Jadeite Birthday Lunch

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

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It didn't start out this way....

When my dear friend Cindy is the guest of honor at one of my tables, I often make a point to highlight the color green...her favorite.  For Cindy's birthday, I decided that I wanted to use the Fireking Jadeite "Alice" as my focal point.  I found 13 of these on the last day of an estate sale for $3.00 each.  At the time I wasn't familiar with Jadeite, and little did I know that I was getting an amazing deal.  I set the table early in the week, and I was waiting until closer to the party to build my floral centerpieces.  But then...

...the amazing Miss Alycia from TABLESCAPES AT TABLE TWENTY-ONE posted about a wonderful deal at Gordman's for some hot colored glass charger plates.  I was waiting for Sweet Mister to meet me at a Mexican food restaurant when I received the email, and as soon as dinner was over, I hot footed it to the store.  I bought chargers in this hot pink and in turquoise...and my plans were suddenly in flux.  I couldn't wait to use them!

I replaced the Wedgwood "Queens Plain" with the high white Wedgwood "Countryware".

The Fire King Jadeite "Alice" remained in the line up.  The glassware initially came into fashion because it was durable and cheap to produce. McKee was the first to manufacture jadeite, but the Jeannette Glass Company is credited for coining the name. However, Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation became its largest producer. In 1942, Anchor Hocking debuted the popular Fire-King line in a variety of colors, but jadeite (or “Jade-ite” as the company calls it) remained in high demand for 30 years.

The stain- and heat-resistant tableware was served in frugal diners across America. Additionally, restaurant owners could save money by serving coffee in thick-rimmed “cheater mugs” that appeared to hold more than they actually did. The simple design of the Anchor Hocking Restaurant Ware was one of the most popular lines produced from 1950 to 1956. Today, Restaurant Ware is also the most collected, in part because of its sheer abundance.

Collectible jadeite pieces come in many forms and, as usual, the hardest to find items fetch the highest prices. Whereas mugs generally sell for around $20, a Fire-King grease jar can run $100. A set of four nesting bowls in mint condition may sell for $200.

A keen eye can tell the difference between vintage jadeite and department store knock-offs. You can identify the maker (and worth) of most pieces by examining the markings on the underside: “McK” in a small circle indicates McKee, and a “J” inside a triangle indicates Jeannette Glass Co.

The antique Luneville "Old Strasbourg" leaf plate would later be used for homemade strawberry cupcakes served with Brandy Ice.  The Old Strasbourg plates feature a variety of floral sprays.  I liked the way that they worked with the frosted white tumblers...

My dear friend Marsha delivered the 5 white tumblers over the weekend. I had fun using them in my design because they were actually Marsha's birthday gift for Cindy.  Marsha found them in an antique store; each one features a different floral design.  Marsha also made Gazpacho for our luncheon.  It was delicious, and we served it in the Coalport "Old Coalport" bowl.  It's really a cereal bowl, but it worked just fine for our soup.

Rounding out each place setting...the pink and white striped napkins were found at an estate sale, 12 for $1.00.  They are caught in the Coalport "Countryware" napkin rings.  Next to the L'Argent "Sophia Gold" flatware, I placed the MacKenzie-Childs individual salt and peppers.  The Green glass decanters were a Tuesday Morning find.

The Jadeite pedestal bowl ultimately ended up on the gift table.  I bought the flowers at Sam's and Homeland Grocery.  I really liked the pink gift box that I found at Gordman's...the same day that I bought the glass chargers.  I fitted it for Cindy's gift...

...and then I carefully removed it...

  ...and used it as my centerpiece!  I bought this wonderful Italian tureen on eBay.  I surrounded it with a trio of floral centerpieces that I designed using small green plaid metal buckets, found on the after Easter clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby.  When she opened her "empty" gift box, Cindy had to figure out what went in it.

My finishing touch, the hot pink Italian crystal goblets, a Marshall's find, highlighted the floral bouquets in the pale mint green tablecloth...another of my eBay gets.

It was a wonderful day to share food, fun, and fellowship with my dearest friends.  I linked to a fabulous recipe for CHESAPEAKE CRAB QUICHE from Blue Bay Crab Co.  Thank you to ROBIN FLIES SOUTH who posted the link.  The quiche was a huge hit served with a mixed berry salad and poppy seed dressing, accompanied by garlic bread.  I'd love to have you as a guest at my table someday, too!

