Thanksgiving countdown

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Autumn, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

With only 18 days until Thanksgiving I thought I’d share some wonderful table setting ideas, compliments of talented folks online, along with a rough draft of our menu for the upcoming long holiday weekend. Williams Sonoma taste has so many great ideas for making this food-intensive holiday easy and delicious.

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This year we’re lucky enough to be celebrating Thanksgiving with the entire Bunch clan (our Austin family will be here as well as our California kids). We’re celebrating Olivia’s 5th birthday at Disneyland early in the week. Then the meal planning will begin, a collaborative effort. The fact that our kids like to cook is a great source of joy for me.

This is my favorite season and while I’m thankful for family year round, the Thanksgiving holiday shines a spotlight on family (and friends) and fortunately, we all get along and enjoy each other’s company. Some of the movies they’ve produced on dysfunctional family life brought to light during Thanksgiving are funny, thankfully they don’t apply! 🙂

Layla of The Lettered Cottage shared this simple centerpiece some time ago. It’s a reminder that setting the table can be lovely whether simple or elaborate.

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I’m loving the rustic feel of this elegant table. There are flowers but the pussy willow and nest give it a natural, rustic feel.

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Have you seen these placemats with space to write down what you are thankful for? I love this idea. A reminder that we all have something to be thankful for. I like the dried maple leaf as a placecard.

Figs, eucalyptus and candles, brilliant! Less is more. For oakleaf name cards…

this lovely free printable can be found HERE. If you’ve never visited EAB Designs, prepare to be amazed at the creative forces at work here.

This is another pretty free printable for place cards if you’re interested.

Our Thanksgiving table sans dinnerware…since I’m posting this early, I don’t have plates and such on the table. Redfern, our beloved pheasant, presides over the feast.

Here are dishes that I often use in the autumn, but this year I think I’ll use my white dishes…food looks good on white (or so I’ve been told).

Traditional, with updates, I love this centerpiece in a planter box. You can never have too many candles.

Our menu will be some version of the following:

I’ll be taking some time off. I know it seems that has become a habit! Family will be arriving and I want to unplug for awhile. I’ll be back with some Christmas cheer. I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and good food. I’m very thankful for my friends here at GHP.

xo, Karen

Entertaining in the autumn

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Autumn, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 37 Comments

I always jump the gun on fall…which is particularly defeatist since Southern California typically doesn’t see truly cool (a relative term) weather ~~ever~~ until late October or early November. Still, it’s my favorite season {with spring a close second} and I can hardly wait.

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The acorns and sycamore leaves were gathered on my walk that first weekend in September

When our Austin family visited earlier this month, I found myself decorating the dining room table for fall. We have several September birthdays in the family and since September always reminds me that fall is close at hand, I thought why not?! Besides, we had the a/c running so you could pretend it was cool outside. 🙂

I saved the oak leaves from a visit to Big Bear and wrote the name of each guest on a leaf to use as place cards.

Redfern the pheasant is in his usual spot for the fall season.

There were lively conversations among the guests…Olivia (4 years) & Fae (1 year next month) {granddaughters}

I’ve dropped the ball where entertaining / cooking posts are concerned. So in addition to the table setting, I’ve included the menu items I served for our birthday celebration {in the season of almost autumn}. 🙂

Our dinner menu was very simple and due to the heat, instead of birthday cake I created an ice cream bar with a variety of flavors and toppings for each guest to create their own sundae.

assorted appetizers

Costco’s Bill Baily’s Santa Maria Tri Tip [Mr. B. grilled] served with Chimichurri Sauce

Crispy English Potatoes from Barefoot Contessa/Foolproof book

grilled green beans

Happy Birthday Sundaes

The Costco tri tip is pre-seasoned and can be grilled or roasted in the oven. The fresh herbs and bright lemon flavor of the Chimichurri sauce were a hit. I prepared Crispy English Potatoes from Ina Garten’s Foolproof Cookbook and you can prepare them earlier in the day and reheat when ready to serve. Mr. B. grilled the green beans on the grill using a veggie basket. Son #1 assisted since his signature seasonings for the beans are a family favorite.

