Party Tablescape and Luncheon

So, I wanted to treat all the baking ladies to a very nice luncheon to take the pain out of all the baking.  Standing on your feet for 11 hours is not fun.  Not to speak for anyone else, but ya know I'm getting older.  Pains start to happen and stuff like that......OK, let's get back to the luncheon.  I set a beautiful table out of the way of the kitchen, I had it all set up in the dining room.  I wanted my girlies to sit and enjoy their lunch, all strength comes from the stomach you know, we had to re-energize with food.

This was each place setting - red chargers, Christmas china, silver pre-folded napkins (Marshall's) silver flatware (I also have gold), silver shimmer tablecloth (it glistened like the snow outside), and each received their party favor from me (the baking kit) and my wonderful sister (she gave everyone a Yankee candle and very pretty, unique Christmas ornaments, something to remember the party).

Centerpiece was burlap and silver woven runner, black lanterns with candles, fresh cedar and Frasier fir branches, with glittery glass silver pine cone ornaments tucked in the branches, and the fabric snowman sitting in the middle of the greens.  Little dishes of Lindt truffles also adorned the table on either end.

 Caesar Chicken Sandwiches were on the menu and this is how I made them- 10 boneless skinless chicken breasts and 1 bottle of Ken's Light Caesar dressing (the oil version of the dressing, not the creamy) bake in a covered pan at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Slice chicken down.  To make the sandwiches I used toasted ciabatta rolls, spread pesto on one side, 2 slices of sharp provolone, the chicken, and roasted peppers on top.

 Along side the sandwiches I served roasted grape tomatoes with fresh herbs - 1 box of grape tomatoes, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat leaf parsley, 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped rosemary, 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme,  1 small shallot, minced, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste.  Mixed all together on a baking sheet and bake for 35 - 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

 Also on the menu a mixed salad with fruit - 2 bags of mixed spring greens, 8 sliced strawberries, 2 snack containers of mandarin oranges and a sliced English cucumber......

 1 cup of dried cranberries, 1/2 cup of sliced almonds and 1 cup of crispy wonton strips for crunch.  The salad dressing was a homemade sweet dressing - 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1 tsp poppy seeds, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of canola oil.  Shake and pour.

 Salad is mixed and ready to be served.

 And cannolis for dessert.

BUT..... It Can Always Look Better

I was at my oldest daughters house over the weekend for coffee time and to sort through some Christmas decorations that she no longer wanted.  Later that day we went shopping to update her mantel over her fireplace.  She didn't know what she needed to buy to update it, so I suggested TJMaxx for some inexpensive items for the do - over.  Awhile ago, she had bought two black lanterns for the mantel but I thought that it needed height, something taller on either end.  This is what we both came up with, and think it looks so much better. With just a few items and less than $60 the whole room and it's focal point look great!  Rearrange with things you already have, you don't always have to buy new things to update your home, use what you have.

LEFT: The mantel before - With black lanterns, some small votives and two other candles, not very eye catching.

RIGHT:  The mantel after - She bought 2 candlesticks one tall ($14.99) and one shorter ($12.99) they are silver with bling around the top and bottom of the candlesticks,  2 faux books (1 large $12.99 and 1 small $4.99) that are stacked, the silver candles ($5.99 for 4 tapers), the white orchid in a black ceramic pot was on clearance for $12.00!  We also reused one of the lanterns and the small iron votive holders.

 LEFT: This is her ledge right above the kitchen sink.  It looked ok but I thought it could look better.

RIGHT:  I took the other lantern that she had and told her to put her plant in a flower pot, and now it looks more appealing, and gives more separation to the two rooms.