It’s My Party!

OK, this is an incredibly photo heavy post. Perhaps the most photo heavy post I’ve ever had, so let me get the business out of the way before I put you to sleep with all of my photos.

I recently celebrated the 100th Seasonal Sundays. My THIRD Blog-a-versary, is this weekend. In celebration of both I’m having a GIVE AWAY of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods or TJMaxx. Click HERE for all of the details. This is it. The winner will be announced on this Sunday’s Seasonal Sunday post.

Also, in celebration of my third blog-aversary I will host “Where do you keep it all? – Part 3” on Sunday, June 3, 2012. You can check out “Where do you keep it all? – Part 1” HERE and “Where do you keep it all? – Part 2” HERE.

I’ve said it before, don’t be intimidated. It doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect. But please do share. I don’t think there’s a single one of us out there that collect and have the issue of storage under control. That’s the problem with collecting. Just when you have it all away, you find a new treasure. But isn’t that part of the fun of collecting?!?!I hope you’ll join me.

OK, now that the business is out of the way, on to tonight’s table.

As I recently shared, my good friend Kim hosted a birthday luncheon in my honor. You can read all about it HERE.

Well, this was a BIG birthday and there was a lot of celebrating.

My family asked if I wanted a party and I said NO.

But as time passed and the big day began approaching, I reconsidered.

I didn’t want a big party in a restaurant or club.

What I wanted was an intimate gathering with my closest of friends and family.

As I was finishing the dining room redo (you can read more about that HERE) my wheels started turning. I thought I should have some event to celebrate the new dining room.

I thought, what could be better than celebrating my birthday with my closest friends and family, in my new dining room, BUT…

I didn’t want to do the cooking (yes, I do like to cook, but I didn’t want to do it for my own party) and I certainly didn’t want to clean up from the party.

Light bulb moment. I catered the entire evening and even had a chef and server present!

What could be better? I got to have the fun of setting the table, but without all of the other work! The PERFECT party for The Tablescaper!

I enjoyed every moment of planning every single detail of the evening.

The evening began at 7:00 pm with passed Hors d’ oeuvres:

• Jumbo shrimp cocktail with Lemon and Cocktail Sauce
• Warm Brie and Cranberry “Popovers” (pictured above)
• crab Cakes with Lemon Caper Remoulade
• Caramelized Onion and Gorgonzola Tart with Fresh Rosemary (I think these were my fav!)
• Charred loin of Lamb on a Crisp Potato Pancake with Apple-Rosemary Chutney (amazing!)
• Grilled Tuna “Nicoise” on a Crisp Cucumber with Haricot Vert, Red Potatoes, Sprouts and Lemon Vinaigrette

Each place was set with the ladies receiving a very special party favor to hang around their necks and remember the evening by. After all, these were my closest of friends (albeit Kathleen had another engagement and couldn’t attend, Boo Hoo).

The Sit Down Dinner began with a First Course of Lobster “Under Glass”. I had purchased these individual cloches a couple of months ago and was determined to use them. Henry, my most amazing caterer, and I invented Lobster “Under Glass” so I could put them center stage!

It consisted of Poached Maine Lobster, Sweet Corn, currant Tomatoes, Avocado, Fresh Basil and a Champagne Vinaigrette.

The Second course was a Potatoe-Leek Veloute served tableside with…

…petite fresh peas, bacon and onions, served in my Grandmom Lillian’s Rosenthal creamed soups.

The Main Course was a sight to behold, served on my new to me Limoges dinner plates via Ebay (Cherry Kay graciously held my hand – virtually – throughout the entire purchase).

We had Grilled Filet Mignon with a Bearnaise Sauce, Local Asparagus, and…

…a twice baked potato with a tattooed potato chip. Absolutely, without a doubt, the most amazing potatoes I have ever tasted.

Petite Baguettes were served with Freshly Whipped Butter Rosettes (sorry I didn’t get a photo of those, but I was trying to enjoy the party itself too!)

Champagne and wine flowed throughout the evening in my Waterford Araglin wedding crystal.

Not wanting a cake, I clustered these gorgeous lemon cupcakes with a lemon filling.

And the final course was my favorite Crème Brulee, served in my antique Limoges ramekins, accompanied by Fresh Berries and…

…14 karat Chocolate Truffles (served on a Limoges luncheon plate – too much dessert for a cake plate! LOL!).

The flavors of dessert were enhanced by a Pink Champagne served in a Villeroy and Boch flute.

To say the least, it was a dream come true!

I’m joining the following parties:
Let’s Dish at Kathleen’s along with Ivy and Elephants for What’s it Wednesday;Uncommonly Yours at Uncommon Designs;Open House Party at No Minimalist Here; for Susan at Between the Naps for Tablescape Thursday;Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home;Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold.
- The Tablescaper