Becolorful

I'm Slipping - Our Valentine Dinner

We have celebrated Valentine's Day with the same group of friends for the past five or six years. Usually we go to a restaurant but this year we decided to change it up and we all ate here at our home. Everyone contributed something so it was kind of a classed up potluck. :D  I pat myself on the back for having great friends that also know how to cook.

( It didn't hurt that one of our guests is a chef and owns a restaurant)

As for me, I had known about this dinner for about a week but how did it get to be February 14th so fast?

You know I have never claimed to be anything like a cook but I have usually taken some pride in setting the table. For some reason though, this time, I found myself totally unprepared.

Earlier in the month I had added a few Valentine vibed decorations throughout the house and I even had something for the dining room. It never occurred to me to buy something for the table because I didn't think we would be eating at home.

( I hate having the router there on that table but with these old plaster walls it seems like the only place that we can get a good wireless signal. Note to self, find something to disguise it.)

Anyway, the morning of our dinner I discovered that I didn't have any napkins to go with my red table cloth. I also didn't have a plan for the centerpiece. Well, that isn't entirely true. I had this garden like angel made out of stone that I have been planning to paint for maybe two years now. I thought he resembled a Cupid and that I could have him holding a heart or a valentine wrapped box of chocolates or something and he would look very "Cupidesque". I remembered him the morning of our little soiree but I thought he might still smell of spray paint by dinner.   I had to move on to plan B but, damn, he sure looked good in my head.

With only hours to go before our guests arrived, I headed out on a search for red napkins,  fun napkin rings and some sort of centerpiece. I was hoping to find  vibrant pink napkins because I was going for a pink and red palate. I  somehow have a knack, though, for always wanting the odd thing that nobody else wants and as a result the thing that none of the stores stock. I finally settled for a red napkin that blended well with my red table cloth and I found these cheerful napkin rings that leaned a little bit pink at Pier 1. They aren't really Valentine themed but they will be easy to use again and will work well with other colors too.

 

 

I figured the easiest thing that I could do for the centerpiece would be a collection of crystal candlesticks in varying heights but after multiple stops at department and discount stores and still coming up empty handed I had to move on to a plan C.

I was running out of time and I still needed to stop by the store for some champagne. It was there that I spied these pretty tulip plants so I bought two of them. I wasn't sure what I would do with them but, hey, they were on sale, I would make them work somewhere.

I put one on the buffet and created a little vignette.

But what to do about a centerpiece?

I had this plate holder and big glass bowl that I thought I might use. I could float flowers or candles in it.

 

 

Unfortuately the bowl was too shallow to float enough to make much of statement.

Where am I now? Plan D???

Well I decided to take some Valentine ribbon I had on hand, wrap the plate stand with ribbon to create a basket effect and I nested my second pot of $10.00 tulips in the middle and called it done.

 

 

I was cutting it close. I still had to change clothes, clean some veggies, and make the easiest appetizer ever.

Because I had bought the champagne just an hour or so before I was worried about getting it chilled so, of course, I threw it in the freezer for 45 minutes.

I knew I might get distracted and forget it so I set the kitchen timer to remind me to take it out.

The timer apparently went off while I was setting the table. I stopped what I was doing to go move it to the refrigerator.

What I didn't show you is that with all the effort, not to mention the gasoline, that I spent pulling this table together I completely forgot to set out spoons! Guess that is what I was doing when the timer went off.

 

 

Seriously? No spoons? How did I not see that? Yes, I'm slipping.

I remembered to light  candles throughout the house, set up an "In the Mood for Love" playlist, and even made room in the frig for party trays. The only thing I forgot were spoons... kind of a basic.

Funny thing is, my guests never mentioned it. Not one of them.

I think this may be the reason why...

Last night.

This morning. Yes, they are all empty.

My friends weren't just being kind. I don't think any of them noticed.

:D

Hope yours was a Happy Valentine's Day.

xoxo,

p

 

Bridal Shower Pizazz

                                                

My readers know I am rather challenged in the kitchen but I do like to set the table. We took pictures at our party this weekend and so I am going to be a first timer at BNOTP's Tablescape Thursday and Tickled Pink  at 504 Main's party. I hope I'm not the only newbie. For some beautiful table inspiration and creativity join me as I party on.

This past weekend I co-hosted a bridal shower with my daughter for her BFF.

Co-hosting is so much more fun than going it alone.

Liz gave me this inspiration board to work with.

I hadn't thought of orange but it was fresh and different and I love working with color so I knew this would be fun.

She designed the invitations. You can see more of her work here.

 

She bought the fun little favor boxes and gift wrap from Paper Source.

 

 

and made this memorable little advice book for our guests to contribute little bits of wisdom for the bride.

 

My job was to pull the setting together.

I started with the front door.

I repainted it yellow and hung this fun shower or spring door candy on it.

