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, August 26, 2009

Dinner Al Fresco

We love to dine on the patio on nice evenings. Whether it is just the two of us or company. For the patio we chose two round tables which can be pushed together to form one larger "figure 8" table.

But last week it was just 4 of us -- so one table it was.
The provencal tablecloth from Williams Sonoma last year. Two of them -- one for each table. Love the sunny yellow and the hints of blue. Napkins were a bit harder -- tried yellow and they didn't go well, have used red and green and both choices were less than stellar. But the blue napkins pick up the blue in the tablecloth and the blue in the dishes. Napkins, too, are from Williams Sonoma -- picked up on their sale table for a fraction of the original price. They're perfect!
Blue and white dishes -- the Johnson Brothers Asiatic Pheasant used and bought for patio dining. The Johnson Brothers Indies plates -- used tonight not for salad but for appetizers -- smoked poppers and drunken tomatoes.

A gay bouquet of garden flowers for the centerpiece. Not too high, conversation at Linderhof around the dining table is highly prized!
We had special guests that evening for dinner -- daughter Sarah and her Andy. All the way from Minnesota. A special night, a special dinner, special wines. A menu worthy of al fresco dining -- Tuscan grilled chicken, caprese salad, roasted new potatoes, tiny onions and fresh green beans. The wines -- some great Italian whites.

Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see the great tablescapes that are always posted on Thursday. It is a fun event and one I so look forward to participating in.

37 comments:

Southerncook said...

Your al fresco dining tablescape is absolutely gorgeous. I think the blue napkins are perfect. I know Sarah and Andy must have really enjoyed it. How very special!!!

Carolyn

Julie said...

I think blue and yellow make such a pretty table....
xoxo
Julie

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I do love blue and yellow together - this is splendid!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful table, Martha!

I love your idea of using two round to make a figure eight!

KBeau said...

Such a beautiful outdoor setting. Love the tablecloth. Williams-Sonoma has some of their provencial tablecloths on sale right now. I might have to buy one.

The Tablescaper said...

Love the yellow and blue. And I love all of the blue and white plates. I too have many. The menu sounds delish. Will the recipes follow?

- The Tablescaper

ellen b said...

Lovely, lovely! That tablecloth and the dishes are just perfect. I really like this setting...

Lady Katherine said...

Love the blue and white! I long for some yellow dishes to add some of my blue with. Yours are so lovely!

Eileen said...

Your menu sounds as good as your table looks!
Very, very pretty! I love the blue and the yellow together, nice compliment for each other!
All the best,
Eileen

Michelle said...

Gorgeous table! Blue and yellow is one of my favorite combinations!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Another lovely table, Martha. The yellow with the blue is outstanding.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Your dishes are lovely. I agree about dining al fresco. Absolutely wonderful!

Christi

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

You've used one of my favorite color combinations-blue and yellow! I also love your pretty blue transferware. Great job and happy TT to you!

Sharlotte said...

Love the blue and yellow. It is very pretty. Thanks so much for sharing.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Such a beautiful setting. I love the pretty blue and yellow, and the tablescape is just lovely. What a wonderful way to dine. Hugs, Marty

Lori E said...

Perfection. Casual and classy and delicious. Not enough people think of white when choosing Italian wines.

Blondie's Journal said...

Gorgeous tablesetting!! And for a great celebration. I love that tablecloth. So French!! And your garden is looking lovely. It's so nice to spend the last few weeks we have dining outdoors. You have created a memorable tablescape, Martha!

xoxo
Jane

Myrna said...

Oooh la la! It looks like you're on the south of France! So beautiful and fresh-looking!
Great job!
Blessings,
Myrna

Sarah said...

Al fresco dining is my favorite. Thanks for sharing the evening with us.

Hope to see you at Hyacinth For The Soul for some more rooster fun!

Nancy Yoakum said...

Hi Martha,
I am so glad you got to see your family! What a treat! Your table scape looks lovely and I can imagine everyone enjoying the lovely meal, watching the fireflies in your garden, enjoying a nice glass of wine! I love provencial table clothes, they are so cheerful!

Hugs, Nancy

Denise Marie said...

always enjoy your posts. great dishes.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful al fresco table. The menu sounds wonderful.

I also love the yellow and the blue together.

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

Blue and yellow is my favorite color combination. Looks lovely.

Designs on 47th Street said...

So very pretty. I loved how you "talked" us through all of your trial and errors with napkins etc. What worked and what didn't. It's obvious you tried things til you got it right because it is a beautiful tablescape. I know you enjoyed having your dd and her guy to join you on your lovely patio.

Donna

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Beautiful al fresco table...reminds me of Provence. Your yard is lovely.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, so pretty! I started out with yellow and blue and white, and mine didn't work out. But your's is splendid! I always love what you do, as you're a master at this type thing!
Brenda

Lorrie said...

Beautiful table in a beautiful setting. Blue and yellow go together so well and you've done it well. I'm sure you had a wonderful time with your special guests.

Lorrie

bj said...

yOUR table and it's setting is just beautiful...

Michelle said...

I love classic blue and yellow...it's done beautifully here!!

Best,
Michelle

~Country Lady~ said...

Absolutely divine as is every tablescape you showcase. You are amazing!! I'd love to be a guest in your fine home. I always enjoy lurking and drooling over your gorgeous tableware and fine food. You know me as "Paintlady" from HGTV. I've recently started my own blog. It's really fun. Thank you for opening your fantastic home to us.

nannykim said...

I love blue and yellow together. Those plates are gorgeous. BUT am I the only one that can't eat outdoors due to the HUGE mosquito population???

ps. I have several blogs--the one for my tablescape is the spindle cottage one;

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

Very pretty! Love the yellow with the blue and your outdoor setting is perfect! I'm sure your 'scape added to the specialness of the time spent with your daughter!

DD

Unknown said...

A lovely patio setting! very pretty and inviting!

~Liz

Maggie said...

Hi Martha,
Loved your patio tablescape, the napkins certainly go well with the tablecloth & china.
I am a big fan of WS and also Ina Garten, the eggplant dish looks wonderful. I must get out my copy of Barefoot in Paris & give it a try.
a bientot
Maggie in Normandy

Cass @ That Old House said...

Now surely you could have set that second table, and invited ME. It is SO pretty on your patio -- and the menu sounds divine. Lovely, all around. And as always, I love seeing "our" Indies Blue dishes!
Cass

The Country Nest said...

Very pretty...don't you just love Williams and Sonoma? Looks great here!
Donna

Shakesearediva said...

Thank you for the inspiration! I'm the process of choosing china for our new home here in England, as a rabid Blue & White fan, I was feeling torn between Johnson Bros. Asiatic Pheasants or Wedgwood Romantic England. I adore the way you have so boldly put different patterns together!!! Brava!!