I added onto my post….including the recipes from yesterday that so many of you asked for. They have been added to the bottom!
Hi everyone….its been a busy busy week. This is a short post (for me). Had a luncheon for 26 friends to celebrate one of my dearest friends birthdays in the world. It was loads of fun and so worth any effort, stress and extra calories that went into making it happen. It felt more daunting to plan because of the Christmas chaos that is full swing but it ended up being loads of fun. Did my best to capture some of it, but was not able to get as many pictures as I would have liked. I was busy up until the last second before someone arrived and then got busy greeting everyone (think I need an in house photographer) lol! So here are a few highlights………..really wish I had been able to take more “in progress”. A friend of mine snapped some of the highlights….
ALSO FOR ANYONE WHO IS PLANNING ON ORDERING MY MONOGRAMMED LINENS, TOMORROW, DEC. 14TH IS THE LAST DAY YOU CAN ORDER THEM BEFORE CHRISTMAS (THE FACTORY CLOSES FROM THE 17TH UNTIL JAN. 3RD), CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LINK.
Come on in……
This brie is soooooo good. I swear one day I am going to make it just for ME!
Made this centerpiece arrangement, it came out really pretty (more on that next week)
Yummy…..the brie is ready to come out of the oven!
Big round tray for fish and large fruit platter going into the fridge, Teddy “standing guard” for any remnants that might hit the floor…
The spread……a tricolor with shaved Parmesan and yellow tomatoes, a tricolor pasta with fresh basil, mozzarella and tomatoes, an herbed salmon and a lemon dill salmon, a mushroom and spinach quiche and finally my “in house staple” the Chinese chicken salad
How pretty are these poinsettia topiaries that I found? I love them, they are so festive and elegant!
The pretty flower cake…….white ganache and heavenly! (bummed that there weren’t leftovers)!
A big fruit platter……this can be eaten without any guilt and when you had a piece of cake next to it, it cancels out the calories 🙂
I am going to do a post on my completed Christmas decorations including my tree on Monday. Some of it you have seen but there are a few new additions and of course my Christmas tree!
Speaking of holiday decorations…I have SO enjoyed getting all your pictures. All I can say is that I must have the most talented readers out there! Its not too late to send me yours, I will post this next Tues, Dec. 18th so I only ask that you submit your photos by Monday Dec. 17th. Email your picture(s) to[email protected]. This is going to be one fabulous post!
You know I am always bragging about my readers and their exceptional taste level…check out these two beauties. One used my silver planter for a holiday party centerpiece and the other has my pretty ginger jar pillow on display! LOVE these!
Wrapped my first two Christmas gifts, here they are. I always pick up all kinds of litlte doo dads to add to gifts to make them feel special. Granted, I have a looooong way to go and many gifts yet to even purchase but this is one step in the right direction.
I like adding small adornments to packages, nothing super overdone but even a touch of greenery and a pine cone can make a gift feel special
Tomorrow is my birthday so I am taking the day off. I really need a “decompressor” and I have chosen that day to be my day of relaxation. A very good friend of mine is hosting a small lunch for me ( I said no but she was adamant so it’s just me and five of my closest friends) small and intimate just the way I like it. I will be sure to share highlights next week.
Wishing you a wonderful day, a sane and peaceful state of mind as we all find our way through the crazy maze of Christmas and holiday journeys. Fun, oh yes but the stress level can run high too. Of course I think (I speak for myself ) that I also set the bar high and sometimes set unrealistic expectations of what can be done! SO remember deep breaths, lots of little breaks, coffee and/or wine and lots of laughter will all help you get through it! Ho ho ho………
______________________
Hi its Dec. 14th and I am adding onto my post by popular demand! Here are the two recipes for the brie and the fish………so easy but they look and taste like you slaved in the kitchen all night long:)
And here’s a little gift from me to you….the recipes from yesterday that so many of you asked for!
Best brie ever!
