It seems that I've been "tablescaping for years and never knew that there was a name for what I was doing.
Plates, bowls, mugs and linens are from TJMaxx/Homegoods. Crystal is Marquis by Waterford. My sterling flatware is Francis I by Reed&Barton. I've used it 3 meals a day for 35 years.
The Mark Roberts Fairy was an unexpected Valentine's present from my husband, a few years ago. What a surprise to find that he actually paid attention to something that I showed him in a Gump's catalog and then secretly ordered it for me!
I know there's some debate about whether or not to use mercury glass other than at Christmas time, but I like to keep mine out through February. It's patina seems to warm up dark, winter days. And, it seems to add a bit of glamour and romance to a Valentine's setting. Etiquette rules say that candles should not be lit during daylight hours, but I say rules-schmules! I burn candles anytime I want. Their warm glow always seems to be a friendly little fire.Did you know that you should always burn the wicks on your candles before displaying them? Makes them look not-so-new!
And what delectable goodies will we have for our Sunday Valentine's Day breakfast? Western omelets, cheese grits (we are Southerners, after all!), hot curried fruit and homemade biscuits. I'll make the fruit and my husband, the chef, will do everything else. Lucky me! I hope he remembers the box of Karl Bissinger French Truffles---dark chocolate please!
The recipe for Hot Curried Fruit comes from my all-time favorite cookbook, "The Southern Living Party Cookbook". My late mother-in-law gave it to me the first Christmas I was married. It's now out of print, but I found a second copy at a flea market and snatched it up. That way I can have one at the city house and one at the beach house.
Hot Curried Fruit
1 large can pears
1 large can peaches
1 large can pineapple chunks
1 small jar maraschino cherries
1 sick of butter (use real butter!)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon curry powder
Drain fruit and mix in baking dish.
Melt butter and add brown sugar, curry powder and pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
1 large can peaches
1 large can pineapple chunks
1 small jar maraschino cherries
1 sick of butter (use real butter!)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon curry powder
Drain fruit and mix in baking dish.
Melt butter and add brown sugar, curry powder and pecans.
Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Such a pretty Valentine's breakfast table!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful table scape and I think it is o.k. to keep mercury glass out all year, not just for Christmas...Kim
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy! First of all, I am swooooooooning over your sterling flatware. Oh my goodness, now that is some gorgeous! And I love that you USE it. Believe me, if I had it, I'd use it too!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Suzanne in KY puts her sterling in the dishwasher; I'm not sure I'd have nerve to do that.
Beautiful table -- LOVE those Valentine dishes, how adorable! And I think mercury glass can find a niche any time of year, not just at Christmas.
Now ... how about a picture of your dog? My Cavalier boy Dion would love to see your Violet!
Cass
Ladies, thanks to all of you for your nice comments.They're very gratifying for a brand-new blogger!
ReplyDeleteCass, I have always just loved my silver and usually wash it by hand. I do put it in the dishwasher occasionally though. Tell Dion that I will post a picture of Violet sometime soon. I bet they would have fun together!
Tracy, I love those dishes-how cute! And Southern Living is a fabulous source of recipes. They tend to be very reliably good. I love that you use your silver-it SHOULD be used and loved.It's a good thing I'm not a "rule" personi I LOVE candles! Great post
ReplyDeletexoxo Pattie
Hot curried fruit? I am in! I love fruits and I love curry but I don't use them together anymore. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe :)