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Monday, November 22, 2010

A Dinner Party Before Thanksgiving

Tuesday fun times are here again. It's Tabletop and tea time!
Thanks to all our gracious hosts for all these fun events:
Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine for Teatime Tuesday at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/

Martha and Terri for Teacup Tuesday at http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Wanda Lee for Tuesday Tea for 2 and Wednesday Teatime at http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/

Sandi for Teatime Tuesady at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Wanda Lee and Pam for Tea Things Tuesday at http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/




Last Friday, I had a dinner party for 8. My ex co worker, Gwen from Florida, drove to visit us and I invited our neighbors, Dr. Lauer and Vicky, John's pingpong buddy, Clyde and an anaesthesiologist from out of town, Dr. Engleman, to join us. I always try to limit my sit down dinners to 8 so we can just all gather around the formal dining table. Sometimes if I have kids over, I also set the round kitchen table for them but this night was for adults only.
For my coffee and tea, I used my pewter set, one of my favorites. I like to use pot warmers so I can get the drinks ready in advance and keep them warm.

I set the desserts and drinks on the kitchen table.


I bought a doz. rose buds from the grocery (sad to say they were dry the next day) and added holly berries from our bushes for fillers.


I baked a rum cake, a yucca with coconut dessert and pecan fudge.





I had the food laid out buffet style in individual warmers on the kitchen counter.


But I set the table in the formal dining room with the shrimp cocktail all ready. You must have seen this for Tablescape Thursday, without the food of course. I just added the dragon fly place card holders.
I also added fresh holly berries to my centerpiece, which I cut up from our bushes along the driveway.


And here we were, all ready to eat. After we ate the shrimp cocktail, I took out the Rocksharp cyrstals I got from Bill away and passed Caesar salad around. And after they were done with that, I had the guests get up to get their food from the buffet. I served crawfish stuffed baked chicken (I like serving this because I buy it already stuffed and ready to bake and it is easy to just stick it in the oven to cook), chicken with soup with green papaya and spinach, stir fried veggies with shrimp and beef, baked catfish with the rosemary I picked from the garden.

We all had a great time, socialized in the living room for a while before dinner, ate, got up for dessert afterwards and socialized around the dessert table and then in the family room and then back to the kitchen for seconds, lol.

Thanks so much for stopping by. And thanks again to our lovely hostesses!

37 comments:

  1. What a beautiful table! All that food and all those friends...so very nice to share this with others. It is starting to become the busiest part of the year for most people and I always appreciate seeing things that inspire me to open my home to others.

    Do come by for a visit soon and have a happy Thanksgiving.

    Jan @ Mavrik Lane

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  2. Wow, Christine. You thought of every little detail and everything was just beautiful. What fun to have folks over to enjoy a good meal with. That menu sounds good.

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  3. A beautiful table Christine, looks like you all had a very nice night:@)

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  4. You are the perfect host. I know you enjoy having dinner parties and I am sure that your friends never say no when you invite them. What a wonderful party you had.

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  5. Everything looks so pretty, Christine and I am sure your guests thought so, too! What a nice group for a dinner party. Your menu sounds so good, it's smart the way you plan things that are made ahead. I know you had a wonderful evening!

    Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving!

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. You have a table full of fortunate people around your table, Christine!

    My pictures were taken from Land O Lakes!

    Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. Hi C, this looks so scrumptious!!! You are such a good entertainer and hostess, Hugs Kathysue

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  8. I just read both of the last 2 posts. The cemetery tour looks so interesting and fun. What a special event. You certainly made me hungry with that menu from your dinner party...so many choices! It looks as if everyone was enjoying themselves!

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  9. Oh Christine Sweetie...
    How lucky each of these guests are to have been selected to join in for this beautiful dinner party. So pretty, so gorgeous and so many pretty things to take in as I scroll through all of the photos. You did such a beautiful job setting this table. Your home is SO gorgeous. I thank you for opening it up to me this evening, and sharing your beautiful dinner for 8.

    Your table and chairs are so beautiful, and I love that mirror behind one of the end chairs.
    That chandelier is so pretty, and just perfect to go with your table. Oh just breath taking. You have done an exquisite job of decorating your home sweetie.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Many hugs and so much love, Sherry

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  10. What a pretty table setting and your menu sounds so good. Great looking group of people.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  11. Hi Christine,
    You sure know how to entertain your guests! The table and the food are fabulous! I'm sure a good time was had by all. It is a real pleasure to have you join me for Tea Time Tuesday. Thank you so much and I wish you a lovely Thanksgiving this week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  12. Beautiful tablescape. I love everything! You did a great job and I bet your guests thought so too. Have a wonderful evening.
    Sandra

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  13. Wow! A REAL dinner party tablescape! It's beautiful! I'm sure your guests were very pleased and impressed!

