! I love the white pumpkins and your pretty centerpiece.

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  22. I LOVE your napkins ... and the Goodwill dishes -- WOW! Congratulations on winning the Italian Countryside flatware at Far Above Rubies! I have a set and love it!

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