Monday, March 16, 2009

Ladies Who Garden Luncheon


Welcome to "Tablescape Thursday," hosted by the Hostess with Mostess, Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch.

Happy Spring y'all! Springtime is the perfect time to plant some flowers in your garden, bring out the birdhouses, and welcome those sweet little birds back...or maybe even organize your Spring wardrobe!
Last year at my Mississippi home, I hosted a Luncheon with a "Ladies Who Garden" theme. If I were to host this event today in my Florida home, it would be a "Ladies Who Need to Garden" theme.

For the tablescape, I coordinated my Franciscan "Ivy" china with some Majolica "Green Leaf" pieces; then, I tied in the garden theme by adding a birdcage, bird's nests, and some ivy.
Menu
Cream of Carrot Soup
Bird's Nest Egg Salad*
Fresh Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Sliced Onions
Tomato Basil Beer Bread
Herbed Mint Iced Tisane
~
Aunt Gladys' Lace Cookies*
Lemonade



Ladies Who Garden Luncheon Tablescape...

Bird's nest place card holders and flower seed party favors carry out the garden theme...


Sweet little bird's nest holding the place card...

Birdcage as the centerpiece...

Bird's nest under the cloche...

Luncheon Menu...

Bird's Nest Egg Salad...y'all, the noodles are crispy, not wet!

*Recipe for Bird's Nest Egg Salad
1 egg
3 cups chow mein noodles
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Egg Salad:
4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

In a small bowl, beat egg. Add chow mein noodles and garlic salt; sir to coat. Drop by 1/3 cupfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Using your fingers, shape each into a nest, making an indentation in the center of each. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a bowl, combine the first eight egg salad ingredients; mix well. Just before serving, spoon 1/4 cupful into each nest. Makes 6 servings.

Tomato Basil Beer Bread...


For a light dessert, I served lemonade and some of my "Aunt Gladys'" Lace Cookies.

Light dessert stand--Aunt Gladys' Lace Cookies with Lemonade...


*Aunt Gladys' Lace Cookies

1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup cooking oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Drop a very small amount of dough (1/4 tsp., as it spreads thin) on greased and floured wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about five minutes until slightly brown at edges. If underdone, the cookies will not come off the paper. Allow cookies to cool on paper before removing. Makes 80-100 cookies. Cookies look like beige bits of lace. (Okay, Miss Janice's cookies look like brown bits of lace.)
Don't forget your party favors y'all! An easy party favor for this event...packets of flower seeds on a bed of moss, wrapped in cello with an ivy print bow.

I decided to give out the seed packets as my March "Friendship Gift." This is a very inexpensive small token of love to give to those who visit your home!

My "Friendship Gifts" for March...
Ye sleeping buds, break
Open your green cerements, and wake
To fragrant blossoming for His sweet sake.
~Margaret French Patton

I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit. Enjoy the Springtime y'all and remember to Make it Southern...Make it Memorable!

71 comments:

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

So beautiful!!

Unknown said...

what a fabulous luncheon - love the menu cards - I find guests love to take them home as mementos and they make great bookmarkers

tablescape is lovely and egg salad birdnest makes me hungry - it's lunch time

Princess Freckles said...

Sooo beautiful! I love this theme and what cute gifts!

Melissa Miller said...

Oh my Miss Janice, :)
Everything you create is divine.

I am so very grateful you have a blog and are sharing all the beauty and details with us.
I am so inspired every time I read a new post from you.

~Gorgeous tablescape.

Happy Spring to you!
~Melissa :)

Unknown said...

I simply adore this! It looks like something I would do...gardening is a fav of mine. You have presented a very nice and relaxed atmoshphere in which to enjoy friendship and the return of spring! (I'm sure it is different to garden in FL than MS) Maybe I will host a "party" like this this spring...it's not here yet...sigh.
The gift bag is a perfect touch.

Sit A Spell said...

I did it again. I posted under my Hubby's account. The above comment is mine.

Shell

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Lovely lovely...such a lovely way to live! Sigh....you're just the best!

Posh Peach said...

I am loving the garden theme! The tablescape looks beautiful and I sure do love a good egg salad sandwich, even better on the birds nest.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

You do a fabulous luncheon! I know that your guests feel like queens!

Unknown said...

That egg salad nest looks wonderful! You always make everything so lovely. Thanks for sharing. Esther

Lady Katherine said...

I love your luncheon! The menu cards, the seed packs!! The table is just lovely! I love the lace cookie sign! Great way to serve egg salad!

Schotzy said...

perfect! I copied the lace cookie recipe. I just got a silpat and am needing recipes to use it!

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

You certainly thought of everything. I love the seed packets and the way you wrapped them. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Teresa Jane said...

Tweet Tweet girlfried.
Teresa Jane

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

Miss.Janice,
The luncheon looked so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Hugs,Bobbi Jo

Lisa said...

Miss Janice,
What a gorgeous table. Your friends must have felt so special and so loved.

Jewel Sauls said...

