Appetite for Romance?

Hello Everyone,
I hope it's not cheating, but I'm "double dipping" this week. I've wanted to participate in "Foodie Friday" since I first saw that Gollum was hosting the event (which wasn't that long ago, since I'm only two weeks into my blogging "career"). You've probably all seen her wonderful blog, but just in case ... it's here. Check out all the Foodie Friday posts -- there are sure to be some wonderful looking and even-better-tasting dishes to be savored!!!

Kay, the Dish Diva, just paid me the nicest compliment. She created a post today for me (and for all of you to enjoy of course!). You can see it here. Thank you, Kay!

Just in case you haven't seen the wildly romantic 'table for two in the library' Susan of Between Naps on the Porch created and shared with her readers, you can check it out here. Susan's concept inspired me to set up une table pour deux personnes out on the deck. Here's the result:

Just because it’s hotter than the 4th of July, and we don’t quite feel like cooking (or eating) a heavy meal, doesn’t mean we have to settle for a simple sandwich. If it’s a beautiful sunny day and we want to eat on the deck, terrace, patio, porch, or balcony, let’s go for it!

Summer doesn’t have to mean the end of style either. Paper plates and disposable cups have their uses, but if it’s a lazy, relaxing weekend day, why shouldn’t we take a few of the beautiful things we treasure outside to enjoy?

It really doesn’t take long, with a modicum of planning and a bit of imagination, to set an outdoor table that speaks of style and reflects a life well-lived.

I prepared one of my favorite cooling appetizers for you today. Shrimp cocktail says “festive” when it's presented in tall martini glasses.

These are from Dollar Tree and cost, well … a dollar. I know purists would buy their shrimp fresh, boil it with just the perfect balance of spices, peel, devein, and …. Well, not today! Pre-cooked, frozen, peeled (tail-on), and pre-deveined works nicely for me! A few minutes soaking in cool water, and it’s ready to use.



While the shrimp thawed, I sliced lemons and chopped leaf lettuce, celery, green pepper, tops of green onions, cucumbers from my dad’s garden, and parsley. After a quick once-around-the- rim with a lemon wedge, the chopped parsley should cling to the glass (my parsley wasn’t quite dry enough to adhere to my satisfaction).

Next layer the veggies, pile on some chopped shrimp, and top with a dollop of cocktail sauce (no, I didn’t make it from scratch – I know how, but don’t see the need to bother!). Garnish with three or more whole shrimp, a lemon wedge or two, and the leafy end of a celery stick.

It always gets rave reviews at dinner parties. I make sure to have cooked chicken available to substitute for the shrimp for larger groups (in case someone is allergic to shellfish, or just can’t abide the stuff).


I selected a corner of the deck overlooking the fern/hosta garden where the fountain burbles softly in the background.


I took chairs from the breakfast nook outside to flank a glass-topped patio table. First I layered on vintage Quaker lace tablecloths from an estate/tag sale . Then I added two colorful, patchwork beaded throws I picked up at a recent garage sale. The total cost for all four layers combined amounted to under ten dollars. The napkins were $4 for 8 at a different estate sale (on the second day when most items are half price). The champagne flutes were a bargain from a consignment store that was going out of business. Fun, aren’t they?


Gold laminated chargers are from Goodwill. The Fostoria plates, water glasses, and tall sherbet (holding the lemon wedges) came from two sources. Most were from a Day 2 estate sale and averaged around fifty cents per piece. I added the water glasses and some beautiful stemmed wine glasses (not shown) from Goodwill. They were dusty, a few had slight rim chips, and they only cost 99 cents each --- I GRABBED them the second I spotted them. The cashier and another customer raved about how beautiful they were as I checked out that day. They would have cost MUCH more in an antique shop or from a replacement service. The pattern is “Laurel,” and they were manufactured from 1938-1959. One iced tea glass alone would cost $25.99 at Replacements, LTD. In an upcoming post, I’ll show you how to “rescue” chipped crystal glassware.

I served the strawberries on a silverplated bon-bon dish. I like the pedestal and the pierced braided edge. I really like the fact that it was on clearance for $3.99 at Hobby Lobby.

The tall candle holder (perfect for a citronella candle if mosquitoes are being pesky) also came from HL – and it was free, or almost free. It was in the trash in pieces. I asked for it and put it back together.

The silverplated champagne bucket and water pitcher came from (where else?) estate sales. I paid around $30 for the pitcher, but it was well worth it. It’s absolutely flawless inside and out and came with its original tarnish-resistant zippered bag.





The china is “Monroe” by Lenox and the sterling flatware is Gorham’s La Scala. The former was purchased in an antique shop in Hazel, Kentucky. It was from a California estate. It wasn’t cheap, but it was a large set with serving pieces, in immaculate condition. I think it was a very good value.




The sterling came from an estate sale – Day 2. Again, somewhat pricey, but a fraction of the cost of brand new flatware. I think it worked out to around $15 per piece, and it’s a current Gorham pattern.

When a small table has this much happening on it, I think flowers should be kept minimal – today I selected a single (perfect) “Peace” rose from the garden, presented in a simple etched glass bud vase.



As I snapped away with the camera, the ice melted, the “bubbly” went flat, the shrimp became decidedly un-perky-looking …. and a fly landed on the lemon. That’s life, right?



We strive for perfection, or near-perfection, or not-totally-crappy … and then a fly (or something worse) comes in for a landing. On the bright side, he didn’t eat much, and I’d bought a whole bag of lemons at the farmers market!



I hope you’ll let me know how you and your guests like the shrimp cocktail. Please tell me all about your favorite vintage finds. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Bill

P. S. Don't forget to visit Between Naps on the Porch to see all the wonderful tablescapes Susan's friends have posted!