Thursday 14 January 2010

Tablescape Thursday



This is not something that I would normally get to do, so I thought I would participate in Tablescape Thursdays this week. It is a very rare occasion that I get to dress my table up and normally I don't have an awful lot of things to dress it up with.

This christmas however a delightful company called The Last Detail, sent me some goodies to help to dress up my Christmas Table. I was thrilled! After having a look at their site, I could see that they had some really lovely things to make any table look really special, be it for a wedding, or an anniversary, a Hen night or even a Birthday party, and they definitely had some special things going on for Christmas!



One of the things they sent was a box of red small and large star confetti. I just love dressing my holiday tables with confetti and it looked so festive scattered across my white damask centre piece and atop my red and white polka dotted holiday table covering. To help pick up on the red theme I also used two tall red tapers and can you see my special santa and snowman salt and pepper shakers? I fell in love with them and the little santa jug a few weeks before Christmas when I saw them down at one of my local shops and I just had to have them for my holiday table.



Along with the tall red tapers, I used these beautiful Elegantly Lovely Entertaining Votive Candle Holders which I fell absolutely in love with when they first arrived. What a pretty glow they lent to my holiday table setting. I just love their sparkle and class. One was soft white, one gunmetal grey and one silver. Each is finished with a pearlised shimmer, just perfect to capture and reflect light around my dinner table. The colours work really well together adding depth and tone to a really festive table setting. I just adore them and know I will use them often.



They also sent a beautiful set of Elegantly Entertaining Placecard Holders. Oh how they sparkled and glowed . . . just like little gems atop my table. Each Place Card holder is hand cut and faceted like a brilliant diamond to add sparkle and glamour to any festive or celebratory table. Each Place Card has an opulent gem design which co-ordinates perfectly with the crackers, posh poppers, sparklers and trivia game of the same design that the company also offer. They also fit post cards and photographs so they are handy to use all year round to show off some of your special ones in nooks and cranny's throughout your home. Right now I have mind in our bedroom showing off some special photos of my children and grandchildren!



They went so very well with my crystal butter dish and goblets. My mother gave me these special things throughout the years and I truly treasure them. They only see the light of day at Christmas, Easter and on our Anniversary! Don't my little Snowman and Santa look comfortable sitting there? I thought so too!

In addition to those items the company also sent me some lovely white place cards, I suppose just in case I didn't feel that the ones that came with the glass place card holders fit my table. I ended up not using them, but they will come in very handy at some other time I am sure!



Rounding out my table decor were dark green lay plates which perfectly showed off my old English Rose china . . . not sure that exactly went with the red and white polka dot table cloth, but you have to use what you have, and those are my best dishes! With silver Christmas Crackers and white damask napkins I think I had a very festive table indeed, and I am so very thankful to The Last Detail for so very generously helping to make it so special. Do pop over to their site to check out all the beautiful things they have to help make your special days . . . well, even more special!! They also offer some great ideas and inspiration to help you put together a theme for your special day and colour help as well!



I know they sure added some extra sparkle and charm to my holiday!! Thanks so much to The Last Detail!

If you would like to participate in Tablescape Thursdays, hop on over to Between Naps, where this weekly event is hosted beautifully. You should see the lovely table she is showing us today and there are a whole host of others that you can visit as well!! Some of them very stunning!

I wasn't in the mood for anything fancy yesterday and so we just had a simple supper of grilled sausage and this tasty potato crush. I do love potatoes. They are so versatile and you can really dress them up in so very many ways!! Tasty, Tasty, Tasty!!



*Cheese and Chive Potato Crush*
serves 4
Printable Recipe

I love potatoes in any way shape or form, but this dish is particularly delicious. If you are looking for something a little bit different, and yet quick to make and very tasty, look no further! tasty baby new potatoes, crushed together with cream, chives and lovely old cheddar cheese. Delicious!

2 pounds baby new potatoes, washed and scrubbed
2 TBS butter
4 TBS single cream
1 cup ghrated medium to old cheddar cheese (depending on how much
flavour you want)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 TBS minced fresh chives

Place the potatoes into a pot of lightly salted water. Bring to the boil and then boil until just fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot. Place over the residual heat in the burner for a few minutes, shaking them to dry them out.

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Lightly butter a shallow glass casserole dish and set it aside. With a potato masher slightly mash and crush the potatoes in the pot, taking care only to break them up and not mash them completely. Gently stir in the cream and the butter, mixing it in thoroughly. Season to taste with a little sea salt and some black pepper. Stir in 2 TBS of the minced chives, reserving the other TBS for later on.

Lightly pile the potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, taking care to leave it looking a bit craggy. Don't try to smooth it down. All the lumps and bumps will get crusty and add to the flavour. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over top and pop the baking dish into the hot oven.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top begins to brown a bit and get little crusty bits. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 TBS of chives and serve.



