Sunflowers For Sunny Gals

It seems I am obsessed with sunflowers! I'm really not, only this month! Subliminally, I think I was affected by my friends beautiful sunflower table in March. (Featured in a previous blog). The power of suggestion to the mind is incredible and not always consciously perceived. Be that as it may, I have fallen in love with this beautiful flower and the outdoorsy country feel it lends to any setting. I'm finding LOTS of people LOVE sunflowers!

This table was gleaned from last weeks sunflower dining and customized to last nights event which was a Leadership Group Dinner. Each year we form new leadership groups within our leadership members. This is my groups "Getting Acquainted With Your New Group" dinner.

Above: Amazing Gazpacho, my over 30-year-old recipe for Enchiladas, (Picture taken before baking) Coconut Cream Cake topped with chopped pecans and toasted coconut, served with a broiled pineapple slice, topped with vanilla ice cream and toasted coconut. Denise made homemade Guacamole, and Shannon brought a delicious mixed salad. Everything was yummy!!

Do you have friends that make you feel like a queen at everything you do? I do, and I treasure them and I love DELIGHTING them in whatever ways I can. This is one way I can do that. My serious goal for this year is to let them know, ever so much, how treasured they are with words, deeds, and support. They add so much to my life and the lives of others. They always have sunny dispositions, just like the sunflower! Did you know that a sunflower's bloom follows the face of the sun? These friends of mine follow the face of the "Son". That's why they all radiate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and even self-control...the Fruit of the Spirit.

Before summer is over, I'm hoping to go on a picnic with that picnic basket! I can use the table square I made of fabric ordered on eBay. A tin can is embellished with lace and tied with a raffia bow. A wine bottle is adorned with two types of lace and sunflowers were inserted for a preponderance of sunflowers. The glass container will contain a lively limeade with limes and other fruits. This table really catches you by surprise and abundance as you round the corner into my kitchen...Just the effect I want to create for my guests. :-)

Here are the recipes. Enjoy!

Gazpacho Con Gusto

Serves 6-8

1 liter Original Flavor V-8 Juice

5 mediumtomatoes, diced

2 green onions, whiteparts thinly sliced, green parts reserved for garnish

1 regular or English cucumber, diced

1 sweet red bell pepper,seeded, diced

1 small purple onion,finely chopped

1 Jalapeno pepper,minced, seeds removed

1 large garlic clove,minced

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lime

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons ground Cumin

2 teaspoons salt, or to taste

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, or to taste

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

Garnish:

Chopped Avocado

Cilantro

Lime wedges

Combine all of the ingredients,except the cilantro in a large bowl. Mix together and taste for seasoning.Refrigerate at least one hour. Before serving, stir in the cilantro. Serve garnishedwith sliced green parts of the spring onions, chopped avocado, additionalcilantro and lime wedges. You could also add cooked shrimp.

Hint: You can minimize the sting on your fingers from the chopping of the Jalapeno pepper by dripping the juice of lemon on your hands. Note to Self: Do not put contact lenses in after chopping a Jalapeno pepper!! :-O

Coconut Cream Cake: See Previous Blog Post by searching "Dory's Coconut Cream Cake"

Enchiladas Ole!

1 ½ lbs ground beef (sautéed)
or shredded chicken or pork

*2bunches green onions (chopped)

*1 canchopped olives, reserve some for top of enchiladas

*16ounces sour cream

*16ounces cottage cheese

*1small and 1 large can green chilies (diced or regular)

*1package Lipton Onion soup mix

3 packages of Mixed Cheddar and Jack Cheese

(or Mexican Cheese by Sargento)

1small and 1 large can Enchilada sauce

1package (36) corn tortillas

Toothpicks

3 small cans sliced black olives

• Mix starred items together in a large bowl.
• Saute meat, set aside.
• Fry tortillas in oil 1-2 inches deep in a small frying pan, remove with tongs, and place in casserole dish. (I do this all at once).
• Fill tortillas with *cream mixture; add meat, close with toothpick.
• Cover tortillas with grated cheeses and enchilada sauce.
• Sprinkle with remaining olives.
• Bake 35-40 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove toothpicks before serving!

Enjoy!!

My Favorite Blog...Get Ready to be Wowed!

 

 

 All Photos From StoneGableblog.com

I discovered the most BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, GLORIOUS, HELPFUL, DELICIOUS, and INSPIRING blog a little over a month ago.  It is so lovely that I want to share it with anyone who wants to indulge in a treat for your eyes and soul.  Yvonne and I share so many of the same passions and love of beautiful dishes, dining, entertaining, family and faith.  

