Company for Lunch

The Lunch Bunch came today . . . 

a week late

But it was because of me --

I was in Minnesota with the Grands!

It's still May, it's still Spring

but temperatures are warming up and so I wanted a "cool" lunch

My "new" linens (new because I've never used them) -- From April Cornell -- a runner and napkins to match.

The wicker chargers and Spode blue and white plates, and Jim's grandmother's cutlery

The orangey zinnias in a blue and white Spode bowl.

They hold a secret -- they're in the pot they came home from the nursery in --

After lunch, they'll be planted in the garden

A centerpiece that I'll enjoy till frost

(and who knows, the blooms may be back on the table for another luncheon

this summer!)

It's a simple menu:

A shrimp and avocado salad with Sauce Gribiche

From a new cookbook, Goldy's Kitchen,  by Diane Mott Davidson --

In the book it's called "Hard Core Prawn Salad" but I didn't like

that name so I just called it Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Sauce Gribiche!

Served with a hot roll and real butter

Dessert:

Strawberry Hazelnut Pavlova Roll from Wives With Knives

It's a to die for recipe

And her instructions were very clear

And it's an easy, few ingredient recipe as well --

A roll of meringue layered with whipped cream and strawberries.

The hazelnuts dot the outside.

It is s-o-o-o-o good!

So good, in fact, that I printed the recipe off and will make again!

It's perfect served on blue and white!

And, as always, there is a menu for everyone

Although I like the anticipation of company and how fresh the table looks

And how it looks as if it waiting for company . . . 

I like the table "after" . . . when everyone has gone home.

You can tell that a good time was had by all!

We get together once a month and in June, we'll be traveling to Nevada

for The Annual Salad Luncheon of St. Paul Lutheran Church

It's an annual trek for us as well . .