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Monday, March 12, 2012

St. Patrick's Day Dinner For Eight

I'm doing an Irish jig around here trying to get this post up in time for Cuisine Kathleen's St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl!  I've had a lot to do to get ready as it involved hosting an early St. Pat's Day dinner party for eight this past weekend.  So without further ado, let me show you my tablescape and walk you through the details.

 

And here's the details....

Fortunately, I was able to capture three leprechauns inside this cloche which made for the perfect centerpiece.

Here's a look at them from another angle...they even seem happy to be caught! Around the base of the cloche, I put three pots of gold and some gold (choc) coins as well as a green shamrock wire ring garland.

On each side of the centerpiece, two square glass vases hold "appropriate" green carnations and mums. Shamrock vinyl "cling-ons" were added to outside of vases.

I liked the green centers on these ones....(sorry blurry pic)



On the ends of the table, I placed two cylinder vases with shamrocks and gold thread inside.

A closer view....

On the opposite side of the cylinder vases, I placed these green grass boxes (Winners) with a shamrock tucked in.



The place settings each started with a green or gold placemat, a gold charger, green/white dinner and salad plates topped by a white flower-shaped bowl.  Inside each bowl, I tucked a little pot o' gold (closer view of that coming up).

A close-up view...
 (Bowls are from Pier 1, plates are called "Buckingham" and are from Stokes years ago)   
(If by chance, you are wondering about the strange names on the placecards, they are all nicknames that our skier friends go by)


The individual pots o' gold were each created using a small glass dish with shamrock vinyl cling-ons stuck on the outside.  Gold (chocolate) coins were placed inside and topped with a piece of  shamrock wire garland.  
(White square doily is actually vinyl and I use them between plates to avoid dish "chatter")




Beside each place setting, a coordinating flower and greenery sits inside a green coloured vase (old spice jars) filled with green beads and water.

A trio of glasses make up the stemware selection.

I created individual menu cards for each guest.  Now, I'm sure the Irish have some delicious recipes but I decided not to go with an Irish themed meal and actually highlighted that fact!  My menu did have an ethnic flair to it though with gyozas and "Russian" chicken!


The menu cards were tucked in beside the plates on the charger.

Some other views of the table....


The snow outside made us feel even cozier inside...especially since we all skied earlier in the day!



I know I say it EVERY time, but AGAIN, I did not get any pictures of the food other than this blurry one of the Mud Pie I served for dessert.  I hope you believe that I REALLY did cook the food on the menu cards and that this tablescape was used for a REAL dinner party!
It was a very fun evening and though only the table decor depicted an Irish theme, I hope that we did all fellow St. Patrick's Day celebrators proud with our observation of this special holiday albeit, a week early!

Now hurry on over to Cuisine Kathleen's for her fabulous annual St. Pat's Day Blog Crawl on March 13th! You don't want to miss it!
And after that, pop on over to the Egg-xcellent Spring Cloche Party hosted by Marty at  A Stroll Thru Life.



I'll also be linking this post to these terrific blog parties this week.

Wow Us Wednesday at Savy Southern Style 
Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.  
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home  
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

22 comments:

  1. So many wonderful personal details...beautiful design. I love the dinner plates and the pots of gold. Cherry Kay

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    1. Such a beautiful table, with incredible detail. I don't know where to begin telling you each and everything I simply love! Gorgeous dinner plates and the pots of gold are terrific. Thanks for sharing. I'm also at Kathleen's. Hugs,
      FABBY

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  2. Wow, your tablescape is totally exquisite. Gorgeous china and all of your accessories are stunning. Definitely a work of art. I adore your cloche, the little leprechauns are just way too cute. Beautifully done. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Your place settings are beautiful and in the candlelight with the snow outside the table looks extremely inviting! I am waiting to hear about the Russian Chicken! Linda

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  4. DD, this is just lovely! The plates are fabulous, and the pots of gold , adorable! Too funny on the no Irish food. Corned beef isn't Irish anyway, American for sure, and I can't believe how expensive it has become. you need a pot of gold to feed a crowd!
    Thanks so much for joining the crawl, I can't believe it is four years already!

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  5. Hi lovely lady.
    Your tablescape is just beautiful and very dramatic with the green added. Also who would not want to sit at that table with the gorgeous view of the yard full of snow as well. I love your pot of gold also.
    Definitely quite festive and enjoyable!! I hope you have a wonderful St.Patrick's Day with your family Linda.
    XXOO Diane

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  6. So pretty and I understand what you mean about taking photos of the food. I am usually so busy with my guests that I completely forget to take photos! Hope your actual St. Pat's goes well!

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  7. I hear ya on forgetting to take pics of food, happens to me all the time - it isn't like we have food servers and cooks and all we do is visit when having a dinner party, we're busy and the last thing I remember is the dumb pictures.

    I believe you b/c I understand completely!!!

    As for your menu, tablescape post- it is all absolutely marvelous! WOW, what an amazing party you created. Love it.

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  8. We are skiers also, and your guests were very lucky to have such a nice dinner after a day of skiing! Your place settings are beautiful, and I love seeing the snow. Our winter was very mild, and we only skied twice. Visiting from Kathleen's blog crawl.

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  9. Yes, you guests are the lucky ones. Just lovely.

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  10. DD, you did it again. That table is gorgeous. The dishes caught my eye immediately. They are beautiful. I can't remember if you ever shared them in a tablescape before. I just love them.

    I'm going to use the old-spice-jars-turned-individual-flower-vases if you don't mind. They are JUST the RIGHT SIZE.
    The idea will give me an excuse to throw out my old spices that have lost their umph and get new ones.

    The view out your window is really something.

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  11. Looks like a lovely dinner. Beautiful details on your gorgeous tablescape. Sorry I'm late to arrive, but I've been away from my computer. Happy St. Patrick's Day! ~ Sarah

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  12. I had to take a picture of the food after the dinner also from our dinner party last night. That table is just wonderful! Love the menu and will totally do that next time!

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  13. Beautiful table...those green plates are gorgeous!

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  14. You set a very elegant table! The candlelight is beautiful shining through the glassware! Really a show stopper! Would have loved to dine at your table! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
    Miss Bloomers

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  15. This is just stunning to me from the first photo. I loved the way it all came together, and I really loved the individual place settings from the pots of gold down to the chargers. I'm sure that everyone thought it was just plain wonderful.

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  16. Your dinner tables are always so inviting. I am so impressed that you skied then came home and had a dinner party! Wow, that's remarkable. I love your centerpiece of adorable Leprechauns. Your dishes are lovely. The snow viewed out the window is awesome.

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  17. Oh how fun and festive your table is! The menu sounds delicious!

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  18. You set the most amazing table(s) I have ever seen. It is a delight to visit your blog.

    Smiles,

    Debbie

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  19. This looks like an excellent dinner party planned perfectly.
    Everything looks wonderful.
    Pat

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  20. Love that centerpiece so creative. I never celebrate St Patrick's Day I think I should start. You have set such an elegant example. Blessing Irish and otherwise.

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  21. Your tables are always so beautiful! You have such an amazing way of putting things together! We don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day here unless you count Shamrock Shakes from McDonalds. Lol! I know your dinner was so fabulous and I am sure your guests loved it! That always happens to me when I entertain...I forget to take pics of the food because I am so busy with everything else! Have a lovely week! Angie xo

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