Fou Fou Bridal Shower

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.

The painting has been completed in the dining room!  I finished loading the crystal back into the cabinets last night; only a few pieces of art and the large mirror need to be hung...and I've decided to take down the plantation shutters and install window treatments instead...that will take a while longer.   In the meantime, I'm sharing a wedding shower that I previously hosted with several friends. Although I'm relatively new to blogging, I have quite an archive of tablescapes to share...and they're all new for you.  Just don't be confused when my dining room keeps changing wall colors!

 I enjoy setting a pretty table for young brides.  I always hope that my efforts will inspire them to carry on the tradition of gracious entertaining in their own homes for years to come.  Today's shower took place on a Sunday afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 PM.  Sunday afternoon is my favorite time to host a shower, and I really like to do 'pretty lady' showers.  I've done my share of couples' showers which usually include a dinner; but my preference is entertaining ladies.  I like to host bridal showers on Sunday afternoon because I find that there are fewer regrets...not so many conflicting obligations for guests.  In addition, this time slot proves to be pretty budget friendly...everyone has recently eaten lunch, and no one is ready for dinner.  I like to set an abundant table, none the less.  My formula usually includes:  a fruit dish, a cheese dish, tea sandwiches, and something chocolate plus other sweets.

There is a dear little lady in our city named Mrs. Beavers.  Mrs. Beavers has been making tea sandwiches for customers since the 1950's!  I have her name because she regularly made these lovely treats for my mother-in-love for many years.  I fear that this may have been the last party for which she supplied goodies.  I think that she retired after our event.  She was so reasonable.  She charged $40.00 for 100 tea sandwiches, and her's are the best that I've ever tasted.  The large oval Barker-Ellis galley tray worked well for Mrs. Beavers' sandwiches. Other items available for our guests included Melting Moments, Petit Fours, and Chocolate Cream Sherry Bars.

The bride-to-be was planning a 'black and white' wedding, so we chose to use the same colors in the tablescape.  I used a white antique Italian cutwork linen tablecloth that belonged to our sweet Nana, one of the many lovely table linens that we are blessed to shepherd until it's time to pass it on to the next generation of family.  The three black tole jardinieres were a fortunate estate sale find...$10.00 each.  I filled the containers with Oasis.  There is a full block of foam in each pot, turned lengthwise.  I built them simultaneously, which made it easier to make them all alike.  I wanted them to resemble topiaries.  As I do so often, I bought the flowers at Sam's.

  The long narrow galley tray is also a Barker-Ellis piece.  The silver chafing dish is another of Nana's wonderful serving pieces.  Just behind it, you can see the companion piece.  One of my favorite dishes to serve at parties is  Brie en Croute.  It's easy to prepare, and always popular with guests.  I encase a wheel of Brie in refrigerated pie crust dough.  With the left over dough, I cut out decorative shapes and apply them to the top.  It is baked according to the instructions for the pie crust.  I often spread a thin layer of preserves on the cheese just before I place it inside the crust...makes an unexpected little treat when the guests bite into it.  I usually serve it with sliced pears and apples...so good!  Midway down the table is an Italian Cream Cake, one of my favorites.

The tall black apothecary jars were a Hobby Lobby find on sale for half-price, and I used simple arrangements of two colors of lilies, also from Sam's.  Tip:  I arrange lilies several days in advance to give them an opportunity to open adequately.  If you've perused some of my older posts, you know that I enjoy creating the 'napkin tower' for bridal showers because it reminds me of a frilly wedding dress.  As a base, I used the inexpensive three-tiered Anchor-Hocking glass cake plates, often available at Bed Bath & Beyond.  I placed different sizes of silver trays on each layer to dress it up a bit.  The vintage napkins are another of Nana's bounty of treasures.

Each napkin holds a 'diamond ring' napkin ring.  Tip:  Three of us each bought a number of these rings, and we share them for large parties.  They are so much fun!  Think co-op with your tablescaping buddies.  The luncheon plates are Haviland "Ranson."  I collected them for a number of years, and they are one of my favorite patterns.  Tip:  I highly recommend luncheon plates if you like to entertain.  They give you new options for mixing and matching because they allow you to use most dinner plates as chargers.  Additionally, at events for ladies, they are quite appropriate because women traditionally consume smaller portions of food.

The guests are arriving, and everything is ready. When possible, I like to have everything on the table before the party begins.  I find that this strategy makes it easier for me to enjoy the party.  I'm excited to celebrate the bride's special day.  I would love for the day to come that you could celebrate with us, too!

I thought that you might enjoy having a few of the recipes that I used today.  They are all delicious!

MELTING MOMENTS

COOKIE:

2/3 C. Cornstarch

1C. Flour

1C. Butter

1/3 C. Powdered Sugar

FROSTING:

1/4/ C. Butter, softened

2 C. Powdered Sugar

2 T. Lemon Juice

Rind of 1 lemon, grated

Sift together cornstarch and flour.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add sifted dry ingredients.  Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 325º for 15 to 20 minutes.  Cool and frost.  To prepare frosting, cream butter and add sugar alternately with lemon juice and rind.