One large brie Dough ( I use Pepperidge farm because I like the easy way out) but you can also make homemade dough if you are really that ambitious……not me About 1/2 cup of slivered almonds or pecans Fresh cranberries Maple syrup Sugar 1/2 stick of butter Egg whites Brown sugar
Put cranberries in a ziploc and add maple syrup, shake bag so all are covered, ideally they marinate over night. Next morning roll them or shake them in a ziploc with sugar…..Cut the rind off of the cheese, let dough sit at room temp, roll it out with ample flour until you have plenty to wrap around the cheese. Add cranberries, cut butter, nuts and then top with brown sugar on top of cheese, then “wrap” the dough around and twist on top. Brush on the egg whites to seal the dough. Bake into a pre heated oven at 350- 375 for approx. 25-30 minutes. As soon as it is golden brown take it out, you can cover with aluminum foil and serve about 15 minutes later. If keeping in oven, turn oven off and tightly wrap with aluminum. I garnish with fresh cranberries. I serve with Carrs water crackers,
Only advice I have is watch over the brie carefully and as soon as you see it about to be demolished announce lunch or dinner is served, swiftly remove tray- this way you insure you have leftovers for yourself:)
My easy peasy salmon-
If you can overnight, squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over fish and sprinkle liberally with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil, then cover with aluminum. The next morning, drench (as in the entire bottle) the fish in a lemon dill sauce/marinate. Squeeze a fresh lemon over it. Cut up about 4 cloves of fresh garlic in thin slivers I make little slits in the fish and insert garlic. Add red pepper, fresh dill and lemon slices. Add sea salt if needed. Bake covered at around 350 then last 10 minute remove aluminum so it gets a little crusty on top. I then remove the garlic that has done its job by giving it a wonderful flavor. Great thing is this can easily be served room temperature, Iooks pretty to add some fresh lemon slices and fresh dill on top. I also take the “sauce and juices” from the pan and drizzle over the fish. This is so easy and quite delicious…the fresh dill and lemon are what make this so yummy.
So there you have it, so many of you asked, I had to share. Happy cooking!
Oh my word, I just want to dive in face first to that Brie! I have a wheel in the fridge at home…
On a separate note, if you decide to ditch the dining room chairs instead of having them recovered, let me know. I adore that plaid and would buy them from you 🙂
Wow everything is so elegant and beautiful, that must be what its like to have lunch in the White House! I bet everyone was so impressed, Tina. And your spread is amazing, yummy. I am getting hungry just looking at all of it, your presents are gorgeous, you gave ma a great idea with the greenery, thank you. Have a great day and really glad you are going to take it easy, am sure that was a lot of work!
Just what I expected from you Tina. Beautiful and elegant! A great way to say Happy Birthday to a dear friend. I enjoyed every detail of your spread. Enjoy your special day.
Tina you always do such a beautiful job entertaining. I would just love to be one of your guest to enjoy all the delicious food and your wonderful company!! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday tomorrow, xo Kathysue
I loved this post, I took in every detail and look forward to analyzing everything again tonight when I have more time!
Your dining room chandelier is beautiful – love it!
One question, if you set up your dining room as the buffet, where did people eat – were they standing, or in the kitchen, or did you have tables set up elsewhere? I find it very interesting to see how people entertain, and 26 people is a large group, but often manageable for sitting and eating.
Tina, what a beautiful way to celebrate your friend. Your home is stunning, thank you for sharing. Could you post your recipe for the brie, my daughter is traveling from St. Thomas for christmas and I would love to treat her to this. Happy holidays. jeanne
Elegant! I printed your chicken tortilla soup recipe for a luncheon. Is there another soup recipe you enjoy more that you could share with me? I have to take a homemade soup to a teacher holiday luncheon the PTA is hosting next week. Is your chicken tortilla soup your favorite? Thanks! Donna [email protected]
You are a fabulous blogger, a hostess extraordinaire and TRULY the most amazing friend a girl could ever ask for!!! The party you threw in my honor (in your Enchanted Home, I may add) was beyond my wildest dreams and something I will never forget. I am indebted to you for making my day so very special.. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Wishing you a wonderful birthday tomorrow, which i can’t wait to celebrate, and a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I love you!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA! I so love when I get a post in my inbox from you! Starts my day on a very luxurious note. I just don’t even know what I love best! You are a truly extraordinary lady, and I wish you many more years of joy, success and abundance!
Tina, in love with your style, please make a book!! I love everything from the Brie to your Chrustnas decor to that fabulous spread fit for a pro cess! Your friend must have felt so spoiled rotten! Adore the wrapping and all you do! Happy birthday to you Tina!
SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Your home looks unreal! I cannot wait to see your tree, everything you do is a “10”! I would LOVE to get the recipe for the baked brie…pretty please. I love brie that one looks so festive for the holidays coming up. Your readers pictures also beautiful. Love visiting you, know something amazing awaits!
