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!!