Monday, November 29, 2010

a tranquil townhouse dinner party...

There was a dinner party here on Saturday night...boy they're a lot of work aren't they! 'Twas fun though :)
This is the dining part of my living room...the tiniest kitchen in the southern hemisphere is where I took this photo from...it drives me batty but I have a cunning plan for some extra storage...once I find a carpenter. I've edited out all the ugly bits...the wall colour, the brown woodwork, the dodgy, boxy fireplace...that will all be gone come 17 December...can't wait!
And because cooking for a dinner party takes so much time and effort I thought I'd get some bloggy mileage out of it! The makings of the marinade for the baked lemon grass and chilli chicken (I used chicken thigh fillets with the skin on...they were delicious). Do you grate your garlic...I never crush...I'm a bit like Nigella that way...but only in that way. More's the pity.
I used recipes from my Annabel Langbein cookbook [The Free Range Cook] that I won at Amanda's blog for the mains and dessert (thank you Amanda...I love this book to bits).  And look, my blueberry cake is just like the one in the book!! I don't think Annabel is quite as messy as me though.
The lovely teatowel is from Thea and Sami...
Richard made the entree...delicious deep fried prawn wonton dumplings with dipping sauce...but because he made them at his place I have no photos...but they looked a bit like this...
There was no way I was going to take photos once people were at my house...they already think my blogging is a bit odd :)
These little potato stacks are from a copy of MindFood...a fabulous NZ magazine...such clever people those kiwis. Mine didn't look quite as good as the photo, but they were very tasty.
The table setting was very simple...bamboo runner and table mats..but the good china and crystal got a run. Actually I use those glasses all the time. The entrée plates are very old Royal Albert, given to me by my friend Chris. Loving my new dining chairs too...and they passed their first dinner party test with flying colours!
The flowers were also very simple...mostly from the garden and some leftovers from work! Small vases, a soy sauce bottle and a water bottle...I would never have done this before blogging began...but I'll certainly be doing it again!
So there you go...it could only have been nicer if you'd been there :)
I hope the week ahead is good to you...I'm going to enjoy looking at the flowers on my dining table...because I sure won't be going outside much...rain forecast all week...sigh.

31 comments:

  1. Wow Kerry, you put me to shame! This all looks so fabulous- the food and those flowers are amazing. I love how you have used different coloured blooms. So pretty! Have a great week Kerry x

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  2. Simply gorgeous! Your setting looks like something out of a magazine. You are most clever!

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  3. Looks lovely Kerry. Dinner parties are worth the effort I must say. We were saying we need to have another one but will have to wait until the Christmas silly season is over. I'm very jealous of your sweet peas! We had our first dusting of snow yesterday (none on the ground though) so am a bit envious that you are heading into warm weather! Have a great week. Mary

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  4. Well, Kerry it all looks marvellous. I love a good dinner party. And you have the same dinner plates as Anna Spiro (check out her last post). Clearly, you are a style leader.

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  5. It is so much hard work, but certainly worth it for your guests, I bet they loved it.

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  6. Hi Kerry, your table and the food looks sensational and it looks like a great night was had. Well done! ;-)

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  7. This is so inspring and beautiful and elegant but understated!

    I love it!

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  8. Ooh... your table setting is beautiful. So simple but elegant at the same time. Where are the bamboo placemats from?

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  9. Wow - that all looks absolutely beautiful - every single element. Bravo!

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  10. Take a bow, Kerry! Just gorgeous. And the sweetpeas make my heart melt. You're so lucky to have them in your garden. Oh, and I'm looking forward to who makes the list for your ideal dinner party ☺. J x

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  11. kerry! the table and the food all look scrumpdillyitious!! yes, throwing a dinner party is work! believe me, after thanksgiving dinner here in the u.s. everyone wants to dine out.....
    erin
    blueberry cake?!?! hello.

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  12. Looks fabulous - I keep hovering around the Annabel cookbook trying not to buy it but here's yet another reason! I am glad your friends also think you're slightly nutty having a blog - my husband looked very confused about the giveaway concept! Thank you for plugging it so prominently - I didn't want to host the first giveaway with no takers! A x

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  13. I love the table....so nice to see you guys move into Spring while we brave Winter. Any guest would enjoy sitting there.

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  14. WOW, Kerry!! Your table looked so beautiful, I LOVE the colours of the flowers!! As for the meal itself...OK when are you inviting me over for dinner? YUM!!!! ~ Tina xx

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  15. What a lovely setting and what delicious-looking food!

    I have a tiny kitchen too, it's a nightmare for entertaining. Nowhere to put anything down. Not much I can do about it though as it's a rental. :(

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  16. It looks lovely Kerry! Love the colors on your table :-)

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  17. Beautiful Kerry! All of it!!
    Love how you say you wouldn't have done the flowers like that before blogging.. I smiled and nodded in agreement. The blog world is the best styling school in the world! I too have picked up so many great ideas and inspiration from here!

    The menu sounds droolingly good!

    Hugs from above

    xx C

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  18. Oh my goodness! That all looks fantastic.. quite the Domestic Goddess you are! Rachaelxx

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