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, July 1, 2009

A Provencal Luncheon

It's too hot for luncheon in the garden but a Provencal luncheon is just the thing to beat the heat.

The lavender is blooming profusely and I'm making wands or bottles of as much of it as I can -- the perfect centerpiece instead of flowers. And what better addition to the centerpiece of a Provencal table than a big bowl of lemons!
At Linderhof the dishes are always blue and white (or white edged with gold) and the blue and white goes well with the sunny yellow of the tablecloth. I set the table in the European style with the cutlery face down. A menu, of course, at each place and the napkins in my silver napkin rings.
The soup in little blue and white covered tureens from Nell Hills. Soup in the heat of summer? Ah, yes, a cold soup -- chilled cucumber soup garnished with a shower of garden chives.
Cool and refreshing and the perfect way to start a summer luncheon.
Dessert is an old favorite -- a German torten made with fresh peaches. A perfect way to end a Provencal luncheon.

Please join my friend Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see the other great tables set up for this Thursday.

44 comments:

niartist said...

ooooo! YAY! this is so gorgeous, and that torte looks divine. I'll be over in a few minutes! :) LOL!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love the blue and white dishes with the yellow tablecloth. The lavender is just so pretty. I absolutely love the little soup tureens, they are stunning. The soup and the torte are so yummy looking. Beautiful table. Hugs, Marty

Blondie's Journal said...

This is so pretty, Martha. I used to have a tablecloth so similar to yours from Williams~Sonoma. Of course, yellow and blue indeed compliment each other! Love the little soup tureens!

Do you have the source for the recipes? The soup and tart look so delicious!!



xoxo
Jane

Southerncook said...

A lovely Provencal tablesetting and those Lavender Wands are beautiful and they are perfect sitting right next to the bowl of lemons. Nothing says "Provencal" like lavender and lemons. I just wish I could get my lavender to bloom enough to make some. Lavender struggles in our heat and humidity but I think it may be our red clay or sand too.

Your cucumber soup looks so very refreshing.

Carolyn

Natalie Meester said...

Adorable! I love those little tureens...gotta love nell hills too!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I love everything about your table! It must smell heavenly. Your soup bowls are wonderful!

Deanna said...

Dear One, I have never had cold soup before. I'd like to try it.
Your table is charming and the food looks wonderful.
Blessings to you,
~D~

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I want to be invited next time...it looks great. Thanks for visiting my place .

Pondside said...

What a pretty table you've set.
We've had lovely weather here this week, and today being a holiday we have had breakfast and lunch outside.......dinner will be there too, I'm sure.

ellen b said...

Oh how beautiful. I love those individual soup tureens! I've always enjoyed blue and yellow together!

Barb said...

Hi Martha, I love your pretty table and the blue and white dishes and on the torte looks divine!!

Barb

Anonymous said...

Love your lovely table - the yellow and blue and white are so pretty together! Now those little soup tureens with lids are adorable! I want some! Your food looks divine!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Homemaker Barbi said...

The blue and white is simply divine! I like the idea of a menu at each setting. Thanks for the show and tell!

Danelle Ice / Homemaker Barbi

Alicia said...

I love the blue and yellow. The lemons are the perfect punch of color. The soup looks so very good with the sprinkling of chives.
Thanks for sharing,
Alicia

The Frankie said...

VERY pretty table! Your food looks wonderful! Would it be possible to get the recipes? I may have to drive up to Nell Hill's this weekend! Never been, but definitely within driving distance from Tulsa.

abeachcottage said...

all looks gorgeous and tasty, love the torten

happy tablescaping!


Sarah

Signing Out said...

Your table is lovely! I love the individual soup tureens. They look so pretty against the yellow tablecloth.

The chilled cucumber soup and German peach torten look delicious!

Jane

Anonymous said...

ooooooh, that pie looks so yummy!! I want to eat it!!

Deana at Alchemy said...

ooooooh, that pie looks so yummy! I want to eat it!!!!

Sue said...

Your peach torte looks wonderful and I love the tablecloth...My neighbor just got the same one from Williams Sonoma....it's so French!! Happy 4th...

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

So very pretty, Martha! The soup & torte looks wonderful, too!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh girl I love those colors you put together and the fodd looks so YUMMY...thanks for sharing...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Yummy peaches! Love your table...blue and yellow never fail!
Hope you and yours have a wonderful July 4th weekend! (I hope it doesn't rain!)
Michelle

Jewel Sauls said...

Such a lovely table! I love the soup tureen especially!!! :D Jewel

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

Oh, I'm just drooling over those little soup tureens. I saw one in brown last weekend at the Nashville flea market, but I didn't get it. After seeing yours, I'm kicking myself for buying it. Beautiful table!

susan said...

My favorite color combo--blue and yellow! I love chilled soups and I love cucumbers in any form--looks great to me! Have a happy
4th!

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

This is all very pretty! Love the lavender wands!

Katherine

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh I do love those tureens! And the soup sounds like the perfect thing this season!

xinex said...

I can smell the lavender, mmmmm, so sweet!Very tempting menu! Happy Independence Day!....Christine

Unknown said...

The lavender and buttery yellow~ Wow that was so beautiful together! And chilled cucumber soup... Sounds delicious!
Happy 4th of July!
~Really Rainey~

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

Oooh, I love the colors of your setting. It's so Frenchy!I love the soup tureens too! Have a great 4th!

Nancy Yoakum said...

Looks delicious! Love your tablecloth. Speaking of Nell Hill... just found out this morning that she is coming out with a Christmas Book...should be trouble for us loyal fans! Have a great 4th of July and be sure to say "HI" to Jim for me!

Hugs, Nancy

Unknown said...

Is that in your back porch area?? What a lovely table. The torte looks heavenly-- like it melts in your mouth.
The lemons on the table is just wondeful-- great dash of color.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Good morning, Martha! The yellow and blue together is lovely. And I so admire you women who actually have food to accompany your tablescapes! I'm a little lopsided in that department. This is so pretty. And yes you'd better try to beat the heat. It's 100 degrees in the shade here most days! Happy and safe holiday to you!
Brenda

Mary Bergfeld said...

Blue, yellow and lavender definitely take me to France. It is another lovely table, Martha.

Barbara said...

How delicious looking and what a neat setting.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Those tureens are beautiful! The lemon AND the lavender are perfect for this lovely table. The fresh peach torten looks devine! Are you going to give us the recipes for that and the soup? I'd love to have both. laurie

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Ah, those little soup tureens are makin' me crazy. They are the prettiest I have ever seen! Love the decor~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Love the blues and yellows! Perfect setting...and yum...that soup is the perfect ticket for the heat here in So. Cal.! Have a Happy 4th!

Printersdevil said...

The yellow and blue look great. Your room and tables are always so inviting looking. I have never had cold soup before, but it sounds good.

cotedetexas said...

Gorgeous - love the tureens!!!!!!!!
and the torte!!!!

Mary said...

Great table, happy 4th! :O)

Meredith said...

Now I can't wait to dig out my yellow table cloth! I just painted my kitchen a Provencal gold, so thanks for the table inspiration!

Printersdevil said...

I came back by to mention that I am hosting a Christmas in July Tablescape Party at my Playing Dishes blog. There will be one held each Saturday this month. Please come and participate or at least visit. A holiday tablecloth will be given away on the last Saturday, July 25. Info on signups is available by clicking my sidebar memes available on both my blogs.

I am also having a weekly Christmas giveaway at my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog. Weekly entries are closed out a midnight on Wednesday for this.

Hopefully some of you tablescape regulars will pull together a tablescape for CIJ or pull out some photos from last year to post.

Happy CIJ!