I will add some pumpkins and mums during the later part of the month…

spruce up my autumn wreath for the front door, borrowing inspiration from creative people such as Studio Choo…

and give some thought to a dinner for sometime in October…which will be here before we know it.

Happy Autumn to you all! Are you decorated for the season, please tell me I’m not the only one overly eager for the season.

July 1st – Happy Independence Day

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Independence Day

≈ 23 Comments

Before I start on the fun of celebrating Independence Day, I’d like to thank all of you for your prayers, positive thoughts and general care and concern you expressed in response to the news of Mr. B. and his health/surgery. I’m happy to report he’s doing very well and has only one more hurdle to cross before we can once and for all put this behind us. I was touched and brought to tears by your thoughtful good wishes! Thank you so much for your support, you are all such dear blog friends.

{Martha Stewart}

As you all know, we’re on countdown to the 4th of July! This holiday has always marked the official start date of summer for me. Let the games begin, as they say.

Now that I have grandchildren, I’m making note once again of kid friendly holiday ideas. Our 4 year old granddaughter always decorates her wagon (with mommy and daddy’s help of course) for a neighborhood parade.

This year she may tackle her bicycle. Martha Stewart has some great ideas for this annual neighborhood contest.

We typically enjoy a backyard barbeque with good friends to celebrate the big day. Everyone brings a dish to make it ~~less work~~ fun for the hosting couple. When I was growing up my mom would make onion dip, served with Ruffles potato chips for a party crowd. It was made with a package of Lipton Onion Soup Mix and a 16-oz. container of sour cream. I came across this Sweet Onion Dip recipe from Martha Stewart that reminded me of that dip and thought it might be a fun update this favorite by using fresh ingredients.

Sweet Onion Dip – Martha Stewart Summer Appetizers

The recipe for Chicken Skewers and Blistered Potatoes from Pottery Barn was our Father’s Day feast. It was delicious and seems like a dish I’d prepare for any summer barbecue, including 4th of July. I substituted the rub in the recipe for this marinade. We used the sauce in the original recipe to baste on the chicken as it grilled. Both marinade and BBQ sauce proved to be keepers. {Thank you, Leslie}

Pottery Barn: Star Melamine Salad Plate, Water Hyacinth Round Place Mat, Isa Ikat Yarn Dye Napkin

Who doesn’t love cupcakes…Cupcake Flag from Country Living would be the perfect dessert for Independence Day and easily made the day before , always a benefit to me when entertaining. (add the fresh berries just before setting the cupcakes out)

With the menu for our festivities selected, let’s have a look at a few pretty rooms that feature red, white and blue, shall we? Homes are where the heart of any holiday begin…

Country Living ! Keith Scott Morton photo

Love this toile! George Washington?

House Beautiful ~ Bjorn Wallander photo

House Beautiful ~ Victoria Pearson photo

Country Living ~ Bjorn Wallander photo

Blue and white rooms always capture my attention. You could throw an American Flag throw pillow on the sofa and you’d be set for the holiday! This room (below) seems like it could be in a cottage by the beach…I feel relaxed just gazing at the simple and inviting space. 🙂

Country Living ~ Keith Scott Morton photo

Country Living ~ Stacey Brandford

What are your plans for the weekend? Be safe, enjoy some relaxation and have fun, my friends!

Garden, Home and Party wishes you a Happy Halloween

29 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

Halloween 2014

This might be cheating, but today I’m simply sharing some Halloween images from Pinterest, blogland, and Martha. Those of you that adore this holiday probably already have your parties planned and decorations ready. It’s not my holiday…I enjoy the overall season, and I do like seeing the little trick-or-treaters at our door, but dressing up has never been my thing, so without further alienating the Halloween enthusiasts (many of them my friends)…

Leave it to Martha to pull off the good fairy costume with flair.

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If I hosted a party, I’d definitely want to copy this cheerful vignette. Truthfully, we have these black birds (American Crow) in our neighborhood, what are the odds of training a few of them to sit around and look slightly menacing for an evening?

