Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day Barbecue


Come and join us for our first al fresco dinner party of the year!
What a perfect night! The temperature was 75 degrees and there was a soft breeze. The table was set outside under the mulberry tree for our weekend guests and us.

I didn't get too crazy with the tablescape. Using my new willow chargers from Ballard Designs and the plates that we found New Year's Day at a local antique store, I set a simple table for four. Napkins are from Pottery Barn.

The succulents were perfect as the centerpieces, adding more texture to the rustic table.


There was this delicious seeded sourdough bread from a local bakery in Sebastopol. It was the perfect bread to accompany the menu.

Which included this lovely fennel salad with just a touch of olive oil and sea salt.

Also, this arugula, tomato and avocado salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Mr. A barbecued rack of lamb!

As the sun set and the music was playing in the background, we enjoyed the meal with a lovely bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. We toasted to our 28th anniversary, as well as our friend's 60th birthday!

I tried to capture the Blue Hour again, however, it turned out a little blurry. Still, it looks like a memory.....

How romantic is this!

Great food, great company, great evening.
Great Memorial Day Weekend!

I'm linking up to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday.
Wednesday is Outdoor Wednesday at Susan's A Southern Daydreamer.
As well as Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters. I also will link up to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
and Michael at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday.
Thank you ladies for hosting!

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56 comments:

Nancie Mills Pipgras said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely. And I know the company to be as splendid as the table. Congratulations.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Beautiful. I love the rustic yet elegant look. The food looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

Love the plates. The salad look delicious.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Delores, Everything looks lovely and the arugula salad delicious. I have been eyeing the Ballard charges and now seeing how great they look I am sold. Have a great memorial Day and take care.
xo,
Sherry

Needles Everywhere said...

It's so beautiful. I saw those willow, light grey chargers in the catalogue and couldn't imagine what I'd do with them -- they are just breath taking in this arrangement. Lovely, but inviting and casual at the same time. Great job. Thanks for the post.

a quiet life said...

first, happy anniversary to you, you certainly do live the good life~

its not nice to admit i covet your pool house, plus ALL that happens around it, but i do... throw in loving your grn dishes too...

i was going to order those same mason jar lanterns, but they can't deliver until july and i am too impatient to wait that long! they look lovely, but i have to admit i am terrified of fire, with hot dry winds i fear the worst for me... so one more reason to be wildly jealous with them so perfectly pretty at your house!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful setting for you dinner! Happy anniversary to you and your hubby! Love your willow placemats and how appropriate to have those grapes and grape leafed plates. Your food looks so scrumptions and I'm so admiring those little jars with sand and candles! You'll have to show us where they're attached.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathysue said...

Delores it all looks so picturesque and inviting. Love the salads and the willow chargers were the perfect addition to your table. The best picts are when all the candles are lit, love that, Happy Anniversary!! Kathysue

Katy Noelle said...

Oh, Delores, this is so beautiful! Californiaaaaaaaa...... I can just see the wonderful glow on your faces, feel the mild air and hear the hum of your voices. And, the sight of those salads - sigh! Lovely and congratualations!

Love, Katy Noelle

Decor To Adore said...

Oh that salad looks delicious! I have the same wicker chargers and just adore them.

Blondie's Journal said...

Beautiful table. The atmosphere is perfect for a little celebration. Happy Anniversary!!

xoxo
Jane

Melbourne Girl said...

It looks ike it was a terrific night was had by all...and it also looked very dreamy and gorgeous!
Lesley

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh what a gorgeous patio and porch area. Love the view. YOur tablesetting is just perfect. I really love your jar candleholders, they are perfect and create just the right atmosphere. Such an inviting and lovely setting. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

Beautiful table and what a wonderful outdoor area for dinner. Love the plates. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy

Sonia said...

Delores,

Your table is so gorgeous...love the willow chargers paired with the green and white dishes. The romantic candlelight from the jars candleholders is so lovely. Looks like a perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends and loved ones!

Miss Bloomers/Sonia

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Beautiful setting, Delores. I've been considering the round trays, from Nell Hill's. They are very similar to the Ballard's trays. Natural rather than weathered. I like these weathered trays.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Delores, I would love to be sitting at this table! So beautiful! The votives hanging in the jars sets a stunning mood and extends your tablescape upward. Fabulous!!!!
Sharing a bottle of wine and good conversation with you would be wonderful!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a dear comment!
Bless your heart!
Yvonne

chateaudelille said...

Hi, I love the table setting but I have often wondered how the rattan chargers go. Do they sit flat or are they awkward to eat off?

Privet and Holly said...

Although you could have used paper plates and it would have been okay with this beautiful setting, your table scape was really gorgeous! Loved the lanterns and the little succulents, too. It all looked delicious, especially the salad! xx P&H

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Adopt me ....please.

Greet Lefèvre said...

I would have loved being there at your table! What a wonderful plates you have! I really love your tablescape! So cozy and charming!
xx
Greet

Linda in AZ * said...

*** Ohhhhh, Delores~~~ Just "discovered" you this a.m., and, WELL, "I.O.U"!!! THANKS sooooo much!...

Don't know H*O*W much time I've spent "back-reading" & loving your blogs n' pics here, but it has been MORE DELIGHTFUL than you can imagine & brings back SO MANY MEMORIES of our living 18 years, off n' on, in Europe (to include 2 years in Vienna, AU)~~~~ Have SOOOOO many FAB DISHES, etc that I've just never gotten around to unpacking since we moved to AZ 5 years ago (Yes, a 2nd storage garage holds beauuutiful dishes & antique pine pieces brought back from "everywhere!)... (Aha! SOOO, I know what WE'RE doing NEXT weekend!!! Grins!!!)...