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of June, I think of lazy summer days and time to share a meal with friends.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!

Tonight is the twelfth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  So excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  KC has just released her 5th studio CD project, "The Tag Hollow Sessions".  The sold out CD release concert was this past weekend.  "The Tag Hollow Sessions" is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!

Queen Sparkle's Tea Party

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

The quickly approaching nuptials of Prince William and Cate Middleton are featured everywhere we look lately.  I've seen numerous lovely Royal tea parties posted in blogland.  I think that it's time that I give a nod to Wills and Cate with my own version of a tea party.  This day, I hosted a small tea party for my dear friend Cindy's mom, often called "Queen Sparkle."

 The game table, with the addition of my handy-dandy flip-top tabletop, was ideal for our group of six.  I bought two flip-tops from Sandy of By Invitation Only (byinvitationonly@cox.net), in case you have an interest. I made the aqua blue Matelasse tablecloth with fabric that I found on eBay.  I use this cloth often, and I wish that I had bought more yardage.  Did you notice the small pewter boxes with the blue and white china lids?  Those were party favors for each guest, provided by Cindy.

For the centerpiece, I used one of my favorite tureens and underplates, Charles Field Haviland, "Schleiger 1328 on Blank 1273".  Did you know that there are more than 35,000 Haviland designs?...boggles the mind!  Remember, the Haviland's were Americans from New York, who went to France, decided to stay, and opened their own factory in the Limoges region.  Although Haviland was manufactured in France, it was always designed for and sold to an American market.  I've enjoyed collecting Haviland over the past seven years.  The crystal decanters sparkled in the candlelight flickering from the four small blue and white pots.  I usually fill decanters with water, tea, or wine for my guests to easily access drink refills throughout the meal.

I created the pair of floral posies from inexpensive mixed bouquets from Sam's with the addition of a few hydrangeas from Homeland.  I constructed them in Oasis-filled peg nappies, which I placed in a pair of tall crystal candlesticks.  I found the candlesticks at an enchanting local gift shop, Room 22.  Check it out!  The crystal goblets are my Waterford "Simply Blue".  I collected these in three colors on eBay over a period of time.  I bought them quite reasonably, but they've increased in price enough that I would have to think long and hard before I bought them today.  That's the reason that I've never bought the fourth color, amethyst...which I would really like to add to the collection.  Oh, well.

Cindy brought these darling blue and white teapot napkin rings to be used for our party.  At the end of the day, they were given to Queen Sparkle as a special gift.  Cindy also provided the wonderful napkins embroidered with teapots.  For such a special event, I used my wedding silver, Reed and Barton, "Grande Renaissance".  After forty-two years, I'd still choose it as our pattern today.  The first course was served on the Haviland, "Schleiger 1328", accent plate.

Today's fare was served on our dear Nana's antique English Tea Cart, positioned next to my chair.  The handkerchief weight linen tablecloth was one of my $15.00 estate sale finds.  The cloth does a lovely job of setting off the antique silver tea service, Nana's wedding gift to us.  Each course for our tea was presented on a tiered hostess tray.  

The first course, Strawberry Lavendar Scones, was well suited for the  Haviland, "Ranson", two tiered tray. 

Second course offerings included Goat Cheese and Tomato Crostini, Ham and Sweet Potato Biscuit Sandwiches, and Crab Salad on Blue-Corn Blini.  Tip:  Here I've used an inexpensive trio of Anchor, glass cake pedestals.  The grouping is available at Bed, Bath, & Beyond for about $20.00.  I like to add a chop plate, a dinner plate, and a salad plate from different sets of my dishes to create a custom tiered hostess tray...so versatile.  Here I've employed the Haviland, "Ranson".

I chose the Coalport, "Sevres Group" luncheon plates for the second course.  It's an interesting pattern.  There are numerous variations of the same basic flowers on these plates...They're just the same only different. :-)  The luncheon plate is seated on a Limoges, "Dresden Flowers" gold encrusted plate that is yet another treasure from Nana.

A Copeland Spode, "Jewel" tiered tray, held desserts including Choco-Chewy Scotch Bars, Strawberry Cakes with Lemon-Vanilla Curd, and White Chocolate and Chai Mousse served in Bissinger's Chocolate Cups. I think that we all indulged and had one of each...so delicious!  The dessert was served on Theodore Haviland, "Rani".

