Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Birthday Luncheon


Sister-in-law Ann hosted a birthday luncheon for her Mother, Pat in December. She used her Lenox plates which was her wedding china. Layering the plates on gold chargers created a formal setting, but she then used a casual tablecloth in orange with burlap runner to create a more casual feel. She used orange Gerbera Daisies for the centerpieces, as well as tangerines in the jars. Her silver is Royal Danish by International Silver. So beautiful!

Notice how the napkins match the pattern! Ann has 24 plates in the "Autumn" pattern. Gump's sold them in the 1950's for $5 each. Her grandfather drove over 50 miles to San Francisco once a month to buy one plate at a time for her grandmother! When Ann married, she registered this pattern and added the rest of the pieces.


The Birthday Girl!

Lunch is served!

Hazel asking nicely if she can have some birthday cake! Apple Cake with Butter Rum Sauce!

Hmmmmm! Good! Only the finest china for Hazel!
Recipe as follows:


Apple Rum Cake with Butter Rum Sauce

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
4 T. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 cups grated unpeeled Granny Smith apples

Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Add apples and blend with the dry ingredients.
Pour into a greased 8 inch square pan.
Bake 400 for 30-35 minutes
Cut into squares and serve warm with the Butter Rum Sauce

Butter Rum Sauce

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup half & half
dash of ground nutmeg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3 T. rum

Combine butter, sugar and half & half. Cook to boiling, stirring constantly. Lower to medium and continue to stir until thickened, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then add nutmeg, vanilla and rum. Server warm over cake

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for "Tablescape Thursday." Be sure to check out all the other wonderful tablescapes.


I'm also joining the potluck party, "Foodie Friday" at Designs by Gollum. Check out all the other dishes at the potluck.


Pin It!

38 comments:

Martha said...

a beautiful table and beautiful china -- love the colors of the tablecloth and centerpiece picking up the colors in the china.

Sonia said...

What a beautiful table!! The china is so elegant and what a lovely story that goes with it. Both you and Ann have wonderful style and blend elegance with rustic so well. Burlap with china from Gump's -is just divine! I love the orange Gerberas and the arrangements give the table such a pop of warm color. Hazel looks so sweet and makes me smile licking her plate clean! My border collie loves to do the same. Looking forward to you next post...makes me feel like I'm in Napa or Sonoma Valley, when in reality it's only 12 degrees here today!
Miss Bloomers

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That table is so gorgeous and the daisies are just perfect, so cheerful and fun! The Doggie steals the show though, have a great day! Cindy

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

My kind of living... thanks

joyce said...

Wonderful tablescape and the china and flowers are so pretty. Now the dog made me laugh licking the plate. I have to watch my daughters dog like a hawk as he would eat all the food before the guests would arrive. One day he ate 10 pounds of cooked meatballs for my guests when I walked into the other room:) Yes he is still alive!
Joyce

Decor To Adore said...

What a way to start the new year~it would be such a special treat to sit at your table.
Best wishes to the birthday girl~!

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

This is such a gorgeous table! I love how you've chosen that pretty orange tablecloth. It really brings out the pattern in your china. Your centerpiece is just stunning! Thanks for sharing and happy TT to you!

ellen b said...

Oh this is so beautiful. Love the china and the pop of color throughout the lovely centerpiece! How wonderful that you were able to share the beauty with all these ladies!!

dee dee said...

Such a pretty Birthday Lunch! I love the orange accents, very unexpected, but the pop of color is fantastic!... Dee Dee

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty table setting. Lunch looks good also.

Peggy said...

How nice it must be to have such a big table. It is beautiful with the bright orane touches.
The chandelier over my table is for candles.It was intended for the center of one of those outdoor room tents but when I saw it I knew it was what was needed to define my table. Thanks for visiting. Peg

Unknown said...

Beautiful table. Love the centerpiece.