Everything looks just perfect Tina and I’m sure everyone had a wonderful time!! Your home is just perfect. I like the greens, the pinecones, and a little red here and there. Your tree looks wonderful too! Simple, elegant decor;) Looks like lots of time and effort went into the meal prep ~ very smart to keep things easy and stick with what you know. That brie is one of my holiday favorites! Love it all .. well done!
Enjoy your birthday tomorrow! ..and wishing you many more!
A+ for that front door, your brie en croute, your magnificent table for lunch, all your holiday decor and the graciousness with which you obviously have when you do what you love. Bravo to you, Tina. And a warm and happy early birthday to someone who brings much delight to many through your blog!
First of all, Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy YOUR day!!!! Your luncheon looks so elegant!!! Wish I lived close enough to pop in and enjoy. I agree with some others who have suggested you do a post giving your recipes for the salmon, for the salads, and for that beautiful baked brie!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!
Happy Birthday Tina!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow! The luncheon looked delicious and the decorations are gorgeous – I love the centerpiece you made and can’t wait for the post on how you did it. I agree with the commenter above – I would love the brie and salmon recipes!!
Enjoy your day – I am off to mail boxes to my out of town family and a care package to my baby off at college about to take his first semester of exams!
What an elegant and inviting table; the food is a beautifully displayed as the arrangements providing a visual treat for everyone before the taste buds are exposed to the delicious foods. What a wonderful tag along journey this was for me. Inspired some ideas for our celebration meals this season. Happy birthday – thank for inviting all of our eyes to come along for a wonderful treat of a visit.
That sure does look like a nice time.I read your blog everyday and live somewhat vicariously through you.I don’t have a very wide circle of friends or family with which to enjoy such festivities.
Doesn’t it make entertaining more fun when you can photograph and blog about the event? I’d love to visit one day when I am visiting my parents in G.C.I’ll send you a pic of my fabulous tree. Merry, Merry! Best, Liz
Wow you do know how to throw a party! Lucky friend, she must be someone really special. I can see you put a lot of love and attention to detail to this beautiful party, Tina. I cannot believe you made all that, that is a lot of delicious looking food which is making me hungry, haha! You really entertain so elegantly, makes me want to bring out my good china, silver,etc…..why not enjoy it. Your gift wrap is also so pretty, love the music notes. We are a very musical family so that would be perfect for us. Happy early birthday. Wishing you much joy in the year ahead.
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a relaxing luncheon with your closest girlfriends……( the best way to celebrate) can’t wait to see the photos…..thanks for sharing !
Tina, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Your guest of honor and everyone who attended must have felt so treasured and special. I especially love the pretty white flowers with the greens and pops of red berries – and the poinsettia topiary – wherever did you find them? How lovely. I hope you have the most wonderfully relaxing day tomorrow, and that you feel pampered to the very tips of your toes. I’m so glad your friend put her foot down about lunch – you deserve it, clearly. Have the happiest of birthdays!!!! XOXO
Your house looks so beautiful and I love the gate at the front entrance. Please throw me a party one day, that just looks so stunning, you must have spent a great deal of time doing this. Best Wishes Karen
Oh Tina… What a luncheon – everything looked delicious!!!! Your centerpiece looked gorgeous. Can’t wait to see all the photos of your beautiful home decked out in Christmas. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and this year is your best year yet and it is filled with health and happiness for you and your family.
Love all of these brunch photos! I wish we lived closer to one another! Anyway glad you had fun! Happy Birthday to you my dear dear blog friend! You have definitely been an added blessing in my life! May God bless you always! With all my love, Desiree XOXOXOXO
All that food looks so good and if I could reach into my computer screen to grab some food I would! It all looks delicious…and those pointsetta topiaries are out of this world..your home is beautiful for the Christmas Season! Oh, and Happy Birthday!
Hello and an early Happy Birthday!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day off and a fabulous lunch with your friends. It sounds like the perfect day. Your party looks beautiful! I am sure that everyone had a wonderful time.
I am just back from Paris, arrived to no heat, no internet and no heat, it has been two days of catch up and workmen.
