"Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself."
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Is it Tuesday again already?

Hello! I love Tuesdays, don't y'all? Today, I am playing in 2 blog parties.... Tablescape Tuesday & Trash to Treasure. And I am also sharing 2 tables w/ y'all today, hope you don't mind.



This past weekend was a grand weekend. We kept the 4 older grands Saturday morning.... we all snuggled up & watched Firehouse Dog & Grouchy made us pancakes & sausage. We spent many a week-end morning that way when our kids were young. Good times! Then baby Noah spent the night Saturday night so his parents could have a night on the town (Clifton looked sooo good that it brought tears to my eyes!). We were determined to squeeze in a nice dinner but needed to keep it easy. We chose a couple of Ina Garten recipes & set a very simple table. Wish I would have used a battenburg square or runner under the centerpiece. It needs something!


You've seen me use the Lace chargers (from JCPenney.com) a hundred times. The dinner plates are from Tracy Porter's Octavia Hill line. They're from Target but I got them at a thrift store (of course I did!). The rose china bowls are Johan Havilland...another thrift store find. I think I got 8 of them for under $15.


Hubby bought me a bunch of alstroemeria...look how great they look in my thrift store vase (which is my trash to treasure post). The vase is Jay Willfred by Andrea by Sadek.


The soup bowls are lovely & the coloring matches the alstroemeria perfectly.



Sweet little rose creamer.


I got this set of crystal, individual salt & pepper shakers on eBay a few years ago....I have 4 sets of them.



Since we were keeping it easy, we used a pre-made soup from a carton for an appie. The soup was Smoky Corn Chowder, at least I think that was name of it. I know it was by V8. Don't buy it! Blechh!


With a little tweaking, Ina's recipes might be very good but they were only so-so as written. The salmon recipe is Eli's Asian Salmon ... I kinda expected the panko crumb coat on the salmon to be crispy but it was very soggy & quite salty. Hubby warned me that I should stick w/ a sweet glaze for the salmon & sadly, he was right! The Crunchy Noodle Salad was pretty good although next time I will cut back on the peanut butter some. Both recipes can be found at foodnetwork.com but I cannot recommend the salmon, even though it looks so tasty.




For dessert, we had Meringued Grapefruit. I saw it on Jain's blog & knew I had to make it. It did not disappoint! Isn't it beautiful? They were small grapefruits so I served them in my vintage Boopie sherbets. This will be a repeater! In fact, we got some HUGE grapefruits yesterday. I just think they're soo pretty!


Here's the recipe Jain shared w/ us....
pink grapefruits, membranes cut and separated
2 egg whites
1/4 brown sugar
whip eggs until soft peaks, add brown sugar and whip until stiff peaks. put rack on lower 3rd and turn on broiler. mound meringue into swirling peaks and broil for 1-2 until brown. serve immediately~

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And I know you're eager to go see all the other tables but I have one more to share today. Sunday, hubby & I picked out a cookbook from our collection (we went w/ A Cowboy in the Kitchen) & made a trip to Central Market. This meal will go down as one of our best. EVERYTHING was marvelous & no changes were made to the recipes. I'm OK with having to change up an allrecipes recipe to improve upon it but the pros shouldn't need to be tweaked, you know? And Grady Spears did not disappoint. I'll start w/ pictures of my table but you are going to wanna stick around for the food pics. ;o)

I printed a photo of ice dripping off a pine branch & used it on the salad plates. All dinnerware is from Target, the goblets are a thrift store find & the twig flatware is from Marshall's, TJMaxx or Ross. The twig placemats are from Garden Ridge.





For teh centerpiece, I used an old window & a knitted throw as a runner, added a couple of pine sprigs, mercury glass candleholders, a corbel & my collection of old glass stoppers.



First course was a stacked tomato & onion salad w/ a mango vinaigrette. I know mozzarella is typically used w/ tomatos but this meal was Texas'fied so I went w/ monterey jack. The avocado was a little unnecessary, it really didn't add anything to the dish .... hubby probably should have sliced them slimmer. The vinaigrette is going to be very versatile...glad we made extra!


Hubby pulled out his Texas brand & branded the Sweet Corn Pudding Pie. He thinks he is sooo tough! ;o)


The entree was Cornish Game Hens w/ a Molasses Rub (fantastic!) & the Sweet Corn Pudding Pie (another winner...it's really a cowboy quiche & would be great w/ a salad for dinner).

Dessert wasn't from Grady Spears cookbook....it's Alton Brown's Bruleed Bananas. We shmeared some caramel syrup on the plate, added the bruleed bananas (just sprinkle banana slices w/ sugar & torch like a creme brulee), a scoop of Coconut Sesame Seed ice cream (delicious! by Haggen Daaz) & topped it w/ a sugar doodad. It was soo simple, so beautiful & sooo delicious!