{Country Living – photograph by Matthew Benson}

There is something so welcoming about light radiating from all of the windows in this charming home.

{Country Living – photograph by John Kernick}

This is more my speed, white mums, a white lantern and a bushel of white pumpkins!

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Mark D. Sikes…simply festive and elegant, as always.

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Kim, at Tidbits and Twine creates a beautiful autumn table as well…

Craftberry Bush, in addition to this fabulous table arrangement, is the place to visit if you’re interested in good ideas for recipes/food for any autumn event.

So while we’re on the topic of a party, here are some really yummy looking sweets for a Halloween party:

Jenny over at Everyday Occasions has a ton of great recipes. Her iced sugar cookies are my favorite.

{Everyday Occassions – Jenny Steffens Hobick}

{Martha Stewart}

{Martha Stewart – Halloween Whoopie Pies}

and, what Halloween party would be complete without apple bobbing?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

What’s on your schedule for this Friday night holiday?

Autumn Entertaining

15 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 36 Comments

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Birthday Dinner 2014

I enjoy this season [possibly] more than the others, although spring does play a close second. By ~~July~~ September, I start looking forward to cooking more. Or, I should say cooking more comfort foods. I realize that is often code for calorie-laden, but my take on it is, all things in moderation, right? So with a menu in mind, I started planning a party.

{Big Bear, California ~ 2012}

The “birthday group” Mr. B and I have celebrated with for umpteen years now, consists of 5 couples and each couple hosts a dinner once a year in celebration of two birthday honorees. If you’re interested, I have shared previous celebrations HERE, HERE and HERE.

{Side note: I recently replaced these homely shades with a pair that are better scaled to the barley twist lamps—pictures to come later}

This year I had the good fortune of hosting the birthday party for the two friends I’ve known the longest (we’re talking pre-children friends, Carla & Wendy). Since it was mid-September I took the opportunity to make the table setting and menu a reflection of the greatest season’s arrival—in just 1 short week from the date of the event, but who’s counting? Was it cool and crisp outside? NO. But with the aid of the air conditioner we managed to pretend.

I’m not usually much of a DIYer, but I did manage to make these invitations and envelopes — I used Paper Source pre-cut cards, a sunflower stamp and their envelop-making kit with paper from Michael’s. That’s it, easy.

I used white chargers and a vintage set of Villeroy & Boch, ‘la chasse’ dinner plates in black and white. They go with the newer pattern by VB called Audun, but they feature vintage pictures with hunters and their dogs. There are 6 different images.

I confess, sunflowers inspired this table setting. They always seem the ideal flower for fall. I added some yellow alstromeria and a few guinea fowl feathers.

Note: I had to have a saucer under the planter because it seeped water (somehow) through the bottom. There weren’t any cracks but the very bottom stayed wet. Fortunately I discovered it before placing it on my table, phew.

If you look at the left corner of the image (above) you’ll notice some candy. One of my favorite traditions with the “Birthday Group” is we hand select each person’s favorite *See’s candies and have them on the table. We all know which candy we consider our favorite and there are a couple of us that can identify each piece that See’s makes by shape and design, in case someone (the men) forget which is the Marzipan (Thomas) or white centered Butter Cream (Tom). 🙂

Even though it was only mid-September, I decided to put a few of the fall decorations out. I’ve really scaled back to mostly pumpkins, wheat stalks, feathers and berries.

My menu was a repeat of one I had done a couple of years ago…fortunately, everyone loves this dish and it is what the birthday girls requested.

Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Herbs and Mustard Cream Sauce

As hostess, I only have to prepare the main course and sides, others bring appetizer, salad and dessert. I prepared the above recipe with oven roasted potatoes and green beans.

Do you cook differently for the cooler months than you would in summer?

{Garden, Home and Party} Happy Easter – welcome spring

18 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Easter, Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Uncategorized

≈ 13 Comments

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Easter

I sure hope my friends that have experienced the coldest winter in recent memory, are finally catching a glimpse of spring.