 If you are revisiting Becolorful you might notice that I went back in and painted the umbrella handle so it would stand out better against the yellow door.

I added some DIY artwork to a naked mantel and had the foyer and hallway repainted ... beige not too exciting but even though I love color I knew the eyes needed a place to rest in my colorful house.

 

We moved all of this furniture out of the breezeway

 

and set up two sets of tables and chairs.

 

I've never set up for a party in this room and I was a bit hesitant but I liked it and would do it again. I only need to find a spot for that big old ficus tree.

Brucemore did our flowers and they were exactly what we had envisioned. Thank you Chad.

 

Aren't they spectacular?

Those who know me know I am not much of a cook.

The fact that Liz, who can cook, but lives two hours away meant  I needed to keep the menu simple.

We served a turkey focaccia sandwich with a pasta and a fruit salad.

 

 

Sangria and Champagne options rounded out the meal with Jules Cupcakes for dessert.

 

Tulle was everywhere.

From the chairs tied with shower sponges from Pier 1 that looked like flowers

 

to Puck's attire in the family room.

 

Our guests made the event for us.

 

Opening gifts is always fun and Liz surprised our guest of honor with these wedding color rain boots  that Laura had been eyeing the last time she was home. Another "shower" nod that could make a fun photo op under her wedding gown.

 

The bride is like my other daughter.

 

How many pictures of her  over the years do I have on this front porch?

Add these to my collection.

 

Yes Liz, we did it

and with your ideas we did it with pizazz. 

We are pretty fabulous. :)

  
 
 
 Best of wishes to Laura and TC.

Love you.

XOXO,

P
 
 
 
  Linking up with It's So Very Cheri
 
 
 
  

 
 
  

Next Up: A Bridal Shower

I am doing a blog hop today. I'm not really sure what this is. I guess it is different than a linky party. No matter. I have already been visiting and there are some fun new resources there so click here to visit Trendy Tree House with me.

The Traveling Door Sale is behind me for now and next up is a bridal shower. 

Liz has been working on the theme/feel for this oh so exciting event and she thought all white with just pops of orange would be a fresh new look. 

I am totally on board with that. 

She put this little inspiration board together for me so I have some direction.

 She also did the invites. Check out her work here.  

 

Laura is a fan of the polka dots so these were perfect.

I am definitely challenged when it comes to the whole food side of entertaining. Caterers are my best friends but I do have a great foccacia wedge type sandwich that I think will fit the bill. Thank you Kathy for that recipe. Liz's creativity extends into the culinary arena so I think I can pass that part of the shower baton over to her.

My job, and I love this one, is to get the house ready. Big smiles here.

So this is my to do list.

We'll see how well I do with only a little over two weeks to go.

I want to start with the front door.

I'm feeling a fresh coat of paint.

I'd like to see something unexpected and welcoming like this.

 

If I had time I would like to make some door candy like this.

Not only does it say Spring and Shower. It is just so fresh and pretty. Sigh. Love it.

 

Hmmmmmm. I like the color of that door too.

Front doors and first impressions are important in my book.

I'm heading to the florist today to see if I can still get orange tulips in a couple of weeks for the centerpieces.

 

I have white table cloths and dishes but I still need napkins.

What do you think, stay with all white or do we pop it with orange?

I still need to call a painter.

I have a nasty stain in the foyer ceiling from a plumbing oops in a second floor bathroom.

Disgusting.

I'd love to have the whole foyer repainted.

I may be dreaming here.

We'll have to see how much the painter loves or doesn't love me.

I'm betting he won't have time between now and then.

So sad.

I am also looking for a new rug for the dining room.

I see leopard print

I saw a carpet today that could be serge stitched and I would have it next week if I wanted.

Nice.

If I could get that painter, I would paint the dining room walls something like this.

 

I know.

 Crazy.

 I really haven't lost my mind and my taste truly isn't all in my mouth.

 I think I could make this work. My version might be slightly darker but still  a raspberry sort of color.

I need a new painting here.

I robbed Peter to pay Paul and moved the one that was here to the foyer.

This piece will have to be something I pull together myself.

I'm thinking of an over-sized floral number.

In a perfect world I would love to make a trip to San Fran or Santa Fe to look at original art work.

SinceI don't see that happening in the next two weeks though  it will have to be something from my own paint brushes for now.

Daunting.

Finally, I need to add some flowers out back and on the deck and porch.

That's easy enough.

If it would just warm up!

It feels like early April around here.

So from one event to the next, life just keeps rolling toward me and I try and keep rolling with it.

Honestly, it's a good thing. I do better under pressure.

So Mom don't worry about me.

I'm fine. :)

XOXO,

P

   

 
 
 

OSCAR NIGHT

    

It was Slumdog's night. I read that last summer this movie was almost sent straight to DVD but lucky for us it got the recognition it appears to deserve. 