You are so clever! I love the chicken salad in a bird nest idea and the bird nest place cards! Everything is so lovely. Your mix of china is perfect. :D Jewel

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh Miss Janice! Perfect to the last detail as usual! I am sure your friends enjoyed themselves immensely!! I hope you are having a great week!...hugs...Debbie

PAT said...

It's all wonderful, Miss Janice! Beautiful table and delicious menu!

Deb said...

So pretty and the menu looks yummy, love the white rooster

B said...

This is so fresh and springy! I'm love the majolica, too.
And thank you for the bird's nest with egg salad recipe. We are doing a salad bar this weekend for my church's ladies' group and we have bird's nest/houses and spring for a theme. I'm going to make those!

~CC Catherine said...

Miss Janice, What a lovely Garden Luncheon Tablescape! I'm lovin those recipes too! Your tables always look so lovely! I love the idea of using the little birds nest to hold the namecard. Very sweet! ~CC Catherine

xinex said...

Your luncheon for gardeners is so special, Miss Janice! Everything is so lovely and the menu looks so good. I just found something we have in common. We both have homes in FL and MS!...Christine

Essential Oil Premier University said...

What a lovely garden luncheon!! Thank you for sharing it with us and for sharing the recipes as well.

Blessings,

Sher

Marie said...

W-O-W!!! That tablescape is perfection! From the bird's nest salad, to the lemonade stand, the wrapped presents! Brilliant, luv it! Now that's inspiring!
-marie

Kathy said...

Hello Miss Janice, your spring tablescape is adorable and elegant and the food looks delicious, perfect. Kathy.

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

This was such a very enjoyable post. I loved everything about it. Your menu cards and bird's nest placecards were my faves. How fun! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Blessings, Barb

a quiet life said...

that was delightful! loved all your little touches, very sweet~

Deb said...

Hi Miss Janice! This is so beautiful. I love the lemonade server and cookies. Deb

Katy said...

So very pretty... thanks for sharing. Lovely menu! ~Katy

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Love the garden theme... and of course you didn't leave out any detail! Beautiful!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

VERY lovely! I love to garden and this would be a perfect theme for some of my gardening friends. Thanks for the idea.

Tootsie said...

absolutely wonderful! love the theme too!

Candy said...

What a great garden party. Love the simple but fabulous favors. Can't wait to make the nesting salad, so perfect.
Ta-Ta, Candy

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Miss Janice,
I ADORE your tablescape this week. I couldn't help but notice your birdcage as a centerpiece. I love it. I collect birdhouses and I love to use them in tablescapes and other decorative ways. The favors of flower seeds are perfect for your garden luncheon and the menu sounds delicious. I will try the Bird Nest's Eggsalad. Every detail is perfect!
Warmly,
Alisa

Martha said...

A pretty table -- and what a great luncheon -- I'll hae to try the bird's nest chicken salad this spring! Loved your favors as well.

Suzanne said...

Miss Janice, How I wish I still lived on your side of the state. I would be begging you to let me come for tea:-) As it is, at least I'm still in Naples and found the wonderful tea house you told me about. I love everything about your blog...even your list of likes and dislikes. Keep living the beautiful, gracious life...and please keep blogging about it.
Blessings, Suzanne

Kathleen said...

That was just delightful!
The menu, the table, the take homes..all lovely!

Sue said...

Lovely. I have been so hungry for egg salad lately. Your beautiful garden luncheon has inspired me to go makes some and get it to chilling for a late lunch. I love how you are serving your salad on the noodles.
Happy Tablescape Thursday.
Hugs,
Sue

Unknown said...

Love it! Everything looks so wonderful. I love all the little touches you added, like the seed packets, the buffet, the food that matches your theme... I could go on and on forever! I loved your little chalkboard stand, so cute. Excellent tablescape!

The Raggedy Girl said...

Beautiful post. Thank you for the recipe as it looks like such fun and your table is lovely.

Have a Thankful Thursday
from the Raggedy Roberta Anne

Bo said...

Hi Miss Janice...you have the luckiest friends that get to attend your beautiful parties! Thanks so much for the recipes too. Your blog header looks so springy... This was another amazing tablescape! ;-) Bo

Lady Katherine said...

Miss Janice, I am honored for you to give a Tea for Two for my Birthday. Thank you so much for joining me on my Birthday.

On The Wings Of Love said...

Wow...what an amazing post Miss Janice. The bird theme is adorable !

....from the dishes , to the little birds nest ...and your blog banner .It's all adorable !

You've outdone youself as usual!

Take care !
Bre

Maryrose said...

Miss Janice,
As always you are the hostess with the mostest. Loved everthing and I am very anxious to try those recipes. Have a great day,
Maryrose

Unknown said...

I would love to come by and have tea (goodies)with you and talk decorating at least once a week if i lived in your state. lol. Thank you for making me feel good about my home. Mishelle

Chandy said...

What a beautiful party to go to! Wow! I love TT and all the gorgeous ideas that fill my head including yours today!
I posted about my VERY FIRST St. Pat's table!

I love everything on your table! Happy Thursday to you!

Decor To Adore said...