I LOVE to see beauty AND happy people, both of which you've brought to my laptop this a.m., while I, personally, am sitting outside by the pool, here in AZ, enjoying the desert & city views far below... the sheer beauty of nature is sometimes overwhelming, isn't it? Sometimes it leaves me speechless, and THAT is not normal for moi!!!

Life IS good... What blessings we all share, yes???

Thank you again!!!

Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Linda in AZ * said...

*** P.S. HAPPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!~ Hope it was memorable!!! ~ We celebrate #42 in August... YES, I WAS only 3 when we married!!!)... Best again, Linda ***

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

Happy Anniversary! (we will celebrate our 28th later this year too) What a setting for a fabulous meal! Love how you kept the tablescape simple and yet, it looks perfect. Those plates are lovely coordinate well with the other items you used. The candles in the jars are the icing on the cake - adding such ambiance!

DD

Tracy F. said...

Lovely post! Happy Anniversary!

Atticmag said...

Everything looks so comfy and relaxing. And there's nothing like our fresh sourdough bread!
Jane T.

Heidi said...

Hi Dear Delores!
I'm so glad you had such a memorable weekend. The table was lovely, but that view still gets me every time, I just can imagine sitting there and staring out to the fields and hills - heaven!! Add in a perfect meal and good friends, well you can't ask for anything more.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Nancy said...

Just lovely! I so want to plan an outdoor meal, either on the deck or the picnic tables on the village path. Lots of inspiration here.

Heather at Satisfying Spaces said...

I just added you to my blogroll. Love your blog!

g.suzie said...

I love your rustic table, everything about it!!!
Looks like it should be gracing a magazine! The night shots were great too!!!

Nanna said...

how inviting the table looks, & those mason jar lanterns are just the cutest!
Helen

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

What a gorgeous setting for such a gorgeous table!! Just Stunning!
Cindy

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Delores, I just KNOW that food would taste even better when served in this wonderful setting. You have such a way of creating a mood instead of just a table setting, and it's always such a beautiful mood. How is the garage cleaning going? I had to laugh about that, since I'm always looking for another space to store some china! laurie

The Tablescaper said...

What a beautiful table! I love those rattan chargers. They really set the table off.

Be sure to come and join my new meme "Summer Sundays". It's all about what summer means to YOU. Maybe an al fresco table?

- The Tablescaper

Robin said...

Oh so beautiful! Love the mason jar lanterns! Candle light goes with everything.

The Style Sisters said...

Wow I love this whole tablescape and the view is to die for! Can I come over? It is stunning with the canle light lanterns! Love it all. Please come and link up to Centerpiece Wednesdays and share this idea.

Karin

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Romance was in the air with this lovely scape...
and you certainly did capture the blue hour.
(I posted mine yesterday!!!)
I've never been here before and certainly enjoyed visiting...
Love your blog!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Do stop when time permits...
Love to have you!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Wow, what a beautiful setting for a dinner party. Your table with the jar candles hanging above is so enchanting! I think your blue hour photo is perfect, it really is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Hugz,
Kim

Lori Lucas said...

Your tables are always wonderful no matter how ornate or simple. The setting cannot be beat in blogland! Wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Lori L

xinex said...

Beautiful setting, Delores! Love the view too!...Christine

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Delores, thats is a beautiful setting with strong accents. I love the vibrant green dishes and the grape design is perfect with the succulents and the wicker chargers. Thats a very nice rustic table and this is excellent to the nice lighters and the whole atmosphere.
Nice to hear, that you all enjoyed this evening. Happy Anniversary to you and Happy Birthday to your friend.
And thank you for visiting me an leaving this nice comment.
Greetings, Johanna

Kathy said...

Goodmorning from the South! Thank you for stopping by. I was enthralled/envious that you'd had the opportunity to go to Giverny! I am sure it was like stepping into a painting. Speaking of - your view is beautiful!
California is just perfect -
Kathy

Rettabug said...

Delores, you do *rustic* so beautifully, it makes my eyes sing!! Its classic, warm & inviting & oh so unique. *sigh*

Thank you for the info on the strawberry basket. I had a feeling that was the original intent. I edited my post to give your credit for that & I've also added more photos this morning. Blogger was horribly S-L-O-W last night!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful world & your helpful tips, too. :-)

fondly,
Rett

Scribbler said...

Your wind country setting looks like heaven n earth. I hope I get to visit that area when I am next in California. Your tablescape is lovely.

Scribbler
http://scribbler-unfocused.typapad.com/

Marigene said...

Very pretty, I had a whole set of those green grape dishes, for close to 20 years, but recently gave all but 4 of the chargers to a friend!

Unknown said...

lots I love the basket upside down and the green and I love the lights and candles at night

The Charm of Home said...

Very beautiful. Rustic touch is perfect for the setting. Love the plates.
Come by my blog and win $50 CSN gift certificate.
Sherry

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Delores, I had to come back and tell you the arugula salad looked so good that I had to try it. I made the salad tonight along with a greek pizza and it was delicious.
Hugs,
Sherry

minkey and nannykim said...

What a beautiful setting and such beautiful food!! Happy anniversary too! love the lighting

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Lovely post and Happy Anniversary!

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Beautiful. Love those chargers and the jar lights. Great pictures. Happy Anniversary.

April@The 21st Century Housewife said...

What beautiful photographs - and the salad looks delicious!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful night and meal...

~Rainey~

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! Everything is just beautiful!

Miss Merry said...

I wish I was your neighbor. Everything you post is just wonderful. Your sense of style and decor is amazing. What a lovely place to enjoy!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Romantic is the perfect word! I love your rustic setting and toast you from here in PA.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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