I would have loved to be a guest at your table. How lovely everything looks. In fact, your table setting looks like it should be in a magazine! The color combination of the yellow, pink and green is so soft and Spring like. YOu thought of everything for each place setting. I like how you used the pictures of your guests in the tiny frames, as well as a candle at each place setting. What a cute idea for take home favors..those little birds and carrots are adorable. Did you make that pretty centerpiece? It's just lovely with the eggs in the nest and the fruit and flowers..It all blends so well with everyting on your table. Now, I don't want to miss commenting on your menu...Wow!! ...how delicious from the soup to the dessert.
Another Splendid job DD...Love it all.
jane

DD,
Ordinarily I wouldn't like pink and green and yellow together, but you have made it look fabulous, especially complemented by that delicious-sounding luncheon. How lucky were the guests!

I like the votive candles and the centerpiece, and especially like the way you have reversed the dish colors as you go around the table. What a neat idea! Good job, as always!

- Magpie

DD-

Love, love your table. What a special thing to do for your friends!
One Question: When it comes time to serve your food, do you pass each dish around or do you fill each person's plate and serve them? If you pass each dish, then where do you place the bowl/platter when finished? Do you move your table decorations to make room on the table for them? or put them off to the side on a buffet?

Just wondering how others handle this situation. THANKS!

Beautiful DD!!!! It really does look just like spring!
Could you share the Parfait recipe????

Mommacass, my take on the serving is doing the main course buffet style. The salad is already at the place on the table, and after they finish the salad, they grab their dinner plate and head for the buffet line. Of course I am not talented like DD and the others...my table is nowhere near as beautiful...if it were, I would hate for everyone to mess it up :^)

Thanks so much, Jane! I need new dining room furniture for it to be anywhere near "magazine worthy"! Yes, I put together the centerpiece - just tried to pick things where the colours went together (apples are not really a "spring" fruit but I loved the green colour of them).

Magpie, thanks also! When I bought those dishes 2 years ago, they were $11 for a set of 16! At first, I was going to get two sets of the green but then decided on the mix and match idea. At that price though, I should have bought 4 sets!

Cass, thank you! You have asked the "time-old" question! I am always trying to make the serving of food easier when it comes to my tables (because there is so much decor on them and no room for food!). This time, I took each bowl into the kitchen to dish up the soup. For the entree, I got the guests to pass around and dish up their own salad but I brought the casserole to the table and dished it up for them onto each plate (because the dish was too hot to be passed). Luckily, the parfaits were easy to serve. My dining room is too small for a buffet so I usually set up a small side table for the food or take it back to the kitchen. I NEVER move my decorations off the table...LOL! They are more important than food to me! LOL!

DD

Ho DD! Your table is splendid! I like those colours!

I'm so sad after having looked at your pictures! Still stomach pain... it's awful to not be able to eat after having watched such appetizing food!

As for the cream of mushrooms with wild rice soup, what is it exactly? Would you give us the recipe?

Don't know what happens... now I want to eat soup!!!

Lovely! I'm stealing some of your pictures for my digital scrapbook so I can duplicate your set-up later this year.
I noticed some green-stemmed flatware. What kind and where can I look to find some of the same?
Thanks for showing your beautiful table, so I can use all your ideas.
OA

Just inspirational! You've set the stage for what I would believe to be a delightful experience amongst friends that surely will be remembered for years to come.

Just BEAUTIFUL. What a treat it would be to be a guest of yours!

{{gwi:77274}}

Thanks Jay! I like how you serve the food when you have guests and think I am going to give that a try next time. My only worry is whether people can get in and out from their seats easily. I have posted the link to the Parfait recipe - I had never made it before but it was so easy and the guests loved it.

Prosperity, thanks! I feel so bad for you with your stomach pain, hope you feel better soon. I will round up that Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice recipe and post it here soon.

Thanks OA! I'm flattered that you saved some of the pics and want to copy some of my ideas. The green handled flatware was something I picked up last year at a local store (sorry not a brand name nor brand name store). You will notice I did not leave it on the table for the actual luncheon though as while the colour went perfectly, I don't like them for practical use.(Tynes on fork too straight and spoons too flat). They seem more of a "picnic" type utensil.

Twizzis & Karen, thanks for your compliments. The guests did seem impressed and one even said I should host a luncheon every month since I usually have the different themes going on with my tables. I would love to do the tablescape and entertaining part of the luncheon but maybe I should "order in" the food since I don't really like the cooking part!

