Thursday, July 24, 2014

Fussing for the Two of Us



A special day. A special dinner. A little fuss. Last night's dinner à deux. A host of memories on the table alone - a pale blue damask linen table cloth given to Tim's parents on their wedding day more than 60 years ago. White linen napkins from the same era. China salad plates and later, for dessert, tea cups from the set started by my mother when I was 16. Flatware given by my parents for our first wedding anniversary. Crystal water goblets chosen for our wedding (I only have 6 for they ceased production soon after.) The table itself, built by Tim in Ecuador 28 years ago. How many people have sat here, lingering, laughing, talking?
 

Candlelight on a summer evening. White flowers and greenery gathered from the garden. All this fuss for just the two of us.  You know, it didn't take long to pull together. I started cooking and table setting at 3:00 and all the prep was done by 5:00, except for the last minute cooking after he arrived home.

I use to save "special' for company. During our years in Ecuador there were always the special treats brought down from Canada or the USA. I would hoard them in the freezer and use them rarely, then only for company. One day I read or heard, "Use the things you love on the people you love." Well, of course. 

My children remind me occasionally of the time I tried to grow raspberries in Ecuador. Our crop was very very small. I used these same china salad plates, one for each of us, and in the center of each plate I placed one single raspberry. That was dessert. How we laughed. 
 

First course, Watermelon with Feta Cheese and basil. Simple. Juicy.


Main course: Shrimp with Garlic, Parsley and Lemon, Roasted Asparagus, Sauteed Mushrooms, and an Onion Carbonara from a cookbook by Patricia Wells (The French Kitchen Cookbook) that will be going into my regular repertoire of recipes. He had a glass of Malbec, I had Riesling.
 

We like to wait a little for dessert. Tim had an exhausting day so he took a little rest on the couch while I cleared away the food and dishes. Very 1950s. Then dessert - a Flourless Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream and Raspberries. Earl Grey tea. The cake is from Laura Calder's book, French Taste. Dark intense chocolate flavour. 
 

I let the candles burn down even after dessert was done. We watched an episode of The Good Wife on Netflix. My sister called to wish us Happy Anniversary and we Skyped with our youngest daughter and her husband in Vancouver. There are cards on the mantel.

And so another year is marked. Today I'll be watching two little grand-people while their mother goes to an appointment. Good times ahead, always.

36 comments:

  1. Lovely and why not? Glad you had a happy anniversary together.

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  2. Sometimes it's much nicer just being 'a deux'. It sounds a lovely anniversary dinner.

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  3. Anonymous9:54 AM

    Lovely tablescape and food but best of all are the memories.

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  4. Happy Anniversary to both of you! Your tablescape is beautiful--love the white flowers and greenery:)
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: And I totally agree with your philosophy on using your best for family, not just visitors.

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  5. Thank you for sharing your memorable tablescape and food menu with us! Best wishes for many years to come together!

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  6. I love how you did not spare a thing for this special celebration. The table, the candles, the food, and the thought behind them are lovely. You are blessed and your husband is, too. Keep right on celebrating.

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  7. Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful and special table you set! I love the reminder about using the best for the people we love. Wishing you many more blessed and joyous years together. Thanks for being such a shining example.

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  8. A charming evening. I agree - use the "special" things to make every day a special occasion.

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  9. Delightful Lorrie!
    A beautiful table setting to mark a special day in your lives.
    Your food always looks so delicious!
    Enjoy your time with the little ones today!

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  10. I love this! I love the history in it, the beautiful table and candles, your beautiful writing and photography, the nod to the 1950s, and the everydayness of the next day! I should try this cake--I have a zucchini flour less one to try too. Thanks for an uplifting post.

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  11. How utterly delightful.
    I know just how that feels, because I do similarly for ‘Specials’. Sometimes even an ordinary Sunday is made special.

    Happy Anniversary belatedly. May there be many more.

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  12. What a very, very lovely evening to celebrate your anniversary. Your photographs were beautiful and the food looked delicious. Now I must check out that onion recipe. I think I have that cookbook.

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  13. A beautiful post, Lorrie. Happy, Happy Anniversary to you and Tim.
    You thought of every detail and I think it really is so much nicer to use the nice things. It took me awhile to come to that.
    Your food looks better than any restaurant could provide. What I am really amazed by is how lovely your linens look. Who would ever guess them to be over 60 years old.

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  14. Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful meal and happy times to celebrate. Sweet hugs to you both, Diane

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  15. Beautiful post, Lorrie!! Beautiful photography, beautiful table, and beautiful food! I especially love the china dessert plates and the gorgeous picture of the chocolate cake and raspberries. I hope you will share the recipe on your recipe blog (which I follow, BTW). :)

    Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby; it looks like you had a lovely evening.

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  16. Happy Anniversary...

    I love that you incorporated all those special things in your tablescape, it's true, use the things you love. Nothing should be so special that it doesn't get used with great and loving regularity...

    Jen

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  17. You marked this special occasion with a beautiful and memorable celebration! Lovely!

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  18. Happy Anniversaries! What a perfect, intimate celebration.

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  19. Happy Anniversary. We need to make time to celebrate this special moments and you did it wonderfully.

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  20. In a word sublime ....
    Great menu and a gorgeous presentation.

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  21. How utterly ethereal, Lorrie! Your photos captured the moment & the essence of the evening beautifully.
    I'm glad you two were able to celebrate another year of wedded bliss.

    Your last line of the post struck a cord with me..."Good times ahead, always." Nothing lasts forever, so cherish each & every moment together.

    Enjoy those babies!
    Hugs,
    Rett

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  22. Just lovely. Happy Anniversary. Hugs, Pam

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  23. What a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary. You are right the "good things" should be used and not sit in the cupboard waiting for company.

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  24. That is a perfect and perfectly delicious dinner! And I agree with using the pretty stuff now. What are we saving it for? Always love tea lights.

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  25. Happy Anniversary! how nice to dress the table just for the two of you-

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  26. Lovely... absolutely lovely!

    A very happy anniversary to the two of you.

    Brenda
    xox

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  27. Congratulations! Such a pretty table and that main course looks delicious! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  28. Happy Anniversary, Lorrie!

    How lovely it all is, from the table setting to the delicious menu, and happy hellos from family! Perfect! All the best!

    Poppy

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  29. That's an anniversary worthy of a lot of fuss and bother -- but it's not really a bother, is it, when you are making such a beautiful celebration. I imagine it was with joy you were putting it together. The table is simply elegant and so satisfying - even before you add the food!

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  30. looks beautiful xxxx

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  31. So delicate and pretty and the food looks good too. Nice to take the time to make the table so lovely.

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