A visit with my sisters

I had a wonderful visit with 2 of my 4 sisters this week.

They drove well over an hour each way to come help me celebrate my birthday.

You KNOW I had to set a pretty table for them!

Since we'll be away on Valentine's Day (our anniversary)

I thought I would take the opportunity to use some of my ♥ shaped dishes.

My original menu plan was to make little individual chicken pot pies

in the white ♥ shaped ones & use the RED ones for coleslaw.

RED & white with polka-dots galore!

Since it was just family, I put the cups & saucers on the table.

I realize you're not suppose to have them there before hand.

Normally, I would keep them on a side table until the end of the meal

but with only 4 place settings, it looked a little sparse without them.

RED Colonial candles (Susan's BNOTP Favorite) in Ralph Lauren crystal candlesticks.

The day before their arrival, I got an email saying

"We'll be at your house by noon...don't feed us, we're both too fat!"

Of course, EVERYONE is on a diet at the start of a new year.

Us, too!

So, I put out these BIG bowls & changed the menu to just salads with grilled chicken.

Plans quickly changed to very low calorie choices.

This lovely combination is only 5 calories & tastes delicious & is good for you, too.

Lots of antioxidants!

Salad served from my Waterford crystal bowl that I carried home from Ireland in my hand luggage.

I didn't trust the baggage handlers not to break it!

Instead of the pot pies, we enjoyed

Apple Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad

(from Wendy's)

It is soooo good with fresh spring greens, dried cranberries,

blue cheese, pecans & chunks of grilled chicken breast.

The Marzetti Pomegranate Vinaigrette dressing is awesome.

I wish we could buy it for home use but

its unavailable for purchase other than at Wendy's with this salad!

I used the little dishes to hold their pecans that come in little bags with the salads &

I also added some of my own pecans that I glazed with

about a tablespoon of sugar in a non-stick pan.

Watch them closely, as it melts fast & can burn quickly!

I served a healthy, low calorie fruit salad of grapes, Mineola oranges,

watermelon, strawberries & pineapple.

Sweetened with just a light sprinkle of Splenda® & a wee bit of orange juice for moisture.

I had strawberry yogurt ready to also use as a topping but everyone preferred it plain.

Yummalicious & soooo good for you, too!

The cute Department 56 cake dome on the Ralph Lauren cake stand

was just meant to cover a plate of cookies for dessert,

BUT.....

They surprised me by bringing along lemon meringue pie...my utmost favorite!

I have had lemon pie, instead of a birthday cake, for as long as I can remember.

Usually, my sweet hubby makes it for me,

using French's lemon pudding & pie filling.

He just follows the recipe on the back of the box,

but they saved him from all that work this time.

Wasn't that SWEET of them?

Thanks, Sisters, for a delightful visit.

I loved having you over.

Hurry back!

Candy Apple Red Chargers: Big Lots
White stoneware dishes: American Antelier, Bianca
Flatware: Napoleon Bee, Horchow
Red polka-dot plates: T. J. Maxx (last year)
Red & white heart bowl: Michael's (last year)
Napkin folding tutorial:

Thank YOU, too, for visiting The Gazebo House.

Our doors are always open to you.

I have some sewing projects to share next.

I finished almost 75 peri-pads for the girls in Haiti

then completed a corduroy pants outfit for Ms. Caroline.

I've been in my sewing room so much lately that hubby came

downstairs to visit, saying

"I just wanted to see how my other half lived".

I'll be joining Susan at
Between Naps on the Porch
for our favorite Thursday event

As well as The Tablescaper for her Seasonal Sundays meme.

and Marty at her blog

A Stroll Thru Life

for her Tabletop Tuesday.

EDITED TO ADD: I'm also joining Jojo at her blog

Jojo's - Joys

Pie Party, which I just heard is going on this week!

How perfect for this post...thanks for inviting me, Jojo!