Black & White & Yellow Roses & Tortellini Soup

My roses have started blooming, so I thought I would use a few in a black & white table for dinner with friends this weekend.

Our guests will have cocktails & appetizers served in the sunroom,

with these cute napkins to start things off with a chuckle.

I think I'll put some nuts in the little white casseroles.

The runner is new from from

Petite Provence

& was purchased during Jain's

Once in a Blue Moon little party.

Thank you, Jain for the savings!

Drinks will go on this tray (T.J. Maxx) along with some healthy nibbles & dip.

On the dining room table, I've mixed several different sets of white dishes for this table. Some are Federalist Ironstone, some are American Antelier (Bianca Leaf & Bianca Fruit & Bead) & others are an unknown brand with just the letter "B" shown in a crest.

Little ceramic place markers await names.

I can't find my black calligraphy pen at the moment!

The black & white toille placemats were recently

purchased at K-Mart.

They are part of the Jaclyn Smith collection.

I love the striped bias binding on them...it makes a cute effect!

The bee glassware is the set I won from

Libby's pretty blog,

Taste and Twirl.

I want to say 'thank you' to her every time I take them out.

I must remember to serve something yummy

in the cute carafe that matches them.

I haven't decided on another stem to go with them yet.

Since there are bees on the glasses, I used my

Napoleon Bee flatware again.

It is rapidly becoming my favorite, as it works for both a formal table
as well as a more casual one, like this.

The white linen hemstiched napkins are just lightly gathered
& then tied with

black ribbons for a relaxed feeling.


The little black bowls were a recent purchase

from Big Lots.

They are going to be filled with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

to go on the first course of Tortellini soup.

It is SOOOO easy to make, tastes outstanding &

everything you need can be kept in your

pantry & freezer so you can make it in a jiffy.

TORTELLINI SOUP

Sauté the following in a small amt. of olive oil:

1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 med. chopped onion

Add: 1 block frozen chopped spinach
(Cook till thawed)

Add: 1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 or 3 quarts of chicken stock

Bring to a boil

Add: 1 pk. DRY tortellini

DO NOT USE FROZEN OR DAIRY CASE
(They get mushy)

Salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, basil & oregano to taste

Reduce heat and simmer till tender.

Top with cheese & Enjoy!

I have several unusual white serving dishes that I'll use for vegetables.
Some are Crate & Barrel, some just nondescript names.


I really like the ruffled edge on the one with the handles below.

My wrought iron candle holder that I've used for the centerpiece is usually out on the table in the gazebo but I recently spruced it up with oil rubbed bronze spray paint so I thought I would use it in the dining room, as it looked so nice.

It is sitting inside the open circle of this neat little flower arranger

that has really come in handy over the years.

You fill the inside with water & then lock on the top that has multiple sized holes so that various sized stems can be positioned down into the water inside.

I used some fresh mint & yellow roses from my garden to add interesting textures &

fragrance along with the baby's breath.

The side table is set for coffee & dessert to be
served on some fun monogrammed plates.
(from Tuesday Morning, this year)

I ♥ the detail on this little cake plate!!!

It has wonderful pattern & texture &
the cake server from my Christmas cake plate matches it beautifully.

The heart shaped bowls were purchased years apart.
EDIT: Carol tells me they are coeur à la crème molds.

I've had this larger sized one that is holding

the strawberries a long time.

The little one came with some cranberry/walnut cheese in it.

They look like a set, don't they?

We're having vanilla pound cake with either strawberries or blueberries

...OR BOTH!

(with homemade whipped cream on top, of course)

The little ironstone basket with the handle was found at my favorite thrift shop recently.

EDIT to say: Delores from the lovely Vignette Design

tells me it is called a "strawberry basket.

She really knows her stuff...go see her beautiful blog

when you have at least an hour to visit.

Thanks for that info, D!

I don't know yet what I'm going to put into it.

It would work well for a fruit salad &

then the containers on the sides could hold powdered sugar

or a sweet honey dressing.

I'm open to other suggestions, please?

I haven't planned out the whole menu yet

but I've got dessert figured out.

Hey, I have MY priorities straight!

I'm linking up with Susan's beautiful blog

Between Naps on the Porch

I'm also participating
in "Foodie Friday" at Designs By Gollum
Be sure to check out all the other delicious recipes
posted on her wonderful blog.


Thank you to both Susan & Michael Lee!

Thank YOU for visiting
The Gazebo House today!

fondly,