Last of Garden Show Thoughts

Here's the picture of the royal blue and orange tablescape - so bright with the fabulous vintage china, orange feathers, and vintage printed napkins. The mexican corn dip that we served was a hit. My girlfriend Lynda sent this one to us and the recipe follows-

Mexican Corn Dip

11 oz. can corn ( drain well)

4 oz jar of chopped pimento (drain well)

4 oz. jar of chopped jalapeno peppers (drain and rinse)

1 cup mayonaise

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese

Mix together and bake in shallow dish at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

More from our Garden Event

Last time we shared with you our creamy white tablescapes. But the other side of the store was pure color splashes. We set several beautiful tables with vintage china and embellishments.

Laurell painted pots in great colors and filled them with bright spring flowers. We sampled imported French chocolates, pears in brandy, and French Rose biscuits. We served fresh strawberry tartare in vintage silver spoons, garnished with frisee lettuce.

Strawberry Tartare

1 cup freshly diced strawberries

1 T. Honey

1 t. aged balsamic vinegar

1 t. walnut oil

1 t. orange juice

1 t. orange zest

Mix all ingredients together. Let the tartare set at room temperature for 1 hour for the flavors to meld. Strain the mixture in a sieve. Discard liquid. Serve in cordial glasses or small bites in spoons. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles or goat cheese.

Spring Garden Event

It's finally warm weather in Chicago and we are so ready for it! We are having a spring garden event in our store. We have set fun tables, made fun food,and have a special guest in the store. Joan Babb has brought in her newest antique garden finds and customers are lined up to see her.

I'm showing you some of our table displays, set for spring dinner parties. The white babys breath is enhancing a fabulous set of hotel china adorned with gold crowns. So, so, great!

Joan has made these beautiful crepe paper flowers that enhance this ethereal table setting!

More pictures to come of our event later-