A Valentine Luncheon

Every year I host a Valentine Luncheon

for dear friends.

Some years, Valentine's Day is in the middle of Lent

thus we have our Easter egg tree as decoration for Valentine's

But this is a first

Valentine's Day is Ash Wednesday

And Ash Wednesday is the day when I always put up my Easter egg tree

On a chest in the living room

A dozen real hens eggs

Brought home from a Lenten trip to Germany

(bought at Woolworth's for 1 DM each)

Over 25 years ago

They've been part of Lent since 1992

and I couldn't imagine Lent without a Easter egg tree!

But it's also Valentine's and I was busy this morning

getting ready for five friends to join me for lunch

The table set in the dining room, with my Grandmother's china, Jim's Grandmother's cutlery, a Quaker lace cloth

 I love the dining room table set up for company!

At each place, a bag of Valentine heart cookies

For tea later that afternoon

A centerpiece of glass candlesticks, pink roses and a scattering of conversation hearts

I loved he pink of the roses.

The menu?

Cream of tomato soup

Made from my home canned tomatoes and cream -- real cream

A classic quiche

Full of bacon and onions and cheese

Served with a salad of spring greens topped with Gorgonzola

And Valentine's is always about the sweets!

Chocolate raspberry cake

(originally named "Christmas Cake" but I think I'll change the name to "Valentine's Cake")

Served with coffee

It's made in a miniature bundt pan so three little pieces of cake 

But it makes a nice presentation with whipped cream and fresh raspberries

I so enjoy my Valentine's Luncheons

We sat and chatted "forever"

Not wanting the day to end

And we had a special guest . . . 

Molly

The newest member of our family

A terrier mix

A Valentine Gift for Husband Jim and myself

We should have named her

"Val"!