Blue Eggshell Romance

These past 2 months has been my busiest months although next month will be just as busy, I think. I will be going to Cape Coral to welcome the newest member of our family, a grandson. My daughter has another toddler who just turned 2 last Aug. so she wanted me to stay with them for a while to help take care of the babies. And who could ever say no to grandkids? Not me! I am getting really excited.

In Dec, we went on a cruise to the Virgin Islands on the most amazing maiden voyage of the Oasis of the Seas. Then, we went to Florida to spend a few days with my granddaughter AJ, before she went back to school.

This month, we have had 3 dinner parties and the third one is what I would like to share with you today. Let's join Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ and visit all the other participants too.

I found this long pretty blue quilted runner at Z Gallerie while in FL last month and I just had to have it.

And when I got home, I really wanted to use the runner so I pulled what I have to coordinate with that color and ended up using my Homer Laughlin Eggshell Romance china. I have had this for at least a year but never used them until now. I think they are perfect with the runner, don't you think?

I moved this Meissen musical ladies compote from the corner cabinet and made it my centerpiece focal point. I won this on my very first estate auction and was totally surprised because I thought I was bidding on a chair. LOL! But I totally love it so no regrets here! I took 2 of our smaller Sevres urns from the living room and moved them to the table too. I bought the 2 bejeweled square trays also from Z Gallerie and decided to use them also. I placed an urn on it but it looked a little bare so I took the 2 artichoke (or cabbage?) tea light candles from the living room and 2 bird tea light candles from the kitchen and created a grouping.
Crystal beverage stemware from TJ Maxx (or Marshall's?) and wine glasses from Ross. The silver fluted plate chargers are from Brylane Home. I paid $21 for all 8 of them.
Is that an artichoke or a cabbage? The veins make it look like a cabbage. And isn't that just the cutest salt cellar with its tiny spoon?

For a starter, I served Waldorf salad, recipe of which I copied from Susan of http://thoughtsfromovertherainbow.blogspot.com/ The guests really liked it so thanks, Susan! I served food, buffet style on the kitchen counter. I find this more conveninet than passing the food around the table because the dishes tend to be always heavy with food in them. And with all the decor on the table, there is hardly enough space for food, so buffet is my new way of serving now. We still go back to our seats after getting food to socialize.

I found this salt and pepper shaker from Home Goods when we went to Pensacola and it was so cheap, something ike $5.99. It looks so elegant and has its own tray. Now. I wish I should have gotten more.

Here's the buffet setting in the kitchen.

Marty and Laurie, do you see my cloche? Come and join us for 2 exciting parties soon: Laurie's Valentine party at http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/ on Feb. 12 and Marty's cloche party at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ on Feb. 19. Mark your blog calendars!

The cheesecake is from Sam's Club and it was good. I was going to make one from scratch, already bought all the ingredients and then I went with my friend to Baton Rouge with the intention of baking when we got back. My friend saw this cheesecake and told me to just buy it so I don't have to bake and we will have more time shopping. LOL! That's a no brainer! Shopping against baking?

Well, I hope you enjoyed my dinner party. Wish you were all there to join us in person. Thanks, Susan, for another fun week!