Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday - End of Summer

Gosh, I can't believe we've come to Labor Day weekend -- the "end" of Summer 2009! I feel like it was a shooting star! I know that many of you have experienced almost unbearable heat this Summer - but for most of the Summer, here in Virginia, it was very mild -- until the last two weeks - when it turned hot! hot! hot! And with the usual high level of humidity that seems to make you feel like you're melting into a puddle -- sort of like the "Wicked Witch of the West". So, I chose a tropical theme this week. I was feeling the heat Saturday when I was working on this one -- I also found the want for lots of color on my table, after last week's all white and black and white themes.

Here's our approaching the tropical table photo.


A closer view of the centerpiece.


A side view of our flamingo planter filled with daisys and bright colored flowers in pink, orange, lime and yellow. I'm not a flamingo collector - but my boss is --- big time! So she was pleased to contribute to the tropical theme. Thanks Elaine - your flamingo was perfect for my setting today.


I've had these two candle globes for ages -- I think I probably got them from Garden Ridge.


Fred and Felicia return to the table. They've been off shaking their tail feathers all Summer -- about time they got back to work!


A close look at the colors in my picture frame this week. (And Fred & Felicia's tail feathers!)


Tropical paper napkins in my water goblets. For some reason when I looked at this photo, they look like some sort of root vegetable to me! Beets maybe.
Or radishes?

Flattened out -- you can see the flower design.


Green bamboo placemats with the bamboo flatware I've been so fond of this Summer. I got the placemats at a Ross store in Atlanta back in the Spring -- The flatware came from Marshall's here in Mechanicsville.


The parrot napkin rings were a recent Antique and Thrift store find. I couldn't believe out of the many sets of napkins I have -- I didn't have any the right color for this theme -- I picked the wrong time of year to look for them too - everything out now is Fallish -- I found these on sale at Kohl's for $1.75 each.


Here's a view of a place setting.


Let's take a closer look -- this is a trick I "borrowed" from Laurie of "Bargain Hunting and Chatting With Laurie" -- I tell you -- that woman is a tablescaping genius! Because she taught me how you can easily have dishes of any theme you like -- simply by layering....


....a plain clear glass plate....


...over a paper plate!!! There are some remarkably pretty ones available -- I don't like to eat off a flimsy paper plate, but this is the best of both worlds. Real plates and a design that I might not use often enough to justify buying and storing -- but fun for an occasional themed tablescape. Think of all the potential here -- Thanks Laurie!
The paper plates and napkins came from Target. I got my clear plates at Goodwill - but I've seen them at Walmart too.


I also sandwiched that paper plate between the clear one and my white dinner plates -- it makes for a "substantial" plate.


An overview of my tablescape of many colors.


And an overview of the centerpiece.


Late afternoon in the tropics.


After dark the candles are lit. I can almost hear the steel drums - how about you?


Flowers and flamingos by candle glow.


Oh wait!!!! Let's turn those lights back on so you can see dessert for Foodie Friday! Individual lime cheesecakes. Recipe by Sandra Lee.


Served on these cute little plates supplied by my flamingo loving boss. You may have noticed the edge of them in a couple of the previous photos. Let's see what these guys are up to for the Holiday weekend.



The girls are ready for a dip in the pool.


After playing a round of golf at the club.


And they're ready for a Labor Day cookout to end the weekend.


Here's the recipe....


Sandra Lee's Individual Lime Cheesecakes

8 oz. cream cheese softened
1/2 Cup sugar
3 Tablespoons lime curd
6 mini grahm cracker crusts
cool whip
sugared lime slices

Beat cream cheese & sugar until mixed - add lime curd and mix on low speed. Spoon into crusts -- Freeze for 10 minutes - Dollop with whipped topping - Top with sugared lime slice.

These made a pretty presentation - but I think next time I make them I will add some lime juice - I wanted a bit of tartness that was lacking. I would rate them as prettier than they were tasty -- but they sure made up for it in something quick to whip up. Some other versions were substitutes of lemon curd and lemon slices, strawberry preserves and strawberry slices, I bet your could do orange marmalade and orange slivers too. I think with just a little tweaking, these could be really delightful! If you try these, let me know what you do different.


Hope you're having a great Labor Day weekend and enjoying the end of Summer in a way that suits your style!

Be sure to check out all the other fun tablescapes at "Between Naps On ThePorch" and you'll find something to cook up on Foodie Friday over at "Designs by Gollum".

Be safe!
See ya!