Monday, June 4, 2012

Sharing a Meal




I am always filled with admiration for those of you who, not only have wonderful adventures, but have the time after it all to blog about it. At the moment, I'm caught in an avalanche of exciting things that I want to share and it's those very things making me too busy to have the moment to settle down to put the posts together. Life is just too ridiculously good! Anyway, my parents were out for three weeks and we had adventures galore. Then, the moment they left, it was out to tend the garden..... and, well, I've hardly come indoors, since. I can't wait to share about the beautiful orchid that I bought myself as an early birthday present and the air plant (it's the most curious thing). There have been dinner parties - museums and art centers - roses blooming - visits to the nurseries for plants - inspiration - Oh, just lots of shtuff going on!

Well, today, finally, I wanted to share what happened on Mother's day (yes, three weeks ago...)

My darling sister and I have figured out a beautiful thing! She cooks the gourmet meal and I set the table and clean the house. It's very fun entertaining but with half the work. Clever, eh? =D

There she is.....




On the menu was:

~ amuse bouche: herbed goat cheese in a rosemary, cracker crumb crust and fig jam.

~ spring greens with a lemon and honey vinaigrette with grilled salmon, orange slices and almond slivers that were roasted in a truffle oil and seasoned with chipotle.

~ crepes filled with sauteed spinach and mushrooms with a mornay sauce.

~ we cleansed our palates with lemon sorbet.

~ Rib eye (that had been cooked the French way ;-) - wrapped in bacon) with a Madeira reduction with glazed carrots (heaven!!!) and whipped potato.

and for dessert....

~ tranchetto

I had had the idea to use lots of crystal and glass on the table with some soft and simple flowers and, well, ..... I kind of got carried away. We dined in a sparkling forest of crystal. It shimmered in the afternoon sun and came alive with the candlelight, as dusk fell.

Then, on my parents last evening here, we were discussing having fish with an herb butter for their last meal, when my sister remembered.... she forgot the tarragon and parsley butter on the meat - gasp and drat!!!  It was a quietly muted and rainy evening - we lit the candles again - half of us had fish and the other half, rib eye, again. Two wonderfully wonderful and leisurely dinners that included lots of laughter and extremely pleasant conversation.

It's a wonderful thing to share a meal together!






























































xo





16 comments:

  1. Very pretty~ sparkly and still peaceful. I'm glad it was such a special dinner for your family~

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  2. Your table setting reminds me of a photograph from Victoria magazine! Absolutely beautiful and full of sparkle. The food looks ever so delicious - what a wonderful celebration!

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  3. your table looks so beautiful! i always focus on the food and forget about setting the table. looks so pretty the way you do it.

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  4. oh this all looks so amazingly beautiful! wow, wonderful table settings and wonderful photographs

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  5. What a beautiful table setting Katy! And I am thinking that meal must have been very delicious, but perhaps any meal, kraft dinner and hot dogs, would taste divine in that wonderful ambience! :)
    Hope you are having a wonderful June!
    xo Catherine

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  6. Oh Katy! My senses are deliciously full after devouring this gorgeous blog post! This could totally be a spread in a gourmet magazine...or a beautiful coffee table book! I'm so glad you are happy and busy!! xo

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  7. This is so beautiful-fit for a queen! I love all your photographs-they should be in a magazine!
    I am going back to stare at them again& again!
    Your garden is looking lovely too.I am looking forward to seeing whwt else you have been up to.

    Carolyn

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  8. Oh it sounds like you've been busy but also enjoying your self. Such a wonderful table setting and meal. :) I'm sure you mum loved it!

    Have a great week!xo
    Karin

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  9. Dear Katy,

    Your table looks absolutely beautiful!!!! I have been scrolling through your photo's several times now, taking it all in. The pink candles, colourful glass, the pretty plates. Just perfect! It must have been so much fun having your parents around for three weeks. You must miss them horribly now they are gone.

    The menu sounds delicious! Am I right to understand that your sister was the cook? The dishes she made sound very good. I would have loved to taste them ;-) It's good you have your boys and the garden to keep you busy :-)

    Thank you for your kind email. Our four days with Jane and Lance were wonderful. They are among the sweetest people I know! We had so much fun walking around Budapest, seeing the strangest places :-) It feels as if we have been friends for years! Hopefully they come to Holland in spring next year.

    Hope we will be able to meet one day too! Wish you a happy weekend!

    Love,

    Madelief x

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  10. Sounds so good, and the setting is very inspirational.


    /Avy

    http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

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  11. Dear Katy

    I know exactly what you mean about having the right balance. There is never enough time to blog about all the things we may do and experience, and its great to hear that your time has been busy with exciting fun things and family get-togethers.

    Thank you for sharing your lovely table setting with us, and your sister's menu, which I have to say sounds fabulous!

    Happy Birthday for (?)- ooh I'm not sure if you have had it already or about to have it! Have a good one though!

    Jeanne
    xx

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  12. Oh my, what a gorgeous, gorgeous table setting! I covet those pink & gold glasses and the Old Country Roses china. So beautiful!

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  13. So, could I borrrow you both, 7th of July, East Sussex?
    Oh and all your crock and glasses...that would be great....My contribution? To praise you both wildly and pfaff about all day not achieving much!

    As for e-mail notifications, probably, but I changed my e-mail address and didn't mention it to blogger! So I shall now have fun hunting the sunny spot thimble...an excellent game!
    Enjoy those roses and air plants and orchids and have a gorgeous birthday,

    Love Sarah -x-x-x-

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  14. Hello Katy:
    Dearest Katy, how could we have so nearly missed this post which positively sparkles from beginning to end and is so filled with such goodly things ranging from the most wonderful table setting to the most delicious looking food imaginable. What a menu, and how clever to have combined with your sister, such a lovely photograph, to have provided for the entire family in such a generous and lavish way.

    And then there is talk of your garden, of museum visits, of all manner of interesting and fun things. How we should have loved it all and all we can do is to apologise several times over for coming so late to this splendid party. But, in so doing, we send you all our very best love.

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  15. Hello Katy

    Your sister's culinary skills and your interior design skills are a perfect match

    Your mother must be so proud of you both.

    I think it is a marvelous idea to share the entertaining and you and your sister have done this beautifully.

    Wishing you a wonderful week
    Helen xx

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  16. PRECIOSAS FOTOS... PRECIOSA MESA, PRECIOSAS TAZAS ROYAL ALBERT.... PRECIOSO TODO!!!
    FELICIDADES!!!
    Conxita

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