Friday, November 14, 2014

Set Your Table With Flair--Christmas Dessert and Tea

Hello, Friends!  Welcome, and thank you for visiting my blog.

Christmas is just around the corner, can you believe it!!?  In honor of Cuisine Kathleen's Bundt Cake Challenge, today I am sharing the first Christmas tablescape of the season.  I hope you enjoy the post!

My table began with a dark, dramatic red damask cloth.  The theme of my table is semi-formal, so each setting is very simple.  For the plate stack, I started with a silver charger, followed by red transfer ware.


Here is a peek of the pattern.  I love the horse-drawn carriages depicted on the plate.

Simple white whipstitched plates were topped with vibrant red napkins.



The centerpiece was created by using a tip from a pin I found on Pinterest.


I made a lattice pattern across the mouth of a large bowl,


and added flowers.


As luck would have it (or bad luck, depending on how I'm handling this age thing, lol), yesterday was my birthday.  My darling hubby sent me this adorable arrangement.  Isn't he sweet!!?  Woof!!


The red and white carnations from yesterday's gift were incorporated into today's arrangement, along with quite a bit of the green.


Red candles in clear candleholders were placed at either side of the arrangement.


Ombré silver glasses and crystal goblets were added to the setting along with a silver cup.  I wanted the desserts to be the main focal point, so I opted to only place settings on the front and two sides of the table.  My tea service and tray along with an extra teapot (just in case) was placed on the other side of the table along with the dessert displays.  Finally, silver flatware placed in a casual manner completed the setting.

Here are a few more shots. 










Now, onto the cake!!!


I must say, I don't bake bundt often, and I was intimidated....especially after seeing all the beauty linked up at Kathleen's.  Here is a look at the pan I purchased specifically for this challenge....sort of simple.


Being that the pan was very simple, I added some special elements to the cakes.  I used this mold (pan?) to make snowflake candy melts, and garnished the plated cakes with the snowflakes along with fresh cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and powdered sugar.


Here is a look after I added the sugar. Is it Christmas yet!!??  I can hardly wait!




The cakes were a simple chocolate cake recipe from Hershey that I use all the time.  If you want to read about the whole process, you may do so on my other blog Parsimonious Pabulum by clicking here.  I also used the remaining batter to make the walnut torte you see featured.  The recipe for the torte is also shown on the post.


From my collection:

Damask cloth, Martha Stewart Living
Silver chargers, generic
Red transfer ware, Staffordshire Engravings 17th Century, local antique
White whipstitch plates,  Ralph Lauren Whipstitch Collection, Horchow
Silver Platter and cups, Reed and Barton Silversmiths, local antique
Silver tea service, Godinger Hotel Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Extra teapot, Oneida Wm. Rogers & Son Collection
Silver Bowl used in arrangement, Ralph Lauren Wentworth Collection
Cake stand (for torte), Ralph Lauren Pavilion Footed Cake Stand
Crystal goblets, Godinger Dublin Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Ombré glasses, local antique
Flatware, Wallace Antique Baroque Collection, Horchow/Neiman Marcus
Bundt, HomeGoods
Antique Tea Napkins, Local Vintage. 


Be sure to use either of the links above to visit the National Bundt Cake Day Challenge!!  Thank you for visiting!



If you enjoy this post, please visit the archives!  You may also visit my full profile to view my other blogs. Connect with me on my Facebook Page, Parsimonious Décor Darling.   You might like to visit my other blog hubs,

The Marvelous Maison, a lifestyle blog hub and 
Frugal Fab Fashionista, my fashion blog hub. 

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Thank you for stopping by! ❤

 
 




29 comments:

  1. Those are delightful little cakes! And your table is really beautiful!

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  2. So pretty! I just love that little dog arrangement. Happy Birthday! Thanks so much for joining the challenge. Be sure to visit some of the others so they return the visit.
    Don't forget the Dec. challenge! :)

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    1. Thank you, Kathleen! I truly enjoy your challenges!! They are such fun! ❤

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  3. Happy Birthday!!! Hope you had a fabulous day ❤︎ The table looks beautiful!! LOLO(pinterest)

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet lady!! Love your boards and blog!! Ab Fab....

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  4. Well, Happy Birthday! What an adorable flower arrangement from your hubby! Beautiful 'scape, love the transferware dishes! What a great idea to do the "snowflakes" to go with the bundts! Nice job!

    Katherine

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  5. very nice presented bundt tray, love the snowflakes!

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  6. Happy belated birthday!!! The puppy flower arrangement is about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Simply darling! The table setting is so pretty. I love the red and white transferware. And your little bundt cakelets are beautiful with the white snowflake candy melts..... Candy

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    1. Awwwwww, thank you! :)
      Hubby knows I love wittle puppers whuppers. ;)
      It is so interesting what they can do with flowers nowadays! Thank you for visiting!

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  7. Happy belated birthday wishes to you!! What a sweet hubby to send you that gorgeous flower arrangement. Your table looks so festive and your cakes look so pretty all garnished on your platter.
    Thank you so much for your visit to my blog.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kitty; and congrats on your beautiful new addition! :)

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  8. Happy Birthday! Love your stunning table. I am sure everyone must have had an amazing time. Blessings, Martha

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    1. Thank you very much....we did! Still 'handling' this age, lol. :)

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  9. Your first Christmas table of the season is festive and the cute carnation puppy is sweet. I'd like to find the snowflake pan, I have quite a few snowflake cookie cutters and think some chocolate ones would be fun.

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    1. Thank you, Judith! I can't be certain, but I think the snowflake mold came from Ikea. Thank you for popping in!

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    2. Update: my apologies.....the mold is from Target. :)

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  10. Happy Birthday! I love the puppy bouquet from your hubby; it's adorable! Your table is lovely and I have those same red transferware plates. Actually, I have the whole set of china and I love it. I really like your little cakes and candy melts arranged on the charger. A lovely posting and thanks for joining me for tea.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Thank you, Sandi! I love the pattern, I hope to collect a full set. Thank you for having me, I'll be perusing your posts to see your set! :)

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  11. another beautiful setting. I have been enjoying visiting around your site today.

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    1. Thank you, Beth! I've already pinned your beautiful tea to my Pinterest. :)
      Thank you for sharing!

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  12. Happy Birthday ..What a beautiful tables cape.. Love the vibrancy of the red damask and your floral arrangement is so creative... It is one that I will use ..Thank You..Of course red ware is alway beautiful and so perfect for this festive display.... Your floral puppy made me smile... Too cute >>>> Hugs

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  13. Happy Birthday! Your table is lovely, and the mini bundt cakes are so pretty. I want to buy a pan for the individual cakes. ;-)

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  14. Hey pretty girl, this setting is wonderful and gorgeous! I love the dog arrangement and that pretty white pedestal. Beautiful!
    Hugs,
    FABBY

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