I’m hosting Easter this year for our west coast family members and I thought I’d share some of the inspiration and ideas I’m using for our celebration.

I’m finalizing the menu (the ham has been a staple to the meal for some weeks, but I have flip flopped on the sides). Here are a few of the items that I’ll fix. Sweet Sarah will prefer the fingerling potatoes I’m preparing (much healthier), but I know a couple of family members that will enjoy scalloped potatoes. My office gives Honey Baked gift cards to each of us at Christmas. Honey Baked stores, which are plentiful in California, not so much elsewhere in the U.S., are known for their honey glazed hams. It will make my day of food prep pretty easy to have the ham cooked and ready. I think I’ll prepare some deviled eggs, a slaw salad that Sarah introduced me to, a few appetizers, cookies for dessert and that should be plenty.

Table setting is the icing on the cake for me. I look for any excuse to create a pretty table. Here are some ideas I’m contemplating compliments of the creative bloggers I visit regularly. {Thank you!} I like the idea of potted bulbs (preferably in bloom) and nests with eggs. Trader Joe’s has been carrying daffodils, hyacinths and tulips in little pots. The place mats are really cool and I believe they’re paper. I may not be able to find these but I have a collection of Royal Doulton Beatrix Potter rabbits that I can scatter among the nests and flower pots.

The happy faces on these pansies make simple eggs look festive.

If it’s a pretty day we’ll sit outside for appetizers so I’ll create an Easter basket similar to what I did last year. I used an assortment of color-pack sized flowers and they lasted for most of the early part of summer before fading.

I’ve ordered these tags from Everyday Occasions and will bake Jenny Steffens Hobick’s cookies with buttery icing. Recipe HERE. I’ll plate some and send each person home with a cookie or two wrapped like this. Jenny’s blog is filled with great recipes and ideas for setting the table. She provides detailed instructions for each recipe, and the best part? She has an online store filled with fun items for home and entertaining.

I hope my cookies turn out as well as Jenny’s. Aren’t the baby chicks cute?

So tell me, what are you doing this Easter?

{Home} Thanksgiving, my favorite recipe and more

01 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

I love this particular time of year, but I especially enjoy Thanksgiving. There’s no gift buying pressure, just plenty of good food and fun times to share with family and friends. While I realize it’s only the 1st of November, you and I both know the time will fly and before you know it you’ll be making your grocery list for the feast.

I enjoy cooking but I probably enjoying eating as much. Alison over at The Polohouse is hosting her Favorites On the First and the topic is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe. At first I was perplexed…should I feature a mouth-watering pumpkin pie recipe or the Texas Stuffing I found in the Los Angeles Times Food Section years ago?

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When it comes right down to it though, I think my favorite thing for the meal is mashed potatoes. We don’t eat them that often and we certainly don’t throw on gravy for good measure when we do. As if creamy, buttery potatoes need something more! But Thanksgiving we throw waistline watching out the window and gravy tops every helping of mashed potatoes. Anyway, my favorite recipe is called make-ahead mashed potatoes (which is one of the things I like best about the recipe.) Here goes:

{image source and another delicious potato recipe}

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes ~ adapted from HERE

Oven, preheated 350° at the time you’re planning on reheating the potatoes.

5 pounds potatoes, Russet or Yukon Gold

1 1/2 sticks of butter, divided

1 8 oz whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup Half & Half

2 teaspoon kosher salt [1 teaspoon in the pot while the potatoes boil, 1 teaspoon (or less, depending on taste preference) when mashing]

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Peel and cut the potatoes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 teaspoon salt, add potatoes and return the water to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes and check for tenderness. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain in a colander. Return the potatoes to the pot and turn the stove on low, just to make sure all of the moisture is gone.

Off the flame, add 1 stick of butter, remaining salt, pepper, half & half, and cream cheese. Mash to a creamy consistency. *Don’t worry if they seem a little bit soupy, they firm up when refrigerated. Once mashed, place in an oven-proof dish and dot with the remaining 1/2 stick of butter. Potatoes may be refrigerated at this point. If you make the recipe a couple days in advance, take the dish out of the fridge about 2 hours before serving time. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes or until hot.

