Ah, yes…it’s that time of year again. I’m reading more and more posts where people don’t have time to blog. I haven’t had time to read blogs! It was busy, busy here all weekend as I was getting ready for my book group which occurred last night. It’s always a lot of work to clean my little pig sty up and even more work when there’s decorating and cooking to do.
We used to be a normal book group that just discussed the book and then had dessert, but several years ago someone started serving dinners, so now we all do it. And since it’s Christmas time, I thought I’d bring out my MeMum’s Christmas china. (Please excuse the dark pictures — it’s mood lighting LOL!)
I love my candle holder. I used to borrow MyDadLovesMeBestSister’s candle holder, but I think she got kind of sick of it, so she bought me one of my own. (Hey — it’s a technique — you should try it sometime!) It’s always fun to arrange different things around those candles. In this case, I cut a few branches off of our pine trees and added some little red balls, drums, and nutcrackers.
And then I added the dogs to the table because our book discussion was about The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. (Which we all LOVED, btw. I hated the ending, but LOVED the book. Some of the passages were really beautiful — especially his passages about the relationships that the dogs have with the characters. And there were more than a few places that brought tears to my eyes. One member was sitting on a plane to NYC between two big burly guys when she hit one of those passages. She had to slam the book shut and wait until she had a little more privacy LOL!)
On the menu we had:
Baked Brie in Phyllo Dough (YUMMY!)
Strawberry Romaine Salad with Raspberry Vinagrette
Chicken Madeira
Ina’s Raspberry Cheesecake
Here’s a close up of the place setting. I think MeMum’s nutcracker china is so pretty. I made each guest a little soldered pendant to take home. One side said “She is too fond of books and it has addled her brain” and the other side had a black silhouette of a woman reading a book. Thank you again Beckie, for teaching me how to make those pendants!
So, whew! Now that’s over, and as MyDadLovesMeBestSister says, I can get busy doing stuff for the really important people. Indeed. It would be really nice though if there were four weeks left, instead of two. TWO! As Ms. Farmhouse so eloquently put it, there’s a knot in my stomach! How are all of your plans coming???
XOXO,
Anna
Lovely table, Anna, the mood lighting is perfect. Can I join your group? :-)
Love your table, and place settings. Those pendants are so perfect! My plans are coming . . . I really should get off the computer ;)
Anna Lou! Love the table, china and all your hard work! The Menu sounds lovely and yummy too! They are very lucky to have you. xoxo
Your table look so elegant Anna! What a civilised book group you belong too!
That all looks so beautiful!! I love the beautiful touch with the pendants. Very thoughtful :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)
What a beautiful table for a book club meeting! I would love to join your group!! I may just have to go get that book. I love the china and the candle holder. Well, I just love it all!! Merry Christmas!
What a beautiful table setting Ms Anna – and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that candle holder – where would one get one if they wanted one – tooo cool. Those little gifties you made are adorable – the peeps got little bags of assorted chocolates because the plan of something handmade flew out the window. Of course I needed to check out the chocolates several times before adding them to the bags to make sure they were fresh – wouldn’t want to give old chocolate, LOL. Yummy menu you whipped up as well – any cheesecake left – how’s about a slice :)
Hugs – Mrs. Farmhouse
What a beautiful table…if I read the book can I come next time? LOL! Menu sounds YUMMY!
Your table looks beautiful and the menu sounds yummy!
Elliott and I are having a cookie exchange on Friday night. Today is going to be spent prepping all the hors d’oeuvre. And cleaning. Tomorrow my dear sweet children will be forced to watch TV all day so I don’t have to reclean. hehehe Maybe I’ll read them a few books for good measure too, just so I don’t feel too guilty! :-)
What a sweet book that sounds like! That is funny about the gal on the plane needing to wait until she had more privacy in order to finish the tear inducing passage! It sounds like you really enjoy your book club!
Plans? I am supposed to have plans? I didn’t get that memo.
I am on a wing and a prayer this year. LOL
can I be in your book club?
the table looks perfect. and the pendants are PERFECT!!!
yes, I do have a knot in my stomach, too.
Those dishes are wonderful! And your table looked great. Okay, you’ll have to tell me why you hated the ending of the book. I wanted to read it, but if I’m too afraid it will make me sad, I’ll read the ending first. I don’t like sad endings.
I love, love you table setting! Beautiful! I would love to know where to get the candle holder also, hoping my table would be as lovely as yours.
I love your site- visit ALL the time. You are so creative.
Paula
Your table and menu both look stunning, but goodness – more like a fine dining club rather than a book club!!! So fancy! Those little soldered pendants look lovely – I’d love to learn how to make them. Hope you’re enjoying your Christmas plans and feeling festive. It is feeling Christmassy in our little cottage – the smell of the tree is enough to give me a smile!
You put Martha Stewart to shame – your decorations and the extra touches you add are always just beautiful.
