Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Catch Up Outdoor Tablescape and a Foodie

I took pictures of our breakfast setting on the deck when our guests from Chicago were here but I could not find the pictures. I gave up participating for Tablescape Thurs. But today, I am having a lunch and pool get together with a few friends and since I finished setting the table up early, I have some time to upload pictures so I decided to try to catch up.
Tablescape Thurs. is hosted by Susan of http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Make sure you go to her blog and see all the other creative tablescapes in blogland today, starting with Susan's.
Since I baked a cake and I was asked for the recipe, I thought I would just share it here so anybody who wants to try it can make it. It's my most famous cake, I have not met anyone who did not like it, in fact, some people go to the extreme of saving a piece for themselves to take home before everybody gets a chance to take a piece.
Foodie Friday is hosted by http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/. Talk about a great homemaker, decorator and cook, that's Gollum, so be sure you check out her blog also and search for your favorite recipes.
Here is the Mocha Chiffon Cake that I baked. I will give you the recipe at the bottom of this blog.
I decided to set the big square table on the deck for our luncheon. I am not cooking the entree, my friend, Nit, who is a very good cook, volunteered to do it. That's the reason I have time to blog about this. I only made the dessert.


I used my tin chargers. I have a set of 12 and I've had them since I lived in Florida.

I also used melamine dishes. I like them cause they have inspiring inscriptions on them. Please click to enlarge so you can read.







The peppers are from my garden and they are hot! Mmmmm....good!
I got this set of 12 napkins for $7 at Home Goods in Clearwater, FL.

And now for the Mocha Chiffon Cake Recipe:
2 tbsps. instant coffee dissoved in 3/4 cups warm water. Let cool.
2 and 1/4 cups cake flour (make sure it is cake flour)
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 tsps. baking powder
1/2 cup cooking oil
7 eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cream of tartar
another 3/4 cup white sugar
Prepare a spring foam pan lining it with a little water at the bottom.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Sift the cake flour and measure 2 and 1/4 cups
Mix all dry ingredients together: flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
Make a well in the center and add in the following order: oil, egg yolks, cooled coffee and vanilla.
Mix and blend well.
In another clean and dry large bowl, add the 7 egg whites. It is very important that the eggwhites are very clean, no egg yolks mixed in.
Beat the egg whites until fluffy.
Add the cream of tartar.
Add the 3/4 c of sugar a little at a time until soft peaks form.
Fold in the coffee batter into the egg whites and transfer immediately into the prepared pan. Bake for about 45 min. or until a fork inserted in the center comes out clean.
Place on a cooling rack upside down and when it is cool,
Ice with Mocha Butter Icing.

Mocha Butter Icing
2 tsps. instant coffee dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water. Let cool completely. You can put in frig.
1/2 lb butter (2 sticks)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 whole eggs
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all the ingredients and beat continuously with an elec. beater until of spreading consistency. Spread on the cooled cake.
Warning: the icing will melt if the cake is still warm when you ice it.
Enjoy!

26 comments:

Lady Katherine said...

Hi, Love seeing your pool all finished! I know you love it! The furniture looks wonderful. I love the napkins! The tin chargers! I adore the sayings on the plates! They made me smile! Now the cake! Send me a piece! Before your guest take it all!

Cindy J. said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and soooo yummy! Thanks for sharing that wonderful recipe..Hope you have a great time. Love, Cindy

LillyB said...

Everything is awesome!! Thank you for sharing that recipe it sounds yummy!!

susan said...

Christine--Your pool area looks fabulous--I love your furniture!Those are the cutest plates--I did enlarge. I love the napkin rings. Your dessert looks delicious! Hope it holds up in the heat!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Beautiful table setting. The cake sounds awesome. I will have to try it sometime.

Anonymous said...

Christine I love the plates with the sweet sayings!! What a cute setting- so festive looking!

The cake recipe sounds wonderful!! Wish there was a way to take all those calories out of all these great dessert I find on the blogs!!

blessings
mary

Eileen said...