  

Of course, each course was accompanied by plenty of hot tea served in the Haviland, "Ranson" teacups.  We had such a wonderful tea party.  I hope that each of my guests felt like royalty.  I would love to treat you as a royal guest, too.  Do you take sweetener with your tea?

I've included a couple of the recipes from today's tea party.  Enjoy!

Crab Salad on Blue-Corn Blini

Makes 18 servings

1 (8 oz.) container lump crabmeat, drained well & picked for shells.

1/4 C. finely chopped cucumber

2 T. minced chives

1 1/2 t. Dijon mustard

3 T. mayonnaise, divided

1/2 t. salt, divided

1/4 t. ground black pepper

1 avocado, pitted & pealed

2 T. fresh lime juice

1 jalapeno, cut in half lengthwise, seeded, & thinly sliced, divided

Blue – Corn Blini (recipe follows)

1. In a medium bowl, gently toss together the crabmeat, cucumber, chives, Dijon, 1 T. mayonnaise, 1/4 t. salt, & pepper until mixture is well combined.  Refrigerate.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the avocado, remaining mayonnaise, lime juice, half of jalapeno slices, & remaining salt, and pulse until mixture is smooth. Refrigerate.
3. Top each Blue-Corn Blini with crab salad; garnish with avocado mixture and remaining jalapeno slices, if desired.

Blue - Corn Blini

Makes 18 blini

1 t. active dry yeast

 2 T. warm water (110º)

1/2 C. blue cornmeal

1/4 C + 3 T. all-purpose flour

1/4 t. salt 1/2 C. whole milk

3 T. butter, melted

1. In a small bowl, combine the yeast and water, and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.  In a medium bowl stir together the cornmeal, flour, and salt.  Add the milk, yeast mixture, and butter, whisking after each addition.
2. Let the mixture sit, uncoverd, at room temperature for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat; when hot, spray the pan with sonstick cooking spray.  Workin in batches of at least three, sppon 1 tablespoon of batter into skillet for each blin, and cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until crisp around the edges and golden brown.  Transfer to a plate line with a warm towel or covered in foil to keep blini warm.  (I place blinis on a foil covered cookie sheet.  Then I loosely cover them with another sheet of foil and place them in a 200º oven to keep warm until time to serve.)

  

To serve, place the crab salad on the blini and top with a dollop of the avocado mixture.  Garnish with a thin slice of jalapeno if desired.

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White Chocolate & Chai Mousse

1 1/4 (4-ounce) white chocolate bars, chopped finely

1 1/2 C. Heavy cream

2 bags vanilla chai tea (they used Bigelow Vanilla Chai tea)

1t. vanilla extract

4 egg whites

3 T. sugar

2 (4 – ounce) packages chocolate cups (Bissinger’s chocolate dessert cups)  www.bissingers.com

1. Place the white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl; set aside.  Combine the cream, contents of tea bags, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Cook just until mixture boils.  Strain mixture over chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted and smooth.  Cover, & refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight.
2. Whip white chocolate mixture with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; place in refrigerator.  In a medium bowl and using an electric mixer at high speed, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form; add sugar.  Continue whipping until glossy and stiff, about 30 seconds more.
3. Fold beaten egg white mixture into the white chocolate mixture.  Place mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, and evenly pipe the mousse into the chocolate cups.  Garnish with chocolate shards, if desired.

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday."   Hop on over HERE and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!   

Butterfly Birthday

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. As the harvest season approaches I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.

Several weeks ago, I was thrilled to learn that I had won the give-away from Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for a service for four of Mikasa, "Modern Butterfly."  The moment that I opened the box that appeared on my front porch, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it.  My friend Sheila absolutely ADORES butterflies, and her birthday is November 18.  On Monday, the 15th, I hosted a luncheon for four featuring "Modern Butterfly" to celebrate Sheila's birthday.

I want to recognize Mikasa for their generosity and kindness, and I have decided to share some of the options that I considered while designing my tablescape for the party.  There are so many possible variations for this gorgeous pattern; It took a bit before I could pick just one and go with it.  I think that you would have a blast using this marvelous design.  It lends itself to a multitude of design styles; I think that you're going to want to add these pretty butterflies to your personal collection.  Grab your net!  (I need to advise you that this is a photo intensive post.  Scroll away!)

I started...

