Table Settings and other formailities

I like to have nice dinners, I'm used to them for Holidays.  Spending time with my grandma and grandpa (dad's parents) taught me to enjoy festive occasions with the good china, the good silverware, the pretty stuff.  We celebrated in style.  The kids had their table, and the adults had theirs, until we were older and  could behave well at the table with the parents.  I missed the kids table, but the formal dinning area was amusing and adventurous in our family.  Grandma would eat off the people's plats next to her, my father, uncle and grandpa would talk "shop", and the ladies kept the kids in line and had conversations between themselves.  There were moments of fights between my aunt and grandma, they loved each other but were both very strong willed and rarely ever saw eye to eye on anything. Conversations were loud, and rambunctious.  It was fun just trying to keep up with it all, let alone try and interject a comment or two.  This differs greatly from my husbands family dinners.  They are more casual, but also more mannered in their conversation.  There is no raising your voice over the conversation of others to be heard.  They will move or talk later to finish a conversation.  It is much easier to speak and be heard, but I miss the more elegant table setting.  So, when I host dinners, I do it with all the formal trimmings that I'm used to, and a few more at times for fun.  My husband thinks I'm nutty, and he teases me about it, but when else will we ever use the fine china? When else will we pull out the fancy linens?

me as a kid at the grown up table in the formal dining area.

I have learned one very important lesson in the death of my mother, and that is, life is short.  There are no more times to celebrate with her, those have ended.  So, now I celebrate the moments I have left with the ones I love with flair.  I want them to know how special they are, how important and loved they are, how this celebration is worthy of the good stuff.  They are worth the fine things, the extra attention to detail, even the extra effort in cleaning up.

My Sister at the kids table, the room behind her is the formal dinning area, this is the kitchen.

I now go all out when I invite friends over for tea as well.  It's easy for me to post recipes and pictures of friends and family, but sharing how I set it up and what goes into the planning, that takes more effort.  I can plan for a while on how, and what I will share, what food I will present, what table settings I will use.  These are the rituals that I enjoy, and savor but they are hard to explain.  I will do my best though.

Setting up for tea

A More informal Thanksgiving setting

Partially set Christmas ever dinner table, the tea cups were out of place but we did not have a bread plate.

I was watching a comedian with my hubby, Larry the Cable Guy go to visit interesting sites Only in America.   One of his stops was at the home of Emily Post.  Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy — Episode Guide — History.com Larry Makes Moonshine. (2011). The History Channel website. Retrieved 4:15, March 25, 2011, from http://www.history.com/shows/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy/episodes/episodes-guide.This was hilarious to me, Larry is not known for manners at all and Emily Post was the Etiquette Queen.  If you get a chance watch the episode, the family of Emily Post is continuing the legacy.
All of this started me thinking about how many people I know here in my circle, who are not familiar with formal dinner settings, or many other formalities that I was raised to know.  I thought I should share.  I do not have kids to pass this stuff down to yet, and so you reading have become my students in this post. I hope you will allow me to share.

The glass was moved on this place setting, and I'm still teased about the place cards. Everyone was family, but the holders are Christmas themed, and we only host the Christmas Eve dinner with family each year.

I love sharing recipes and other things, but the real satisfaction is from the whole package. I did Medifast, and although the food was nourishing, and my hunger was satisfied, I was never completely sure that I had really eaten.  I started to bring my lunch with real utensils, and cloth napkins, to aid in the appearance of an actually dining experience.  I am eating real, whole foods now, and I am truly thankful.  There are some things that make sitting down to a meal together, magical.  People talk, ideas are shared, there is a time to relax and just be in the presence of those we love and cherish.

Buffet Table Setting

Remember to use the utensils on the outside first and work your way in.  That is a helpful thing to remember if you are in a social setting where you are using unfamiliar utensils. 

Here are some links to help you if you need to brush up, or learn it new entirely.
Table Settings with cheat sheets. 
Tip of the day: Properly Setting The Table

Table Settings

Settings Tips
Entertaining Table Setting

Have fun entertaining, and hosting family events.  Use the good stuff, and savor the memories.

Pear Chutney - Cooking light

Autumn has some beautiful produce: endive, apples, brocolli, cranberries, gapes, cauliflower, eggplant, mushrooms, parsnips, pumpkins, figs, pears, persimmon, pomegranate, quinces, red bell peppers, red potatoes, rutabagas, shallots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, yukon gold potatoes, bay leaves, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, cabbage, brussels sprouts, escarole, fennel, frisee, and leeks.

So in the honor of the season, and at the request of my sister, I will be posting a Chutney recipe for the flavor of fall.

The recipe was for Sage Pork with Pear Chutney, but I will focus only on the chutney today.

2 firm ripe pears, chopped
3/4 C dried cherries
2 naval oranges
1 tsp grated peeled fresh ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine pear and cherries in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan. Grate 1tsp rid from one orange (or more to taste); add rind to pear mixture.  Squeeze juice from both oranges; combine orange juice, ginger, and cinnamon.  Add to pear mixture.  Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered 4 minutes or until pear is crisp tender; stiring often. Remove from heat, let stand 10 minutes.

Recipe comes from Cooking Light: Light & Easy Menus

I would suggest following the meal plan first, and then branching out form there.  It was a delicious meal.  I would serve an after meal tea such as Market Spice, Chai, or Caramel Apple tea.  I prefer the taste of spices in fall, hot apple cider, cinnamon, apple, all of these in an after dinner tea are a perfect ending to this fall chutney.