DD

Here is a link that might be useful: Strawberry-Lemon Parfait Recipe

I'm late to get on here and see your gorgeous Spring table, DD. Wow! You did a wonderful job decorating it, I love absolutely everything right down to the little stars you sprinkled around! How could your friends not love it! And the food looked so pretty and yummy too! Just Fantastic!

Luvs

Thanks so much, Luvs! The little things I scattered on the table are actually "butterflies" - thought they went with the spring theme. I have lots of different shapes of that "confetti" stuff but DH hates it when I use them as he's afraid they will end up in the food and he'll eat one!
LOL!

DD

Oops! Now that I went back and took another look, I can see that they are indeed butterflies! Perfect. Love the way you used the little "dolies" under your bowls too. Just so much attention to detail went into this table--you sure did a wonderful job on it. Isn't it great that we can at least save pictures of our "creations" before everyone "messes" them up! LOL

Luvs

DD, that is a beautiful table.
I love the combination of colors..and all your special touches.
I am sure the ladies were thrilled!
Where is Spring? Hasn't arrived here..but your table certainly sets the mood!

Your table could easily grace the pages of magazines or be shown in an upscale shop. The pastel 'mix and match' colors were refreshing. The centerpiece pulled all of the colors together in harmony. The addition of birds on the main table and the corner table with ducks was too precious. Your guests also had fantastic goodies to take home and I'm sure will not forget such a bright occasion.
susie (newbe to this forum)

As always your table is just gorgous! What a neat idea!

You are so right, Luvs! I'm glad to have the pics of the table looking perfect before everyone messes it up! (Though my ladies weren't too messy! LOL!)

Thanks, Kathleen. I too am wondering where Spring is this week...woke up to a touch of snow this a.m.

Susie, so nice to have you join us over here on "Holidays"! Thank you for your compliments - I am honoured you think my tablescape could be in a mag or a shop! It is nice that you were able to notice the details I tried to put into it.

Juicy, thanks! Nice to have you pop in here now and again.

DD

Recipe For Prosperity - this is not exactly my recipe but similar (I'm always kind of making it up as I go!)

Cream of Mushroom Soup with Wild Rice

1/2 C wild rice
2 C water
1/2 t salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 T butter
1 chopped onion
1 celery stalk (optional)
1/2 C dry white wine
3/4 lb. sliced white mushrooms
4 C chicken or veggie stock
1/2 C heavy (double) cream

You can also add some dried mushrooms like oysters and porcinis. Reconstitute in boiling water for 30 minutes and reserve the juice for adding to the stock later as the soup cooks.

Rinse rice. Drain. Drop in boiling water with the salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 40 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Check the pot and add some water if you need to. Wild rice can sometimes be a bit hard to cook.

Meanwhile, saute onions and celery in butter for about 10 mins or until onions start to turn brown. Add wine, reduce until there's about 2 T of liquid left. Add mushrooms and saute, stirring, for about 15 minutes. Add stock. Add Italian seasoning. If you saved juice from reconstituting mushrooms, add it. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Add rice and cream. Cook another 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and parsley if desired.

Happy Cooking!

DD

You did another fabulous table. Love all the spring colors that you incorporated. The nest with the eggs is just the right touch.

dd50, thanks! I was happy when I found that nest with the eggs at HomeSense and then was able to round up things I already had to put with it.

DD

What a lovely, lovely table, DD! And, your recipes sound delicious, too. I'm saving both to make soon. Your friends and family must surely feel blessed to be invited to your wonderful meals. I know I would! That one pic you posted gave me a chuckle, though. I can see why you want to THINK SPRING . . . that's quite a bit a snow still out your window there!
Thanks for sharing.
Lynn

Thank you, Lynn. You are SO RIGHT when it comes to the snow in our front yard and having to "Think Spring"! LOL Fortunately, though we have had a few nice days lately and it is going very fast now. I can see my tulips poking out now!

DD

DD, it's snowing farther up on the mountian from us this morning. And north of us, in Taos, they've had over 8" of snow in the past day. What a crazy Spring this has been!
I've just popped back in to tell you how much I love your celedon and yellow dinnerware. I'd forgotten to mention it in my last post to you. It has such a soft look . . . perfect for many Spring and Summer meals.
Lynn

Lynn, thanks for making me feel better with your description of how other places are "suffering"! I hope we are done with the white stuff for awhile. We've just put away our skis and are anxious to get out the Harley!

I have gotten so much use out of those green/yellow dishes and they were so CHEAP at $11 for a set of 16 (4 plates, salads,cups & bowls). Glad I bought two sets but wish I'd gotten more!

DD