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By the way, the above image reminds me of the first Martha Stewart Thanksgiving special on TV. She had converted her “barn” into the most warm and welcoming dining space, as only she can do!

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How cute are these pudding cups? If you have children or just like delicious food visit HERE

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Do you have a personal favorite recipe for Thanksgiving? If its not a family secret, share. If you have time be sure to visit The Polohouse, you’re sure to be happy you did.

{GHP} Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Recipes

≈ 16 Comments

Since Halloween is on a Thursday night this year, I thought I would make Mr. B. and I a comforting meal to fortify us between the doorbell and goblins. I’m trying Braised Short Ribs from Jenny Steffens Hobick of Everyday Occasions. Doesn’t this look delicious? Jenny comes up with fabulous recipes and I’ve provided the link (above).

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Since it needs to cook some time in the oven, I’ll prepare them this evening and we’ll eat them tomorrow. That often enhances the flavors and makes everything taste even better.

I’m also including a few images I’ve gathered that might offer some ideas for last minute decorations…

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Do you get a lot of trick-or-treat goblins and princesses in your neighborhood?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

♥

I’m linking to Savvy Southern Style’s Wow us Wednesday

{GHP} Let’s go on a picnic!

19 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Drink, Family, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Traditions

≈ 28 Comments

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Picnic

Because this is National Picnic Week…

I think it’s time to pack a picnic and head someplace picturesque and relaxing. Want to come along? This idea of picnicking has become an annual theme for me, but when I read about this cookbook by Tori Finch I couldn’t resist another dream picnic.

By the way, full disclosure, I never really got around to taking a picnic someplace other than our patio in the backyard last summer. Enjoying the relaxation of a view, food that’s delicious and easy to eat without fuss, and maybe a bottle of wine (or a jug of iced tea) just never happened. The last grown-up, memorable picnic I went on with Mr. B was before we had children and it was in this picturesque spot…

[Note: We enjoyed picnics when the kids were growing up, but they were always more play than relaxation—I look forward to continuing that tradition with grandchildren]

{Crescent Bay Point Park ~ Laguna Beach, California}

In fact, when I think of going on a picnic I think of this location. During summer months nature’s air conditioning works beautifully to keep it comfortable and there are picnic tables and benches to use or you can spread your blanket out on the grass. The view is guaranteed to relax you.

But since this post is as much about the idea of a picnic as it is a travel plan, I have some images that are what I imagine a picnic would be like in a perfect world. Of course, this is my car! Isn’t it cute with that little picnic basket attached?

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{Turkey Caprese Sandwich ~ Martha Stewart}

Packed in that pretty blue and white picnic basket I might make the Turkey Caprese Sandwich from Martha Stewart for me and the egg salad (below) for Mr. B.

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I love the idea of a wine box shipping crate (large enough) to use as a little table for a picnic…okay, maybe the cloche and footed cookie plate with dome are a bit over the top, but I love the flowers and the quilt.

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This is my kind of picnic…the shade of a tree in the country, maybe the soft sounds of a stream nearby….ahhh, what could be better?

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Why stick with the predictable cookie for dessert when you can have these at the ready for the end of the meal? I don’t have a recipe but I believe it’s a simple shortbread cookie (that may be cooked so as to be slightly chewy), whipped cream and large strawberries cut and skewered. How fun.

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No matter how you get there…by car

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~or~

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Will you be making time for a picnic this summer? Tell me what you usually prepare, or do you benefit from a great deli nearby that can make the perfect sandwich?

I’ve linked to Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesday! ~and~ I’ve joined Ricki Jill at Art @ Home for her What makes me Happy!

{Party} Please join us for a Valentine’s dinner

13 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 25 Comments

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Valentine's Day

{Slim Paley}

There was a time when I would have thought of St. Valentine’s Day strictly as a date for two. As I’ve matured I find that any occasion can be more fun with a small group of close friends.