First, a Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady! I hope that you have a wonderful day! Everything looks amazing, Tina, and the house looks over-the-top amazing too! Your friend was lucky to have you as a hostess. Happy Thursday. Teresa xoxo
Tina, you have done it again! You treated your guests to a most beautiful and I am sure delicious luncheon. Your friends are lucky to have you in their lives. I agree that you could write the next entertainment book. Move over Martha and Marlene! I would love it if you could share the Brie recipe . Devine! And last but nit least, have a wonderful birthday. Here’s wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays!
OMG – the spread you put on for your luncheon is spectacular! How did you manage to produce so much food for so many people? I’m in awe. I was salivating looking at those platters bursting with gorgeous food. Yum. And your house is looking so splendid, the tiny bit of your tree I could see gave me goosebumps. How wonderful, it all looks.Those poinsettias are fabulous, never seen a topiary of them. I felt like my thighs grew an inch just looking at that baked brie! And your wrapping, beautiful, a girl after my own heart!~
Happy Birthday Tina! Your luncheon looked spectacular and does your home! It would be a great treat for your “fans” if you possibly give us your recipes from this event. What a perfect combination of food. I see an entertaining book in your future. Have a great day. linda miller South Carolina
happiest of birthdays to you, my friend. we are so glad you were born!!
one of the many thing i love about you: like me, you love your own food! i know so many folks who work hard at cooking but really don’t like their own stuff. but we love our food!!! why would we bother if we didn’t!?!
love to you as you celebrate. lifting my glass of juice to you.
Happy Birthday Tina, Your luncheon looked and I am sure tasted yummy. Enjoy your day today. May this year be healthy and happy, And as always thank you for sharing with us.Warm Birthday Wishes Judy in CT
Happy Birthday Tina!! So blessed to have you as a blog friend! Your house looks amazing, the food looks delicious and I’m going to need to send my gifts to you to be wrapped. I’m sure you have time for that right? Ha! Also the blue and white pillow from your shop in the chair in front of the Hick’s wallpaper made my heart skip a beat. Love it! Hope you have a fabulous, relaxing day!! xo
Happy Birthday, Tina!!! I always feel a bit sad for people with birthdays near Christmas, they seem toget “gypped”. But your friend sure ddn’t! What a wonderful luncheon you had and now today are enjoying one for yourself! Thanks so much for the recipes. I LOVE salmon and brie too! Your decorains look beautiful, can’t wait to see the tree. XO, Pinky
Good morning! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA! Today is your day and I hope you savor every juicy minute of it.
Your luncheon was just a treat for the eyes. Everything you served looks divine and the whole table scape is stunning. I love the photo of your dining room, looking into you living room, with the Christmas tree poking out from the center hall. Magazine worthy, friend!!!!
Thank you for sharing all the ways and recipes that you use to create such a magnificent entertaining environment. You are one of a kind! xoxo, Elizabeth
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is great, as well as the content! Here is my web-siteamber leaf rolling tobacco
Oh Tina, you are quite the Santa yourself! I don’t know how you do this, it is a huge busy time of year and I would not dream of managing you just did, so beautiful, so graceful and so thoughtful of you! The Bree recipe I will try for my “girlfriends only” xmas drinks party at our house, that will go well with my czech spiced hot red wine and home made eggnog! Thank you for sharing you talents. Have a wonderful holiday season, xo Z
Tina, I don’t think I’d EVER leave if I lived in your house. It is SO gorgeous, especially at Christmas time! I’ve said it before, but it’s SOOOO true – Traditional Home needs to call you and do a photo shoot for their cover with you! Stacy
What a beautiful party, Tina, just as I would expect, elegant and inspiring, and the food looks amazing. This was a magazine worthy group of images. Hope you have the most fabulous birthday, yet, my friend!!
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I added onto my post….including the recipes from yesterday that so many of you asked for. They have been added to the bottom!
ALSO FOR ANYONE WHO IS PLANNING ON ORDERING MY MONOGRAMMED LINENS, TOMORROW, DEC. 14TH IS THE LAST DAY YOU CAN ORDER THEM BEFORE CHRISTMAS (THE FACTORY CLOSES FROM THE 17TH UNTIL JAN. 3RD), CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LINK.
This brie is soooooo good. I swear one day I am going to make it just for ME!
Made this centerpiece arrangement, it came out really pretty (more on that next week)
Yummy…..the brie is ready to come out of the oven!
