Spring place setting

Blue birds and daffodils create a Spring setting

Women's Wine or Whine Party

Along with wine, lots of wine, my guests enjoyed appetizers all evening.  Kitty's baked brie was a perennial hit as was a new offering of Nancy's chutney cheese.  I made a cream cheese, shrimp and toasted coconut with curry spread.  Tasty. 

The buffett table was set with bacon quiche bites, pigs in a blanket, eggplant poppers, crudites with ranch dip, and mini chicken pot pies.


We ended the evening with Chocolat Rouge wine and Aunt Cybil's chocolate cake that Candace made (Mmmm), strawberries with whipped cream and brown sugar and there was always room for Jello. 

Thanksgiving leftovers

Rarely do I set a table with paper plates but was considering these as I loved the message.  Moreover, I love a plate the day after Thanksgiving when filled with great leftovers. 

 

For example:

Turkey Empanadas

Bon Appétit | November 2009

by Maria Helm Sinskey

 

yield: Makes 6

These empanadas are moist and full of flavor. If your gravy is thin, simmer to reduce and thicken it, then chill before using.

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced cooked turkey (white and dark meat)
• 1/2 cup chilled gravy
• 1 1/2 17.3-ounce packages frozen puff pastry (3 sheets), thawed
• 1 cup mashed potatoes, divided
• 1 cup stuffing, divided
• 1 egg white, beaten to blend with 1 teaspoon cold water (for glaze)
• Cranberry sauce

 

Preparation

Mix turkey with chilled gravy in small bowl. Roll out 3 pastry sheets to 12-inch long rectangles on floured work surface. Cut out 2 six-inch rounds from each pastry sheet, using small plate as guide (6 rounds total). Place each round on one 8- to 9-inch parchment square.

Spoon 2 1/2 tablespoons mashed potatoes onto half of each pastry round; press lightly to flatten, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with 2 to 3 tablespoons stuffing, then about 1/3 cup turkey mixture.

Brush glaze around filling on 1 pastry half. Fold plain pastry half over filling, stretching dough to cover. Seal edges with fork tines. Repeat to form 5 more empanadas. Transfer empanadas (still on parchment squares) to 2 rimmed baking sheets (3 on each sheet), spacing 2 inches apart. Chill empanadas 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Press edges of empanadas again with fork tines. Brush empanadas with egg-white glaze and cut small slits in top to allow steam to escape. Bake empanadas 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake empanadas until puffed and golden, 25 to 35 minutes longer. Serve empanadas, passing cranberry sauce alongside

Source:www.epicurious.com

Make a Hat Day

The hat that I'll make today is the Bishop's Miter.  It is a napkin fold often found in restaurants and will look very elegant standing up on your dinner plate.

         

Easy to follow directions at
www.napkinfolding.net/folds/bishop/index.htm

Summer-y settings

Lunch a deux   -   a table for two.  Light and bright as an August afternoon should be.

Summer entertaining

"Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language" according to Henry James.

 Perfect for dining al fresco (outdoors) but some elements are necessary to ensure your guest's comfort.  Suitable seating is a must.  No-one can  sit for long on slats or webs without being imprinted.  Make sure wood seats are free from splinters and metal seats are not as hot as a skillet!  Best still, use cushions.

Women's Wine or Whine party

                 
                    Quotes about wine
                      were sprinkled 
                         throughout

 

Powder room door

 

Favor

                                                     Dessert table

Autumn Harvest Dinner

The table is set and guests' places are marked by a pine cone with their name on a slip of paper.

Indoor picnic

What fun!  Kitty invited everyone including the ants to the birthday luncheon.  A good time had by all..... the two legged guests.  

Black and White luncheon

Black and white decor won't be difficult. White plates, my stock in trade, on black tablecloths will be accented by white bud vases. Flowers will provide a hint of color. Bands of black and white pattern from the invitation paper will create napkin rings.  Buzz:  I cut circles from cardboard tubes for a supportive base.  A fun, finishing touch will be guests' names spelled out with alphabet beads strung on a pipe cleaner, circling the stem of each glass.  These will serve as placecards.

Table setting primer

When setting a table, keep in mind odd and even and left and right.  The items to the left (4 letters) of the plate have an even number of letters - fork (4) and napkin (6).  To the right (5 letters) are the glass (5), knife (5) and spoon (5), items with an odd number of letters.