One of our very best dinners! Chris has earmarked several more of Grady Spears recipes to make this week so it looks like it's going to be a Tex-Mex feast all week. Fine w/ me! I'm not a big fan of typical Texas cuisine (I know, I know...blasphemy! ;o) ) but Grady Spear's kicks it up a notch & makes it elegant & tasty.



There's lots more beautiful tables over @ Between Naps on the Porch ...come check them out w/ me. And while you're there, be sure & thank our hostess for her hospitality! It's awfully gracious of her to host this week after week, don't you think?

Also Diane @ A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words invited me to link this post to her Trash to Treasure post today....stop by her blog after you leave Susan's to see how other bloggers have turned their trash into treasure.


49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Tablescape! I love your china! The food looks yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipes.

xoxoxoxoxoxo
Donna Marie

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

What a beautiful table! and now I am hungry! The china is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous table and post, Cami!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Well shoot! It took me forever to do one and you did TWO and FOOD! I don't care how it tasted...it looked good! I don't know when I'll have the time and energy to do one again!! I've got an award for all of you tablescapers on my sidebar if you want it. I had no idea it was soooo hard! Hugs...Debbie

Unknown said...

Hi Cami,

Your tablescape is very pretty! I love that interesting vase you got at the thrift store and the individual salt shakers from EBAY!

I would love for you to link this post to Trash to Treasure!

Thanks for the visit today,
Diane

Anonymous said...

Cami! Amazing! Beautiful tables with out of this world food to boot! Sheesh! how does a girl get on your meal invite list? :0)

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

2 great tablescapes and such beautiful food! I really like the centerpiece, just throwing some things together...the corbel is great!!

Kathleen said...

Wow, what a treat! 2 great tables, and food too!
I love your honesty!
Your window centerpiece is so creative, and I enjoy hearing about your thrift store finds.
And the Texas brand, too funny! Yeehaw! ( that said with a New "Yawk" accent!) :)

Linda Q said...

Wow Cami, great tables and then food too, what time is dinner? You all are making me hungry again.
Great job!
Linda

Anonymous said...

Sweetie, YOU DO A THRIFT STORE PROUD, and wherever ELSE you shop!!! My heavens you are GOOOOD!!! That vase w/ the bunny & all your other "finds" make for such a wonderful, personality-laden table, and it's just DELICIOUS all the way around... And you COOOOK, too????? Holy Guacamole!!! THANK you, thank you, thank you! Linda

Knittings Nice! said...

Wonderful table scapes......scrumptious food....perfecto.

JudyBug said...

OMG! Beautiful china, beautiful food...even tho you didn't like some of it...it looked good. I am so envious of your bargains!

Dixie said...

Hi fellow Texan... love your tablescape... but I have to admit that I'm more interested in your food! looks delicious!

blissfully, Dixie

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Oh, everything is beautiful and elegant! I LOVE the white vase in the first picture! What a fabulous piece! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Deb said...

Hi Cami! Both tablescapes are just lovely! And the food looks delish! Deb

Anonymous said...

Oh me,i honestly don't know whats prettier the tablescapes or the food.you are great at both.Hey,what time is dinner tonite?Ann

"Blossom" said...

I am ready to eat!!!!! Wow this all looks so delicious. The dishes are so pretty and the chargers are always so pretty with china. Blossom

Deb said...

Beautiful tablescape & post Cami!

Lady Katherine said...

So pretty, the china, love the creamer! I love the vase!

SmilingSally said...

Both tablescapes are impressive. I really like that thrift store vase and the fresh flowers in it. Thanks for sharing. Happy Trash to Treasure day.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Both of your tablescapes are so pretty. I LOVE your trash to treasure vase. Your menu makes me want to come eat at your house. Sounds wonderful. laurie

Ginger said...

Everything looks so nice. I love the rose creamer, and the vase with the flowers is really different, I love it.
The food looks so good.

Melissa Miller said...

CAMI! ;)
YOU ARE AMAZING DEAR LADY. WHEN IS DINNER?
NOT TO MENTION BEYOND BEAUTIFUL TABLESCAPES.
YOU ARE A TRUE TALENT AT THIS.
~MELISSA

Kathleen Ellis said...

OOOOH! Where do I start? Food? Tablescape? Food? Tablescape? Hmmm...Love those thrift store soup bowls...they're so sweet! The winter tablescape is wonderful...and the food, well...I have PMS and now my tummy is growling!
Have a happy week!

cherry said...

WOW CAmi.....I have to pick up my jaw here....it is all gorgeous. Looks delectible. Love the winter wishes. cherry

Lisa (aka) French said...

Oh my goodness not only is the table beautiful but now my mouth is watering looking at that food (yummy)!!! Thanks for showing it to us;) French

Anonymous said...

Oh, look at your table settings. Just beautiful. Now that beautitul white vase is to die for! The bowls do match perfectly with your flowers! Now, honey, the food looks so scrumptious! Let's all come to your house for dinner.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

LADY JANE said...

