Dinning Table Centerpiece Arrangements, Ideas and Tips

A Friend of mine attended a wedding and snapped a photo of the table at the reception. This attractive centerpiece caught my eye!

What a beautiful arrangement. Who would have ever thought to use Hydrangea's and Succulents such as hen & chicks! This is so beautiful and elegant. I LOVE it!

I grow hen & chicks... my Mother and Grandmother grew them. It's amazing how they survive through the Winter months and just come back to life again in the Spring.

Here is a brief description of the plants:

Sempervivums (hen & chicks) are a hardy succulent alpine plant. The name sempervivum means "live-forever". They are well adapted to survive in some of the poorest soil and drought conditions. Sempervivums form low-growing rosettes of succulent leaves with a variety of colors ranging from pink, red, purple and green.

The next time you plan a Party, Wedding, Backyard BBQ consider using these beautiful plants in your arrangements. Bring some outdoors indoors add some votives around the centerpiece and you are all set.

Enjoy!

How To Set Your Holiday Tables With Help From Pfaltzgraff

With the Holidays upon us here are some helpful tips on setting your Holiday tables.

We can always use help in the decorating department. First thing is to make sure to choose your dinner ware and flatware or silver flatware Those are your major "investment" items. Then plan your theme. You can always change out the accessories allot easier and less costly than the dinner ware.

You will need to start with at least place mats, napkins, and table linens. Make sure they coordinate with your dinner ware pattern. Don't make it too busy though. Too many flowers on the china and too many on the place mats, napkins and linens will collide and give you and your guests a headache. So I suggest simple patters that compliment and or solid colors.

Then add your accessories and centerpiece (remember not taller than your shoulders, you want to be able to see the guest sitting across from you and have a conversation). Extra tall candles are always a hit and very elegant for any occasion.

Place cards are always a great idea. Very impressive and then you can choose where you and who you want your guests to sit with. The boy then girl, boy then girl is always recommended. And this keeps the men from talking shop and or football at the dinner table.

Your local Florist or Supermarket always has greenery available for the season. Stop in and grab a bunch. Add some evergreen branches to flowers and or get the firs (a softer pine) are a nice touch to napkin rings or displayed down the center of the table with votive candles placed here and there. Sprinkle some fresh cranberries in as well.

Remember to dim the lights just a bit.

When you have all your table decorations planned get your menu ready. Karen B's and Food Network are great resources for menu planning.

There are a ton of ideas and help at the touch of your fingertips. Please feel free to ask me for help anytime.

Happy Holidays ;)

Vintage Silver and China Serving Pieces "In" for the Holidays

With the Holiday's already here by what the TV and stores are saying....

Here are some great helpful ideas to dress up your Holiday tables and buffets.

Vintage Silver and China serving pieces can make a great show. From the Napa Style site here we have some old serving pieces used to dress up any buffet or table.

I have several hand me down silver trays, pitchers, china and crystal that I love to use. The old Butler trays that held the coffee carafe, creamer and sugar can be used as a hourdouve' tray.

Take old crystal martini glasses and fill with seasonal nuts. Tall crystal water goblets can be filled with tall thin crispy bread sticks... All you need is some doilies and or leaf shaped paper cutouts to place a cheese wedge on. Even evergreen sprigs can spruce up any event. Most supermarkets have a floral department now with the make it yourself section. Grab some greenery and lay around the trays or centerpiece for that extra touch.

Happy Party!

Tip Of The Day: Storing Apples

The best way to store apples after you purchase them is to keep them in the refrigerator or in a cool dark place.

If you leave them out on the counter in a bowl (which I may add looks nice) will cause them to loose their flavor and crispness.

Keep them in a vented bag in the crisper drawer to keep them fresher longer. I wash mine thoroughly and place them in a bowl lightly covered with some wrap w/holes at a easy to reach location in the fridge. This way when the kids need a snack they can help themselves and stay healthy at he same time.

The old saying has been found to be true:

"An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!"

Enjoy!

Summer Cocktail Party On The Patio Buffet & Bar

Summer time is here and it's a great time to host a  Cocktail Party on the patio!

Pick up some great themed invitations and gather your friends for a good time.

Pick and average of four hourdouve's to serve at your party.  Guests always offer to bring something so I let them know what I have so their is no duplicates.

A white cloth from your local fabric store is always a great thing to have on hand.  You can use any color with it.  Here I used the white cloth to cover the table.  It is large enough to touch the ground.  Then I used a simple pink table cover cut in have and placed it over the white cloth on an angle so the point is in the middle.

I then added some candles (the white glass candle holder came from Pottery Barn) flowers and greenery to add that special touch.  The bouquet of flowers I found at Costco came with tons of greenery and lemon leaves.  I used the flowers cut them down and placed into small sterling cups.  Saved the greens for the table.

Take a large tray and place a wooded cutting board in the center.  Arrange large chunks of cheese and fruit like grapes, strawberries and apple around the cheeses.  In the sides of the tray I placed tall thin bread sticks in glasses and rows of crackers filled the rest of the open space in the tray. 

I try to use matching serving pieces it always displays makes the table look perfect.  Also set out some extras for guests bringing food as well as make sure to leave room on the table.

Setting up the Bar area in a location away from the food buffet and tables will help move 

party a bit preventing everyone from clogging up one area.  Here we set the bar up in a cute little area with lanterns in the tree for dramatic lighting after the sun sets.

We used one type of glassware for everyone, whether it be martini's or wine.  Be sure to place about three glasses per guest out. Someone always sets their glass down and forgets where it was. This way there is plenty and you do not have to run wash one!

If you are having a Sangria like here my White Sangria found in my recipe box.  Place some extra fruit in the glasses for garnish, it looks great and your guests have a treat when they reach the bottom.

Plenty of ice for chilling wine and your ice bucket is needed.  You can hide a cooler under the table behind the cloth for easy access if needed.

As always stock plenty of mixers, water and garnish.  I would rather have to too much food and drink than not enough :)

Happy Summer!