Beautiful table setting!
Beautiful pool setting!
Everything looks wonderful and 'wish I was there!
Great post!
All the best,
Eileen

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, you alway set such a pretty table and to be able to dine beside your gorgeous pool is so wonderful. I love all of the plates and chargers. I also love hte little chickenwire cloche. Be sure to use that as part of your Cloche Party post. The cake recipe sounds fabulous. I will have to try that. Hugs, Marty

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Looks like ther perfect pool setting - bet you're loving it!

Sharlotte said...

I like the plates and their sayings. I also really like the cloche! Very creative!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh yeah Christine. You're pool area is sooooo nice. I'm so happy to see that you're recipe isn't from a mix... the cake sounds truly wonderful. Definitely going into my recipe file!

Thanks so much,
ButterYum

Bill said...

Hi Christine,
Your pool area looks wonderful! The colors of your plates, chargers, and flatware are perfectly suited to this outdoor setting.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Bill

Elaine said...

Your table setting is just lovely.....you did a great catch-up job that's for sure! Can't wait to try you mocha chiffon cake recipe too.
Elaine :)

Shellbelle said...

What a delightful tablescape and your backyard is wonderful! I have to get over to Home Goods and see if they still have those napkins, I love them so.

The cake sounds delicious as well.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

This is gorgeous, Christine! The cake look fabulous, too!

Sarah said...

Fun table setting and beautiful backyard and pool area. Thanks for sharing! Love the cute plates!

Hope you'll stop by my place for a visit: http://hyacinthforthesoul.blogspot.com/

I'm toasting Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch in honor of her Blog Anniversary!

Unknown said...

Ah, your pool looks so inviting! I love those plates with the sayings on them. Everything looks great.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Everything looks so inviting and the setting is perfect for a party. I love your cake and hope you are having a wonderful day.

Tara said...

Your cake looks yummy! I'm always up for good cake! Your poolside party looks like lots of fun too.

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Girlfriend...

Just wanted to come by to say thank you for your sweet note and all the warm, kind birthday and blog well wishes!!! I sure do appreciate it, Sweetie! Wow...I was just thinking...we go back quite a ways...starting with RMS and now...through a year of blogging! I have really enjoyed and appreciated our friendship, Christine!!! You've been such a blessing to me!!!

Well my friend, I am playing "catch up" as usual! Sheeeshh...I think I'm a terrible blogger...I'm so slow at getting around! So sorry! I just want you to know that I'm ecstatic for you...your fabulous pool and pool area are finished!!! Yeeeehawww!!! Ohhh my...it's soooo beautiful!!! I absolutely love everything that you've done...all of your planning has really paid off, my friend! Ohhh...and I just adore the arbor and gazebo...sooo beautiful!!! Girl, I've never seen or heard of a "wet deck" before...that's awesome! I can see the the kiddos were really enjoying it! Too cute!!! You certainly set a beautiful poolside table for your luncheon with friends! The metal chargers with the fruit are gorgeous and I love the plates with the sweet sayings! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pool with us and Ohhh...that yummy recipe for mocha chiffon cake! Mmmmm...yummy!!!

Have a fabulous Friday, Sweetie!
Love ya,
Chari
PS...I also checked out your pink purse and Norway post. Ohhh Girlfriend, that park in Oslo looks fabulous and sooo much fun! Beautiful photos...thanks for sharing more of your travels with us!!!

SmilingSally said...

I love those chargers. I'll bet you use them with many different settings.

Melissa Miller said...

Your POOL is STUNNING!!!!!
I just adore it you lucky duck! ~Enjoy! :)

Debbie Pearson said...

May I say I am in LOVE with your teak table that sits so many with the double seater benches. How I would to have something that would fit so many. Your tablescape was beautiful, my favorite though were the beaded napkins rings, so adorable :)

~CC Catherine said...

Christine, This sounds luscious! I also love your tablesetting...those verses on the plates are lovely! :) ~CC Catherine (Thanks for stopping by recently)

Blondie's Journal said...

Christine,

I love the table. The plates are so whimsical but the verses are so true. I love all the details on the table; the bird in the nest, the plants and flowers, the napkins tied with ribbon... what did Nit serve??

I will jot that recipe down. I am not a good baker but your directions look perfect.

Great post!! :-)

xoxo
Jane

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

Hey, you did put one out here! And it's so festive and summering...love it, Christine! Love the birdie in the wire cloche!
Susan

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