Hellooooooo——
I love to cook. I love to eat. However I really really love indulging in these two activities, when friends and family will be joining me. Why? Obvious reason of course is I love them, Seriously have you ever heard of anyone exclaiming how awesome it is to eat alone? Okay okay! I do clearly remember the days as a working mother when my definition of heaven would have been peacefully eating dinner and imbibing a glass of wine all alone. We won’t go there right now. I’ve marched through that stage in life and like childbirth the past reality has soften and blurred with age.
You know it’s funny as I’m writing this little ditty of a post which was suppose to be quick and easy, I’m finding it difficult to stay on task. Food and eating is the center of a radiating star with thousands of light paths pulsating outward. I’m drawn to go here. No. I’d rather go there. No. How about checking that out instead. Stop! I do have a point. It’s important I remember that! Here’s my tactic to extricate myself from the dilemma. I’m skipping down and starting a new paragraph with no clever segue. Ha! Psychological games with myself works every time, especially when it means I can take the easy route out.
A major chunk of my enjoyment in preparing a meal for others is setting the table. The table look imbues the meal not only ambience, but it’s also a signal that something extraordinary is about to occur. For this purpose thrift stores are my allies. As an example — for sixty nine cents per item I can purchase six matching dinner plates. After the meal I’ve the option of saving them or donating back to the thrift store. Mixing and matching morphs into a fun shopping adventure. Personally eating my food on the same pattern of dishes day in and day out for twenty years is not my style. My opinion is different foods and occasions trigger the need different dishes, place mats and centerpieces.
To challenge myself and have a bit of fun—-okay maybe a lot of fun—I searched for some table settings I liked. Next I combed through recipes of my wonderful food bloggers putting together a meal to harmonize with the setting. Don’t you think it’s charming to have the soup in teacups?
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/yellow_split_pea_soup/
http://www.thisishowicook.com/2017/10/pie-crust-apple-strudel-and-other-stuff.html#comment-form
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
You are so sweet! To tell you the truth I love setting the table. I also love changing my house around for the season. I usually choose something for the home versus clothes for me. In fact that’s what I’m doing tonight. Zoe is coming home for a week and I actually got out all the Halloween decorations. Now I don’t know where to put all the pumpkins!
Carol says
A kindred spirit. I would love to move the furniture around. I’ve done that quite a bit in my past. However now with the latest batch of furniture I have gotten in the last 3 years, it doesn’t lend itself to moving around. Shucks! Hey great Zoe will be home. Always a blessing to have our kids in our immediate circle.
Addie K Martin says
I like that you change your dinnerware so frequently. And I never thought about sourcing all that at the thrift store. Genius! 🙂 Also, thanks for including my salad recipe. much appreciated!
Carol says
Addie thank you for the genius comment. Lol. I don’t know about that, but it is fun. I do the same with placemats
and runners, also odd duck things to make centerpieces. Unfortunately I don’t entertain as much as I use to, BUT I still
indulge myself.
John/Kitchen Riffs says
A nicely set table really does add pleasure to the meal, doesn’t it? Fun post — thanks.
Carol says
Yes it does! Surprise Mrs R with a flower center piece. The trickle down is always nice—–smiling here.
Debra Eliotseats says
That kale salad sounds delicious with those stuffed tomatoes!
Carol says
I am SURE it is delicious. Plus it’s so simple, but it still comes across as elegant.
mjskitchen says
Yes, I do think it’s charming to have soup in teacups. I do it all of the time, especially when I’m eating alone. Your table setting is beautiful and makes me quite envious. The teacups are so beautiful! I want some. Because my mind operates from the opposite side of the brain, visual creativity is not my thing. I leave that to the artist in the family – the husband. 🙂
Carol says
Hey it’s great your husband can pick up the visual talent slack. However, I can’t completely agree about the lack of visual talent because your food dishes are beautiful!
himalaya says
Thanks for sharing such a nice post. The table looks lovely.
Carol says
Thank you. I am so ready for spring, that looking it months later I am uplifted.
Carol says
The setting seems particularly cheery since winter has been here for awhile. Thanx for your comment.
Mohammad Mustufa says
It’s looking delicious wanna eat them
Carol says
Yes sir, it would be a lovely place to eat.