Maybe it was the flowering cherry tree outside our dining room window, or maybe I just wanted to set a sweet and simple table this year.
The menu was roast ham with pineapple glaze, a composed salad consisting of fresh beets, asparagus, cucumbers and hard boiled eggs over lettuce and radishes with a mustard vinaigrette, potatoes mashed with sour cream and chives, and a big challah bread. I dressed the table with a crystal bowl filled with Emu eggs for a little whimsy, and my daughter brought us the beautiful flowers in the Cellini Craft vintage hammered aluminum vase. The table settings, Myott Royal Mail dinner dishes and Kent English pale pink salad plates. The place mats were purchased at Marshall's a few years ago...they are pale pink leather.
So, maybe it was the flowering cherry tree, or maybe it was the dogwoods in bloom....something out there is definitely inspiring me. The lilacs (this is where my knees go a little weak) are all blooming now, and oh how heavenly they smell!
There is lettuce waiting to be picked already and the chives for the potatoes we had at Easter dinner, came from the veggie garden in our backyard. One funny thing I noticed today, in the Japanese Tomato ring that we started last year, the ring that helped produce a banner yield of butternut squash, well, look at the center picture in the mosaic. There is a very robust pea plant growing there right now...a volunteer! If you would like to read the post about the tomato ring, you can click here. It will tell you about the ring, and give you a link to where I found the information.
This post is being linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday, and How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday.
♥, Susan
The flowers are beauuutiful!
The food looks delicious, too!
Posted by: Jenna Ericson | April 27, 2011 at 04:55 PM
What beautiful flowers! No lilacs here yet, and we are in the next state, NY! I can't wait. The Bradford Pears are bloomed though, and forsythia, so at least a little color.
Dinner sounds delicious!
Posted by: Cuisine Kathleen | April 27, 2011 at 05:55 PM
The true jewelry for your lovely table is all the gorgeous recipe that you prepared. The soft of the pink was perfect to display your culinary expertise. Gorgeous flowers. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay
Posted by: Entertaining Women | April 27, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Beautiful flowers. Food looks yummy!
Posted by: marlis | April 27, 2011 at 06:07 PM
I am weak kneed right along with you where lilacs are concerned!
Yvonne
Posted by: Yvonne @ StoneGable | April 27, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Your flowering trees and lilacs look so beautiful, Susan! Pink is a perfect soft color for spring. Your dinner looked so delicious, too!
I am itching to begin planting some tomatoes but I know it's still too early.
Posted by: Pat | April 27, 2011 at 06:44 PM
Oh your flowering trees are so pretty. Even your garden is gorgeous!
Posted by: Mid-Atlantic Martha | April 27, 2011 at 06:46 PM
The nature surrounding you is glorious. It's such a wonderful time of year.
Hope to see you at Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
Posted by: The Tablescaper | April 27, 2011 at 09:04 PM
Everything looks happy and healthy Susan! I have peas growing and have been picking chives and rhubarb. But that's it. I bought plants but it sounds like it's going down into the 40's at night next week so I haven't planted yet. All of your flowers are pretty and the vase your daughter brought you is beautiful-enjoy:@)
Posted by: Lynn@HappierThanAPigInMud | April 28, 2011 at 03:14 AM
Beautiful table, everything looks delicious! And those lilacs, I could almost smell them from here! Mine are almost there. Any day.
Posted by: Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook | April 28, 2011 at 05:16 AM
youhave such a way of expressing yourself - its inspiring to me - i had a lilac bush outside my window as a child so every year, i go down memory lane with every inhale
Posted by: wendy | April 28, 2011 at 06:40 AM
Your food looks & sounds wonderful! I'm so envious of your lilacs~ they don't do well here with the heat! Beautiful~ I can smell them from here!
Posted by: Mary | April 28, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Just gorgeous. I could almost smell the lilacs. I got married in May and the lilacs filled the church and smelled so great. What beautiful collages you did. Sounds like a great meal and a great day.
Posted by: Jacqueline | April 28, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Hi Susan!
You won the Bertolli Wine Tasting and Pairing give away on my blog! Please forward your name and address to me and I'll forward it on to the Bertolli representative. The instructions on how to participate in the event are on facebook and also in my give away blog post.
Thanks, and congratulations!
Posted by: Pat | April 29, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Hey Susan. The table looks great. Love the vase. Your garden is is comin along!
Posted by: Melody | April 29, 2011 at 10:30 PM
What a wonderful table and food! I love that you have lettuce growing already. We have a ways to go here as it's been such a cool spring.
Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Your garden already looks terrific! Wait 'til you see my tulips this year (took pics...need to post). They really looked terrific if I do say so myself, lol. And I definitely want to get to your community garden when it's in full bloom this year!!
Posted by: laura @ the shorehouse | April 30, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Your photos are wonderful! What gorgeous flowers! ♥
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | May 02, 2011 at 09:40 AM
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