Lunch for Four

I donate a gift certificate to non-profits for the opportunity to join me for lunch.

Friend Malinda joined me today and invited Whitney and Michelle to join her.

The table in the dining room set for four

No tablecloth but placemats and matching napkins -- from April Cornell

The Spode blue room and because there are birds on the placemats and napkins . . . 

there are also birds on the table

(a Christmas gift from The Lunch Bunch)

Garden flowers in a blue and white Spode bowl

This time of year, I often use my unplanted bedding plants for centerpieces.

After the party is over, I plant them in the garden.

These are petunias and a new variety (or at least to me) --

Indian Summer

A wonderful petunia that's yellow and coral and peach

(depending on how much sun they get)

I adore them!

There's always a menu.

Since there are birds on the placemats and birds on the table,

there needs to be birds on the menu

 It's been hot on the prairie so I opted for a cool lunch --

Anna Pump's chicken with basil cream (a chicken salad full of summer flavors)

a chilled zucchini soup

(I adore cold vegetable soups in the summer and they are so easy)

And corn madeleines

Dessert was seasonal as well --

A cherry tart

Served with coffee

We had a grand time visiting.    And I was sorry to see them go!

Often with one of my donated luncheons, I get to meet new friends

And this lunch was no exception