Dinner Plans

The plans have now changed from brunch to dinner, and I am starting to work on my menu, theme and table scape ideas for the family Easter celebration. I think I am going to go with birds nests, and springtime...and of course, bunnies...but then again, I may go vintage, with manila place cards and ornate initials on eggs...
    There will be eight of us for dinner. Besides debating the theme and table scape, I am pondering whether having both carrot cake and a chocolate fountain with fruit and such is over kill (is it?) and what I will serve with the pork tenderloin (I have decided to forget ham. None of my kids are that crazy about it. We can start our own tradition.)
    I was tinkering with last night with place card and menu card ideas in between searching online menus from William Sonoma. (So far,I think I am going to make this salad.)

    Another new tradition I want to start is Menu cards. I saw on HGTV once (On Kitty Bartholomew I believe...) where a woman framed her hand made menu cards from dinner parties and holidays and had them hanging in her dining room. Now, isn't that the dearest idea? It was so charming. I think I will put mine in a sweet little album to set out on the table by my favorite new-to-me chair so I can look at it whenever I please.
     Here is where I'd like some input... which look do you prefer? The charming vintage look, (just not too foofy-la-rue since there will be 3 men at the table) or the quaint cottage look of the nests?  They are both works in progress at this point anyway... and I still may come up with yet another plan. 

    Oh, I am really beginning to get excited. This Easter dinner is going to be fun to plan...and attend!

Comments

[Kathleen Carracher]

Your ideas are wonderful. My family doesn't care for ham either. I'm still in the thinking stage for what I plan to serve. Back to your question. Both decorating ideas are very nice. I lean towards the bird nest though. That would not surprise my friends I've been a collector of quail eggs nest and bird botanicals for many years. If you have any small bird pictures that would be cute too. Have Fun!!! Kathy

[HeatherJ]

Can I have a little teensy drop of your talent please? ;-) My vote is for the bird nests. It is simple, but beautiful. That metal menu holder you have is really neat too.

Thanks for sharing the saving-the-menu idea . . I am going to do that (I guess this means I should learn to cook a dinner worth framing).

[Crystal]

I LOVE the vintage look you have going, it is all soooo neat, what a table it is going to be :) Could you please tell me where you got the wire holder in the top pic ? The menu cards are a great idea. I have to get started planning my table.........

[Crystal]

Oh, I forgot :) If you do go with the egg theme, what about favors of eggs to send home .

[Lucinda]

You have inspired me to want to have an Easter dinner too! I vote for the Nests.

[Jill]

I vote for the nests, because it's hard to resist them in the Spring. Just be sure the guys have blue eggs in theirs!

[Colleen]

My vote is also for the nests but both are wonderful!

[ACottageIndustry]

Thanks for all the input-- and the ideas! I love the egg favors idea. I have already ordered truffle eggs from William Sonoma, and I have nests, so that will work out perfectly!
I got my sign holders at a local boutique way back when for $10 each (which I thought was high, but I have used them so much that I got more than my moneys worth!!) I just found them on ebay also..check 'em out here: http://tinyurl.com/2phthu
Now, any thoughts on if a chocolate fountain AND cupcakes is over kill?

[Jessica]

I agree with everyone else, I LOVE the nest theme! They're both beautiful, but the nest one really stands out. And the card holder in that picture is *amazing*, LOVE it!

[Crystal]

thanks for sharing the info on the menu holder :)
also one little idea I like to use- is to put something from the theme in the bathroom. It sounds odd but everyone who uses it always comments on that.

[Dottie Driver]

I just want to say i love your style. I am so inspired. I don't know all the details of your troubles but from what you are presenting you look like it has had a positive boost to your creatativity. Thank you for sharing us your little corner of the world.

[Lucinda]

As for the Choc fountain or the cupcakes. I really love choc but your cupcakes are works of art. I have heard that the fountains can be tricky sometimes and the clean up is kind of a drag where as the cupcakes you could do the day before. Maybe a smaller choc.fondue. Crate & Barrel have quite a selection of them.

[Heather Feather]

I love to hear about fun and exciting events and then realize... I'M INVITED!!! I can't wait!

[MimiG]

Rather than the chocolate fountain, what about chocolate bunnies for every one? Even guys like those! Or, you could make chocolate lollipops with Wilton's tabs and molds. I bought some very cute Easter egg plastic bags for treats at the $ store, am going to send my goodies home in those.
BTW, I want to second "thanks for sharing your talents".....
MimiG

[Jen]

Oh my gosh! I love every single thing. Wonderful ideas and beautiful presentation. You are going to out do yourself, I can tell.

[cindy]

Can I come to your house for Easter? LOL I love the nests and that salad looks so yummy!

[Posey]

Can I have your carrot (cup)cake recipe? I'm planning on making several kinds of cupcakes for my Easter dinner. I have a large family and will have about 20 people around my tables! Thanks!

[Marianna]

I really like the vintage look. I would probably skip the fountain and go with lots of fun cupcakes!

[Carol]

I like the bird's nest since there will be guys, the vintage look is a little girlie. Both are beautiful!
Carol
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[Lindsey "the bride to be"]

I can't wait either! Mom can we use the birds nests picture at the wedding too? I love the one on the place card as well. I can't wait to come home and see everything you have done. love you..

[Gail]

I love the blue eggs in the nest and the little cards with the nests on it are so sweet...can you tell I like nests? this is so inspiring, I wish I was hosting Easter this year. I would pass on the chocolate fountain, and do the choclate bunnies. Have a blessed Easter!

[Darlene]

I love your tag with the nest and eggs. Where did you get that lovely stamp?