I was determined to do something different because, well, I just like being different. The peacock feathers seemed like the perfect theme, until I started shopping for materials. Peacock feathers were no where to be found! Aack! I almost had to change my theme when at the last minute I pieced together a few items at Michael's. Whew! Crisis averted. I can't imagine how embarassing it would have been to decorate a Christmas table with red and green items. I know, it seems odd, but I would have been embarassed. I expect different from myself, and I think everyone else expects different from me as well.
I even got a bit crafty with my decorations. I saved toilet paper rolls for months to be able to construct my own napkin rings. Ha! I'm not cheap, just crafty. Well, okay, I'm a bit cheap. Let me explain... The event was a Friday night dinner and Saturday morning brunch. There were so many people to attend, that 35 tables for dinner was not enough room to get everyone in, so they added a breakfast also. That meant, I had to have two sets of china, flatware, linens, glassware, desserts, etc. The dinner ran so late on Friday night that there was no time to wash and re-use items. I had to clear off the dinner remnants and set everything back up again in 30 minutes so that it was ready when we arrived for breakfast the next morning. I found the awesome brown tablecloths and napkins at a steal of a price. I already had enough china, glassware and chargers. But, napkin rings?! Are you kidding me? Those things must be made of gold because there were no coupons in sight that made them affordable to me. So, I had to come up with an inexpensive way to have 16 napkin rings. Obviously, toilet paper rolls spray painted with metallic gold paint and dressed up with some beads were the perfect choice.
My only issue with the event was the centerpiece rule. It could not be more than 12" tall. What?! It was darn near impossible to work within these restrictions, so please keep that in mind when judging my work.
And, I was more than annoyed when I looked around the room and saw how many women had not worked within the rule limits. I'll show them! Next year I won't follow the rule either! Except, I know I will. I can't stand to not follow rules. I just like to make a show of being rebellious. But, one of the coordinators overheard me remarking on the height of many other centerpieces. She let me know that those women had "been talked to" and would not be bringing such centerpieces again next year. Sure...
No matter what you think of my decorating skills, my baking skills were an absolute hit. A hit, I tell you! I made two desserts for both events so that they ladies could have a choice. And, every single guest both chose wisely when it came time to serve desserts. They chose both! My kind of eaters!
The eggnog parfait was so yummy, but the raspberry white chocolate mousse cake was unbelievable. (Do you see those store bought cookies in the side of the pic?! I couldn't believe ladies were serving their guests store bought desserts. Uh-uh, not my guests! I was Paula Deen and Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray all in one that weekend. Ha!
I know you want another look at that because I do to.
Aahhh.... The holidays are so great for guilt-free eating. Alas, it's February now and I'm lusting after just one Girl Scout cookie that can not be had. Oh, well. I can wait until December when my mad baking skills will once again be all the rage at the ladies Christmas dinner.
As my guests rolled themselves out the door after being stuffed with dinner (or brunch) from La Madelleine and sweets from me, there was still one more treat. My guests were given a loaf of cranberry orange bread that was, of course, super yummy. Ah.... my mouth is watering at the memory of all those goodies. Yum!
If you want to see how my work stacked up to the other ladies or you are just really bored and looking for something to distract you from reality, check out this link where I have pics of the other tables at the event.
1 comment:
I love the decor. One of the restaurants we use in Tulsa for events decorated for Christmas this year in peacock feathers, lime green and black. It was beautiful!
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