Table Settings of Holidays Past

via Hemingway's Paris

As many of you know, the girls, with boyfriends in tow, and I are going to Paris for the Thanksgiving Holiday. It feels strange, not to be home decorating and cooking with family and friends, but I made a surprisingly swift adjustment. I was looking back at some of our photos of parties and decorations and thought it would be fun to share them with you. 

I collect antique staffordshire transferware. These surgar bowls are wonderful for mantel arrangements. With scotch tape I create a grid to support the bouquet. 

I used an April Cornell plaid table cloth for this wintery occasion. 

 Several years ago, a friend made an arrangement like this for our Thanksgiving table. The following year I put this one together. It's a very simple and quick fix when you are cooking a big dinner.

In Spring, we use more pinks, but I almost always use pinks and oranges together in arrangements. 

 This arrangement was for a BookMarks event in town. I used oasis and chicken wire to secure the height of the branches and flowers. 

For the authors reception this fall I raided my neighbor's garden and supplemented with grocery store flowers. I am a fearless entertainer, and often experiment on my guests. I don't worry about flowers being perfect, because I cannot stand tortured flowers.

On a Springier note, I used the Staffordshire again in three low arrangements along the table. I often use my vegetable terrines in the server behind for delicious cold summer soups. 

 Working in the breezeway keeps the mess out of the house. 

 The round hall does double duty for over flow.

 An alfresco table setting, where we laid dogwood branches on the table. 

Entertaining at the Morten house is always a group effort. I ask friends to bring their signature dish. These generous offerings were beyond delicious! While we are on the topic,  I want to show you my friend's supernaturally, beautiful cakes. 

Charlotte Glover, has recently started Magnolia Cake and Confections in Stuart Florida. She was visiting me overnight, when she was recently in North Carolina for yet, another cake workshop. These cakes will bring tears to your eyes. We spent all evening going through her photographs and looking at all her magnificent eye candy.

 

 

This is when I completely lost it! 

 

She literally sculpts and hand paints each flower from sugar.  Her attention to detail is amazing. She is not playing with her food, she is elevating it to new dimensions!

I am so proud of Charlotte's gifts. Tell all your Florida friends about her!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our bloggy friends. 

I'll be posting on Paris!! 

Be sure to pass on any hot tips or favorites for us to visit.