Sunday, October 26, 2014

Fall Dinner for a Blog Friend

I’ve read about it plenty—bloggers who become virtual friends and eventually meet—and I thought that such meetings must be so fun! Well, Maria, of Dreams and Epiphanies, met in person last weekend! She and her husband, Lee, had a standing invitation for anytime they came to Ohio to visit their son in college, and she emailed me to say they would be in Ohio and would October 18 work? Of course! We’d make it work! We invited them to our home for lunch if they were up to it, because yes, we’re in Ohio, but not en route to Miami University, and the answer was “yes, we’ll come visit!” Yea, Lee, for being a good sport!!

My husband Terry and I decided a traditional Cuban meal was in order, and he chose the menu, based on his favorite meal: Roast pork chunks with Cuban seasonings, rice and black beans, and guacamole—Cuban guacamole…you’ll see that treat in a minute! We also had corn soufflé (recipe here), rolls and butter, and a good pinot noir selected by our son, the chef.

There was no lapse in conversation from the minute they arrived! I’d asked that they arrive hungry, and they said they had heeded my request, so first we had some appetizers ~

DSCN4652 I love to serve palitroques—bread sticks—especially with appetizers, because they were somewhat of a staple with my family, so I always think of them as a Cuban item, though I don’t know if other Cuban families enjoy them as much as we do. I forgot to ask Maria—we’ll need to get together again to talk some more. :)

DSCN4662 Our table (as well as the meal, really) was simple and fall-ish: Burlap runner, woven “straw” placemats and twig chargers, with simple white dishes and aubergine napkins held by twig napkin rings.

DSCN4663 The pork and the rice…and back to the tablescape~ funny how a table decor unfolds. All I had in mind was the burlap and twig things, and simple white dishes. As I was looking for these items I ran across this purchase from last year:

DSCN4640 Metallic gold leaves that I bought for a whopping $.97 on clearance last December. I actually thought they were golds and bronzes, but no, all gold. So there went the table—gold leaves on the burlap runner for contrast, and gold accents, including my “gold” flatware that my dear, sweet grandmother, who obliged me in every way she could, bought for me just because I wanted them, to go with the Lenox Holiday dishes she had also given me. She was such a sweet, dear, giving person, never, ever expecting anything in return.

DSCN4643 Originally I intended to use this Tea Leaf tureen—it was perfect—until I took the lid off and saw the crazing and damage to the porcelain. Not safe. I’d gotten it at an auction, and at the time I wasn’t concerned about the damage, since my intention was to use it for display purposes, but I’d forgotten about it. So off the table and back to just looking lovely, as she always does.

DSCN4665  And about that Cuban guacamole…ours consists of chunks of avocado and of fresh pineapple, with a bit of salt (some like to add extra virgin olive oil and a splash of vinegar and thin onion slices, but mine was sans, as I prefer it). As soon as Maria saw it she referred to it as guacamole. That was fun. And since pineapple is not exactly a fall dish, I compensated with the corn soufflé, served in a hollowed pumpkin.

And now for the BEST part~

DSCN4666 Two new friends—in person! Well, actually FOUR new friends…our husbands did join us at the table, but I have to admit, they were super nice, and super patient with these two ladies, talking incessantly about tables, and bloggers, and dishes, and….  It was a fun, fun day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know you were here—I’m thrilled to know you stopped by, and I’ll always visit back and comment too. If you like what you see, I invite you to follow me (I promise to follow back), and please—Pin away and follow me on Pinterest too! Thank you!!

NOTE: Some of the items I use in my posts are in my Etsy shop, but many are not, simply because I haven’t updated my shop. If you see something you like and wonder if it’s available for sale, email me at coral5252@gmail.com and let’s talk!

Sunday Showcase at http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Sunday at It’s Overflowing at http://www.itsoverflowing.com/

Sunday Creative Home and Garden Hop at http://creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com/

Sundays at The Tablescaper: http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Mop it Up Monday at http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com

Metamorphosis Monday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Masterpiece Monday at http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at Our Home at http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays at The Scoop at http://www.stonegableblog.com

Tuesday’s Treasures http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/

Inspire Me Tuesday at http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/

Wednesday DIY by Design Party at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Share Your Cup with Mrs. Olson at http://jannolson.blogspot.com/

Home and Garden Thursday at http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday at http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Thursdays at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Friday at Redoux Interiors at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/

Fridays at Imparting Grace at http://www.impartinggrace.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Throwback Thursdays at http://www.glitterglueandpaint.com/throwback-thursday-2/

Transformation Thursdays at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/

Be Inspired Friday at http://www.Commonground-do.com/

Fridays at Feathered Nest: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Fridays at http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Fridays at Home Sweet Home: http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

Fresh-Cut Fridays at http://rosevignettes.blogspot.com

Fridays at The Thrifty Groove at http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Saturdays at http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/

Spotlight Saturdays at http://www.classyclutter.net/

Saturdays at Be Different, Act Normal at http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

From my nest to yours~

Zuni

6 comments:

  1. Look at my favorite Cuban ladies together, my bloggy friends look so pretty and so happy together...wish I had been there and yes, I too would have loved the yummy Cuban menu and 'palitroques' we call them like that too, lol! Your table looks so Fallish, with such beauty, friendship and good food.
    Abrazos grandes a Maria y a vos querida Zuni!
    Have a great week ahead.
    FABBY

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  2. Zuni! What a lovely post! I so enjoyed meeting you and Terry! Your home is beautiful and the luncheon was superb. That pork, I'm making your recipe very soon! You are so right that the conversation never lagged. We need to do it again, and next time, it's your turn to come to Chicago. Wouldn't it be great if we could get Fabby up here, too? Oh, and yes, we also called them palitroques, and were a regular staple at our house.

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  3. What fun, Zuni! You two must have sounded like a pair of magpies -- talking as fast as you could. :-) I didn't know how Cuban guacamole was made, but it sounds wonderful. I'll have to try it sometime. I hope all is well at your house!

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  4. SO COOL to see 2 of my favorite bloggers sharing a meal and conversation in person!!! I'm so glad you guys had the opportunity to meet and share some good times together! Our poor husbands...the sacrifices they make! But it turned out good for them, too, it sounds like!

    I had never seen or heard of this version of guacamole. I learned something today!

    Your table was beautiful, and the simplicity of it made it easy for conversation and for all that wonderful food to be on display front and center!!! Now somehow that chili dog I was planning to eat for lunch in a few minutes just doesn't measure up! :-)

    Have a happy week!

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  5. Zuni, both your table setting and meal were perfect! Everything looks delicious. Would love to try some of that guac! lol! So glad that they were able to come by. What a fun visit indeed! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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