where's julia?

Seems we're all talking about Julia C. these days, and when it was time to celebrate Barbarino's birthday we decided to do it up right. Notice the vintage tablecloth!

We've had a beautiful hint of fall weather here in the south, so it was a perfect late summer evening on the porch.

We all got involved in the meal, with the main course being chicken in a French sauce. Parsley fingerling roasted potatoes, butterfly pesto rolls, salad, a gourmet vegetable blend of brussel sprouts and raisins ... and to start with a cold roasted corn chowder out of V*ctoria Mag's summer issue. Notice we added pearls on the table in honor of our favorite old-time French chef, who always wore them.

I like to use these cute glass rooster egg cups for more than eggs, so after some thinking, figured out a way to use them for place cards. (I stuck Styrofoam packing curls down inside to anchor a toothpick holding the photo.) I also like using photos for name cards and made these polor*id looking images online.

I tried to use lots of things that have been given to me over the years by friends, particularly those at the table tonight. Everything you see here is either gifted or thrifted!

If the table's a bit crowded, I do enjoy acting the Scandinavian hostess part and sitting elsewhere (adjacent) and just serving my guests. I think I enjoy it more that way. I can still join in the conversation, and certainly sit down with them for dessert and coffee.

For more tablescapes, see Between Naps on the Porch.