A Few Little Snowflakes

When you are a dish collector, albeit a modest one, you live in fear that the dishes that you've fallen in love with will be discontinued if you don't get them right away.  This was the case for me with the Christmas Snowflake plates that are part of the Lenox Federal Platinum collection.

I had been eyeing them for a couple of years, but one thing or another held me back.  However, this was the year when they came home to mama.  The small raised points in the snowflakes, in a process Lenox calls "jewelling" does make them look like little bits of diamond have embedded themselves on the plates.  But don't let it fool you, these plates are very strong and durable.  They are supposed to be dishwasher safe, but honestly, I "need" to wash them by hand, and caress them gently as I dry them.  Why would I want to miss out on this lovely part of the process.  There I go again, waxing lyrical about my dishes . . .

These pretty napkins with the silver embroidery just kept the snowflakes falling.

I brought out my wedding water goblets, Chartres by Atlantis, which have Gothic arches cut into its design and when the light is shining just right, they look like the Rose Window at Chartres . . . or, with a little imagination, big snowflakes.  I said a fervent prayer that no one would accidentally chip one one of these precious goblets.  At the last minute, I decided to pull some back and interjected some of the red goblets because they have such a beautiful, brilliant color, and I wanted more red on the table.

A simple organza bag filled with chocolate kisses was placed by each setting.  This one seems to be a perennial favorite in my family.  On the bottom of the kisses we placed stickers with snowflakes and snowmen — a fun project to keep my granddaughter, Piper, busy.

I had a pretty full house this year, just the way I like it!

Our chandelier was blinged out with a combination of Swarovski snowflakes and magnetic crystals from Ballard Designs.  It sparkled beautifully during the night!

But this is the best decoration . . .

I can't remember the last time, we didn't take this group shot.  The guests have varied a little from year to year, as our children have grown up and started their own lives, but always there has been family around our table.

Our tribe has grown with the marriage of my son, bringing Erica, and this lump of sugar named Piper into our lives . . .

From our home to yours, we hope you have the most wonderful Christmas Day!  Blessings!

Memories of Christmas Eve 2014

Regrets, I have a few, and occasionally they can be corrected . . . This is one of them.  I never posted our table on Christmas Eve 2015.  I know, it was eons ago, and we've all moved on.  But I'm seriously thinking of taking down the blog and there are some things I'd like to wrap up.  As I look back, I can't believe I forgot to post this table!  It was so pretty!  Well, if you'll indulge me, here are some pictures:

Ralph Lauren came to the rescue this year when I fell in love with the beautiful floral print in sage green with a splash of pomegranate red.  With a print like that, I didn't have to work very hard at adding other interesting elements to the table.

Maybe just a centerpiece with lots of white roses and a touch of silver.  White roses are among my favorites at any time of the year and they always seem to elevate any table dressing.

And napkins folded à la Fleur de Lis.  My Federal Platinum dishes calmed the table down and provided a little rest for the eyes.

That was as much effort as I was willing to put that year on the table because I was saving my energy for cooking and baking!

Here was the hit of the night:  Crab Cakes on a bed of homemade Sweet Tomato Jam, topped with Arugula lightly dressed in olive oil.  I was in Atlanta this year and I picked up the recipe from the hotel where I was staying.  I couldn't wait to try it out!  But most of my time was spent baking cookies!

Honey Pecan Butterballs and Magic Bars in the background . . .

Peanut butter blossoms . . .

Thumb print cookies . . .

Potato Chip Cookies . . .

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies . . .

I don't often bake these many cookies, there never seems to be enough time.  But 2015 was one for the cookie books!  

Here's the fam . . .  I never get tired of the yearly shot of us all around the dinner table.  My son David wasn't with us this year.  He was gone doing his Army thing and we sorely missed him.  But this year . . . everyone is coming home!  There's a lot of baking in store for me in the days to come.  I am a happy woman!

