Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

A Blue and White Dinner Party

I'm happy to be able to participate in Tablescape Thursday again -- it's such a fun thing to do and we so appreciate Susan at Between Naps on the Porch which hosts this event.

Saturday night we decided to have a dinner party for my favorite number -- six. It's a small enough table that all of the guests can paricipate in all of the conversation but yet, with a diversity of guests it makes for interesting conversation.

With white roses found for the centerpiece, I decided that it would be a blue and white tablescape.

Instead of a tablecloth, we decided to use our wicker charges which we bought "eons" ago at Nell Hills. The plates for dinner were my Spode Blue Room. With my four blue vases holding the white roses, white napkisn seemed to fit the blue and white theme. The napkins, of course, in some of my collection of silver napkin rings.
Whenever we entertain, we always make a menu for the evening. We take a picture of the set table and that picture is at the top of the menu. A souvenier of an evening at Linderhof.

Saturday night dinner was a combination of old favorites and new recipes. We started with my famous Linderhof sherried mushroom soup, followed by a salad of baby spinach, blueberries, bleu cheese and toasted pecans with vinaigrette, a pork loin with a lemon cream sauce and roasted vegetables -- a mix of leeks, fennel, new potatoes, asparagus and green beans sprinkled with Parmesan cheese after roasting and put back into the oven so that the cheese can melt. Dessert -- a great lemon mousse from the latest Barefoot Contessa cookbook.

With the table ready, the food prepped, a fire in the fireplace and candles lit . . . we await our company.

26 comments:

Sue said...

everybody is doing blue this week!! Your table is lovely but I was really smitten with that menu of yours...it sounds fabulous..the salad, the pork roast and the dessert from Ina...your a cook after my own heart!! Sue in Atlanta..

Anonymous said...

I really like your table setting. The wicker chargers are great and the vases with flowers in the center of the table. Blue and white dishes always call out to me. Happy TT!

Belinda said...

I love blue and white, and I love the wicker chargers which allow the blue and white to stand out against the wonderful wood tone of the table. And the menu is such a fun touch...love that! :-)

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

I love the Spode plates! The vases of roses down the center of the table are the perfect touch! Your menu sound yummy! Great post!...Debbie

xinex said...

The menu sounds delicious! Love the classic blue and white plates....never goes out of style...Christine

Unknown said...

The flowers down the middle of the table in separate vases is a great idea! I love those silver candlesticks! They're gorgeous!!! I need to use my silver more. Thanks for reminding me!!

Anonymous said...

What a pretty blue and white table setting! I love the white roses lined up in those gorgeous vases! The idea for the menu is great! I love those plates, too!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

The menu is my absolute favorite part. That is so clever and a nice keepsake to remember a fine evening.

I love new friends! I invite you to drop by mine too, Tales from Bloggeritaville.

Envoy-ette said...

I wanna come! Your dinner is wonderful! Love the menu idea. I think I may steal it!

Caroline said...

Beautiful china!
You are truly a talented lady.

xoxo KB

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I love the cluster of small vases. I like to see who is across the table from me and these do the trick. Lovely tablescape.

Fifi Flowers said...

WOW... formal invitations too... very nice touch!

Katy said...

So very pretty, love the vases with the roses in the center of the table. So nicely done, well thought out and inviting. Thanks for sharing~ Katy

Jewel Sauls said...

Great table. I love the wicker chargers!!! And I love all things Spode. Nice touch to give a memento menu. :D Jewel

Anonymous said...

those chargers are awesome.And the food sounds awesome.I like the idea of making the menu too.Next time can I come,You sound like an awesome cook...Ann

Cass @ That Old House said...

Fabulous menu -- both printed and cooked! Your guests are lucky indeed, and I love the purity of your table setting -- gorgeous and almost sculptural looking.
Thanks!
Cass

Chandy said...

Such a great idea to have individual menus for everyone! I normally just print out one menu and everyone gets to pass it around. I like your idea better. Off to use it soon...

Thanks!

Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Oh I just love blue & white and the way you've used the little vases in a grouping just steals the show! The menu sounds delish! What time should I come by? LOL! :-) Just a beautiful, simple but stylish table! Love it.
All smiles in NC,
Alisa

Linda Q said...

Very nice, like the vases across the table touch!
Linda Q

Kathleen Ellis said...

Oh, Martha, I know this is terribly rude..but, I'm going to ask anyway...may I be invited to your next dinner party...pleeeeze! Your table is beautiful and the menu irresistable!
Wonderbar!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
;-D

Dream Mom said...

I need to get on your invitation list! The food sounds wonderful and your table was very pretty! I love the idea of a picture of your table on top of the menu. Great job!!!

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Running late this week visiting blogs....again...LOVE IT!!
Hope you had a great Tablescape Thursday
Susan

B said...

What a lovely tablescape. The blue & white dishes are classic and elegant. I really like your menu, too. I think that's awesome that you print it out for your guests. Those recipes sound yummy. You must post them sometime, too.
Have a good weekend. :) Brenda

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Very inviting table. Pretty blue and white vases. I really like your wicker chargers...love the menu idea.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Beautiful! I love blue and white china. laurie

sophiedahydesigns said...

We also have a passion for blue and white. We have arrangements using several of your vases!