What a pretty tablescape! Thank you for the recipes.

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Lovely as always!

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Fabulous as always! I am so in awe of you southern gals. I wish I had 1/10th the knowledge of entertaining & etiquette that you seem to have. I will forever be a student.

bj said...

Oh, I just loved this. The table looks delightful, the menu, delicious and I love the menu cards.
Just perfect!

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a divine garden luncheon...I love the bird nest egg salad idea!
I love your new springy header, too!
Happy Spring!
;-D
Thanks for stopping by my tea party!

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Miss Janice, Thanks for taking a look at the patio. I've found some new cushions, now for the painting and planting! Your tablescape is beautiful!! Love the bird theme. The bird's nest salad sounds wonderful, I am defintily going to try it! Kristen

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

This is so pretty. I love those little bird nest place card holders. and the Ivy china and the Leaf china just look so pretty together. Love the idea of the seed packets, and they look so pretty all lined up in the basket, ready to send home with a friend. I am laughing about your "Ladies Who Need to Garden" remark! Too funny! I'm copying your recipes. They both look great! I enjoyed this post. laurie

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your tablescape is just lovely. I love the beautiful green dishes and how creative to use the birdcage and the nests. The menu and the recipes sound so good. Thanks for sharing, I will try some of them. Hugs,Marty

Dream Mom said...

Oh my gosh, if the table weren't beautiful enough, the dessert table presentation just put it over the edge!!!!!!! That was so beautiful.

Loved the part about the ladies who "need" to garden. I am still laughing about that. The birds nest, the theme, the pretty menus, the place cards. You thought of absolutely everything.

I think if I lived closer to you, I might have to be a "luncheon crasher" (kind of like the wedding crasher...tee hee). This was divine.

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

Like a breath of fresh air. Beautiful. Love the term 'friendship gifts'.

Designs on 47th Street said...

I just had the best time at the "Ladies Who Garden Luncheon".

The menu looks so yummy. The dishes were just perfect for the occasion and I love the take home gift, and the fact you are giving that away to visitors this month. Such a fun idea.

I liked the menu cards too.

Cass @ That Old House said...

Beautiful, beautiful table! The gardening theme is so lovely, and you pulled it all together with such amazing attention to detail, right down to the nests! Love the "goody bags" for the guests!
Thanks for sharing... Cass

Nanette said...

Beautiful, just beautiful. I love the little bird nest place card holders. Everything flows together so well!
Valerie

Anonymous said...

Morning Miss Janice! I really miss having the time to visit more often!! I've missed your helpful, pretty posts! What a great idea the seed packets are and they make such a pretty spring time gift in their packaging!! I love egg salad and now I must have it for my lunch today! To answer your question, I picked up the "G" at Kohls the same day as my black/white purchases at Walmart. And although I have been wanting to post a refrigerator redo I haven't yet; I'd love to see the one you are questioning if you remember who it was!lol Seems going back to work 3 days a week has cut into my "puttering" more than I expected!!!lol Hope you have a fun weekend! Take care, Jeannette (Oh I love your new header picture!)

JudyBug said...

What a lovely post. I love everything and you've given me some wonderful ideas. I'm going to do the menu cards for OnlySon's Rehearsal dinner.

The egg salad birdnest is on my list of things to try. I love that!
JudyBug

"Blossom" said...

Yes, that was a thanksving I will never forget. YOu luncheon is awesome. How thought for the guest gift. I always try to do that even if it's just my daughters. Lovely dishes and tablescape

What Kate Wore said...

Goodness Miss Janice, this is another beautiful luncheon! You are so gifted!

We must admit that despite the fact we just enjoyed lunch, we are now hungry with a hankering for any/all of the delicious offerings you shared!

Thank you for the recipes, they have been copied and printed already!

Have a splendid weekend,
tp

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful table setting and the lunch menu sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing your recipes.
Penny

QueenBeeSwain said...

Yet again Miss Janice- a total show-stopper! Looks divine!

And I must say that I'm glad you're now a McShamrock Shake fan- a fun guilty pleasure :)

Happy Spring

kHm

jerseygirl211 said...

Miss Janice,

I loved this post, the table setting and the recipes. I can't wait to try the egg salad birdnest.

I was a little hesitant to post the Maxine post, I'm so glad that you got a laugh from it.

'D'

Stacey said...

Miss Janice, the whole luncheon looks like it was wonderful! Everything about it is perfect. I just love the friendship gifts. What a sweet idea.

joyh82 said...

Wow, what a party you must have had. The favors, centerpiece and all are so pretty!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Janice...I am soooo happy you are a Southern girl...'cause you sure do make me proud every single time I read one of one post! You truly represent all the very best of the south. Everything you do/create is soooo beautifully done! Those little egg salad birdsnests look sooo yummy and adorable! Your table is lovely and I just love you dessert buffet! Thanks for a great TT! Susan

Prim Rose Hill ©2008-2020 said...

Thank you for sharing this post! What a great theme idea! And I love the birds nest egg salad--what a neat idea! You are so creative and talented.
Hugs,
Sheri