
For the first time in a long time (maybe even ever...) I'm ahead of the game a little bit.


I was hoping to have a southern ladies feel but with a relaxed atmosphere too. I served a simple lunch - we started with spring greens and salad toppings - homemade ranch and my favorite bottled vidalia onion salad dressing served from white creamers.
For the main course, we had fried chicken (with 11 secret herbs and spices... that's really the only way for a vegetarian cook to make fried chicken for her friends...) biscuits with honey butter, loaded mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and roasted asparagus with butter vinaigrette (thanks mom - it was delish! Who knew asparagus could be so good?) All washed down with either ice water, sparkling cider or sweet tea - the "house wine of the south"...
Dessert was homemade lemon bars with blue berries and strawberries and Red Velvet Cake (really Duncan Hines Devil's Food mix made with 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup oil, a 1 ounce bottle of red food coloring, 3 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix on low for 1-2 minutes, scrape the sides and mix another 2-3 minutes. Bake according to directions on box in prepared pans. Moist and YUMMY - and I'd don't particularly care for cake...) More on the presentation later... let's just say, it tasted better than it looked.
When it comes down to it, I really enjoy looking at a beautiful table, and if it's easy to put together then that's the icing on the cake. Because my tablecloth and napkins were already ironed, the only table prep I really had to do was the centerpiece and that was fairly simple. I found a basket I like, filled it with paper shred and started filling it with Easter decorations I've been collecting. I chose to use purples and yellows with a touch of green for my color scheme. I pulled mismatched salad/dessert plates and cups and saucers from my tea collection in the yellows, purples and greens and just used my plain white china dinner plates. I also used mismatched white pitchers and creamers for serving the beverages, salad dressings and sauce.

Over the table I wrapped a couple of garlands I used in one of the last weddings I decorated and I strung some blown out eggs that I painted and glittered (another use for scrapbooking supplies) on some narrow ribbon. It’s a pretty easy project and I’ll share instructions and tips later this week.
I ended up with too many painted eggs to hang and put some of them in the basket centerpiece. There are some eggs that aren't painted too. I'll have to show them to you up close in another post - they're amazingly beautiful colors, pinks, light blues and greens, and they come right out of the chicken that way! I got those from my friend Lisa's chickens. She's a great friend to have, I tell ya'!
I ended up with too many painted eggs to hang and put some of them in the basket centerpiece. There are some eggs that aren't painted too. I'll have to show them to you up close in another post - they're amazingly beautiful colors, pinks, light blues and greens, and they come right out of the chicken that way! I got those from my friend Lisa's chickens. She's a great friend to have, I tell ya'!

And lest you think me totally `round the bend... those "chocolate" eggs and that "chocolate bunny" are plastic. Do you really think chocolate could survive out in the open like that around here??? And isn't nice how chocolate goes with any color scheme?


A second favor was a basket of pocket packs of Kleenexes for weepy movie watchers.


The recipe is way too simple – Take a package of Oreos, remove 9 and either crush them to use as garnish or eat them. It’s totally up to you.
Pulverize the remaining Oreos (I use my mini Cuisinart food processor) and mix them into an 8-ounce bar of softened cream cheese. I used the fat free cream cheese and didn’t get any complaints.

Let your truffles chill on a wax paper covered cookie sheet for an hour in the fridge to firm up the cream cheese again.

I’m excited to continue this tradition next year. When my guests first arrived, I gave them a little 60 question quiz on the movie – if you’d like to try it, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send it your way :0) They did pretty well, over all. It will be tough coming up with new questions next time. My friend Heather won the prize (that I haven’t given her yet…) with 47 correct.

I watch this movie every year at Easter and I've lost count long ago of how many times I've seen it. I could be a line coach for sure.
But it seems there's a little bit of Southern Bell in all of us. This time it was especially fun for me to watch one of my favorite movies and hear a room full of favorite friends quote the best lines along with me and use words like "honey" "precious" and "darlin'" all afternoon.
Maybe by next year I can have my expansion done on my living room so I have room for MORE friends to join me. Start studyin' now, darlin', just in case...
I'm linking to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. You'll be overwhelmed with inspiration there!

Lovely decorations! What a great idea for a party too! Glad it was a good time :)
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely...and I was glad to be a part of it's loveliness and food ;)
ReplyDeleteYou should link up to "What works for me Wednesday" many others may be looking for help in this area.
http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/03/wfmw-vulcan-grip.html
I agree about linking up for WFMW...
ReplyDeleteI also loved being there. It was a fun time. You are an incredible hostess. Truly.
Next year, you could invite the next group of women on your list. Those of us who got to come this year, could come the year after. Sorta a rotating schedule. That would be really nice of you/us....
but I would be sad to miss it, darlin'!
I totally forgot about my prize! It was a wonderful party.....you are indeed a fantastic hostess!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invite!!!!
Hugs, :) Heather
You are just awe inspiring! You constantly amaze me. I have given you a little award over on my blog!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely. Where did you get the idea for the basket on the table? (wink-wink) I agree that imitation is the highest form of flattery. :)
ReplyDeleteReally, your house looks great. I am impressed with it all. The southern meal was fabulous. Well, maybe not the gray cupcakes...a little weird. LOL! (notice I still ate one!) Lisa~
Your table looks so beautiful! What a special time holidays are at your house!
ReplyDeleteChristina
BEAUTIFUL!!! Loved the basket centerpiece. You are very creative.
ReplyDeleteWow, everything's so beautiful! Your party must have been so much fun; one of these days I must watch the movie in your honor. Wish we lived closer, and looking forward to August.
ReplyDeleteLYS!