In addition to the many domestic living posts she enters, she also has a scripture she shares on Sunday along with a picture of somewhere in Israel.  It's like she takes you with her, wherever she goes or whatever she's doing.  Whenever I see something that almost takes my  breath  away on  Pinterest, it is usually another unique pin from StoneGableblog.com.   I guaranty you will be DELIGHTED if you visit her blog!

When I saw her blog post:  "What to Do With All Your Dishes", (or something close to that) I knew I would LOVE her and I do.  Yvonne even responds to your emails.  She lives on the East Coast, and just extracts all the beauty life has to give into her life and generously shares it with others.  You MUST visit her blog.  You also can sign up to be a "Follower" and receive her posts by email too.  If you have the time, she's got the inspiration!  

Additional Ideas For Storing Tablecloths

What you are viewing is a picture of the solid color tablecloths in my closet.  I find this is the absolute best way to store them for ease of use.  I used to store them in plastic bins throughout different places in the house and I couldn't easily find the ones I wanted to use.  Now, I just slide the closet door open and there they are, all with size labels and arranged by colors.  Shown below is a free PNG file you can print right on to a 30 label sheet and then attach to your tablecloths.  I hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.  It is fantastic to be able to locate all the things you need for an event easily. 

Simply click on the label numbers to print your own.  Have a delightful day!

One Way to Organize Your Table Cloths & Napkins

Here is how I store some of my tablecloths and napkins; in my Armoire!

These are mostly the printed ones, I store the solid color ones in the closet in the guest room. Napkins are stored in plastic boxes purchased at Target for $.92 each on sale. They are protected and much easier to get to than stacking them on top of each other.

I love these hangers purchased at Target for 10 cents each. You can hang embellishments and adornments on them. Once the original package is opened, you can transfer them to a Ziploc bag and punch a hole in it to hang your items. ;-)

Irresistable Fairy Garden House

 

Okay!  I couldn't wait til next week to get the other fairy garden house!  I went back and purchased it, along with two bunnies, some stone for a pathway and some Baby's Tear greenery to place in my outdoor fairy garden when this dining table has served my guests.  I ask you, "Could you resist this?"

Whimsical Sunflower Dining

I purchased these napkin rings a year ago for another tablescape, but when I saw these dishes at Home Goods, I simply had to have them and they matched up "perfectly"... my second favorite word. (My first favorite word is "YES"! Everyone's least favorite words: "You should..." Try it, you'll see I'm right!

I found these lovely cordial glasses at an antique store for $7.00 for all six!! I knew I had to purchase them too, and they would pair perfectly (there's that word again ;-)) with my amber Boopie glasses.

My very special friend took me for a spin around M&M Nursery, where she introduced me to the lovely concept of Fairy Gardens! OMG! They were so adorable. They probably had 30 different ones on display, along with all the paraphernalia you can buy to make them...I am seriously going to try to resist that addiction! But...when I saw this little fairy house made out of a gourd, well, what could I do? They have a little house made from a log that I will go back for next week. This added the touch of whimsy I was seeking for my tablescape. They have these cute little rock and brick pathways you can buy...and sooooooooo much more.  Beverly Turner is an expert in Fairy Gardens.  She also acts and sings!  If you go, you must ask for her. 

The flowers are artificial, but I really liked how they complemented the dishes and table, so I am using them!

I bought this unfinished bird house at JoAnn's and painted it for more whimsical detail for the table. I purchased the crown-topped frog and stone stool at M&M Nursery on my first excursion. My granddaughters, and daughter-in-law, and a few friends and my cousins are coming next week so that we can attend The After The Final Rose taping of the Bachelorette. My oldest granddaughter LOVES sunflowers, and since she turned 21 last month, I want to surprise her with something she loves.

How To Paint a Dollar Store Mug That Look Like a "Master" Piece

Start with a base sealer and apply to entire cup.  Place a pre-printed template of your design choice within the cup.  Apply glass or acrylic paints as you wish.  My design turned out very different from the template above, but gave me a guide to work from.  The final coat sealer (center) will be applied when you are finished painting the cup.

 I painted the grapes with a lavender paint first then embellished them with purple and outlined and highlighted the with black curly cues. The same process was applied to the green leaves.  I also applied a copper brown and copper metallic paint on the leaves.

Apply grape vines with a black or brown Sharpie pin.

