Just a pinch of Irish

That's how much Celtic blood runs in this family . . . on my husband's side . . . maybe . . .

When asked, he always says:  “I'm English, Irish, Dutch, Polish, Italian . . . ” 

And he never deviates from that, with the sentence trailing off at the end . . .

But just because our Irish ancestry is extremely diluted, or possibly, non-existent . . .

. . . it doesn't stop us from celebrating St. Patrick's Day . . .

. . . like good ol' Americans . . .

. . . with a corned beef and cabbage dinner . . .

. . . and a modest nod to the green . . .

. . . a pinch of Irish, if you will . . .  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Details:

Placemats:  Classic Linen, white, from Pottery Barn

Chargers:  Tava, Espresso, from Pottery Barn

Dinner plates:  Mikasa French Countryside

Cabbage Salad Bowls:  Cavolo bowls from Crate and Barrel

Napkins:  Hampton Gardens by Raymond Waites at HomeGoods

Napkin Rings:  Bed Bath and Beyond

Green water goblets:  The Dollar Tree

Wine glasses:  The Dollar Tree

Candle sticks:  The Dollar Tree

Candles:  The Dollar Tree

Flatware:  My everyday flatware from Costco

Shamrock Plant:  Dominick's (our local grocery store)

I'm joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch, and Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen for her 5th Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl.  If you have a chance, you should definitely stop by for some tablescaping fun!

A Pumpkin Halloween

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”

— Henry David Thoreau

Jack-O-Lantern, Jack-O-Lantern . . .

You are such a funny sight . . .

As you sit there by the window . . .

Looking out at the night.

You were once a sturdy pumpkin growing on a vine . . .

Now you are a Jack-O-Lantern, see the light shine.

Happy Halloween!

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, Photo of the Day at Two Peas in a Bucket and Cuisine Kathleen

Jack-O-Lantern Salad Plates and Mugs - HomeGoods

Black Dinner Plates - The Dollar Tree (Thank you, Patti!)

Flatware - Treble Clef by Gourmet Settings

Salt and Pepper Shakers - Hallmark (last year)

Tablecloth and Napkins - The Vermont Country Store

Napkin Rings - Bed, Bath and Beyond

Pumpkin Centerpiece and Candle Holder - Marshall's

Water Goblets - I've had these forever!

How to Manage An Inferiority Complex

What do you serve your friends, all members of the high school Cuban Club, 1973 through 1977?  Hint:  NOT CUBAN FOOD!  They are all either better cooks than you, or their mothers can run circles around you with their perfect black bean soup and pumpkin flan.  And besides, where's the surprise?  No, no, no dear friends, you need to go in an altogether different direction.  Enter:  The Italian Antipasto Tray . . .

Start out with a large platter to hold it all.  I picked this one up at HomeGoods for about $10!

Then, go nuts!  I included cantaloupe, prosciutto, sopressata, black olives cured in olive oil, jumbo green olives stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, provolone cheese, green grapes, roasted red peppers, and Formaggio Ciliegine (fresh mozzarella balls, marinated in olive oil, red pepper flakes, basil and black pepper), all prettily showcased against a backdrop of radicchio . . .

Is your mouth watering yet . . . ?

And this is an old, old photo of the Cuban Club, from the year I was president.  Where's Maria?



A Tablescape With A Tuscan Vibe coming tomorrow . . .