Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Dinner for Two in the Gazebo

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We eat outside in the gazebo as often as possible.
Last week was WONDERFUL but not now...
its Too Dang HOT!
I prefer mornings out there with a cup
of tea & an English muffin, topped with
Asiago cheese & some freshly picked cherry tomatoes.

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However this EVENING meal last week was all shades
of purple & green, thanks to Sarah at Hyacinths For The Soul.
Sarah sent us these pretty hand towels as a 'thank you'
for the mug rug I sent to them.
"Thank YOU, Sarah!"
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I went all around the house,
looking for things that
were PURPLE & GREEN.

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Ta-Da!
I only have 2 of these hand-painted wine glasses.
I found them at Stein Mart in FL
years ago & have never seen them again.
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The bowl for our salads are the Gibson dishes at Big Lots.
My GREEN leaf-shaped under plate is "Olfaire", made in Portugal.
The white dinner plate is the "Wicker" pattern, by Oneida.
Green charger....??? too old to remember!

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I made a *new-to-me* recipe in my GREEN casserole dish,
shown below.
I LOVE those wavy edges!
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This Potato Sausage Casserole - AKA Francúzske Zemiaky
recipe came from Frugal Wannabe Cooks
I'll have a few tips to share about making it,
along with my additions to the recipe on Friday.

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Just think, I almost got rid of this dark brown ceramic planter.

A flower arrangement came in it &

it is sooooo not my colors or style!

I don't do "rustic" or "earthy" very often but

I saw where Marty's daughter had a similar one on her

patio in AZ
& I decided to use mine as a planter,

like she did, too.

My thyme is going CRAZY in it!

The candle, inked with French words

(idea courtesy of Debbie @ Confessions of a Plate Addict)

is tucked down into the dirt with a pointed candle holder from the florist.
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We attended a dinner party years ago & someone brought the hostess
a live ivy plant with a similar candle tucked inside &
a single fresh rose in a water vial, poked down into it as well.
It was a beautiful presentation that really stayed with me!

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Carrying the Purple & Green color scheme all the way

to the top of the wine bottle.

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A nice, light summery Pinot Grigio
was delightful with some crackers & ...

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Port Wine cheese.

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Even the cheese board has a little purple & green dish for dips.
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Decaf tea stayed hot in a thermal carafe.

I try to always serve decaf products after 5 pm.

I put our artificial sweetener into the cups before I bring them out.
That way, I don't have to run back & forth.

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Just a little candlelight to end the meal!

Thanks for stopping by The Gazebo House.
fondly,
Rett

I'm joining
Yvonne at StoneGable forOn The Menu Monday

28 comments:

  1. Rett, it all looks so wonderfully fresh and summery. I wish it was nicer outside, so we could enjoy some dinners on the deck. I'm ready for autumn!!
    Your potato sausage casserole reminds me very much of a Dutch potato/sausage dish that our family loves. Years ago my sister and I were working on a girlscout badge and we had to cook an international meal. My sisters best friend was half Dutch, so we went to her mother and got some great recipes.

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  2. Rett, the gazebo looks like a delightful spot for alfresco dining. Your table is lovely with its theme of purple and green. Great job! The casserole looks delicious. I look forward to the recipe on Friday.
    Hugs ~ Sarah

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  3. Everything looks beautiful and delicious. Hopefully the weather will cool back down to a reasonable temperature soon. I love dining outside.

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  4. Everything is so lovely and summery. Your thyme with the candlestick is fabulous. I may copy you on that one! Thanks for the inspiration. I can always count on you for that!

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  5. Beautiful table, Rett! I love the wine glasses. I have some S&P shakers similar to them. I really like the candle down in the ivy...I need to try that...it's so pretty! Can't wait for your recipe. Yum!! :-)

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. Love all the purple and green...so pretty, Rett.

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  7. It all makes for a pretty table! I love the candle centerpiece. That's a great candle! The food looks delicious and perfect for a summer menu.