Big round tray for fish and large fruit platter going into the fridge, Teddy “standing guard” for any remnants that might hit the floor…
The spread……a tricolor with shaved Parmesan and yellow tomatoes, a tricolor pasta with fresh basil, mozzarella and tomatoes, an herbed salmon and a lemon dill salmon, a mushroom and spinach quiche and finally my “in house staple” the Chinese chicken salad
How pretty are these poinsettia topiaries that I found? I love them, they are so festive and elegant!
The pretty flower cake…….white ganache and heavenly! (bummed that there weren’t leftovers)!
A big fruit platter……this can be eaten without any guilt and when you had a piece of cake next to it, it cancels out the calories 🙂
You know I am always bragging about my readers and their exceptional taste level…check out these two beauties. One used my silver planter for a holiday party centerpiece and the other has my pretty ginger jar pillow on display! LOVE these!
And here’s a little gift from me to you….the recipes from yesterday that so many of you asked for!
Best brie ever!
One large brie
Dough ( I use Pepperidge farm because I like the easy way out) but you can also make homemade dough if you are really that ambitious……
not meAbout 1/2 cup of slivered almonds or pecans
Fresh cranberries
Maple syrup
Sugar
1/2 stick of butter
Egg whites
Brown sugar
Put cranberries in a ziploc and add maple syrup, shake bag so all are covered, ideally they marinate over night. Next morning roll them or shake them in a ziploc with sugar…..Cut the rind off of the cheese, let dough sit at room temp, roll it out with ample flour until you have plenty to wrap around the cheese. Add cranberries, cut butter, nuts and then top with brown sugar on top of cheese, then “wrap” the dough around and twist on top. Brush on the egg whites to seal the dough. Bake into a pre heated oven at 350- 375 for approx. 25-30 minutes. As soon as it is golden brown take it out, you can cover with aluminum foil and serve about 15 minutes later. If keeping in oven, turn oven off and tightly wrap with aluminum. I garnish with fresh cranberries. I serve with Carrs water crackers,
Only advice I have is watch over the brie carefully and as soon as you see it about to be demolished announce lunch or dinner is served, swiftly remove tray- this way you insure you have leftovers for yourself:)
My easy peasy salmon-
If you can overnight, squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over fish and sprinkle liberally with sea salt and drizzle with olive oil, then cover with aluminum. The next morning, drench (as in the entire bottle) the fish in a lemon dill sauce/marinate. Squeeze a fresh lemon over it. Cut up about 4 cloves of fresh garlic in thin slivers I make little slits in the fish and insert garlic. Add red pepper, fresh dill and lemon slices. Add sea salt if needed. Bake covered at around 350 then last 10 minute remove aluminum so it gets a little crusty on top. I then remove the garlic that has done its job by giving it a wonderful flavor. Great thing is this can easily be served room temperature, Iooks pretty to add some fresh lemon slices and fresh dill on top. I also take the “sauce and juices” from the pan and drizzle over the fish. This is so easy and quite delicious…the fresh dill and lemon are what make this so yummy.
So there you have it, so many of you asked, I had to share. Happy cooking!
Oh my word, I just want to dive in face first to that Brie! I have a wheel in the fridge at home…
On a separate note, if you decide to ditch the dining room chairs instead of having them recovered, let me know. I adore that plaid and would buy them from you 🙂
Wow everything is so elegant and beautiful, that must be what its like to have lunch in the White House! I bet everyone was so impressed, Tina. And your spread is amazing, yummy. I am getting hungry just looking at all of it, your presents are gorgeous, you gave ma a great idea with the greenery, thank you. Have a great day and really glad you are going to take it easy, am sure that was a lot of work!
Just what I expected from you Tina. Beautiful and elegant! A great way to say Happy Birthday to a dear friend. I enjoyed every detail of your spread.
Enjoy your special day.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Tina you always do such a beautiful job entertaining. I would just love to be one of your guest to enjoy all the delicious food and your wonderful company!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday tomorrow,
xo Kathysue
Tina,
You catured this luncheon beautifully. Everything looks so good and yummy. Your home is so welcoming. Happy Birthday.
Cynthia
Tina:
You luncheon spread looks divine and so welcoming. I know all the ladies present had a wonderful time. I know I would have.
Thank you for LIKING my shop. I hope you will check in and see the new things I list.
Happy Birthday to a very talented lady with a heart of gold. May your year be filled with bliss, good health and prosperity.
Love, Melinda Bennett.
Tina, Happy Birthday!
