Mid-Atlantic Martha: May 2012

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

May calander inspiration tablescape

Some of you know that I've been using an old Lang calendar for monthly tablescape inspiration. This month has been so busy I almost let May pass me by.

But with one day left in the month, I took a peek and decided to build my table around this picture from May 2010 of a bouquet of white and purple flowers wrapped in printed paper with a seed package all tied together with a blue and white striped bow. The border was navy blue. So......I went to work and.........

I found some purple and white flowers at the local grocery store and a seed packet of white flowers at Home Depot. Moonflowers.....I think I'll really plant them and see what happens. The directions say that they almost glow in the moonlight.

Even though the flowers are all different and the only printed paper I could come up with was a page of the daily newspaper.....I thought it came together pretty well.

Since the border was navy and white, I used a navy tablecloth and goblets along with white china, chargers and flatware. I tied the bouquet together with a blue and white striped napkin and also knotted some for each place setting.

Overview of my inspiration table.

The bouquet of May flowers wapped in newsprint.

Navy goblets

A place set just for you.

Flowers viewed from the top.

One last picture......

                                    .....before I put the flowers in water.   I'm not
                             sure I would have picked out purple and white flowers
                             for a blue and white tablescape......but in this case....it just
                               seems to work.    I'll be back with June calendar inspiration
                              soon!

                             See ya!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tuesday Treat

A couple of years ago I started a tradition of bringing a treat to share with my co-workers each Monday. We all look forward to "Monday Treats". For me the reward is that I get to bring something in to share with a most appreciative group....and I also get to "share" the calories....that way, I get a share, but don't over the course of the week end up eating a whole cake....pie.....whatever. And who doesn't need something to look forward to on Mondays? This week however, the Monday holiday meant that the treat was moved to Tuesday....and I was looking for something red, white and blue. Sorry I didn't get a picture of these plated....this was when I was ready to pop them back in the refrigerator for about an hour before I left for work.

I figured that cream stuffed strawberries topped with blueberries fit the bill just perfectly! Don't you agree? Thought I would share the recipe for any upcoming patriotic events....and of course, you can always leave off the blueberries too.

Here's the recipe:

1 (3.4) oz) pkg coconut cream instant pudding mix (or flavor of choice)
3/4 C. sour cream
1/4 C. heavy whipping cream
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese softened
3/4 C. confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)
1 quart large strawberries washed and dried.

Combine pudding mix, sour cream & whipping cream. Beat with mixer on med. speed. Lower the speed to low and add cream cheese, confectioners sugar & extract. Beat until well combined. Cover & refrigerate 30 minutes. With stem side down, make 2 vertical cuts from tip to about 1/4 inch from the stem end. Spread apart to form petals. Spoon or pipe filling into each strawberry.

Take this in for an office treat and you'll be everybody's favorite co-worker....at least until they're all gobbled up!