Spring Entertaining

We had such a beautiful Easter weekend here in Birmingham.  It was sunny but not too hot.  Just lovely.  I wanted to show you my Easter lunch table.  I hosted my sister-in-laws family for Sunday lunch, and we had such a fun time!  Some of the tricks I used for my flowers can really be used for any Spring entertaining.  This is the time of year to really make a plan and host a party.  

Let's start at the front door.  I placed a pair of moss covered crosses on my french doors and added some tulle and satin ribbon for a very simple pop of color.  Then on my entry table I used my orchid bowl (this bowl has been in every single room of my house at one time or another). 

 It's a wonderful container, but it's big (aka expensive to fill with orchids).  So, if you have a large bowl and want to inexpensively fill it for an event, consider adding something non-floral to the center to reduce the number of plants you need to fill the container.  I used a cross for Easter, but you could add anything for Spring/Summer.  For example, a blown glass vintage fishing buoy or a large conch shell for Summer.

 Then, I selected several varieties of annuals to complete the look.  I chose sun loving plants like begonias, verbena and ornamental sweet potato vines with the plan to actually plant these in the containers on our back patio later this week.  The planters get full sun, so I selected accordingly.  The result, a beautiful entryway for the luncheon, and plants for my containers on the patio we will enjoy all summer long.

Then for my dining room.  I finally got to use the dogwood pattern china my Mother in law gave me for Christmas.  We were walking through a consignment/antique place near Auburn together and I spotted this china.  It was $50.00 for the entire set, and my sweet Mother in law notice how much I loved it.  So, she gave it to me for Christmas!  

It was not a complete set, and I have no idea of the name of the pattern or it's origin (thinking it's not an expensive pattern).  But I knew I could pair it with my china to make it work.  Here is one place setting using the dinner size plate of the pattern.

Since I did not have enough of these for all my place settings, I did this for a few to fill in the table.  The trick is to not be afraid to mix and match what you already have to complete the table.

Then for my flowers/centerpieces.  If you recall, I made the malachite runner for my table for Christmas for a totally different look.  For this luncheon, I paired it with napkins and a smaller runner I made from this branch fabric.  The branches tied in the dogwood branches and pulled in the peachy/pinks for my arrangements.  

I did the arrangements in the new large mouth green Ball jars that have just come out!  I love this and it tied in the malachite runner in a wonderful way.  If you recall last year, I posted about the blue Ball jars.  This year, Ball contacted me and asked if I would be interested in the new green larger ones!  I just love these.  

In addition to using them for flower arrangements, they would be wonderful for taking dinner to a friend.  You could fill them with soup or pasta salad for a nicer container that your friend could use later for flowers of her own.  I could also see taking them on a picnic filled with snacks like goldfish or even a trail mix.  Just love them!  

Here are a few other inspirational ideas for this very inexpensive container.  I plan to organize my sewing closest with a few of them for storing buttons and other sewing notions.  That spot needs some major help but that's for another day. 

For lunch, here's what was on the menu.  It was quite heavy and could easily be used for a dinner party this time of year. 

The Menu

Appetizer

Shrimp/Scallop Ceviche (adapted recipe one and recipe two to create mine)

Champagne flutes of Prosecco

Lunch

New Orleans Style Stuffed Boneless Leg of Lamb - recipe here

Traditional Mashed Potatoes (with butter and cream)

Chilled Asparagus Salad (from Magic Jr. League Cookbook)

Sour Cream Biscuits (from Ashley Mac's - the best biscuit I've ever eaten, hands down)

Dessert

Pie Bar 

Chocolate Chess Pie (homemade by my sister in law)

Key Lime Pie (Miss Myra's)

Lemon IceBox Pie (Miss Myra's) 

Just a couple of additional pictures.  Here is the game table in my family room.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.  We had a wonderful Easter!

Enjoy your week!  M.

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