You set a beautiful table! I love that candle center piece and the dogs are a perfect touch!
My insides probably look like macrame. But I am sticking to my word and trying to let unfinished holiday business take a number and wait its turn. Even if that turn comes in February.
Whaaaat? 2 weeks left??? And I’m sitting here having fun creating a blog every day, scrapping my daily December album, taking a Photoshop class, reading, and taking naps. Whoops! Big trouble!
Your table looks lovely and I do love those candles. I’d love to know how to solder those cute little things.
Joni
I’m sure I remember your book group gathering from last Christmas! How beautiful it all looks. I have no plans, I just keep doing stuff! I made a Stollen today, I made a tiny one so I could test it out and it was yummy! Think this one will get eaten but it was easy enough so I can always make another!
I am almost done shopping; I hope to be done by this weekend. I’m hosting/cooking Christmas dinner so I need to order my roast from the butcher. Tree is not up or decorated, christmas cards are in hand but not addressed. I think I’m in good shape. I still have 2 more weeks!
Jen :)
Lovely table, lovely dogs, and HHMMMM….brie in phyllo!
You were right…I had to buy Ina for myself. Now I just need to hide it until my sister opens her copy.
How beautiful, Anna! You always do everything with such style!
Can I join your book group?
I want to join your book club!
your table looks absolutely gorgeous. all the sweet little touches. . .I love it!
My holidays are pretty low key. Shopping will be done next week, tree went up the other night and that’s pretty much it! the little holiday knitting I was doing is now done so I don’t have any knots whatsoever! ;)
Your table looks like a scene out of some spectacular Christmas movie Anna! I bet you have people clamouring to join the book group you are a part of!
I love the puppy on your table. It sounds like an interesting book. I once wrote a book about a couple falling in love from a dog’s point of view…
Wow, you have been busy – what a lovely table and it sounds like a wonderful meal! (baked brie, nom nom nom!!) The candle holder thingy is really nifty and the china is lovely. I love getting out my Christmas dishes this time of year. Our Ft Wayne relatives are all coming to our place this weekend to celebrate Christmas with us (and the mil) so EEK I’ve been swamped!!
How stunningly beautiful!! Nobody entertains like that anymore here. I so love a pretty looking dinner party with candles (yours are just perfect), lovely china (your Mum’s is divine and I will now want it forever) and scrummy food (yours, of course, sounded delicious). You are completely fabulous!!
Beautiful table and the menu looks yummy. I’m with the others…Can I join?
I know what you mean, I’m so behind on my blog reading and it makes me so sad! Your table setting is perfect. I love everything about it! x
Anna, your table setting is so elegant. Love the centerpiece and your dishes!!! And what is not to love about having a doggy or two!
xoxo
Becky
okay, the wainscoting in the dining room is magnificent. i am so going to learn to make those pendants when i grow up!!!!! i haven’t even decorated yet. things are crazy around here. i’m off to have lunch w/a g.f.
:waves madly
Good grief, Anna, what are you trying to do to me? Soldered pendants!!!! I thought you were a needlewoman and now you turn out to be a metalworker also.
(Faints)
(But can your husband do wickerwork on chairs? Huh? Got you there, have I?)
I shall now go off and wash the kitchen floor, a task just about within my talent range.
Lovely place settings, by the way.
wow, what an amazing dinner party you had!? I wish I had been there to taste all the yummy food and see the lovely place settings and pendants in person. Are you going to share photos of the food? :)
What a pretty dinner table. I love the little pendants you made. So are you going to teach me how in Jan??? I really wanna learn how to do that. Oh and I wanna see you too.
Beautiful china MeMumm has. And the menu sounds delish.
Oh I wish I belonged to your book group, what a wonderful menu and table setting, you never do things by halves do you Anna, it looks beautiful! As for our Christmas preparations, well I am only just realising it’s December!!!
Kimx
thanks for the lovely comments, I shall be flying over later to tackle that house of yours!!!
Blimey, I thought our bookclub was decadent with the amount of wine we consumne, but a full dinner?! Can I join yours?
The table looks really festive. I think you must belong to a great book club, perhaps we could all join you.
oh my gosh it all looks straight out of a magazine!!!! well done it looks fabulous
Anna, you amaze me! Everything you do is lovely, and you do it all so fast, with one charming touch after another. What a beautful table setting. I love the charms. Wow! I’ve wanted to learn to do that for a long time. The dogs are perfect, and the menu is perfect too! I love Ina’s recipes. They’re simple, but always good.
I can just imagine sitting around that table with you and your friends, and having a wonderful eveing.
You are the hostess with the mostest, I must say! Beautiful table setting – love the dogs, the candle holder, the dishes, EVERYTHING! Wonderful menu, too. Love the table charms, too. I now have a reason my brain is addled besides old age!! Thanks Anna, you made my day!