Your tables are fabulous,really love the vase with your alstromeria! Hubby is a master with his Texas stamp...how fun! Everything looks , and sigh...we are only having Meatloaf for supper!

Diana LaMarre said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your post today. I am reading this at dinner time and everything looks delish!

I have never heard of meringue on a grapefruit, but I bet it would be good!

I keep wanting to try a stacked salad, but so far I haven't. It's too bad yours was not as tasty as you had expected. It looked nice!

Love those chargers, too.

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Beautiful table...china was so pretty and dainty, food looked yummy! The vase ... loved it! On your white dishes..what a cute idea putting a photo on the salad plate!

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Cami,
I love your tables - both of them! I love the way your mixed and matched your dishes in the first tablescape and the Winter Wish table is so creative. I love it all. Good job!
Alisa

~CC Catherine said...

Cami, Thanks for stopping by my site today! Your tablescape today is so inviting, love the lace chargers (my first time seeing them) and adore Tracey Porter finds. You appear also to be a wonderful gourmet cook. I look forward to digging into your blog, I love new recipes! I myself love to bake scones and have many tea parties...and lots of pastries, pies, etc... Made a Prize Winning Pumpkin Cheesecake for the first time on New Years Day and it was a hit. Let me know if you'd like the recipe and I'll share it with you! ~Au Revoir! ~CC Catherine

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Cammi, these are truly lovely, and that FOOD! Girl, you are making me starve! LOL!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Kathy said...

What wonderful tables, Cami! I loved your ideas for the second winter table. And do you share your recipe for sweet corn pudding pie? Sounds yummy!
Kathy

Dresden Plate said...

Your table is so pretty, gives a really romantic feel. Havent you found some attractive things in your 'hunts'.

Unknown said...

Hi, to answer your question, i bought the candles (stripe, polkadots) the way they were. If your looking for some punch in black and white stripe on the computer and there is a place that comes up. I just cannot remember the name of it. lol. mishelle

Anonymous said...

Everything looks wonderful and it's making my tummy rumbly, as Pooh Bear says ...

Panko bread crumbs can be hard to get crispy, as they soak into whatever you've put them on. Our favorite panko recipe is skinless boneless chicken thighs slathered in dijon mustard, then rolled in Panko. We let them sit a few minutes and then roll them in Panko a second time (spray a little Pam on the first layer of Panko to help the second layer stick), and bake in a hot oven, at least 375 to 400 degrees. We've done the same with salmon, and it was crispy and delicious.

Have a great week!

Victoria

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

What a beautiful table Cami..I just love those chargers you have...and I bet I gain 5 lbs every time I come here ha ha!! its all just lovely dear friend..hugs and smiles Gloria

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

I do not know where to start. Both tablescapes are fantastic. Your beautiful new little vases looks perfect with the 1st tablescape. The 1st one is so romantic.

I also love your dinnerware in the 2nd one. Everything matches so perfectly. You have some great ideas.

And you look like an fantastic cook. I haven't ate hardly anything since Friday night. You have finally made me want to eat.

Hugs, Terrie

Marie De Marco said...

Hi Cami,
Thank you for the info on blogging resources. I'm learning something new everyday. I stopped at your blog yesterday after I did some "traveling" around with some other blogs...Trash to Treasure Tueday. I was looking for info to join that group. That is the place for me. I do a lot of treasure hunting. I have a small business I'm trying to get started it's all about upcycle, repurpose etc. I have the business name of Salvaged Sensations but, will be changing to Romance and Relics. The pics on flickr are some of my creations/designs in the shop and at home. Thank you again. Hope to chat soon
Marie

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your tablescapes are beautiful girl.. and those dishes look so delicious.I have the same chargers from Penneys, had to have them got a heck of a deal on them. lol Couldn't pass that up..:-)
hugs ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Forgot to tell you I "love" the vase with the bunny going up the side. too cute...hugs ~lynne~

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Forgot to tell you I "love" the vase with the bunny going up the side. too cute...hugs ~lynne~

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Cami, I would enjoy it very much if you had a second blog for your recipes. You are sharing so many things I'd love to try.
Hugs, Terrie

The Muse said...

That white...well you know you have my heart right there! It can be used in so many ways...and your eye for mixing textures is fantastic!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Oh Cami...girl you do eat good! I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven living in your home! I love the second menu best, I think...it looked awesome. Oh, tablescapes...I'm supposed to be looking at your table...sorry, got carried away! :-) Your tables were beautiful...love the little rose pitcher. The flowers did go beautifully with your china, which is lovely! Thanks for sharing TWO beautiful tables and wonderful food this TT! Susan

Tardevil said...

Dang Cami...you eat good in your house! I've seen restaurants that don't have food that looks that good. Maybe you should try out for Food Network!

Christie said...

EVerything looks beautiful Cami!
Love the mix of dishes...

Anonymous said...

Love your blog! Haslet girl here. Be glad you beat me to "The Will" that day or those goodies would have been my treasures! Would like to exchange good thrift store haunts with you.