I loved this post, I took in every detail and look forward to analyzing everything again tonight when I have more time!
Your dining room chandelier is beautiful – love it!
One question, if you set up your dining room as the buffet, where did people eat – were they standing, or in the kitchen, or did you have tables set up elsewhere? I find it very interesting to see how people entertain, and 26 people is a large group, but often manageable for sitting and eating.
Have a great birthday and a relaxing weekend!
– Holly
Tina, what a beautiful way to celebrate your friend. Your home is stunning, thank you for sharing. Could you post your recipe for the brie, my daughter is traveling from St. Thomas for christmas and I would love to treat her to this. Happy holidays. jeanne
Tina a wonderful party for your friends! Your home looks wonderful and so inciting.
The menu yum, and that CAKE! I love to fix baked brie en c route as well, everyone loves it!
Enjoy your birthday with friends!
Very excited to see your Christmas Tree!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Series
Elegant! I printed your chicken tortilla soup recipe for a luncheon. Is there another soup recipe you enjoy more that you could share with me? I have to take a homemade soup to a teacher holiday luncheon the PTA is hosting next week. Is your chicken tortilla soup your favorite? Thanks! Donna [email protected]
Gosh that food looks amazing!! I am glad you and your friends had a great time. I hope you have the most wonderful birthday!
Dearest Tina,
You are a fabulous blogger, a hostess extraordinaire and TRULY the most amazing friend a girl could ever ask for!!! The party you threw in my honor (in your Enchanted Home, I may add) was beyond my wildest dreams and something I will never forget. I am indebted to you for making my day so very special.. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! Wishing you a wonderful birthday tomorrow, which i can’t wait to celebrate, and a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I love you!!
— Donna
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA! I so love when I get a post in my inbox from you! Starts my day on a very luxurious note. I just don’t even know what I love best! You are a truly extraordinary lady, and I wish you many more years of joy, success and abundance!
😉
Jani in Quebec who USPS can’t seem to locate!
happy birthday to you! have a great day, week and month!
XOXO
jan
Tina, in love with your style, please make a book!! I love everything from the Brie to your Chrustnas decor to that fabulous spread fit for a pro cess! Your friend must have felt so spoiled rotten! Adore the wrapping and all you do! Happy birthday to you Tina!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, TINA-POO. So the luncheon was really your celebration too. Sending love, darling.
Also love the change in your header, and your home looks amazing.
SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! Your home looks unreal! I cannot wait to see your tree, everything you do is a “10”! I would LOVE to get the recipe for the baked brie…pretty please. I love brie that one looks so festive for the holidays coming up.
Your readers pictures also beautiful. Love visiting you, know something amazing awaits!
Just beautiful.
Everything looks just perfect Tina and I’m sure everyone had a wonderful time!! Your home is just perfect. I like the greens, the pinecones, and a little red here and there. Your tree looks wonderful too! Simple, elegant decor;) Looks like lots of time and effort went into the meal prep ~ very smart to keep things easy and stick with what you know. That brie is one of my holiday favorites! Love it all .. well done!
Enjoy your birthday tomorrow! ..and wishing you many more!
So how about posting the brie “recipe?” Can’t tell from the photo what all the toppings are. Thanks!!
can u invite me next time?
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it
out.
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Happy Birthday, beauty!
Mine is next week!
xo
Andie
A+ for that front door, your brie en croute, your magnificent table for lunch, all your holiday decor and the graciousness with which you obviously have when you do what you love. Bravo to you, Tina. And a warm and happy early birthday to someone who brings much delight to many through your blog!
First of all, Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy YOUR day!!!! Your luncheon looks so elegant!!! Wish I lived close enough to pop in and enjoy. I agree with some others who have suggested you do a post giving your recipes for the salmon, for the salads, and for that beautiful baked brie!!! Merry Christmas to all!!!
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Tina… Have a wonderful day and enjoy every moment… xv
Happy Birthday Tina!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow! The luncheon looked delicious and the decorations are gorgeous – I love the centerpiece you made and can’t wait for the post on how you did it. I agree with the commenter above – I would love the brie and salmon recipes!!
Enjoy your day – I am off to mail boxes to my out of town family and a care package to my baby off at college about to take his first semester of exams!
xoxoxo
What an elegant and inviting table; the food is a beautifully displayed as the arrangements providing a visual treat for everyone before the taste buds are exposed to the delicious foods. What a wonderful tag along journey this was for me. Inspired some ideas for our celebration meals this season.
