Christmas, Take Two

We did Christmas dinners back to back this year -

second time around was a little different,

but we used some of the same elements as Christmas Eve

so as to maintain some level of sanity.

Christmas in the North Woods

Surrounded by the vast Superior National Forest, blanketed

in heavy snow, we celebrated Christmas Eve.

Please join us.....

Christmas with friends

Kimberly put on a Christmas feast that was 

earthy and elegant, juxtaposed in such a way

to evoke a homey, sophisticated, northwoods feel.

 The very holiday vibe from the Ralph Lauren tablecloth

was complimented by matching napkins, enshrouded in a

green shimmery napkin, and surrounded by a

gold embellished napkin ring.

 The accent color this year was copper,

as evidenced by the shimmering copper runner

down the middle, the copper-hued leaf garland,

the copper wine goblets, and copper candles.

The stage was now set for the clay and rattan Pottery Barn chargers,

topped with Christmas china in the 'holly berry' pattern.

The Artland Iris red water glasses add

a touch of casual, which I liked in 

contrast to the fine china place settings.

And then, there was the dinner itself.  

A masterpiece!

  A seared, then roasted beef tenderloin, stuffed with 

blue cheese, thyme, and panko crumbs,

atop a bed of pearled barley spinach pilaf.

A red wine/shallot reduction was drizzled over the tenderloin

just prior to serving.

Accompanying the beef was a trio of marinated, bacon-wrapped

scallops that were broiled at the last minute and 

served hot.

 The salad was carmelized pears on top of mixed greens, blue cheese,

red onion slices, and pomegranate arils.

 A light dressing of apple cider vinegar, honey, and shallots

was splashed on the salad before serving.

 Each end of the table was adorned with a fresh balsam, 

pine, and spruce arrangement in matching 

silver cachepots.

Dessert, a supper club throwback,

was grasshoppers, served with crushed

Oreos on the bottom of the glass, after which

we reclined in front of the fire

and reminisced and chatted

until bedtime.

We're partying with Christine at Rustic and Refined
for Table It Link Party #33

and
Three Mango Seeds

 

and 

An Extraordinary Day 

for a linky party.

Christmas in the Pines

Join us as we celebrate Christmas in the vast boreal forest of Northern Minnesota!

The only thing necessary for a fragrant pine centerpiece is a trip outside my front door.

This year, I chose balsam, red pine, spruce, and cedar.

 

 The little birds on my Lenox Winter Greetings china look right at home here amongst

the snowy pines and frozen lakes.

 The birds on these plates are all familiar faces to us....nuthatches and chickadees visit our

feeders just outside the dining room and want to join in the festivities.

The only 'foreigner' is the beautiful cardinal, that prefers to winter further south of here

where the weather isn't quite as brutal.  Funny, as the smaller birds survive and thrive 

here, despite their diminutive size.  

Did you know you could mail three chickadees with a 

first class stamp?  They weigh 1/3 of an ounce.  Incredible!

I love my etched pinecone glasses and used them to echo the 

pine theme throughout.

  

For this dinner, I've chosen beaded round placemats in red, white china chargers with 

the dinner plate, salad plate, and dipping bowls.  The dipping bowls were a 

timely and much appreciated birthday gift from my sister, Sue.  

 There are many complimentary pieces available in the Winter Greetings pattern.

The serving platter was a gift last Christmas from Kimberly.

  

Cardinal pitcher for iced water. 

These cute little reindeer flew in from way up north to help us celebrate. They'll act

as salt and pepper shakers until they are called back to the North Pole for duty.

 I never, ever, ever thought I would use battery operated tapers, but these seemed to 

fit the bill perfectly in the highly flammable evergreen arrangement.

A bird's eye view of a place setting.  The tablecloth is Ralph Lauren, 

as are the dinner napkins.
 The runner is wool with crewel detailing that we picked up in a consignment shop. 

Sitting down to our traditional and delicious Christmas dinner.

Merry Christ-Moose from Minnesota!

We're linking up with Christine at Rustic and Refined
for a link party:
Rustic and Refined Link Party

HONORED and flattered to be the #2 most
viewed tablescape on last week's 
Table It Monday party.
Thanks Christine for hosting the party!!
See the post HERE