Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Easter Decorations and Dinner Table

Easter has come and gone but I wanted to share some of my Easter decorations and my table setting for Easter dinner. Most of our family shared the day with us with the exception of my oldest son and his family. Their twin boys came down with some kind of bug that is going around so they didn't want the rest of us to get it plus the two boys were in the bed.

Because we were minus four people I chose not to do an children's table as I usually do. Instead all the children sat with the grown up and they loved it.

 
 
Instead of making one large flower arrangement I chose to do three smaller arrangements with my crystal candle holders but also with small voitive's scattered around as well.
 



Different flowers in each container but all in the same color scheme.

 
 
 
 
The pink and white flowers are tulips and they opened up huge, they were gorgeous.
 
 
 
Trying to keep everything simple I used my Vilroy & Boch white dishes sitting on  green fluted chargers, hotel silver flatware, the water glasses I don't even know what they are or where I got them I have had them so very long but the wine glasses are Waterford. The tablecloth and napkins  came from William Sonoma and the table runner is a new purchase. It is burlap, lined and you can't see it here but our last initial is monogrammed on each end. The chandelier we purchased about four years ago too and it is made by Swarovski. The pattern is called New Orleans and I do love some French influences in my home.
 
 
These little running rabbit napkin rings was a purchase from Pottery Barn a couple of years ago.
 
 
My sideboard was decorated with some of my favorite bunnies nestled around my Easter Tree. I have collected these ornaments over the years and some hold some very fond memories of special gifts from special people. My sideboard is a 1920's mahogany piece and when I got my new and larger dining room table and china cabinet about four years ago I decided I could not part with this sideboard. I am not one to do the matchy matchy thing anyway and think it is far more interesting to mix pieces. The lamps on the sideboard are Waterford.
 
 
 
There are several of these little birds on my tree and I was gifted with these many years ago by a dear friend. I think of her everyday but most especially when I place these little birds on my Easter Tree. We both share a fondness for gardening and our feathered friends as well as many other shared interests.
 
 
 
 
 
Of course, GiGi (that's what my grands call me) had to have Easter baskets for the children filled with goodies but also a few little gifts.
 
 
One of my grand daughters got this darling flamingo with bunny ears. I found that I could not resist it, I ask you how cute is this?
 
 
Two of the girls got stuffed bunnies but with their own monogram on the ears.
 
 
 
 
The older grand daughter being six almost seven has sadly outgrown stuffed bunnies sooooooo she got a new Barbie and a hair dresser chair for her American Girl. I was given lots and lots of hints.
 

 
We even had bunnies on the mantle as part of our Easter decor with candle eggs in the candle holders.
 
 
We had a most enjoyable Easter. After dinner we spent the rest of the afternoon having multiple Easter Egg Hunts.
 
 
Easter Menu
 
 
Ina Garten's Baked Virginia Ham
Collard Greens
Red Potato Salad
Roasted Asparagus with a Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette
Green Beans with Fingerling Potatoes
Deviled Eggs
 
and for Dessert
a medley of Cupcakes
 
 
 
Our traditional family dessert is a Cointreau Cake that I have been making for years and I garnish it with pansy's from my garden but this year time got away from me so I was compelled to go to plan "B". I made a trip to the Cupcakery, a darling little shop that makes the MOST delicious cupcakes. Besides that the children liked that even better.
 

 
 
One of my family's favorite appetizers is my Sun Dried Tomato Hummus. Even the children love it and it is somewhat different for most Humus's.
 
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 ounce sun-dried tomatoes, minced
1/4 cup sliced green onion (white and pale green parts only), sliced thin
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Check taste and add additional salt, pepper and horseradish, to taste. You may want to add more sun-dried tomatoes as well.
 
My notes: I usually add a little more sun-dried tomatoes and I always use those that are jarred and in olive oil. If the hummus is too pasty then I add in some of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. I really like not using tahani but using the horseradish instead. It makes a most unusual hummus and it is delicious. My grands could eat their weight in this hummus. Anything the children will like I definitely will make and they don't know it so good for them,YAH!!!!
 
I am linking my post to Between Naps on the Porch and Design by Gollum.
 

 I hope each of you had a fun filled family holiday as we did. Thank you for visiting my blog and please do come again.


 
 

16 comments:

  1. Merci ma chère pour cette belle invitation !... J'ai vraiment eu l'impression de passer du temps avec vous... et ce fut de belles fêtes pascales.
    Même le lys ouvrait grand son coeur pour mieux apprécier !
    La table était parfaite, les mets me semblent succulent, la décoration délicate (l'arbre de Pâques = fascinant!)et les cadeaux juste merveilleux... Ce lapin avec le monogramme, j'adore ! J'aurais bien aimé en trouver un comme lui pour ma petite-fille et pour mon petit-fils !...
    Une très jolie publication qui à la fin, m'a fait prendre quelques centimètres de tour de taille, rien qu'en admirant vos photos.
    Gros bisous à vous.

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  2. Love your table and love the pheasant, always looking for one or two of those, they always look so cool on the table...love the touches of green and of course love your bunnies peeping around,...

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  3. Beautiful table setting :) Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

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  4. Love your tablescape! So much like my own style! Love your sideboard with the Waterford!

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  5. Wow what a great table! I love the tablecloth, the florals and especially the green chargers- they really add some beauty and a pop of color. I like the sideboard and fireplace mantel- the pink grass pops and you did a great job with displaying the Easter decorations. That pink flamingo is too darn cute! Great job!

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  6. Everything looks beautiful and I, especially, love that fantastic tablecloth. What lucky grandchildren - Easter at your house is almost as good, as Christmas!

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  7. I'm so sorry the little ones were too sick to come down and enjoy their place at a children's table (which would have, no doubt, been sweet!) or the grownup's table! This was a very specially set table that they would have otherwise really enjoyed!

    Your centerpieces are absolutely beautiful! I love mixed florals, and the bright colors in these make them super pretty!!! So great that the stargazers cooperated and opened up on cue!

    I like your idea of using a bit of horseradish in your hummus! I'm a horseradish lover, and I'll bet that tastes fantastic! Thank you for sharing, and I'm so glad your family enjoyed a great Easter holiday! (Visiting from BNOTP)

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  8. Carolyn -- a beautiful table! But you always do a nice table and I love your flower arrangements and the arrangement on your sideboard. It really looks like Easter!

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  9. Carolyn, I enjoyed this glimpse into your dining room so much! Everything is beautiful--I just love your dining room. I adore V&B dishes and would always pull my husband into the outlet at Pigeon Forge. lol Your flowers and tablecloth are so cheery and elegant. So happy you included this at Foodie Friday. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. I popped over at the request of Michael Lee West when she mentioned your blog on FB and she was right...it is fabulous! I am so glad to have found your beautiful spot on the web.

    I am sure that your gorgeous Easter backdrop was perfect for enjoying the celebration and time with your family!

    Now, I am off to read more...

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  11. Hello! I saw your link on Foodie Friday, and I came over to see your recipe for sun-dried hummus. It looks delicious and I can't wait to try it. Looks like you and your family had a wonderful Easter. I love your tablecloth and those green chargers!

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  12. Gorgeous table and decorations! You have such a lovely dining room and I'm a big fan of red :)

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  13. Easter at your house is gorgeous. Lovely dining room and adorable Easter bunnies.
    Sam

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  14. This is indeed a beautiful Tomato Basil Pie. I have tomatoes out the whazoo right now in the garden and I am trying all kinds of new ways to enjoy them. This is going to be one of them. Thanks for sharing it.

    Happy summer!

    Velva

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  15. HI Carolyn I love your blog and it is my inspiration !!

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