Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A Christmas Party Setting

Today is December 26th.  I have jokingly said all Christmas that today is my favorite day of the year.  Shopping is over.  Presents have been wrapped and unwrapped, cooking is completed, and dishes are washed and put away.  Time for much-deserved rest. 
I am so blessed to have had my family and friends here at my home again this Christmas.  We had so much fun and it was well worth the effort.  So come on in, and take a peek!
Some of our dearest friends came over for a little party on the 21st.  
I again used my silver reindeer as a centerpiece with fresh greenery, and silver accents.
Most of my silver pieces came from estate sales.  My candlelabra were won at an auction.  I love using them at Christmas time.  I have been polishing silver since early December.  
 I had originally planned to use glass plates, but with the number of people attending and the proximity to Christmas, I changed my mind, put them all away, and went with faux glass (plastic)!
I decorated my epergne with silver and gold fruit and accents.  A small tree decorated with mercury glass ornaments sits in a fishbowl in the corner of the dining room.
The menu consisted of shrimp, bacon-wrapped scallops, beef with horseradish and rolls, crab dip, mini crab cakes, buffalo chicken bites, mini beef wellingtons, caprese skewers, veggies and dip, fruit, various cheese appetizers, and a beef/sausage appetizer dip on party bread. 
 I opened up the server for desserts.
The kitchen island served as the beverage center.  This is a cranberry-pomegranate martini punch.  We also served homemade eggnog, whiskey sours, beer and wine.
The kitchen table also served snacks and cookies.
It's always fun to catch up with my daughter's friends and their parents!
Lovely young women!!
My next function was Christmas Eve dinner with family.
Luckily, I was able to use the same centerpiece, with just a few tweaks.
My Christmas china is Holly Holiday.  
A touch of red with goblets, napkins and flowers added a festive touch.
Yall come back soon, I will be posting more of Christmas!!  Hope you all had a happy holiday!  Thanks for visiting with me!!
Merry Christmas!!

Thanks to Susan at betweennapsontheporch.net for hosting!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

Can't believe the holidays are upon us!  Thought I'd quickly share my tables for Thanksgiving.  So grateful that we were able to again come together on this day.   I set tables for 16, but at the last minute 4 didn't make it, so we ended up with 12.   I set two tables--one formal and another in the kitchen, with a more relaxed, casual feel. Without further ado, welcome!
The formal table in the dining room was set for 12.  I used my white and gold limoge china and Godinger iced beverage glasses.
 
I used a white tablecloth, that is a bit too long, thus the ends were gathered up for easier seating, and white linen napkins that were purchased at an estate sale.  I also found additional napkin rings to match some I already owned.    A gold and bronze runner was placed in the center.

I found cute little pumpkin place card holders at an antique mall, which, I believe, are copper.  The color went well with the bronze in the runner.  I found two bronze colored pumpkins at Tuesday Morning and used them on each side of the floral.  Speaking of florals, I didn't intend for this to be so, well, big.  

The candelabras were my grandmother's, then my mom's.  I like using something of hers on my Thanksgiving table.
 
Since I only had 8 of the copper place card holders, I used these wire ones, which worked fine.
 
Individual s&p's were placed at every setting.
 
Flatware is Modern Victorian by Lunt.

The casual table had a more casual feel--but same napkins and stems.  I used an orange tablecloth, brown runner, cornucopia filled with fruit, rose hips, and greenery.

My aunt and uncle stopped by for a visit, before venturing to their son's home.  My uncle is 95 (he just renewed his driver's license, which will expire when he's 103) and my aunt, my mother's sister, is 92.  They are quite amazing.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am heavily into my Christmas decorating, although I haven't changed things up much.  Hopefully I will have time to blog and visit with you all soon! Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps On the Porch for hosting!!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A Ghoulish Setting

As Halloween draws near, it's time again for a gathering of ghouls!!  Enjoy!!


A word of caution:  photo-intensive post, enter at your own risk!!

Word on the street is that something's cookin' in the hood.  There's talk of a party, and it's got the neighbors buzzing with excitement!
They're coming down from their haunts, and dancing with glee!
The anticipation of a social event has everyone smiling!
Some have been waiting for this...
a very long time!
Some are just hangin' out ...
waiting for ...
an invitation.
The host and party planner extraordinaire has been a bit grumpy trying to tie up all the loose ends...
But things are falling into place...
and final preparations have been made.
The lucky guests are gussied up in their finest...
and are delighted to be attending!!
Some are a bit bashful ...
and a bit intimidated...
but still happy to be attending!
Upon entering, all guests are offered a beverage...
from an extensive selection.
Let's take a closer look...
The table has been set with the finest china and silver...
linens, and ...
crystal.  The ambiant lighting
provides just the right atmosphere.

The entertainment for the evening will be fortune telling.
Would you want to know????

What is that in your seat??
 Night approaches, and all guests are invited to the table...
to dine and enjoy each other's company.
The guests have had a pleasant evening ...
and don't really want to leave.
Tomorrow they will talk about the events of this evening...
and their new friend, who graciously...
brought them all together on this night!
Happy Halloween!!

Stars of the show--
Skull salad plates--Ross
Silver-rimmed china--Elegance by Fashion Royale
Black stems--Macy's
Crystal stems--Cristal d'arques Longchamp
Skull candleholders--Home Goods
Silverplate--Vintage 1925, Alvin
Napkins--TJ Maxx

Please feel free to pin any picture!!