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Like all your tablescapes, this luncheon table is magnificent. What a sweet occasion to host. Love the birthday dog. Hazel is just beautiful. I love the pic of her "wiping" her plate clean. :-D Thx for sharing, Barb

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, this table is beautiful! Her dining room looks gorgeous too. Love that screen in front of the window. I also love the way she used the burlap and the oranges. That cake sounds so good. I'll have to try that. Thanks for sharing the recipe. You scared me when you said you had an earthquake in the middle of commenting on my blog. So glad you came back to tell me everything was okay. You asked about my Father's Day tablescape. Yes, I used old ties for the tablecloth! Can you believe I do such crazy things? Hope you have a wonderful 2010! laurie

The Tablescaper said...

What a beautiful table and amazing story to go with the china. I am not an orange fan, but this is just gorgeous. Love those napkins.

I am so doing the happy dance! I have found a new blog that I love!!! Now I recognize that the table featured on today's post was not your's but I've been looking through your blog and I love it! I'm a follower and I will be back.

- The Tablescaper

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Oh what a beautiful table! I would love to celebrate my birthday in this fashion...wonderful!!!

Love the puppy pics...what a precious face!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

What a beautiful table setting! I love the centerpiece. Thank you for the yummy sounding cake. It sounds so decadent and right up my alley!
Yvonne

susan said...

This is so beautiful! I love the burlap runner with the tangerines and daisies! My favorite is the story of the dishes...priceless. My grandmother put her Havilland on lay away and paid weekly, and I wouldn't take a million dollars for it. Great post!

Rattlebridge Farm said...

I've always loved Lenox's Autumn Harvest. I enjoyed the charming story behind the acquisition of the dishes. The tangerines and gerber daisies are beautiful--I'll have to remember that combination. The food looks delicious! I hope you enjoy Consuming Passions!

xinex said...

The dinnerware set is lovely, yummy food. What a wonderful luncheon....Christine

Jeanette said...

The story behind the china is so precious. Everything looks beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Heidi said...

Hi Delores,
That table looked so pretty, I love the vibrant colors. Everyone looks like they were having a great time!
I've made a similar cake before, yum it was tasty! I'll try your recipe the next time, sounds really easy and good. That's my kind of recipe!
I hope you'll stop by for visit again soon.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Love your table, it has such a Vintage look. The pop of orange color really sets off the green. Love it.

Unknown said...

Love your BEAUTIFUL!!! table, the combination of orange with green is AWESOME!!!
Your recipe sounds GREAT!!! I love the Butter Rum Sauce.
Geri

Kristen said...

What an absolutely beautiful tablescape. I love that Hazel was included and got her treat. The cake sounds really yummy.

Thibeault's Table said...

What a beautifully set table.

Kathy said...

Happy Birthday to Pat, love the oranges and golds together and the Gumps story, looks like a fun time was had by all, Hazel too. Kathy.

Dining Delight said...

Beautiful centerpiece that goes the length of the table! The colours are fabulous and your pics are terrific. Love the story of how the dishes were collected!

DD

Unknown said...

I have always loved this china! It always sets the prettiest table! Your SIL did a great job! Happy Birthday to Hazel!

~Liz

Anonymous said...

And what about that Georg Jensen flatware (unless it's Jensen look-alike) either way I love it. Looking good, Diana

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a beautiful table! The colors are fantastic and the story behind the china is a treasure. I also appreciate your recipe for apple cake. It sounds delicious. Have a great Foodie Friday.

Southerncook said...

The table setting is gorgeous and I love the use of the orange flowers with that Lenox pattern. The recipe sounds divine too. Will make a copy and try it soon. YUM!!

Carolyn/A Southerners Notebook

vignette design said...

Ann's sterling is Royal Danish by International Silver. It does look a lot like Georg Jensen Acorn though.

The Muse said...

Such an artistic display!
From centerpieces, to dishes to the color of the food served! Nice!!

Marigene said...

Beautiful table for a birthday luncheon...love the china.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

A beautiful tablescape, food looks delicious, especially the apple cake!

I've enjoyed browsing through your lovely blog!

Katherine

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh what a beautiful Birthday table -- I love this mixture -- It looks like everyone (including the furry guest) had a wonderful celebration!

MARCO PASHA said...

What a lovely blog. I'm glad I stumbled over. Have a great week-end

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