A little rant about friends, food, and health issues

Taken at a friends baby shower - many good friends and some strangers, picture is not specific to particular friends

I must have been raised different, or Utah is far more different that California as far as consideration goes, or I don't know what the reason is.  Here is what I have noticed though.  There are those in our lives that wear the friend hat, and those who kind of pick up the friend hat at times, and set it down on other occasions.  I prefer to be in the company of those who just live it, they wear the hat even when it's goofy, or it doesn't go with their outfit, or it's just plain old.

There are times when being a friend is inconvenient, when we were all younger and possibly single, but definitely staying up later partying or clubbing, or just out for whatever the reason, we knew who to call if we needed help at 2am.  Those were the real friends, they could call us, we could call them.  Now fast forward a few years, you have jobs that are more demanding, pets, possibly kids, and some new health issues.  There is the ever increasing Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Thyroid issues, etc.  Now you have to make changes to your diet and exercise routines, and those about you may or may not have to make adjustments as well.   Who are your friends now? How do they behave?  Do they get all bent out of shape if you bring food you can eat to a party? Or are they glad that you came and joined in the festivities?

I began this post a long time ago, when I was in a much more angry mood.  I'm still frustrated, but as I st here sipping my vanilla almond tea I think more and more about the friends I have learned so much about.  I know that there is one here who will embrace my new path to health, and if I make changes and adjust on that path I will be supported.  I have another friend who will understand and not judge, she will not necessarily join in, but she will not be offended if I have to bring food for myself.  The others? well, they have their own issues to deal with. I don't know if their children will have allergies, or their friends will have celiac, or  asbergers or autism, but I do know that one day they will come to a place where they will be asked to change their lifestyle for whatever reason and it will be difficult on them.  I wish they could see it now, that the decisions we make will either send us to the hospital now or later.  I have chosen to eat better and exercise and make these changes now before the Dr tells me it's life threatening and that I have to be put on medication.  It would be good to have more people surrounding me who felt the same, but those who do are counted as the best of friends.

Tea is soothing, it always has been. I'm glad I stopped by the market tonight and picked some up after my walk.  Now to hope that all of what I have picked up will help with the cramps.  Yep, they are beginning again, the pins and needles in my abdomen.  The cramps that clench my gut into a knot and make me scream and pray for an easy death.  Hmmm....I'm hoping that in all of this new healthiness, that it will result in less pain and the better possibility of fertility.  I miss my mom, and my friends back home.  Well, there you have it, my rant about friends, and life, and why I'm doing what I am.

If you are interested in the vanilla tea here is a picture and the link
Keep taking steps towards health, do not give up from small set backs, and do not let the negativity of others hold you back.  These are the things I'm learning, and I would like to give to others.

Ricotta pancakes & a new fall tea

Yet another recipe from the Metabolism Miracle book by Diane Kress.

This time you will have to look up the recipe or ask for it.  But these are a nice alternative to real pancakes, but you won't be fooled they do taste different, especially with the low sugar Maple Syrup.  Actually the syrup that's low sugar and flavored like Maple, because real Maple syrup is not without it's own natural sweetness.  Personally I will be excited to finally get 8 weeks done and move myself into the next two phases, but so far I've not done a full week yet. This is disappointing, but I have gotten better, and now the summer is coming to a close and I will make a stronger more valiant effort to stick with this for the next 8 weeks.

I have also found a new tea that I love, a red leaf, can you guess what it is? Brand or flavor?  Let me give you a hint, it's not for sale at Starbucks.  Their vanilla rooibos tea, was less than exciting.  I'm sure that there are others who love that tea, but I was not impressed.  It's sitting in the tin, just waiting for someone to drink it.  It's more bitter tasting than smooth.

I'm becoming a big fan of Republic of Tea Hot Apple Cider Rooibos

To let you know, I did not appreciate it the first time I tried it, but the second cup got me.  I had been hopping for more apple flavor, it's a mild tea, not a spicy tea.  It does have a smoothness and a fruitiness that I have grown to love.  See, there are "food" rewards, okay tea rewards, or coffee (unsweetened of course).  Have fun learning all the fun new ways to cook very low carb foods.

Today is a comfort food type of day

I've had a stressful day.  A co-worker of mine lost some very important information from a file I was working on.  I now have to wait until they leave for the day to rummage through their office and find this stack of documents.  They've searched and are unable to locate them, they also can't remember seeing them.  This person is supposed to be double checking my work, I'm so excited.

So I was not in the mood for staying here and munching on a tortilla and cheese for lunch.  I went out to the Nugget Market, and picked up a raspberry yogurt cup and some of this delightful chocolate tea.  It's a desert tea, which is nice since I really would love to indulge in a whole chocolate bar, but I'm restraining myself.  I love tea, it's a comfort drink for me.  I know, there are those who do not enjoy tea at all, but I do.  If tea is something you like, this one is one to try. Double Dark Chocolate Mate, it's delightful aroma is soothing. 

It's not like hot chocolate in any way, it is a tea after all.  But aside from my other favorite chocolate tea, Coconut Cocoa tea, this is a great chocolate tea.

So, here I am listening to music, sipping tea eating yogurt and wishing I could be so much more violent in this situation. Deep breaths, deep deep breaths....

I'm generally a positive person, but today I'm tired, frustrated, and ready for a long weekend.  I did not need to hear the man sniffle back snot all day, hack and burp, and then loose something of great importance.  These are the times I really wish my mother was still here, she would help me vent it out, and find the humor.  I'm venting, but I still have not found the humor.  Maybe tomorrow my perspective will come back, and I will see it, what ever it is that will make me breathe and smile and let it all go, but for now, I'm here sipping tea.

Summer weekends, sun tea, beaches, and friends

My favorite sun tea is Market Spice, actually it's just my favorite tea in general.  I have many others that I love as well, but there is an absolute decadence with this particular tea.

We went to celebrate a friends after work graduation party! Finally done with her BA, now for her Masters!