The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Candlelight Table for Two.


As most of you already know, I'm a hopeless romantic. This year I had the privilege of the presence of "Mr.Ed's" company for dinner on Valentine's Day. . .so~o~o, I set a Candlelight Table for Two.



The two of us have, truly, been enjoying our new chairs that Santa brought early On Crooked Creek. Most of the time they reside in this position next to the over sized checker game. I surprised "Mr.Ed" with this game for Christmas a few years ago. Our son, talented designing engineer that he is, made this table to hold the game. It is exactly 36" X 36"! EXACTLY!





Miss Maurice, our princess, wasn't at all sure about the idea of invading her "house" on the lower level. Then when I moved all the checkers off. . . well,  just saying she wasn't happy would be the understatement of the century!




See that evil glare in her eyes?




Once I removed all the checkers. . .I was ready to proceed. . . with or without Maurice's approval! Because this is such a lovely piece, I added lots of padding to protect the game board.




I used a vintage, scalloped, open fretwork, linen tablecoth in an ecru hue. Originally belonging to my beloved grandmother, paused down to my beloved mother, passed down to me. Oh! the love that was already surrounding "Mr. Ed" and I, at times, began to overwhelm me!






Still wanting to be assured that the game board would be properly protected, (in case of a spill) I layered the tablecloth with a 36" X 36" quilted table topper. This  piece was sold in an Antiques Shop as a doll blanket. I adore the hues of sage greens, muted pinks, reds and beiges. It is one of the most versitile and utilitarian pieces used regulary On Crooked Creek.




The table topper was placed on the diagonal as there would be no room to add placemats!






"Mr. Ed" prefers the fleur~de~lis open fretwork plate. . .



. . .while I prefer the lacey open fretwork plate.

I don't know how noticable they photograph, but I've been working on some new napkin folds for an upcoming Fellowship
4 X 4 Dinner Group. The fold I used for this evening is an accordian fold then rolled at the center before placing into the glasses with only a slight fluffing. It gives the optical illusion of a jack~in~the ~pulpit. Breathtaking through the bubble glass stemware!

Completing each place setting are our everyday beaded stainless steel, our sage dinner plates and I. Godinger and Co. salad plates in the softest shade of cream. 





The rarity of fresh flowers On Crooked Creek was ignored for this special evening. For tonight is all about romance! What better way to celebrate our Candlelight Table for Two than with a pale pink long stem sweetheart rose reminiscent of the ones used at our wedding?




"Mr. Ed's" favorite candy. . .Pecan Turtles are waiting his arrival On Crooked Creek!






A romantic Candlelight Table for Two
from the Love of My Life's point of view. . .



                                                           
                                              . . and from My Loving Wife's point of view.




While I lit the candles in the fireplace for suttle ambient lighting during our dining. . ."Mr. Ed" quietly placed my favorite White Chocolate Lindor Truffles on my salad plate! Then, he helped me turn the chairs for dining.

The Menu:
 Green Salad
with Cream Mustard Vinaigrette
Chicked Almondine
 Chicken Noodles

Chocolate Raspberry Cake
Raspberry Yogurt
Columbian Coffee










Since this was such a special occasion and our dining table so small, I set up my beloved grandmother's tea cart with our coffee and dessert. I don't ever remember Grandmother using this in her dining room. I remember it on her utility porch with pots of African Violets.






I used a vintage Grape Leaf open embrodiery ecru linen table cloth to disguise its utilitarian qualities.




Matching place mats were used on both levels of the tea cart. The bottom shelf housed our water pitcher and served as a place to stack used tableservice. The top held our utilitarian coffee carafe, white embossed cups and saucers, my Mother~in~laws depression saucers for our cake and bowls for the yogurt. I added a faux pot of miniature roses to enhance the flavor of romance to the evening.





We chose to linger in front of the fireplace for the evening. To savor our Valentine's Day spent On Crooked Creek, "Mr. Ed" turned on his reproduction vintage phonograph and enlighten us with one of my favorite vintage LP's ABBA / Arrival. . .and one of his . . .Danny Davis & Willie Nelson with the Nashville Brass.




I shall long remember this Valentine's Day with the Love of My Life On Crooked Creek.





On Crooked Creek will be joining hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Inspirations abound each week as the ladies of blog land share their labors of love from their own home decor with us. Be sure to stop by for a visit.


Until next time. . .

9 comments:

Marlis said...

Your table is beautiful, cooked dishes yummy and the dessert decadent. Glad I stopped in!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet and romantic setting!!

I did something similar for my hubby's birthday last week- loved dining by the fire!

What a great little transformation your tea cart made too!

bee blessed
mary

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Good Evening Pat,
What a sweet and romantic table you put together for you and Mr.Ed..I just loved how you shown him you love him..Hugs and smiles Gloria

Barbara said...

So full of romance and love! There is nothing sweeter.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

How romantic...and what a fabulous table!!

Entertaining Women said...

Well...this is totally charming...a true love story told in a thought out tablescape. I adore the reticulated plates. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello dear friend....

Ohhh...what a special evening you prepared for you and your honey! I'm so glad that you shared it with us as well! I'm such a big dope for romance and anything romantic! You certainly set a beautiful and very romantic dinner for two, my friend! Your beautiful table that your son made for you...worked out perfectly for your dinner date! Everything looked sooo pretty...from that beautiful long stemmed pink rose...right down to your lovely place settings! Ohhh...I just adore your pretty retriculated plates! They look so lacy and romantic as well! I just think its wonderful that the two of you took the evening to celebrate your love for one another!!! Such sweet cards and gifts!

Well dear friend, thank you so much for sharing your fabulous table for two with us today! This was such a treat! Ohhh...like I said, I'm such a sap for romance! Hehe!

Warmest wishes, dear Pat!
Chari @Happy To Design

Marigene said...

What a cozy table for two. Your kitty is beautiful. What a gorgeous gameboard...I haven't played checkers in years!

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Oooh, Pat, I looooooove your two chairs with the table in between. They make me want to settle down with a favourite book or have a little snooze!

Sarahx