Happy birthday – thank for inviting all of our eyes to come along for a wonderful treat of a visit.
Tina…sounds like a wonderful party and everything looked beautiful…..she is very luck to have you as a friend. Have a great birthday!
The house looks beautiful, the food divine. Love the wreath and the doors!
That sure does look like a nice time.I read your blog everyday and live somewhat vicariously through you.I don’t have a very wide circle of friends or family with which to enjoy such festivities.
Doesn’t it make entertaining more fun when you can photograph and blog about the event? I’d love to visit one day when I am visiting my parents in G.C.I’ll send you a pic of my fabulous tree. Merry, Merry!
Best,
Liz
Happy birthday Tina.. Yours is my favorite blog.. I love your posts and all your fabulous pictures. Enjoy your special day!
Wow you do know how to throw a party! Lucky friend, she must be someone really special. I can see you put a lot of love and attention to detail to this beautiful party, Tina. I cannot believe you made all that, that is a lot of delicious looking food which is making me hungry, haha!
You really entertain so elegantly, makes me want to bring out my good china, silver,etc…..why not enjoy it.
Your gift wrap is also so pretty, love the music notes. We are a very musical family so that would be perfect for us. Happy early birthday. Wishing you much joy in the year ahead.
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and a relaxing luncheon with your closest girlfriends……( the best way to celebrate) can’t wait to see the photos…..thanks for sharing !
Sharon
Tina, it’s absolutely gorgeous! Your guest of honor and everyone who attended must have felt so treasured and special. I especially love the pretty white flowers with the greens and pops of red berries – and the poinsettia topiary – wherever did you find them? How lovely. I hope you have the most wonderfully relaxing day tomorrow, and that you feel pampered to the very tips of your toes. I’m so glad your friend put her foot down about lunch – you deserve it, clearly. Have the happiest of birthdays!!!! XOXO
Your house looks so beautiful and I love the gate at the front entrance. Please throw me a party one day, that just looks so stunning, you must have spent a great deal of time doing this.
Best Wishes
Karen
So how do you make the Brie?
Thanks!K Kalinowski
Oh Tina… What a luncheon – everything looked delicious!!!! Your centerpiece looked gorgeous. Can’t wait to see all the photos of your beautiful home decked out in Christmas. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and this year is your best year yet and it is filled with health and happiness for you and your family.
Happy birthday, Tina! I can see you put on a beautiful lunch for your friend – I hope you treat yourself tomorrow!!
xo,
Phyllis
Tina, your house looks so beautiful for Christmas! And that food!! Oh my. It all looks scrumptious!
What a beautiful luncheon! Your friend is very lucky! You’ve done a great job with house decor and those dishes look so delicious!
Love all of these brunch photos! I wish we lived closer to one another! Anyway glad you had fun! Happy Birthday to you my dear dear blog friend! You have definitely been an added blessing in my life! May God bless you always! With all my love, Desiree XOXOXOXO
All that food looks so good and if I could reach into my computer screen to grab some food I would! It all looks delicious…and those pointsetta topiaries are out of this world..your home is beautiful for the Christmas Season! Oh, and Happy Birthday!
Tina,
Hello and an early Happy Birthday!!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful day off and a fabulous lunch with your friends. It sounds like the perfect day. Your party looks beautiful! I am sure that everyone had a wonderful time.
I am just back from Paris, arrived to no heat, no internet and no heat, it has been two days of catch up and workmen.
Have a fabulous birthday! Elizabeth
First, a Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady! I hope that you have a wonderful day!
Everything looks amazing, Tina, and the house looks over-the-top amazing too! Your friend was lucky to have you as a hostess.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
Tina, you have done it again! You treated your guests to a most beautiful and I am sure delicious luncheon. Your friends are lucky to have you in their lives. I agree that you could write the next entertainment book. Move over Martha and Marlene! I would love it if you could share the Brie recipe . Devine! And last but nit least, have a wonderful birthday. Here’s wishing you and yours the merriest of holidays!
Cheryl
Happy Birthday Tina!!!
Happy Birthday!
They say love is in
the details, so this friend
must be VERY loved by
you, indeed : )
Happy Birthday, sweet
Tina! May your coming
birthday year be filled
with only wonderful things!
