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 11, 2009

Valentine Luncheon

Every year I have a Valentine's Luncheon for friends. Every year I have a different menu and different table decorations although the cherub candlesticks bought many years ago seem to graviate to the Valentine's table.

This year I decided that since red is the color of Valentine's that the tablecloth and napkins should be red as well as the flowers.

Tulips were bountiful this year and although I do like the smell of roses, tulips are really a better fit to Linderhof's style. Four of my antique silver julep glasses make the perfect low "vase" for a bouquet.

At each place is a silver vase which holds a placecard. One tulip in each vase for each guest. The placecard is the invitation that was mailed two weeks ago -- cut in half. It tells each guest where to sit on the front.

And on the back is the menu -- Rozelle Court Chicken Salad (from the dining room at the Nelson Gallery of Aart in Kansas City); Chantilla Lacy Fruit Salad (a bed and breakfast and tea room in Johnson City, Texas -- I whined until they gave me the recipe for the poppyseed dressing which is so perfect for fresh fruit), my mother's banana bread (for when she had her ladies over -- that was the menu -- chicken salad, fruit salad and banana bread). Dessert was to be heart shaped meringues but the weather didn't cooperate and so white chocolate cake with a orange marmalade filling was substituted.

The china is my grandmother's Noritake (Marcasite), the flatware is the English hotel silver (only knife and fork because it is a one plate meal) and the goblets are the parfait glasses that we always use for water. The red napkins are in my collection of silver napkin rings -- Victorian and Edwardian most with names but some with initials.

This is my second "Tablescape Thursday" -- sponsored by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. It was so much fun last week that I thought I would participate again!

7 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

What a great idea...luncheon for fiends... and a lovely table...love the tulips!

Susan

Caroline said...

Oh, that looks like my idea of perfect! I adore your dining room - the decor is exquisite.

Kathy said...

Pretty tablescape, the red Tulip centerpiece looks gorgeous. Kathy.

The Norwegian said...

Love the tulips grouped in the mint julip glasses. You do such a lovely job with the details of your table. Love the placecards.
Very personal touch. I'm a fan of your water goblets and love to see them whenever you use them!

Anonymous said...

Your table is so rich looking. Your grandmother's dishes are so pretty. I love different shapes in glasses and these caught my eye! I have a small collection of silver napkin rings. I love to mix and match them...
Love the tulips!!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Gorgeous, elegant table! Love those antique mint julep cups!

The Blushing Hostess said...

Nicely done. I like the arrangement especially. And when I looked at the service I was right away reminded of a Noritake service my Mom found a few years ago somewhere - they are very distinctive and worth hunting for now. Be well, The Hostess