Choose your desired shade of green scrapbook paper and stamp cut leaves from the paper.  Have raffia ribbon and wire ready to finish the wrapping of your cups.

Insert white tissue paper into cup so that the design will be easily seen,  Insert cup, that has had final sealer coat applied and dried (for ten days) into a cellophane bag.  I added Hershey Bliss chocolates wrapped in purple foil on top.  Secure the bag with raffia ribbon. Poke a whole in the green leafs with the wire and tie the wire around the secured bag. Insert two leaves, one on each side of the wire and curl the wire over a paint brush or pencil end to achieve a viney look.

Several of these were made as Leadership End-Of-Year gifts.  It is an inexpensive way to give many an artistic gift that carries much more value than its Dollar Store origin.  Everyone who received them seem to be delighted with them.

Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches."  John 15:5 was our scripture verse for the year.  It was written on the bottom of the cup and sealed so all of the women could have a sweet memory of our 30-week study of John.

Garden of Friendship Birthday Dinner

Spring is in the air, birds are chirping louder, I hear neighbors enjoying their swimming pools, I can smell the tender smoking meat on barbecues, and am enjoying the warmer weather. Southern California is so beautiful year round, but especially in the Spring. Flowers of all types are exploding with life, vigor, and colors of every hue. I can think of nothing I would enjoy more than having a few treasured friends over for a nice meal. Garden of Friendship was a perfect name for this even as this party was held for a dear friend's birthday with a full bouquet of friends.  It was a surprise too!

Napkins were folded and twisted to form lily pads and placed within the drinking glasses. Name tags were printed on leafs and mounted on ladybug name tag holders.

We were all pleasantly surprised by the mix of ingredients and flavors in
a Watermelon and Arugula Salad :-)

A delicious shrimp cocktail with avocado, Jalapeno peppers, mango, lemon juice, tomatoes and olives launched the feasting.
The link to this shrimp cocktail, I believe, will be better than what I served.

Chilled cantaloupe soup with orange juice and basil provided a refreshing surprise.
Make this about an hour before your meal.  
If you let it set overnight, the orange juice and basil cannot be detected!

 

Garden creature embellishments added a whimsical and well-commented on aspect
to the appetizers.

Do you notice the complementary frog fabric beneath the outrageously delicious Asparagus in Phyllo dough laced with Parmesan cheese and fresh pepper. The dipping sauce was to die for!
I will definitely be making these again!

A table still in progress.

Although they were intended as party favors, my guests graciously insisted I keep the felt watering pails, frog favor holders, and potted plants so that someone else could be blessed with the beauty of the event. I hoped they would be wowed and I wanted them all to feel special, and they were, but the friends I have are the kind that want others to share in a good time too. Thanks dear friends! You know who you are!

I used Fiesta Ware dishes in orange, red, yellow and green. The orange and white polka-dotted fabric square set atop the bright yellow tablecloth highlights the orange flowers on the watering cans. The red flatware highlights the flowers on the plate and the lady bug name tag holders and lady bugs on the watering cans. I filled the glasses with flavored water with added fruit slices to bring in color.

Scanning a preponderance of magazines, the ideas in my mind, cookbooks, and Pinterest saves, I came up with many delightful surprises for my guests. As I viewed my set table, I wondered "What can I fill those cheerful frogs and felt watering pails with that will activate the oohs, ahhs, and wows" and make my guests feel extra special? I wanted to find or create something that I couldn't wait for my friends to discover as they took their seats to share in sweet friendship, delicious offerings, and little surprises.

Cute business sized cards were produced with inspirational thoughts to brighten their days, printed in green print, enclosed within a business card sized envelope, tied with striped string and embellished with a sequined-flower, and set within the felt frog holders. I roasted walnuts and glazed them with brown sugar, orange juice and cinnamon. They were placed within a cellophane bag and tied with an orange and white gingham bow, allowing the ribbon to be longer to stretch out of the watering can for a pleasant visual effect. Ooooooh, they were sooooo good!

Because everyone wanted to bring a dish, this dinner was the success it was.  Marinated filet Mignon, spinach and olive orzo, and corn on the cob were served for the main dinner.  All made by master chefs!  (At least they were in my mind,)  A home-made peach cobbler (with peaches from my guests grandmother's peach tree) along with vanilla ice cream brought the dining to a very satisfying conclusion.  My friends are DELIGHTFUL!!  

Hope you can duplicate this meal in the future.  You will not be disappointed.