Sunday, March 20, 2011

A Shabby dinner party for 4...

Dollars are not something we have to spare. 
My husband prefers to buy one thing of quality than 20 'cheap' things that perish in a short time after minimal use. This means I have to be wise in my purchases, and to be honest, a lot of purchases I make are found in op-shops (like Salvation Army, St Vinnies etc) or at markets and garage sales. I am very happy to buy at these places especially when I come home with what I would describe as 'treasures'. 

On Friday night we had a couple from our school over for dinner. In the past I have always tried to put on a good meal and focused mainly on that aspect of the dinner, but not anymore. Maybe it is age related, but over the last year I have found increased joy within my heart by 'setting a scene' within my home - whether that be with soft furnishing I have made, a declutter throughout a room, candles or oil burners, our vintage leather bound classics with their covers all polished...it can be something small and seemingly inconspicuous or a transformation that is noticeble to a family member arriving home in the evening. 
I gain great delight in these moments of change and refreshment.
With that in mind, after I spent the morning at work over at the school, I dropped in to the little op shops here in town to see if I could find 'things' that would set the scene for a small Shabby Chic dinner party.

I needed a cotton lace tablecloth. $2.50 and it was mine. Dessert bowls at $1 each, and lovely rose embellished dinner plates - a steal at $2.50 for five. Simple cotton placements in assorted colours, 50c each. 
Now for the table centre. I finally went to 'that' shop (do you remember my regular haunt of last year?) and spent $20 on a permanent floral display - I have been wanting this since we moved here in 2009 and finally allowed myself the pleasure. :-)
In my store of treasures found previously were lovely hand embroidered linen napkins, a priceless white tablecloth that belonged to my MIL which would hide under the $2.50 cotton lace tablecloth I had just bought, and exquisite vintage silver and bone cutlery that we 'found' a couple of years ago.
I tied some vintage lace around a corner of the napkins as I do not have napkin rings, then all that was needed was some lovely candles in glass...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 I stuffed chicken breasts with tomato and cashew pesto, feta cheese, and crispy prosciutto, then wrapped them in filo pastry, sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked....
On the side I had roasted baby tomatoes in garlic and olive oil....
These were served over a green salad with caramelised balsamic glaze, but I forgot to take a photo. Never mind, you can imagine. It tasted wonderful! :-)
For dessert I made a Lemon & Lime Tart with an almond shortcrust pastry...
...candied some lemon slices, but left a bit of 'tang' to balance the sweetness of the tart...
...melted good 70% Lindt chocolate and drizzled it onto baking paper for decoration...
...added a dollop of double cream, and served.
I can't wait to do this again. I wonder what 'scene setting' treasures I'll find next time?
 Hugs
Jenny
xxx

34 comments:

ME said...

YUM-YUM!

Nancy Lee said...

Can't see anything especially shabby about any of that. Are you posting recipes for this dinner?

Brenda said...

What a fun table and a yummy looking dinner!

Michelle said...

What a fabulous idea, my youngest loves setting the table each night she will write a small note on a paper napkin for each person! It's so sweet! Will be on the lookout now for things I can add to our table!

Lurline said...

Soooo divine .... soooo silver service! Just lovely!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Margaret said...

Inspiration flows readily , you certainly have a gift with the beauty of creation.

Vireya said...

I hope your guests were suitably impressed, because that all looks wonderful!

Elyte said...

What a lovely post Jenny. You really set the scene. You made your guests feel very special indeed. I can almost taste that dessert.

Quilt Kitty said...

It's all so beautiful jenny with so much time, thought & effort gone into your food & decorating. I would be a very happy guest at your home! Tracee xx

Jo in TAS said...

Oh Yum that post left my mouth watering! I'd be very impressed with a table setting like that!!

Victoria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scottish Nanna said...

Every thing looks great You did well.
Hugs Mary.

Anonymous said...

What fun Jenny! I've been just reading your posts for about 6 months and am so disappointed on the days you are busy with other things. I feel like you're one of my best buddies! Carol in Alabama, USA.

Kathy MacKie said...

WOW. I love my thrift shops too and can't wait to see what is "new" since the last time I was there! Your meal sounds and looks absolutely delish! Great job so pat yourself on the back.

Shari said...

Your dinner party sounds just wonderful! I love that you rescued someone's treasures in such a lovely way...

Clara said...

Wow! A wonderful table (you have found real bargains) and yummy meal!!!!

elliek said...

Aren't op shops wonderful! Your dinner party looked fantastic, and my mouth is watering at the thought of the dessert. YUM

Vickie said...

Oh I love my oppy shopping it gives me great pleasure to fossick for the unknown..well done girl looked awesome and sounded yummy,cheers Vickie

Allie said...

Jenny-girl what a beautiful table! I love shopping thrifts too - you find the nicest things there. And you save money, which is even nicer! Your meal sounds heavenly. I LOVE what you did with the chocolate!

Amanda said...

How pretty it looks, especially the dishes. I'm a fairly plain cook, so tend to do the same sort of thing. Lots and lots of candles, some fairy lights and quiet music create a wonderful atmosphere.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Beautiful and delicious.

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh so lovely, Jenny. It's too bad all the pretty food was eaten, to be gazed upon no more. You know, that's why I don't like to cook... it's one of those things that you can work on for hours, and then in 15 minutes have nothing to show for it! But gosh, your table was very pretty, and I'm sure it continues to be so.

Wendyb said...

Oh Jen hon, you set my memory monitor going with those knives and forks.....haven't seen those since I was a child!!!!! Just beautiful my lovely....but I wouldn't expect anything different!
hugs, hugs and more sugary sweet hugs
XXXX Wendy :O)

RobynLouise said...

Gosh with all that lace and the pretty dishes it looks like the old english table settings, all you needed was a silver tea set. Very nice!

Susan said...

What bargain finds you made - and a lovely setting.

vernagrace said...

You are so talented! In so many respects! The meal sounds great, and table was beautiful! I think I can smell the lemony dessert.... mmmmm!

LindaB said...

Hi Jenny...your guest must have felt really special...dinner sounds like it was yummy...LindaB

Janice said...

Your table looks wonderful. It must have been the best fun putting it all together with your latest finds. You have shown that style doesn't have to cost a bomb, just a bit of ingenuity makes all the difference. I'm sure your guests would have been delighted with their evening with such a lovely setting and delicious food.

Lis Harwood said...

Your setting and your food look really lovely and how wonderful to go to so much effort for your guests, Ihope they felt very very special.

Cattinka said...

Everything looks delicious, not only the food, the decoration too.
KATRIN W.

Chris said...

I would love to be on your guest list :-)

Carrie P. said...

Oh man, you are making me very hungry. It all sounds so good. I think I will make some of those roasted tomatoes tonight.

Karyn said...

Oh what a lovely table setting. Dinner must have been lovely; it looks YUMMY!!!!!! You have got to post the recipe for the chicken; although like most of my dinners, it is probably a "bit of this" and a "bit of that".
I bet your dinner guests had a wonderful night.

Rumi said...

Your table AND your meal looks fantastic!