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.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

A Fall Luncheon . . . For Missourians!


I love having company for lunch

It's a great way to spend the day

Tidying up the house in the morning
Fixing a "ladies lunch"
Washing the dishes and tidying the dining room back up

It's what ladies used to do
Back in the day

Give luncheons!

Every month the Lunch Bunch comes
And I relish those Tuesdays
Having poured over cookbooks for just the right menu
Having decided on a table setting
And four is easy!

But this was not for the Lunch Bunchers!

No, the Missourians invaded Kansas
or as we say down here --
The Bushwhackers came to Jayhawk territory!

In other words, some dear Missouri friends came to lunch!!!


One of my old Quaker Lace cloths
(I look for them at flea markets and antique malls
Their quality is amazing and I'm sure some that I have are 50 or 60 years old)


A table of grandmother's things
My grandmother's china
(Noritake Marcasite )
Jim's grandmother's cutlery
(engraved with the initial "S")
And some antique wine glasses
Of course, damask napkins in silver rings
(for company meals I use no other)


Centerpieces should be low enough to talk over
I love the silver bowls from the 30s/40s with the pierced lid that you can arrange flowers in.
It's fall -- rusty mums are the perfect flowers
The greenery is boxwood from the garden

Oftentimes at luncheons I serve soup in tea cups
It's the perfect amount
But grandmother had such lovely soup bowls that I could not resist


And there is no better fall soup
than Butternut Squash
I love the fall color of the soup!


Champagne chicken
white rice
and a homemade roll

Chicken (or quiche) seems to be what's served at ladies luncheons!

But dessert can be anything!
It's fall and it's apple time
What better dessert than this yummy recipe from my son-in-law
which we have renamed:


Andy's Amazing Prizewinng Apple Praline Cake

Served, of course with coffee

After the guests left, the dishes are done and everything is back to normal.
I did send some cake home with my guests
But there was enough for our dessert that night for dinner.

That's the great thing about having luncheon company
Often a special dinner dessert!

5 comments:

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

What a wonderful dinner - your tablescape and awesome menu = perfect!

Your food looks soooo delicious!

Pat said...

Martha,
What a "treat" to be able to serve your Ladies Luncheon on your Grandmother's china, dear friend!!!
Your menu sounds delightfully delicious!!!
Soup is a "perfect" start on these somewhat cooler days!!!
Andy's Praline Apple Cake appears to be divinely decadent!!!
I'm sure the Ladies enjoyed themselves, immensely for Luncheon at Linderhof!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Gina @ VictorianWannaBe said...

Hi Martha,
Lovely table setting, so nice to have the grandmothers' heirlooms be a part of it all. I totally adore the vintage Quaker lace cloths, I only had one and somehow got a hole in it so now I have none. :(
Happy Sunday to you,
Gina

Bernideen said...

Your menu looks wonderful!

Fox and Finch Antiques said...

I adore your dining room. That looks like home to me.I bet that room is beautiful at night with the lights on. Hey! I wish I was a friend and invited to your lovely luncheon!
Ginene