All in all I think this was one of the better Oscar Ceremonies. The big dance numbers and the nod to musicals was really spectacular. I've always been a push over for big productions. Conversely though, the presentation of the best actor and best actress awards by previous winners was simple and much more meaningful that the two minute trailers and elaborate set ups we have seen in years past. The Tina Fey and Steve Martin duo was great fun. Their timing was perfect. They are really good together. Maybe they should be co-hosts next year?

It was a quiet night at home for us with just a couple of friends but I thought it would be fun to "set the stage" so with a little help from my printer I came up with a little something something for the front door and decorated some cylinder candles with this year's best picture nominees.

Then I always dress Puck, the statue that Mike gave me for Christmas several years back, for any party or event.  Hmmmm.... idea for future post - the many looks of Puck.

     

   

( sorry Lynnie, I got you mid-blink.)

Holiday House Crawl

Friday night was our first of what I hope will be an annual Holiday House Crawl. This is the perfect holiday party, especially if the participants live fairly close by or you have back up drivers you can call on.  

We started at the Nazette home. Sally's centerpiece of candles and copper Christmas trees was spectacular and wouldn't you know I forgot to pull out my camera at this first stop. Randy is my very favorite bartender. The man makes a mean martini! They served ribs, artichoke dip and a fabulous cheese bread. Sally is a designer and it goes without saying that their home was chock full of eye candy.

Our second stop was at Basil and Lynn's. They own a Greek restaurant and pizzeria.  We knew we would be in for an epicurean treat at this house. Basil had made two fabulous soups, but my fave was the clam chowder. If we do this again next year I'm really hoping the chowder makes an encore appearance. Basil has given some thought to distributing it through retail venues. I know it would fly off the shelves if he did.

We, of course, drank some more and I've decided this is one of my new favorite wines.

I love Lynnie's decorating style. You can't help but feel comfortable here.  Sophisticated casual is how I would describe it. Her art background is very evident in the pieces she has chosen for their home Her refusal to let go of the child within is also  obvious in so many of the random accents she has displayed throughout the house.

Our next stop was Russell's. He is a discerning wine connoisseur with an awesome wine cellar and Cathy is another accomplished cook. How did I get in this group? Thank God for a hubby that knows his way around the kitchen. She served baked brie with pears and a scrumptious beef tenderloin ( and I usually don't care for beef) but this was amazing. This was our first time in their home and it was equally beautiful and inspiring. I'm not ashamed to say that I covet her closet and his wine cellar.

We ended up the the evening at our house. Again, no pictures. Mike made his famous cheesecake and it was as good as I had remembered. He hasn't made it for several years. Life got busy and we ordered from Carnegie Deli instead. In a head to head contest, though, I think Mike's cake would win hands down. We washed it down with Bailey's, and Grand Marnier. Why do you think we call it House Crawl?

 

This really was a great way to party. The food was fabulous, we were able to see each others holiday decorations, and nobody had to deal with a lot of stress or expense. Can't wait for next year. 

Seasons of Change

 

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year and I can't believe it is already time to say farewell to it. My dad's birthday was on October 15th and I have always associated the peaking color of the leaves with him and his birthday. This year the colors came later and seemed to last much longer.  I like to think my dad had something to do with that. I seemed to feel him close every time I saw an especially brilliantly colored tree. Now, though, it is time to look forward and enjoy the holiday season. 

I really like Thanksgiving, the least stressful of the big days. Typically,we have had the kids, both of our families, and our traditional 

"Thanksgiving in a box".

Thanksgiving with our parents 2005

This year was different in that our family was sitting around several different tables. Liz and Page were in Missouri, James and Han stayed in Des Moines, Dave and Harriet were in Florida,  Mom was at Elmcrest and Nan was in Ottumwa. So Mike, Adam and I debated about staying here, going to a friend's house or heading to Galena. In the end we decided to celebrate at home. We kicked  off our holiday season with a quiet dinner for three but I think I will always remember this peaceful year fondly. For one thing, after thirty one years of marriage I "cooked" the dinner all by myself. Mike is the cook in the family but he took a back seat this year and Archer Farms and I took over. I've never really gotten into the whole cooking for pleasure thing but I have always loved setting the table. I take a lot of grief for my copious collection of dishes, In fact, I am considered a "dish whore". My Thanksgiving plates are actually among my very favorites.

 

Years ago I saw a picture in a magazine of a Thanksgiving table set with brown Spode and various toile dishes. There was a lot of mixing and matching of odd pieces and I loved that. I decided to try and find something similar and I was lucky enough to find these at TJ Maxx. I have been adding to them for several years, a few here, a few there. Liz found a couple more salad plates for me this year and they were only $2.99 a piece. It just makes me love them even more.