{"id":54339,"date":"2017-05-02T11:02:47","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T11:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/?p=54339"},"modified":"2017-05-03T10:49:25","modified_gmt":"2017-05-03T10:49:25","slug":"an-enchanted-afternoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.enchantedhome.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/02\/an-enchanted-afternoon\/","title":{"rendered":"An enchanted afternoon….."},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi friends….so happy to have finished putting together this post so I could share this special day with you. Last week I had such a great time hosting a wonderful blogger\/author luncheon with some of my bff’s in the blogging world. We got together to also celebrate the very exciting debut of Kristy Harvey’s third novel,Slightly South of Simple and to me, it is her best yet. I am almost finished reading it and it simply MUST be made into a movie or series…I am sure it will be, it is that good!\u00a0 I don’t want it to end! Click here to snag one for yourself.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

As you, by now know, I get pretty obsessed with details when I entertain, sometimes being a bit too OCD. Maybe that’s why I don’t entertain as often lol. Nevertheless, details and all, I had loads of fun putting this together. I wanted a beautiful springy, cheery, colorful tablescape. Originally slated to be set up outdoors, the cooler weather with possible rain in the forecast brought that to a screeching halt.<\/p>\n

So I set up in the dining groom which ended up being just fine. Just as well as it’s a room we rarely use, so it was nice to enjoy it. I started my prep a few days before and now that I am working full time, every minute counts. Of course it included a trip to my beloved flower market!! That is always a highlight of putting together any party, small or large. My only regret is not taking a video….next time for sure!<\/p>\n

LOTS and LOTS of pictures here, so sit down and grab a cup of something good. I also included a few of the recipes as many of you ask. Hope you enjoy…..<\/p>\n

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THE PREP-<\/h1>\n

Here is a look behind the scenes the morning of, as I got busy, cooking, preparing and flower arranging-<\/p>\n

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FLOWER ARRANGING 101-<\/h1>\n

Always a huge part of planning any event, small or large and surely one of my most favorite excuses to go into the flower market! Here is the loot I came home with, was so excited that this happened to fall between peony, lilacs and cherry blossom season, my favorites!<\/p>\n

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As I bought them two days earlier, I stored them in the garage in buckets until the day of<\/p>\n

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Let the fun begin!<\/p>\n

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FUN PART, GETTING TO PUT ALL MY ARRANGEMENTS OUT-<\/h1>\n

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UPON ARRIVAL-<\/h1>\n

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My signature cocktail was handed out upon arrival<\/p>\n

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One of my favorite appetizers, and these are so elegant and simple. I put a few tablespoons of a spring vegetable dip on the bottom of each mini mint julep and then put the elegant vegetables in it, everyone got their own, no plates or forks…easy peasy!<\/p>\n

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And can you believe all these gorgeous hostess gifts I got!<\/p>\n

THE TABLE ALL SET-<\/h1>\n

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It is always a thrill when the table you saw in your head becomes reality:)<\/p>\n

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How fabulous are these mini tureens in which the soup was served? Soon to be added to the shop<\/p>\n

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The size of some of these peonies were amazing, and this is proof that all colors go with blue and white!<\/p>\n

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Here are few taken with my Nikon (before the battery died)<\/h1>\n

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THE FOOD-<\/h1>\n

Here is what was served for lunch-<\/p>\n

I started with tomato soup, and then moved onto baby arugula salad with grilled artichokes and Parmesan with a lemon\/olive oil dressing, a kale\/cabbage Asian salad with pears, a super delicious herbed chicken salad in bite size minis and individual spring green quiche-<\/p>\n

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I did not get to snap a pic of the big platter of the mini chicken salad sandwiches but did get the “leftovers” the next day, these are bite size and so cute<\/p>\n

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I am so upset I did not get a picture of my heavenly berry Napoleon dessert! But I served that along with a big tray of fresh fruit and coffee….<\/p>\n

RECIPES-<\/h1>\n

My easy Enchanted signature welcome drink-<\/strong> Fill half a champagne flute with pink champagne, add the remainder of the glass with raspberry sparkling water, throw in 3 or 4 fresh raspberries, and voila! You have yourself a wonderful drink to welcome your guests!<\/p>\n

Tomato Soup-<\/strong> Click here to Pioneer Woman for the soup recipe<\/em><\/a>, full disclosure- I cut the butter in half as well as the heavy cream, just seemed too rich to put that much in, and you would never have known the difference. I also put a lot more fresh basil and omitted the parsley. Either way it is very very tasty and a nostalgic invoking dish!<\/p>\n

Baby Arugula, grilled artichoke and Parmesan-<\/strong> This is elegant, and easy peasy. Buy 2 large containers of baby arugula, either marinate artichokes in some kind of seasoned dressing or olive oil and herbs and then grill or cheat and buy them readily grilled, add a generous amount of Parmesan\u00a0 flakes (or shredded). Mix together when ready to serve.<\/p>\n

For dressing i get a Mason jar, put about 34 cup Olive oil and the juices of 2 soft lemons, shake and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Dress to your liking.<\/p>\n

Kale,cabbage Asian salad with pear<\/strong>– I get prepacked bags of kale, and green and red cabbage already shredded, one bag of spinach cut up small, add slivered almonds and when ready to serve slice up 2 ripe pears thin and add on top. Recipe for dressing-<\/p>\n