Over on The English Kitchen today . . . a simple stew of lamb.

Make sure to come back tomorrow when I will be announcing a very special Valentines Day Giveaway just for you!!! In the meantime, have a lovely day won't you!!


20 comments:

  1. Marie your table was so special. What a lovely thing for you to share. I hope you have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marie the table looked beautiful.

    I will have a scoop of potatoes please.

    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Marie - you have a lovely table. It is fun to participate in Tablescape Thursday. Everyone's tables look so different (although some weeks "great minds" think alike and there seems to be a theme!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful tablescape Marie! It is always fun to get packages and you put the items to good use. I love the Santa and snowman mixed in with all the fancy. Very pretty indeed.
    Ps Thank you SO much for the lovely comment on my blog. You are a dear heart!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Valentines already!! Last time I looked it was Christmas and already the 2010 calendar is galloping on apace. Before we know where we are it'll be Easter, by gum!

    I was going to have a go at "Tsblescape" last year and I set a lovely table within the confines of what I have but somehow it just didn't photograph very well. As the camera's eye saw things so much different from me I thought others would too so I didn't bother. How do you do it? It's lovely.

    love Angie, xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. How nice everything looks. I love viewing tablescapes. I've always loved to set a pretty table. When my babes were young the table always looked like we were having a party as there were 9 of us and on Sundays and special occassions I'd always get the fine china and chrystal out. I think these things were meant to be used not just packed away. Now that there is just me I don't do as much of that but still put out the seasonal decorations. Your red and white tablecloth will go great for Valentine's Day too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Marie, how very BEAUTIFUL was your holiday table...so festive and pretty! I love setting a lovely table, but rarely get to go all out like that. One day I hope to sit again at your table. :o) Thank you so much for the lovely email you sent me. Hope we get a chance to chat this weekend. :o) LOVE YOU HEAPS, dear friend ((BIG HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful holiday table you've set -- it has elements of both elegance and fun! Thank you for your sweet visit to my table this week too -- always nice to have fellow tablescaper dinner guests!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It makes all the differance to the meal in my opinion Marieto sit down to a nicely set table.Presentation is a big principle of mine.I must admit I used to love that part of any occasion when all the family were at home and we had lots of friends round.Christams B/Days get togethers,etc.often two tables put together there would be so many of us.Those times are rare now though,but iI always make the table nice at Christmas if Rooster and I are dining alone just the same.Yours looks fantastic.I used to make my own menu and my own placemats.I made my own placemats this year in red with tiny silver stars and the drinks coasters to match.Then what as usual forgot to get out the camera.I will have to take a peek at the link you have left us,I know for sure I will enjoy visiting there...Have a lovely day.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maria, I just found your blog through, your tablescape post. How great to have a company to send you things to try. Plus, you have something to blog about.
    Those potatoes look extra yummy. I will be giving them a try :) I will be back as a follower.
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So lovely and just think how special these made your already delicious meal. Great job and how nice to receive them from a company for free!

    I love the little extra touches that make the experience memorable by being just a little more than a warm and hearty meal.

    ReplyDelete
  12. How fun to get something so cute sent to you! Your table looks so cute too! The recipes look good to..the potatoes, I will be making! Come say hi :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. You have some really lovely pieces on your table! So pretty. And I can't wait to try the potatoes! Thanks for providing the recipe!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. No wonder you had such a lovely Christmas with your dinner table set so beautifully and you and Tod presiding over it all...
    As for you r potato recipe today...yum yum yum is all I can say...potato is my fav. thing as well..
    Love Sybil xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a fun and pretty table. The menu sound yummy too. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a beautiful table, Marie! It made me think of my Grandmother Kimball, who would decorate her dining room table for every holiday. I loved her tables full of treats for the eyes and my little girl eyes were always happy with what they saw!
    I'll be making your potatoes this weekend. So far, every one of your potato recipes has been a huge success here in the Smith household. The men all bow to you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your table looked so beautiful, Marie! Love all the stars and sparkle!

    Tonight is a simple dinner at our house, too--one we call "Night Breakfast"! Simple scrambled eggs, nice crunchy bacon and toast--nothing fancy tonight! And the best part? They were all excited when I announed it! (such a great payoff when I'm feeling to lazy to cook a proper meal!)

    Hope you're having a lovely day--you're probably about ready to do your next post--I'll see you then! Much love sent your way!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the table Marie! I sometimes take a photo of mine at Christmas but this year I forgot. Is that Old Country Roses china I see? I have that too, my Mum bought mine for me so it's extra special to me. Hope you're well. ~~~ Pat xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the candle holders and just look at the smile on that snowman's face - so jolly!

    ReplyDelete
  20. wow marie! your table looked amazing!!! i've never decorated our table before. i should. you've inspired me:)

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!