"Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself."
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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

It's Tablescape Tuesday!


I had hoped to have a wonderful New Year's Eve table to share w/ y'all. Or even a casual New Year's day table. But hubby & I were sick & did take-out instead. I do want to share pics of my son, Dustin's birthday table though. It was very low-key, buffet style as Dustin had friends over too & I didn't have table seating space for family & friends. We had prepared appetizers...the only things we made homemade were the cheesecake (Dustin loves him some cheesecake!) & the dipping sauces.

It's not my best table but we all had a good time regardless.


click on any picture to enlarge


I almost always include a dish of old photos at my "kids" birthday parties. Everyone enjoys seeing the "way things were".



I made a White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake. Again, not my prettiest cheesecake but it earned a "I want this for my birthday!" from Miss Caralyn. Look at all those candles! That's how many candles should be on my birthday cake...not my baby's!




He managed to blow them all out though. Wonder if he remembered to make a wish? As little kids, Clifton & Dustin would be so intent on blowing out all the candles that they'd forget. *grins*


White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake


1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs

3 tablespoons white sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, sliced

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 cup water

2 cups white chocolate chips

1/2 cup half-and-half or cream

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract


In a medium bowl, mix together cookie crumbs, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. In a saucepan, combine strawberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, cornstarch, and water. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds (I didn't bother to strain...just mashed w/ a potato ricer). Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt white chocolate chips with half-and-half, stirring occasionally until smooth. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in vanilla and melted white chocolate. Pour half of batter over crust. Spoon 3 tablespoons strawberry sauce over batter. Pour remaining cheesecake batter into pan, and again spoon 3 tablespoons strawberry sauce over the top. Swirl batter with the tip of a knife to create a marbled effect. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 8 hours before removing from pan. Serve with remaining strawberry sauce.

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Thought I'd share a couple of pictures of last year's New Year's Eve table too.











This year's table would have been soooo much prettier. *sigh*

If you want to see some reallllly pretty tables, head over to Susan's @ Between Naps on the Porch


40 comments:

a quiet life said...

lots of cute things, but food always distracts me, especially things that say chocoalte and cheesecake! the chair is such a cute idea~

tam said...

Hi Cami! I think the birthday table was sooo fun! The cheesecake looked yummy too! In the New Years table of last year-I thought the wrist watch table napkin holder idea! Very creative!
~Tam!:D

Shelby said...

beautiful settings Vinty!

Envoy-ette said...

ok, the watch for a napkin ring= BRILLANT! I wish I had thought of that! Your centerpiece looks like it's ready to explode in fireworks just like the night! A table loaded with food is always the nicest!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your table is darling.. And that cheesecake looks so yummy.. I'm sorry you were sick over the holidays..at least you got to do it together huh? :-) Love the vignette of your picture..
hugs ~lynne~

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Cami, thank you for sharing these tablescapes with us. You did a great job, and from the looks of joy on your son's face, he loved his party! I also love your New Year's table. Sorry you were sick this year, but we appreciate seeing last year's photos. And that cheesecake looks divine!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Tardevil said...

Sorry you've been sick! Your tables are beautiful, as always! How creative to put a chair ON the table! You rock!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cami! What a fun birthday table! Now that cheesecake - yummy! I would love to have a piece. Your New Year's table is divine! Everything is outstanding. Happy Tuesday!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Knittings Nice! said...

Hello from U.K and thank you so much for stopping by to visit me. I think your table is charming and full of fun and says everything that it should be.

Unknown said...

My that cheesecake looks devine! What a nice setting for your son's birthday!

Last years New Year table...Loving the watch for napkin ring....NICE!!

CIELO said...

Yummy... you always have the best dessert recipe, and presentation.... everything looks lovely!

Welcome the morning with a smile ;)

Hugs

cielo

Anonymous said...

Hi Cami! So sorry you and hubby were sick for New Years. I think that little chair on the buffet table to hold that cheesecake is such a fun idea!! You have some great ideas here to show us, thank you and have a great week...

savvycityfarmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
savvycityfarmer said...

right back atchya...now I'm following YOU.
I am thrilled to be on today's list over at betweennaps!!!!

AND I love new friends.
hugs

p.s. that was me deleting...forgot to spellcheck

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Cami! What a wonderful post! Don't apologize! The cheesecake looks yummy! I love how you put it up on the little chair. And the New Years table ia so festive! Watches for napkin rings...how creative! Loved It!...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Everything is lovely.What a nice birthday and pretty new years.I'm so sorry you were sick for the holidays.But I'm glad your better now...Ann

Rattlebridge Farm said...