Enjoy YOUR day!
xo Suzanne
OMG – the spread you put on for your luncheon is spectacular! How did you manage to produce so much food for so many people? I’m in awe. I was salivating looking at those platters bursting with gorgeous food. Yum. And your house is looking so splendid, the tiny bit of your tree I could see gave me goosebumps. How wonderful, it all looks.Those poinsettias are fabulous, never seen a topiary of them. I felt like my thighs grew an inch just looking at that baked brie! And your wrapping, beautiful, a girl after my own heart!~
Happy Birthday Tina!
Your luncheon looked spectacular and does your home!
It would be a great treat for your “fans” if you possibly give us your recipes from this event. What a perfect combination of food.
I see an entertaining book in your future.
Have a great day.
linda miller
South Carolina
happiest of birthdays to you, my friend. we are so glad you were born!!
one of the many thing i love about you: like me, you love your own food! i know so many folks who work hard at cooking but really don’t like their own stuff. but we love our food!!! why would we bother if we didn’t!?!
love to you as you celebrate. lifting my glass of juice to you.
michele
Happy Birthday Tina! Hope you have a wonderful day.
I’m a December baby too and I think because of it not a fan of Christmas…it’s my 40th on the 22nd…
I would love to apply to be your in house photographer too!
PPx
Everything looked absolutely beautiful and wishing a a very happy birthday and year ahead. 🙂
Happy Birthday Tina,
Your luncheon looked and I am sure tasted yummy. Enjoy your day today. May this year be healthy and happy, And as always thank you for sharing with us.Warm Birthday Wishes Judy in CT
DEAR HEART! I MISSED THIS POST! I want to say that THIS IS PHENOMENAL!!! HAPPY B DAY TINA! Anita
Happy Birthday Tina!! So blessed to have you as a blog friend! Your house looks amazing, the food looks delicious and I’m going to need to send my gifts to you to be wrapped. I’m sure you have time for that right? Ha! Also the blue and white pillow from your shop in the chair in front of the Hick’s wallpaper made my heart skip a beat. Love it! Hope you have a fabulous, relaxing day!! xo
Happy Birthday, Tina!!! I always feel a bit sad for people with birthdays near Christmas, they seem toget “gypped”. But your friend sure ddn’t! What a wonderful luncheon you had and now today are enjoying one for yourself! Thanks so much for the recipes. I LOVE salmon and brie too! Your decorains look beautiful, can’t wait to see the tree. XO, Pinky
Thanks for finally talking about > “Luncheon accomplished!,t oday’s my birthday and the recipes!” < Liked it!
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Happy Birthday Tina! I wish you the very best!!!
Hugs and Kisses
Nickiexo
Happy Birthday Tina! Enjoy being surrounded by good food and wine, great friends, lots of laughter and plenty of love.
Cheers!
Bette
Good morning! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TINA! Today is your day and I hope you savor every juicy minute of it.
Your luncheon was just a treat for the eyes. Everything you served looks divine and the whole table scape is stunning. I love the photo of your dining room, looking into you living room, with the Christmas tree poking out from the center hall. Magazine worthy, friend!!!!
Thank you for sharing all the ways and recipes that you use to create such a magnificent entertaining environment.
You are one of a kind!
xoxo, Elizabeth
Happy Birthday, Sweetie, from one Capricorn to another!!
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Have a great birthday!! What a beautiful luncheon selection and presentation!!
Oh Tina, you are quite the Santa yourself! I don’t know how you do this, it is a huge busy time of year and I would not dream of managing you just did, so beautiful, so graceful and so thoughtful of you!
The Bree recipe I will try for my “girlfriends only” xmas drinks party at our house, that will go well with my czech spiced hot red wine and home made eggnog!
Thank you for sharing you talents.
Have a wonderful holiday season, xo Z
Tina, I don’t think I’d EVER leave if I lived in your house. It is SO gorgeous, especially at Christmas time! I’ve said it before, but it’s SOOOO true – Traditional Home needs to call you and do a photo shoot for their cover with you!
Stacy
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
What a beautiful party, Tina, just as I would expect, elegant and inspiring, and the food looks amazing. This was a magazine worthy group of images. Hope you have the most fabulous birthday, yet, my friend!!
Tina, Great recipes! I hope you had a fabulous birthday! Enjoy your day.
Elizabeth
Hopefully your friend doesn’t read your blog – who would be happy about making their friend stressed?