Note:  I like to make these tiny and bite size.  I use a 1/2 t. measuring spoon and mound the dough into the spoon.  They don’t increase in size a great deal while baking.  I end up with between 75 and 100 small cookies.  Also, a lemon will usually yield more than 2T. juice.  I often add an additional tablespoon to the frosting.  It makes it a bit easier and nicer to spread on the cookie.  These can easily be made several days in advance and kept in an air tight container.  Enjoy!  You can’t eat just one!      

CHOCOLATE CREAM SHERRY BARS

BASE:

4 oz. semi-sweet or unsweet baking chocolate                       

1 C. sifted flour

1 C. butter     4 eggs

2 C. sugar     1 t. vanilla

1/2 t. salt

Melt chocolate and butter.  Cool slightly.  Beat eggs until light.  Gradually add sugar.  Add remaining ingredients and beat 1 minute.  Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350º for 25 minutes.  Cool.

FILLING:

1/4 C. sherry                                       1/2 C. butter

4 C. powdered sugar                            1/4 C. half & half

1 C. chopped pecans

Beat together butter and sugar.  Gradually add cream and sherry.  Mixture should be light and fluffy.  Spread over cooled base.  Chill

TOPPING:

1- 6 oz. pkg. Semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 T. water

4 T. butter

Melt chocolate with water and butter.  Mix well.  Drizzle over filling.  

Chill until firm.  Cut as desired.  Refrigerate.  Makes 5 dozen 1/2 inch bars.

ITALIAN DELIGHT CREAM CAKE

1/2 C. Shortening

1/2 C. Butter

2 C. Sugar

5 Eggs – separated

2 C. Flour

1 t. Baking Soda

1 C. Buttermilk

1 Can (7 oz.) Flake Coconut

FILLING:

1/2 C. Butter

1 Pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese

1 Box (1 pound) Powdered Sugar

1 t. Vanilla

1/8 t. Salt

1/2 C. Chopped Pecans

Blend shortening and butter together.  Add sugar gradually until fluffy.  Add yolks one at a time, beat well after each addition.  Sift flour and soda together.  Add to mixture alternately with buttermilk beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Add 2/3 C. coconut to batter.  Beat egg whites until peaks form – fold into batter – pour into 3 greased and floured 9 inch round pans.  Bake at 350º for 25 to 30 minutes.  Cool cake and frost with filling.

Mix butter and cream cheese at high speed.  Gradually add powdered sugar.  Continue beating until smooth.  Add vanilla and salt. Spread between layers and top and sides.  Sprinkle rest of can of coconut on top of cake.  Cover sides with chopped nuts.  I double the icing/filling recipe, and instead of just coconut sprinkled on top, I also cover the top and sides with chopped pecans.  Soooooo Goooood!

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."

UPDATE:  KC performed in New York City last night for a Standing Room Only crowd at The Living Room.  She is working her way south along the East Coast and the West toward home.  If you happen to be in one of the following areas, I hope that you'll go hear her!

Thursday, November 11

K.C. Clifford Returns to Roanoke!
Kirk Avenue Music Hall  8:00 pm
Roanoke, VA
http://www.kirkavenuemusic.com/

Friday, November 12

K.C. Clifford @ St. John Lutheran Church, Benefitting Faith In Action
St. John Lutheran Church  7:00 pm
Abingdon, VA
http://www.abingdonfaithinaction.com

Saturday, November 13

K.C. Clifford - Concert/Fundraiser for Wake Forest Museum
Wake Forest Museum  7:30 pm
Wake Forest, NC

Sunday, November 14

K.C. Clifford & Louise Mosrie at RPM Live Music Nights
RPM Live Music Nights  7:00 pm
Columbia, TN
http://www.kimjameson.com/RPM/Welcome.html

    

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. 

I am also linking my pose to "Centerpiece Wednesday" at The Style Sisters...so many wonderful designs to inspire us.  Go check them out!

  

Flaming Festival, 2010

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.

Each year during the first week of November, Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae host The Theta Flaming Festival.  The festival features tablescapes, some created by members and friends and some created by local merchants who also offer their wares for sale.  Although I am not a Theta, for years I have done tablescapes for this marvelous event with dear Theta friends.  This year a small group of us was asked to create the centerpiece for the tea table, where guests are served tea or coffee and cookies throughout the day.  Because the speaker for the luncheon today was Walter Scheib, the former White House chef for Bill and Hillary Clinton and George and Laura Bush, we decided that we wanted to build the White House out of Haviland Ranson china.  We had so much fun, and I thought that you might enjoy seeing the fruits of our labor.

I also thought that you would enjoy gleaning ideas from some of the gorgeous tablescapes that were on display today at the Flaming Festival.  I do need to warn you that you are entering a photo intensive zone, but I think that you'll really enjoy them!

  

 Look closely at the two floral arrangements.  The tablescape designer has taken the lids of the two apothecaries, turned them upside down inside the jars, and placed flowers in them...great idea!

I loved this table because of the old doilies.  Do you have a drawer full of these that belonged to your grandmothers?  I thought that this was a darling idea!

Is your mouth watering?

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."

    

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.