Dinner WIth Friends....

The glow from the candles definitely made a statement...Such a difference from the daylight shots...D lit the candles for me, while I took a few snaps..I really like the way the room glowed...

Enter the Dessert.....I made a sort of "compote" from Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, and 2 Fresh Peeled Plums...added a bit of water, cinnamon,sugar and maple syrup....let it simmer for a few hours stirring occasionally...It also made the house smell delicious..:o)....I served it over a Maple Walnut frozen yougurt....so refreshing...and surprisingly light!!!

All in all...I think everything went splendidly...

We played around with my new camera...

Found some unusual settings....

And my friend D brought me a lovely potted Hyacinth Bulb in a lovely
glass bulb jar....

Thanks D....I love it!!!

Will keep you all posted on its progress!!

Hope you are all having a great day...
   
  Back to Fitness this morning....it felt pretty good...

      Going to make some chicken soup and a coffee cake..

On the menu this evening...

      Baked Sole fillets....fried rice...bok choy and brussells... 


                Enjoy the rest of your day...



                        Cheers!  :o)
                         linda 

Setting The Table....and The Mood...

I had dinner guests on Saturday night...and I wanted to make the table extra special...

I found these Spider Mums at my local marekt...they are called Tye-Died Mums...

And I thought they were quite spectacular...

I paired them up with some smaller Lime Green Mums... 

In my favorite little vintage bowl..

I used a red-background tablecloth...

I still had my small red glass tea-light holders out from Christmas...so I gave them one last job for the Season...

I wanted them to add a warm glowing feel to my room....

I went with some simple accessories...to compliment the red theme I had going...

The chicken salt and peppers were perfect...

Casual....but quaint at the same time...

Red Cranberry Juice glasses are perfect for tea lights...

And of course my milkglass votives are always welcome in any tablescape...

As are my Mom's CornFlower Aperitif Glasses...

I use them as wind glasses also..

Very dainty...

My cute Chickadee Salt and Pepper are at the other end of the table...

I have had them longer than I can remember...

And they are one of my favorites...

Added soome brown placemats...

And a cream napkin with some deep rose flowers...

I thought it made a nice compliment...

     All was ready for my guests....

            Will share the dinner photos tomorrow...

Enjoyed the premiere of Downton Abbey...but I thought Mary a bit snobbish...

And how shocking to find out that indeed Bates did kill his wife!!!

Wait 'til poor Anna finds out....:o(


Kind of another nothing day weatherwise...but colder...


Tonights menu...in honour of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish...

[My boyfriends and daughters FAVORITE football team!!!]

       Corned Beef and Cabbage...

         Scallopped Potatoes...and a Greek salad [I know, I know...but there is no Irish salad]
                                      tee hee hee.....she and Vivian will be joining us...photo op!!!!













       Enjoy your day...


                           Cheers!  :o)
                            linda






            

All Dressed Up....

 Had some friends in for dinner last Friday night...

Decided against a Christmas theme for the table...

I will do that for Christmas!! tee hee hee


The gorgeous Pink Roses set the tone..

I had this lovely blue with pink roses tablecloth that I had not used yet....

It was in my "stash"...where I keep last minute gifts/and or stuff for me!!!ha ha ha

 Usually in the "reduced" section of Winners or Homesense...

Always something good there!!!!

It wasn't really a Christmas get-together...

Hadn't seen these folks for a year...

So....more of a dinner party...

That just happened to be 10 days before Christmas...:o)

     

The silver flatware was a wedding gift from my Great Aunt....The dinnerware is my Moms'....I cherish both...and put them into service whenever I have dinner guests...The dinnerware is Royal Doulton, and I think a nice understated pattern...I have settings for 10...which really comes in handy...with several different sizes of side plates...a teapot and cups and saucers...I very often use them when I have tea parties with my friends...

These particular etched wine glasses...of which I have 6...were a Thrifty buy a few years ago...not a nick on any of them...

The heavy gold glasses, I use as water glasses...also a Thrifty buy...I have a lovely jug [one of many], and I add sliced cucumbers to the water and ice...very refreshing during dinner...

As the sun sets on my West facing dining room...

I got "dressed up" myself...and waited for my guests to arrive...

And.......we all sat in the Living Room...by the tree...sipping Baileys after dinner....lovely!!!

          Hope you all had a great weekend and day...

               Got a few more things accomplished today...

                          Made and froze some meatballs...

                    Had a great visit from Vivian and her Mom....


The menu tonight was Baked Red Snapper[I enjoyed it so much last week...I picked up some  more]..coated in Panko crumbs and cajun seasoning...

                    Home made fried rice with celery and mushrooms...

                        Lovely fresh asparagus with parmesan cheese...



              Enjoy the rest of your evening...

                      Think I'll relax...and paint my fingernails...tee hee hee  ...

                                  


                                               Cheers!   :o)
                                  linda 

Still Soooo Much To Do.....

 I have got 10 days to turn this....


Into Vivian's Christmas stocking...

I have a lot of ideas swirling around in my head...

Lets hope my sewing skills can take me where I want to go.... 

I made myself, boyfriend and the kids stockings 30 some odd years ago, but I could not get the same quilted red gingham...

I am hoping to perhaps put a new twist on her stocking...

Wish me luck!!!

  

This is a sneak peek at my centrepiece...

Not very traditional for this time of year...

But...hey...roses are always fabulous...right?

Having some dear friends in for dinner this evening...



The menu is not very traditional either...


But....very delicious....

Took a short break form cleaning to prepare this post...

The menu is:

Appetizers:

 Fresh Spicy Ceasars to begin...

Smoked Salmon, cream cheese and dill on crackers...

HUGE Shrimp and Horseradish sauce...

Grapes....Havarti Cheese...assorted olives and pickles...



Dinner....

  Lots of Red Wine...Merlot is my choice...

               Home Baked Bread with Olive Oil for dipping..

              Greek Avacado Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese...

               Summer Fresh Pasta...so delicious...tons of garlic...and fresh
                                 Basil and tomato...zuccinni and sausage...


Dessert:

  My famous Lemon Banana Blueberry Loaf with fresh fruit, yogurt
                        and a splash of Maple syrup...


Wish you could join us....it will be  wonderful...I promise!!!


             Hope you all have a great evening...

                     I plan to...

                        Now...I am back to work..



                             Cheers!   :o)
                                linda