    Great job! You are a wonderful hostess!

    Katherine

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  14. OMG Christine!
    You really are the hostess with the mostess!
    I don't know where you find the energy to do so much enertaining! And you do it so well!
    Stunning table!
    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  15. Christine, it looks like everyone had a lovely evening at your dinner party. You don't miss a detail! I know your guests feel special when they dine in your home. ~ Sarah

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  16. Spectacular, Christine! Your kitchen looks beautiful, and the meals you prepare there always sound amazing! I always think your dining room exudes old world opulence. That shrimp cocktail looks beautiful in your new stemware! Speaking of beauty, you look really pretty in the pictures taken at the dinner table -- great smile!

    Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    Kindest regards,
    Bill

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  17. Christine, Your guests surely had a wonderful time...and meal! Everything looks so appetizing, warm and inviting. The green glasses at the dining table is stunning!

    Nancy

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  18. Your beautiful table looks like something out of an English film. Always nice to visit you, Christine. Jane F.

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  19. Everything is beautiful as always.Wish I had some more of that crawfish stuffed chicken! Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  20. Blessings to you!
    May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

    Your gathering looks neat. You did a lovely job presenting a great time for all!

    So nice to visit you today,
    d

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  21. Christine, what a luxury table setting.. and you always set the table beautifully! thanks for sharing.

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  22. Oh Christine, what a beautiful dinner you had prepared for your guest. I'm pretty sure they enjoyed every bit of it...even better than a five star fine dining restaurant. Everything looked so elegant and delish of course!

    Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving my friend!
    -marie

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  23. Oh my! Absolutely gorgeous! I loved everything and also loved peeking into your home! What a neat dinner you had and dessert table looked so yummy!
    Happy tea,
    Lorena

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  24. It looks like a fun time was had by all Christine. Gorgeous table too!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    ~Melissa :)

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  25. Hello Christine,
    you are a perfect hostess. I am amazed what you all prepared, set and served. All looks scrumptious and wonderful. Your guests look very happy and I guess they enjoyed the evening a lot.
    Thank you for sharing your wonderful dinner party.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  26. Everything looks so pretty! What beautiful table settings. I love the tea cups and saucers that go with it.
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  27. Christine,
    Your home looks so beautiful and inviting! Especially by candlight...it is enchanting!
    Happy Thanksgiving!!

    Debbie @ A Debbie-Dabble Christmas

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  28. Hi Girlfriend...

    It looks like your dinner party was a HIT, my friend! Ohhh my goodness, your menu sounded divine...I would have loved it! Loved getting to see your gorgeous table once again! It's just sooo much fun seeing your table set with the Brookshire china! You just dressed it up sooo pretty...everything looked absolutely gorgeous...very elegant!!! Loved getting to see your beautiful tea table too! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and party with us!

    Well sweet friend, I wanted to come by before everything gets hectic...to wish you and your sweet family a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!!! Have a wonderful holiday, Christine!!!

    Love ya,
    Chari

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  29. Looks and sounds wonderful Christine. What a beautiful table! The food looked wonderful too.

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  30. Oh Christine, your dining room and table are just stunning. What a fabulous setting. I also love your breakfast table all set for coffee and after dinner. The buffet on the counter looks fabulous. I am sure everyone had a fabulous time. Thanks so much for linking to TTT and I hope you have a Blessed Thanksgiving. Hugs, Marty

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  31. As usual everything looks fantastic!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  32. That Tablescape is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOORGEOUS!!! I just found your blog and SO GLAD i did! Everything is beautiful! I would love for you to come see my 13 xmas trees and a GIVEAWAY!

    *ENTER CUSTOM FLORAL Give-Away Here *

    xoxokara

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  33. Thank you for spending time with us during this busy time of year. Your table is so elegant and inviting.

    Have a wonderful holiday.
    Pam

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  34. What an elegant table setting. I am ready to come by and join you :-) Everything is beautiful!

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  35. Very elegant Christine! What a beautiful, old English dining room and stunning table set...it's no wonder everyone looks like they're enjoying such beauty, great food, and the best hostess! Happy Thanksgiving.
    FABBY

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  36. Christine, your party looks beautiful, and oh my! what wonderful food! I love that pewter set. Such pretty shapes. laurie

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  37. Well it looks and sounds wonderful! I know you don't like to cook, so I hope everyone appreciated your effort!

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