Dessert and Coffee with an Old Friend

Dessert and coffee with dear, old friends.  Anna and I have known each other since high school.  I danced at her 15th birthday cotillion, and was a bridesmaid at her wedding.  She was my matron of honor.

There's nothing like an old friend.  We can talk for hours, and the only thing that can stop us is the presence of our husbands, who may not care to hear about crinoline underskirts (which we wore for her cotillion) or the latest kitchen gadget.  Life can be so sweet.

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Placemats and table runner:  Hemstitch Squares Cutwork Linen from Horchow

Dishes:  Lenox Federal Platinum

Goblets:  Chartres by Atlantis

Flatware:  Jefferson, by Reed and Barton

Cake Stand:  Vintage, given to me by my Aunt Olga

Christmas Eve 2012

It wouldn't feel like Christmas unless plaid was happening somewhere in our house . . . This year, right on the Dining Room table . . .

I filled glass cylinders with pinecones and silver balls . . . Thanks for the inspiration, Alycia!  If you want to see some amazing tablescapes you HAVE to visit Alycia Nichols at Tablescapes at Table 21.  She uses those glass cylinders in so many creative ways it'll make your head spin!

I never seem to tire of white roses . . . they are so lovely . . .

I bought the green raffia ribbon on impulse, but I love how it brightens the little packages.  Sometimes, the best decisions come on the spur of the moment.  The little pinecones came from The Dollar Store.

The floral arrangement was created by my friend, Robert, who has been doing flowers for us since our wedding, 28 years ago!

I used my Lenox, Federal Platinum bone china . . . The tablecloth (Carson plaid) and the napkins (Kirkwood plaid) are both from Pottery Barn, as are the silver-plated napkin rings . . . The crystal glasses were my mother's . . .

The flatware is Woodland, by Spode . . .  Here's the detail from the knife and teaspoon . . .  I used them at Thanksgiving, too - click here for that post - but I don't think I've gotten them out of my system yet . . .

Somebody, get this camera away from me!  I can't stop shooting!

How many flower pictures are too many . . . ?

The table is set . . .  And the Christmas tree is lit . . . I love that hour before a party starts when the house looks just beautiful, and there are a few minutes to relax and enjoy it . . .

 Here's the family, in a dignified pose . . .

And here's what happened when the antlers came out . . . My son suggested that the title for this table should be “A Nutty Little Christmas.” 

After all, nuts could be found everywhere . . .

The picture of the entire dessert buffet came out blurry, unfortunately, so I'm doubly happy to at least have been able to capture some of the treats!  Here are the Snowmen cookies (from Starbucks, alas, I didn't bake them!)

Vanilla chocolate chip pudding parfaits . . . These were so delish!

Cointreau mini-cupcakes with buttercream frosting and sprinkled with sugar crystals . . .

They are looking pretty cute, considering that this is what happened a couple of hours earlier . . . What would Christmas be without a few bloopers . . . ?

 And what was inside those little red party favor boxes . . . ?

I hope your Christmas Eve was as much fun as ours!  May you have a blessed Christmas day! 

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Kathleeen at Cuisine Kathleen.  Please stop by to see too many fabulous tablescapes to count!

A Cozy Christmas Tea

“Perhaps that is the true gift of a teatime celebration: It fills our cups with joy and warmth and friendship. May the echo of the teacups’ message be heard not only at Christmas, not only on special occasions, but anytime friends come together.”

—Emilie Barnes, “A Cozy Christmas Tea”

Be merry all!

Be merry all, be merry all,

With holly dress the festive hall;

Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,

To welcome merry Christmas.

—William Robert Spencer

The dessert table . . .

Gingerbread squares with cream cheese frosting . . .

Chocolate mousse . . .

Pears Mascarpone Custard . . .

Vanilla-Cinnamon Custard (Natilla) . . .

Crème de menthe brownies (made by my wonderful sister-in-law, Kathy) . . .

Wishing you a blessed Christmas, surrounded by family and enveloped in the love of God.