Monday, October 3, 2011

A Simple Table Setting for A Wine Dinner in Asti


Just before everyone sat down for dinner Saturday night, I snuck in a few shots of the dining room in Asti, all aglow with candle light.

While not exactly my best table setting, its simplicity was appropriate for an evening with Mr. A's wine connoisseur group.

Simple white plates, French stripe napkins and a burlap runner with rosemary topiaries and confit pots formed the centerpiece.

And of course, candles.

We hosted four couples for the night, all who brought vintage wines from their cellar.
The theme was "Alexander Valley," since that is where Asti is located.

As we enjoyed a delicious meal of Burgundy tri-tip steak, heirloom tomatoes fresh from our garden with pecorino cheese and pinenuts, wild rice and broccoli rabe, I was thinking about how just 24 hours earlier, Mr. A and I were chasing a mouse around the room!

A door had been blown open from the strong wind several days earlier, so when we arrived the night before, we had creatures! A bird was flying around the kitchen! Then, the mouse. We even found a lizard! It was hysterical.

Actually, it was a disaster! After we got the critters out of the house, we discovered the refrigerator wasn't working. Apparently, the water line that feeds the ice maker had been leaking for weeks and took out the electricity on the wall behind the refrigerator. We had to throw everything away. Luckily, with an extension cord, we were able to plug it back in at another outlet.

By the time our guests arrived Saturday, everything was back to normal.
I am feeling pretty good about my tablescape right now!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

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34 comments:

Rashon Carraway said...

That is so funny. Lets hope your guests arent reading this post.

Regardless though...its all GOOD stuff.


Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

a quiet life said...

thank heavens you didn't find a rattlesnake under the bed!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Oh no Delores what a thing to come home to!! Your tablescape looks beautiful as always! Martina

Unknown said...

The simplicity makes the table all the more beautiful. Perfect for the occasion. I'm sure none of your guest would have guessed your house looked like a scene out of the Jumanji movie just hours earlier.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Great story! I really love this setting. Even in its simplicity, it is very warm and inviting. I love the little pots of rosemary. Nice touch!!!

Melissa said...

Your tablescape is simplicity at it's best, and your menu sounds delish!
Even if you hadn't of rounded up the critters, I bet your guests would have had a good time anyway with such fabulous surroundings.
May I ask how big your table is? I'm hosting a dinner party at the end of the month and am torn between inviting 3 couples vs. 4... I can seat 8 with not problem, 10 might be stretching it, as I want to make sure each guest has room to comfortably dine.

Sonia said...

Great story!! I love the soft candlelight of your table..the rosemary topiaries are fantastic! The burlap runner and napkins are perfect. Such a warm and inviting table!
Miss Bloomers

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Whow, Delores, that sounds all very stressy. But you managed it great. I am sure your guests didn't suspect what happened before. The tablescape looks really Italian inspired and I love the rosemary topiaries. The menu sounds mouth watering.
Best greetings, Johanna

The enchanted home said...

You should feel great, because it looks just beautiful! You are a trooper to have dealt with all you did and manage to put together such a beautiful table and delicious sounding meal! Its all fabulous (minus the mouse)

Karen said...

If a bird flew into my house I'd freak out. It sounds like you pulled it all together. The setting is just right for a wine inspired meal.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Oh my, you sure had quite a welcome!!!! But you sure made it all beautiful and the dinner sounds delicious!!! We have a dinner group too and we all love getting together like this. Have a great week, Delores! XO, Pinky

Marlis said...

as a previous comment said, thank goodness no snakes.. or a skunk.. I'm so sorry, but i do have to laugh and then quickly am amazed at how quickly you pulled it together so that your guests could enjoy their evening. Lovely table.. drooling over the napkins.
xo marlis

Sarah said...

Delores, your tablescape looks lovely and the menu sounds delicious. Funny story, but I'm sure it didn't seem so funny at the time. ;-) Love those napkins!

the girl is craftee said...

I love those little rosemary topiaries! So cute! Funny about the critters too! We once had a bird fly in our house...as we were loading up our car to go to the airport, not fun!

Calypso In The Country said...

I would be losing it if I found animals in there! The room looks absolutely stunning! I bet your guests never want to leave!
-Shelley

niartist said...

OMG, Delores I love that sconce, where did you get it?!??

AT HOME BLOG said...

I love this table set Dolores, very simple but so impressive!

Becca Bertotti said...

I think I would've passed OUT at the sight of a mouse, lizard and bird in my home! LOL. Your tablescape is lovely!! I especially love the burlap runner and the scones are gorgeous!

Lori E said...

Too funny. Not that a damaged fridge and electrical system are but the critters running around the house are seriously funny.
I think I have seen a movie about a mouse in residence. It didn't end well.
Amazing how burlap can look so elegant in the right setting.

Scribbler said...

The simplicity of your tablescape is what makes it so appealing and appropriate.

Hope the critters are all relocated.

Victoria said...

I cannot believe you got this all together so beautifully after all you had to do beforehand. I would have had a nervous breakdown. Great job, Delores.
best...Victoria

Kathysue said...

Hi D, I am not laughing at you, but with you. I can only imagine. What is the saying timing is everything and those critters had horrible timing. I can tell we are going to have an enjoyable talk with great stories to tell!! xo Kathysue
PS your table setting is perfection. Simple elegance and the golden glow of candlelight with the ochre confits and rosemary is stunning!!!

Sheila said...

Ha, what a funny story...I feel like I come home to a house full of critters everyday!! Besides the kitty cat I have two children...nuff said..Anyway, love the table with the rosemary and the menu sounds delish. Thanks for sharing.

Lizabeth said...

Ahh, I love this! Simple and organic. I love your confits...and the Rosemary topiaries! If you had a big block of cheese on there the mouse would have joined you! LOL..I'm sure it's kind of funny now, but I bet you weren't laughing about it when it all happened! Lucky you came and found all this before the night of your dinner! I'm visualizing a bird fluttering about your kitchen! Looks like it all turned out great!

Bonnie said...

Your guests were so fortunate to dine with you enjoying such a lovely table all aglow with candlelight and savor a delicious meal. Did you tell them the story of all that happened?

Janette - The2Seasons said...

I just discovered your blog and have bookmarked it so I can come back and fill up on eye candy. It is exactly the kind of blog I enjoy.

LaurenFaythe said...

Hello! I also just discovered your blog, and I love all the vignettes - thank you!

Sue

The Tablescaper said...

After all of that I'm amazed you still had company, let only a tablescape!

- The Tablescaper

The Little Red Shop said...

What an adventure! I love the warm glow of your table setting…especially considering that I just finished reading ~ Under the Tuscan Sun and A Good Year.

: )

Julie M.

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Now, this is my kind of tablescape! I love all the elements you used. The simplicity of the table helps to put the importance on the wine, the food, and the guests.

Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee) said...

Gorgeous autumn setting. Love those warm fall colours. Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)

Alycia Nichols said...

This is a very nice table setting, ESPECIALLY given the wild prelude! I would have been freaking out in 1,000 different ways. Not a big fan of mice or birds or lizards! Glad your dinner went off without a hitch, though! The rosemary topiaries are pretty cool. I like the mix of the large one with the "babies" scattered about. Great collection of pots, too!!!

Marigene said...

Less is more sometimes...beautiful table. Glad you corralled the critters and got the fridge taken care of.
Have a great weekend

Elaine said...

What a great story! You would never know all that went on by your serene and rustic dinner table! Love your sconce!

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