...with a matelasse tablecloth.  I bought the fabric on eBay, and I made the cloth.  Tip:  When I make the cording, I cut my strips on the grain instead of on the bias.  It makes the cording much stiffer, and it holds the folds in place as the cloth falls against the floor.

Not only did the color of the cloth compliment the soft sage in the dishes, the design in the matelasse seemed to showcase the stylized artwork in the dinnerware.

I liked the potential of the individual dessert pedestals...

...the natural rattan charger from WalMart...

...WalMart's dark rattan charger...Have you found your personal look, yet?...

How about the animated flavor that flourished when I added the Hobby Lobby black acrylic charger...really emphasizes the graphic nature of the design...for those of you with a more contemporary flair...

While I was playing with the Mikasa, "Butterfly," the postman delivered this black and white toile tablecloth, an eBay purchase...so I gave it a try...pretty spectacular, don't you think?  It really punches up the black weighted lines that make up the form of several of the butterflies...

---or how about a shot of red sandwiched between the butterflies and the toile?...

Ultimately I chose the matelasse cloth and the red acrylic charger.

So many choices, so little time...I finally decided to go with the red charger and the matelasse cloth.  I added the vintage small red bowls, an estate sale bargain.

The Argent, "Sophia" 'gold' flatware is a Tuesday Morning find.  The color in the handle picked up just the right touch of golden yellow in the butterfly wings.  More of the plate color is repeated in the Waterford, "Simply Pink" goblet.  I love these goblets; they have a way of adapting to different shades of pinks and reds...very chameleon like. Our precious Nana is once again responsible for several elements in my design.  She used the lovely white linen napkins for years; I suspect that they are Marghab, but I can't verify that.  The ruby flash bowl and oriental stand also graced her tables...and now mine.  

 The clear wine goblet is Lalique, "Treves."  It is a part of my wedding crystal; this single stem was responsible for my choices for china and crystal all those years ago.  I still cherish it.  When Sweet Mr. and I were married, I was amazed that friends would actually spend $25.00 per goblet as a gift for us.  The individual salt and peppers are by Mackenzie-Childs.  Victoria Childs is such a gifted artist.  Her designs are all at once whimsical and elegant.  I've been collecting different styles of these tiny jewels for several years.  We have a wonderful store, On A Whim, that stocks a huge inventory of Mackenzie-Childs.  Check them out at www.onawhimokc.com.

The centerpiece is a mixture of flowers that I found at Homeland Grocery Store.  Do you see the white color behind the pink medallion in the ruby flash bowl?  Tip:  I didn't want the green oasis to detract from the lovely design in Nana's old bowl, so I actually constructed the centerpiece in one of my Blue Willow cereal bowls that just happens to be solid white on the outside. Not only was I able to effectively camouflage the infrastructure of my design, but if I need to, I can change the ruby flash bowl for a different piece that is better suited for a different tablescape.  My dear friend Cindy, at http://www.moreentertainingwomen.blogspot.com/, is hosting a large party in her home tomorrow night.  I took the flowers to her this afternoon, and I'm thrilled that they can be put to good use once again.  I added the butterflies for Sheila's special day...I found them several years ago at Pottery Barn.

Okay, I'm going to shyly step into the world of candlelight photography...

...and miles to go before I sleep...At this point, I went to bed, excited to greet my guests the next morning.

Everything's ready.  I decided to go with the small pink votives instead of the tapers...

...And I chose to exchange the small red bowls for the wonderful Mikasa, "Modern Butterfly" rimmed soup.  It was perfect for the first course, Tomato Bisque.

For the main course, I prepared a Shrimp Remoulade Salad and Quiche Lorraine.  Dessert was my mama's Brandy Ice, always a winner with my guests.If you'd like the recipe, it can be found in an earlier post HERE.

Everything is in place, and we're ready to come to the table.  See the blue gift box tied with the red picot ribbon?  Inside is one of the Mikasa boxes that contained a place setting of the beautiful Mikasa, "Modern Butterfly."  At the end of the party when the gifts were opened, I gave my dear friend Sheila this amazing china service for four as her birthday gift.  She absolutely loved it, and now she's going to go home and order more!  I hope that some of you have decided that you must have this pattern, too.  You're going to love creating your own tablescape with it.  Thank you once again to Mikasa and Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for making this magical celebration a reality!

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, "Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "Tablescape Thursday.  Click on the button below to hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.     

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."