Comfort Food on the Terrace

Last week was a particularly tough week for Mr. Pressed Pants, so I fixed his favorite meal (meatloaf!) and we had a nice meal down on the lower terrace.  We've been missing one of our favorite couples, so I used their names on place cards just for photographing. 

It was a beautiful evening and we relaxed and talked and talked.  This shot is taken from the upper terrace.

I started with this beautiful French script fabric in a pale turquoise with this grey/brown print.  I didn't even hem the edges, but please don't tell my mother!

I picked up the bird theme on the cloth and added small bird nests and a velvet leaf just for a place card.

Yes, Michael, we wish you were here.

And Barb, too!!!!

I added these wire chargers, then a cream plate and a chocolate brown plate, both from Target.  Then this cream faux French flatware.  (Cheryl from JoJo's Joys is looking for some of this to add to her stash.  Does anyone know where this is still available?) 

These cream linen napkins are held in place with these beautiful feathers that I made into a napkin ring.  The colors are perfect for this tablecloth, don't you think?

The glassware is a mix of clear and aqua glass.  The aqua is Martha Stewart's from Macy's.

And these French tumblers are a favorite of mine.  I think these say "a glass of friendship".

That was my inspiration for "inviting" Barb and Michael to the table.

This pewter piece held oil and vinegar.

I loved the "patina" on these candlesticks.  They came from my favorite Atlanta store, Boxwoods.

They aren't old, but they look a bit aged.  The colors couldn't be better for this table.  They are usually in one of our guest bedrooms.

 

I used this faux bois pot for the flower arrangement.  The flowers all came from the floral wholesaler.  The cream gerbera daisies and hypericium showed up nicely against the wood color and......

these scabiosa seed pods were my surprise element.  I just love these.  I never saw them before.

Look how the brown stripes on the pods mimic the wood.  I'm so glad that they are sort of dry, so I have been able to keep them for future dried arrangements. 

Want to look at it again?

This was a very serene table, and a lovely evening, even without our "guests".

Since these pillows from the guest room were the perfect shade of linen and trim, I brought them down for a little extra comfort.

Before and after dinner, we moved to these chaises, which are on the same level as our dinner.  We sat and let the frogs, Canadian geese, and the owl serenade us.

I used this little turquoise tray for our appetizers. (Melon wrapped with prosciutto)

And for sentiment, I added a couple of acorns which have already fallen on the terrace.

Missed you, Barb and Michael.  It would have been a fun foursome!

You could have been another set of love birds at the table!!!!

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Cheerful Birdies on a Gloomy Day

Be sure to visit Cuisine Kathleen's linky party featuring birds, nests, and eggs.  It's sure to be filled with inspiration galore!

Listening to the birds chirp the other day, I decided that I needed to do a bird themed table.  This periwinkle blue and white palette came together so easily.  When I started poking around, I couldn't believe how much bird stuff I had.

This Robert Allen fabric was the inspiration.  It seemed to blend traditional and contemporary in its simplicity.  I just hemmed a length for a tablecloth.

I chose the drop-leaf table in the bar for this lunch.  I like to leave it pushed up against the wall and set the ends when we only have four.

Then I replaced the fish plates in the antique French shelves with some old bird plates.  There are no markings on these at all, so I can't share any information other than to say I bought them at an antique show years ago.

 

I love this wicker plant holder for small spring pots.  Today I added a small glass filled with water to each terra cotta pot and then placed a blue hydrangea moppead in each one.  I love the way this watercolor of Cape Cod shares the colors of the flowers.

The double-faced satin ribbon comes from The Paperie at Sam Flax, one of my favorite sources for beautiful papers and ribbons.

Here it is used again as a napkin "ring" on a crisp white napkin from The Palm line of linens at Homegoods.  The little vine nest that I used as a placecard holder is from Michaels and was very inexpensive.  These white bistro plates are some I've had for a very long time.  I think everyone needs to have a simple white set of dishes to play with, and they are available many places at very affordable prices.

I am so fond of the look that a mixture of silverplate flatware gives to a table.  Here I've used it with these mother-of-pearl handled knives that pull the white into the design in another interesting way.

Waterford's Lismore pattern of water and wine stems keeps the look crisp and simple. I think it is the most popular pattern that they make.  I have so many friends that have this pattern.  Great for borrowing!  My mom has gifted me with these pieces for many years.  Thanks, mom!  I love them.

This white faux bois cup held the cream of asparagus soup on a similar faux bois plate.  

 

A larger faux bois plate held a simple salad of arugula, avocado, and fresh apricots dressed with a lemon cream dressing.

My white bread and butter plates were a little large for this table, so I used these little fluted dishes for the rolls with a twig butter spreader.

I almost forgot I had this little French white porcelain butter dish with the bird on top.

This casserole dish has been a favorite of mine for many years.  I am always careful not to bang the bird on the top.  It held a delicious orzo primevera.

This might be one of my very favorite tables I have ever set.

I found this roll basket at the Flower Factory in Chagrin Falls, Ohio last week.  They are closing and everything is drastically reduced.  I think I paid about $3.50 for it.  Great bargain, don't you think?

I used this sweet little dish to serve lemons and dill for garnishing the salmon.

Coffee in these cups with the faux bois design were served at the end of the meal with dessert.  The dessert was a meringue shell (made extra rough to look like a nest) filled with lemon curd and garnished with a whipped cream "egg".  I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I never remember to photograph anything once I start serving. 

One more birdie item held sweetener.

It was a gloomy day, but the friendship was warm and the conversation was light and fun.  We have lots of spring flowers blooming, but the rain has kept me out of the garden.  I did a little clipping a few days ago, but things will have to wait for a sunny day for any more gathering.  I didn't even stick my head out to get a picture of the bird welcome sign on the front door.

The guest bathroom vanity even got a nod to spring and birds.

A metal nest.......

and a cute hand towel round out the theme.

Menu:

Asparagus Soup

with Radish Micro-green Garnish

French Rolls

Arugula, Avocado and Apricot Salad

with Lemon Cream Dressing

Soy-glazed Salmon

Orzo Primavera

Meringue Nests filled with

Lemon Curd and a Whipped Cream Egg

Coffee

Don't forget to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly blog party featuring lots and lots of fun tablescapes.  Thank you, Susan for this forum.