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 27, 2013

Three for Lunch



 Two dear friends from the little town 20 miles East
joined me for lunch last week

As has been my custom of late,
luncheon was served in the dining room


With the noon day sun filling the room with light


A hand embroidered square cloth that I bought in the Azores served as the cloth
Wedgwood Cuckoo plates
Grandmother's silver
White cloth napkins in silver rings


Hyacinths in forcing vases
And the wee iron birds were the centerpiece


For a pretty "almost spring" table


Dessert service awaited on the sideboard
(which is why you don't clutter the sideboard with too much "stuff")

A simple menu


Tomato soup from the tomatoes I canned last summer
With a few garlic cheese croutons for "crunch"


A wonderful lemon basil chicken pasta dish
Alas, the basil not from the garden or windowsill
but rather from the market
With a salad of mixed baby greens
And herbal biscuits

And the dessert?


A cherry almond tart
With the Morello cherries I bought at Trader Joe's
ringed with sliced almonds
Arranged over a filling of marscapone cheese
It's an updated version of the old classic
"cherry cheese pie"



And with a cup of coffee
A slice made a fitting end to a lovely meal.

But we lingered,
over coffee
before they bid their goodbyes\

It's Thursday and I'm sharing my table with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish


12 comments:

Tricia said...

Lovely, inviting table, Martha! I love the glassware you chose, especially, and the dessert looks amazing! Alas, we don't have Costco around here.

Bernideen said...

I am sure they were all delighted with this meal as I is wonderful. The tart looks incredible.

Ruthie Miller said...

Dear Martha,
That was a lovely luncheon for sure. Love your Wedgewood and your menu sounds just great.
How nice to have the bulbs blooming. I bet that added a nice promise of spring...
Ruthie from: http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com

Deb said...

Looks scrumpdillyishus!

Southerncook said...

Such a wonderful menu as always. I hope you will share the pasta recipe and your revision of an old favorite looks gorgeous.

Carolyn

On Crooked Creek said...

Martha,
Your square table cloth is exquisite!!! I'm using one of my Grandmothers as a table topper this week,as well!
I had to chuckle at your comment concerning the sideboard!!! Too many years in merchandizing, I'm afraid I'm hopeless, dear one! Ha!
The menu sounds simply devine...and a perfect ending to a perfect luncheon is your elegant dessert!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Comfort foods are on the menu on our side of the Prairie!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I think you should have started with dessert first Martha, in case guests had little room left after the lunch. :-)
I would be interested in the recipe for the pasta, is there a recipe section on your blog, maybe I missed it?
Judith

Lottie said...

My goodness, that cherry almond tart looks delicious! What a wonderful table and lunch for good friends!

Entertaining Women said...

So many special elements here. I love the forced hyacinth bulb vases, and the dessert service is exquisite. Once the cherry almond tart was served, I think that they must have wanted to nosh and chat for the rest of the day. Lovely! Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

KathyB. said...

I love the elegance & the simplicity. Not crowding the sideboard is always a good idea because when company comes you need a place for the dessert! ( especially this one)

Jaybird said...

You just made my day!! maybe my whole decade!! In the 1950's my Mom bought her "good dishes". I was about 7 or 8 years old and tagged along on the shopping trip.
To make a long story short...we have always known that her dishes were a nice "knock off" of a very expensive set. Today, you put those originals in your post, and solved a 60+ year old question!! My Mom is no longer around to see the answer, but I know she is watching from over my shoulder, and saw your picture too!!
Thank you SOOO much!!
Blessings,
J

Jaybird said...

You just made my day!! maybe my whole decade!! In the 1950's my Mom bought her "good dishes". I was about 7 or 8 years old and tagged along on the shopping trip.
To make a long story short...we have always known that her dishes were a nice "knock off" of a very expensive set. Today, you put those originals in your post, and solved a 60+ year old question!! My Mom is no longer around to see the answer, but I know she is watching from over my shoulder, and saw your picture too!!
Thank you SOOO much!!
Blessings,
J