Tablescape...on a budget!

A few weeks ago, the family gathered at my home to have dinner. In the summer, we get together at least once a week, but around the Holidays, it always seems to be a bit more difficult. Getting together with family and friends is the best way to spend a weekend or weekday evening! Since we have lived in our house full-time for a little under a year, we are still working on collecting items to serve with, eat with, etc. I had to go out a purchase a few items (all within a strict budget) and here is the result...





The napkins were purchased from Pottery Barn (red, and on sale) and Target (white). I didn't have napkin rings, so I took some twine and tied it in a bow around the napkins. The table runner was from Pottery Barn (also on sale). And the votives were all purchased from Nell Hill's. The smaller gold and silver votives were $1 a piece and they are gorgeous! The bigger candleholder in the middle was about $4 and works great outside, too! (See below)


For an appetizer we served Baked Brie from Jenny Steffens. Very yummy, I needed to let mine cook for a little bit longer, but still quite tasty!!

For dinner, my sister made a fried goat cheese salad, and I made a beef tenderloin (courtesy of Jenny Steffens), and mashed potatoes.



We also had brownie ala mode for dessert, but no pictures of that (it was too tasty!).

Moral of the Story: Always keep your eyes open for sale items (especially after the Holidays!)

XOXO

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

E-mail subject today from a fellow dinner club member: HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

First reaction: Oh ya! Let's celebrate!

Next Reaction: I have to revamp my dinner menu to coincide with this celebration! I told my fellow dinner-club members to head over around 5:30. Hoping this would leave plenty of time to get to the store and prep. I knew I had to make my mom's black bean and feta dip: fast, easy and delicious!

Original Menu:

Sauteed Shrimp

Roasted Tomatoes

Angel-Hair Pasta

Bread

Salad

Revised Menu:

Black Bean and Feta Dip

Mexican Spiced Shrimp Quesadillas

Refried Beans

Southwestern Rice

Skinny Girl Margarita

Black Bean and Feta Dip:

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

8 oz. package feta cheese

small can chopped black olives

1 bunch of cilantro - chopped

1 bunch green onions - finely chopped

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Layer all of the ingredients in a serving dish. Top with Red Wine Vinaigrette. Serve with tortilla chips. Simple, yet delicious!

Skinny Girl Margaritas:

Also tried making this margarita recipe for the first time. I must say, I was quite disappointed. I spent a lot of time juicing the limes, but found the result too tart. So I went with the traditional Gray family recipe: frozen limeade, tequila, cointreau (or triple sec) and ice in the blender. Tasty!!

After my friends left, I made dinner for the fiance. I made Mexican-spiced shrimp quesadillas, refried beans and rice. Perfect ending to the Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Sunday Supper

One of my favorite family traditions has to be Sunday night dinners. This past Sunday we got the whole family together to celebrate my Aunt's 50th Birthday. A few things will never fail during family dinners: lots of great food, lots of laughs and a wonderful time! See our menu below:

Complete Meal:

Can't really beat this view...

Happy Birthday Julie!

Yummy salad! (Recipe to follow)

Cheesy Rice Casserole

Grilled Chicken

Beautiful Flowers!