Your tablescapes are great--the watch idea as a napkin ring is brilliant! I'm going wild, looking at your cheesecake -- I am so glad you included the recipe. Oh, I am trying this, even though I'm dieting. lol

Tinamarie said...

I loved both of the tablescapes. Wonderful!
The watch napkin rings is brilliant!
The cheesecake looks so yummy!

Unknown said...

You get a great big YUM from me for that delicious looking cheesecake! And last years New Years Eve Table was so festive! I love the little clock too, what a great idea.
Happy New year!
~Rainey

Kathleen said...

I agree!
Hope you are feeling better...and the cheesecake looks delicious..
And I too love the wrist watch ring...so clever!

Melissa Miller said...

Hi Cami,
What a lovely table for his birthday! It's so sweet to put the photos out like that. Very nice touch. The cheesecake looks fabulous! I'll have to give it a try soon.

Beautiful New Years Eve table as well. Very festive and elegant.
~Melissa :)

Salmagundi said...

It's a beautiful birthday table - just because he is here celebrating another milestone!! I do love my cheesecake, too. I made a huge chocolate chip/peppermint one for Christmas and I'm afraid I ate most of it over a period of a week. Take care of yourself, Sally

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Great New Years tablescape. I love the idea of the wrist watch for a napkin ring. Too cute!

Lady Katherine said...

I love the cheese cake on the little chair! Such a cute idea! Love the ice bucket and chandy, Clever watch as the napkin ring! Why didn't I think of that!lol

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

Cami, I am sorry your didn't feel well over the holidays. I love how your table turned out. I see lots of little ideas that I may steal from you. LOL I love the watch idea!! I used bracelets in my tablescape for today. I should have taken a close up shot. I have learnt alot today about photography with tablescapes. I hope to continue to learn more all of the time. Hugs, Terrie

On The Wings Of Love said...

...the birthday tablescape looks great ! Great idea about including a picture when they were younger.

....would love to try our that cheesecake at my daughter's birthday this weekend..thanks for including the recipe -looks yummy.

I can't believe ME won't be publishing anymore. I was wondering why I hadn't seen any issues lately. Bummer!

Cheers,and hope you're feeling better !

Bre

Deb said...

Hi Cami! I couldn't stay away from Tablescape Tuesday. I love both tables and the Cheesecake is just Mmmmmm! Deb

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Cami, what a cute idea to put the child's chair and a plate of photos on the table. That cake sounds scrumptuous! Your new year's table was so pretty. Loved all of the streamers hanging down. How is your grand child doing? laurie

Linda Q said...

Like the chair for a riser. And wow that cheesecake looks good!
Very fun it looks like, both new years last year and BD.
Linda

Tammy said...

This was a very fun table! I love the idea of putting out the old photos. We did that for my in-law's 50th anniversary and heard lots of fun comments from our guests.

Tamara Jansen said...

The table looks just gorgeous!

FancyHorse said...

I agree with all the others about your excellent creative ideas. I'm sorry you were sick over the holidays; I hope you're feeling better now.

word verification game
vesse: the essence of vegetables

Diane Mars said...

Oh wow I am sooooooo.... Happy you found my Blog because then I have found you. And what a wonderful Blog there is so much eye candy and fun things to read about, I had to pull myself back I had things to do.... That is a Good sign. I have you added to my list of Favorites. Hugs, Diane

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

I am late this week visiting tablescapes.... what a fun table! I had to go through twice..the first time I ended up looking at the food!

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

Hi Cami...sorry if you get this twice...my computer froze up...so I'm back to try again. :-) Love this and the cheesecake looks soooo yummy! Thanks for the recipe. Love the idea of the dish of pics! Your New Year's table is soooo fun with all the watches!:-) Thanks for a great TT. Hope you guys feel better by now! Susan

The Muse said...

alright now let me see if i got this right...
"it's not my best..."
oh for goodness sakes...lol, it's fab!!!
what did you really want to do, that you did not? cause it looks perfect to me!

Diana LaMarre said...

What a creative way to present that cheescake. Love it!

Kathleen Ellis said...

Your decor for Dustin's b-day is perfect for the occasion! The cheesecake looks yummie!
Your New Year's table from last year is pretty...could have passed for this year!

Anonymous said...

Sorry you were sick! Great tablescapes though and what a great idea for the watches as napkin rings - CLEVER!

JudyBug said...

OMG! I absolutely love the watches and clocks. That is the neatest idea ever. I'm going to have to copy that...sigh...a year is so far away!