So my post for today is an invitation for you to join us for a Valentine’s dinner…this is pure fantasy, unless all of you can manage a flight to California and join us in real life!

My invitation will be simple, but I enjoy receiving hard copy invitations so I think I’ll order this for my informal dinner party…

I don’t know who the Logan’s (below in sample invite) are but I wouldn’t expect guests to leave my party at 10:00 p.m., lights out at our home would be 10:30…ha,ha,ha. Just kidding, I think parties have a way of letting you know when they are winding down, organically, don’t you agree? Honestly, none of our friends ever overstay their welcome and we all seem to get tired after several hours of good food, good wine and good conversation.

{via Tiny Prints}

All of you will know my house because you’ve been there many times before…

{remember, this is pretend}

For table settings and flowers I can go in a few different directions. Below are some of my ideas, maybe you should weigh in and let me know which table you’d most enjoy…

Here is my Valentine table last year, or the year before, I don’t remember. I could use the same cloth but the Petite Fleur dishes might be too busy for meatloaf, what do you think?

This (above) table is technically one I found around Christmas, but the frosty greens could be traded out for others while the mercury glass and silver and white, especially with the pearl heart, could easily work for St. Valentine’s Day.

The red and white grain sack cloth with the red candles really work for the holiday…I love the simplicity of this with the fire in the grate and candles on the mantle, what could be more inviting or romantic?

I love the detailing on these candelabras, and the tailored feel to the black and white linens and dishes. This is totally a Valentine’s look that I could get behind.

I will have fresh flowers in the house and probably keep to the traditional selection of colors where they are concerned…and I’m sure the price of flowers for that weekend will be astronomical. Is it too late to cancel this imaginary dinner? LOL

If only I could find these beauties in my garden, its still a little early for me to have enough to cut and bring in ~ via Studio Choo

I prefer simple appetizers since I don’t want you to fill up on a first course only to discover you’re not hungry when the main course is served. This (on a smaller but similar scale) is what I’ll set out for guests.

~and~

Because St. Valentine’s Day lands in the winter, I plan to serve you a hearty fare.

Cheese board ~ Olives ~ Bread

1770 house meatloaf

Mashed potatoes

Green Beans Gremolata

Dessert: Brownies with homemade Caramel Sauce

and

Vanilla Ice Cream

{Photo by Jenny Steffens Hobick} ~if you love to cook, please visit Everyday Occasions blog, you will be inspired with her wonderful recipes and beautiful design ideas.

{Peeking Thru the Sunflowers}

So what’s planned for those of you that can’t make it to our house for dinner?

xo, Karen

I’m over at Stone Gable for her Turtorials and Tips party.

I want to send a special thank you to Debby at the fabulous Inspired Design for hosting a book giveaway that I won! {By the way, she’s hosting another book giveaway this week, you may want to stop by and comment to be entered}

This is going to be on my nightstand until I plan my next trip to Paris, then I’ll take it with me on the plane. It’s filled with beautiful images and fabulous insider tips for traveling to the city of light and romance.

Note: On my previous post about my friend’s house I inadvertently made a few errors about the age of some of the lighting fixtures. I’ve corrected the errors HERE.

Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Category Archives: Holiday/Seasonal cooking

Thanksgiving countdown

Entertaining in the autumn

Menu

assorted appetizers

Costco’s Bill Baily’s Santa Maria Tri Tip [Mr. B. grilled] served with Chimichurri Sauce

Crispy English Potatoes from Barefoot Contessa/Foolproof book

grilled green beans

Happy Birthday Sundaes

July 1st – Happy Independence Day

Garden, Home and Party wishes you a Happy Halloween

Autumn Entertaining

{Garden, Home and Party} Happy Easter – welcome spring

{Home} Thanksgiving, my favorite recipe and more

{GHP} Braised Short Ribs recipe and Happy Halloween

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Do you get a lot of trick-or-treat goblins and princesses in your neighborhood?

{GHP} Let’s go on a picnic!

{Party} Please join us for a Valentine’s dinner