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  8. I'm impressed that you found an evening nice enough for al fresco dining. They have been few and far between around my neck of the woods. So many of us have green on the mind this week. I think that we're trying to surround ourselves with green in any form. Around here so many things have turned a sad yellowish brown from the heat. Your tblescape is charming. The candle in the ivy was a good idea to store away for another day. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  9. Your gazebo tablescape is fabulous, Rett. It looks so relaxing. Love the idea of the candle in a pot surrounded by thyme. I bet it smells good too...Christine

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  10. How romantic and sweet!!! I feel the same way about my "warm and fuzzy physician" husband as you do. We have only been together 20 years, and I wish I would have met him sooner so as to enjoy many more years with him. Meanwhile, I will just be grateful for those we have had and will have. Sigh! :-) Have a wonderful weekend!

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  11. I'm certainly looking forward to that recipe!
    You know, earth tones don't appeal to me, usually, but on a hot day there's something very cool about the browns and greens and eggplant colours. Your table is lovely and cool looking!

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  12. Rett, your pieces are so lovely. I love the almost thrown out planter!! The casserole looks scrumptious and I can't wait for the recipe.. Lovely gazebo, and you are right.. it's too hot! xo marlis

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  13. Would you want me to try to pick one up for you here and mail it to you? You could send me a check. If you're interested, let me know the length of your table, and I can check it out. I'll bet that they still have some. Cherry Kay

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  14. Rhett, I love your table! The purple and green accents are beautiful! Love the wine glasses (and I love Pino Grigio)!!!!!!!! You are right, it is WAAAY too hot to eat outside right now. I doubt I will be able to ahve breakfast on our deck, like I usually do. It is supposed to be 100 tomorrow:( XO, Pinky

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  15. I called it Boomerang because I gave it to Karen and she gave it back to me!

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  16. every thing looks wonderful, the beauty is in all the details!

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  17. It all looks lovely, Rett! I have to mention that your photography gets better and better with every single post you do. It's been a joy to watch the development of your artistry as you share your interests, skills, and talents with fellow bloggers.

    What a great idea to add a candle and a "water pick'd" rose to a pot of ivy as a gift. I'm envisioning a centerpiece ... hmmmm.

    Warmest wishes to you, Rett!
    Bill

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  18. Oh, this table is gorgeous! I'd love to be on your gazebo enjoying a meal if you make the table look this great all the time! I especially love your simply idea of putting the candle in a plant.

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  19. Wow, great follow-through with the green and purple theme! Now you've got me wanting to try those colors, too. I really love the look of the candle in the potted plant, too. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  20. Your purple and green is so pretty and summery Rett. It's one of my favorite color combos.

    I have had some fun reading "backwards" in your blog and love the tea party for Miss C !! Just darling ~ and her 4th of July outfit was "tutu" cute. {Sorry, couldn't resist:-) } I am feeling like a slacker!

    Have a wonderful day!

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  21. If I ever see more of those glasses, I will get them for you!
    I love your table and the plant with the candle in it brings in such a lovely natural element, besides your natural beauty, ie! :)

    Look forward to seeing yur recipe. Being Irish, if it has potatoes, I am there! :)

    Save up to come out next summer, and A and I will drag you from store to store. We do stop to eat!

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  22. Rett, your purple and green color combination is very refreshing during these HOT days! So glad I found your blog. I'll be following...

    Stop by if you get a chance. I'm celebrating my first year of blogging with a Vintage Linen & Dish Auction ... going on now!

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  23. O, Rett, this is so delightful. I love everything about it.
    It is entirely too hot here to even GO outside, much less eat out there. :)
    Maybe closer to Fall, we can dine alfresco. :)
    Beautiful table.
    xo bj

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  24. Just beautiful, Rett. Love those hand painted glasses and the casserole is making my mouth water! It's too darn HOT!!! :D :D Have a great (cool) week!

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  25. Lovely table!! Love dining outdoors even in the hot summer!!
    Visiting from the Tablescaper!!

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  26. Hi Rett~ Your purple & green are such a wonderful combination! How nice you had a reprieve from the heat! It's too HOT to be on a boat here :-)

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  27. Oh Rett, this is amazing! It's so fresh and full of Summer. Just wonderful. Thanks so much for bringing your post to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  28. Hi Rett,

    Just stopping by to wish you a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend. Loved seeing your table for two. Great color combination, and your photography captured it all beautifully. I especially liked the photo of the bottle stopper. The background was like an abstract painting!

    Bye for now, sweet friend,

    Bill

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~