Wednesday, June 24, 2015

God Bless America - Happy 4th of July


LET'S CELEBRATE
the
4TH OF JULY!

Today's tablescape celebrates the birth of the 
United States of America with its Stars and Stripes,
and its red, white and blue.
A rustic wood representation of the flag, and
a flag inspired basket, create the theme for
this patriotic table, for July 4th.


It's also time to celebrate my glorious red roses
before they fade quickly, like the summer does.


They are just beautiful now, and will soon 
be gone with the heat.  The basket is made
to carry flatware and napkins, but I just
filled each space with wet floral foam placed
in a plastic bag to keep the flowers fresh,
and the basket dry.


The 4th of July Tablescape is set outside
on one of my ruffled round burlap tablecloths,
which have been enjoying the whole summer outside.
Click here to see how to make your own.


The plate stack features red, white and blue
with a star plate on top.


The rich, red flatware is tied in a bow with 
a burlap ribbon to go with the ruffled tablecloth.


I had several blue glasses to choose from,
but these striped ones seemed perfect with 
the Stars and Stripes theme of the table.



I just love the richness of the colors on this table, offset with
the rustic appeal of the burlap.


I stacked star shaped, glass candleholders for height, 
in red, white and blue.


Mix and match red, white and blue napkins were used.
I like the mixture of non-patriotic napkins along with
Stars and Stripes motif.  It creates another casual element.


Here is a view of the rose-filled basket from the top,
showing off the star studded handle.


We will be attending America's Freedom Festival in Provo, Utah
with our family on July 4th.  The Freedom Festival always
features wonderful performers followed by magnificent fireworks.
This year the headliner is Journey, with Montel Williams hosting.
It should be a wonderful celebration, especially the
fireworks - my favorite!!


I will be posting this tablescape with

Sources
Flag basket - Michael's
Wooden Flag - Tai Pan
Stackable star candleholders - Dollar Tree
White chargers - Pier 1
Napkins - Pier 1
Flatware - Horchow
Red and blue glass vases - Michael's
Ribbon - Michael's
Striped glasses - Cabo










Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Herbs de Provence Cheese Log


Looking for a savory and super easy appetizer
for a summer party, or any time of year?

This has to be the simplest and most amazing
appetizer there is - just a log of goat cheese
and Herbs de Provence.



I purchased this bottle of Herbes de Provence
in Paris last year and finally used it.  What
a heady taste - wow - this is amazing.
You don't have to go to Paris to purchase
Herbs de Provence, you can buy it at many
stores, or you can even find recipes for it online.

Just take a couple of teaspoons and roll your goat cheese
log in the herbs.  Wrap in plastic wrap and place it in
the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  Serve it with
bread, crackers, crostini or flatbread.  




It is simple and beautiful, yet delicious and unique.

That's all there is to it, but you will have everyone
asking you for the recipe.



Look closely to see the beautiful combination of
flowers and herbs.  This is making my mouth water!

Try this easy and delicious appetizer,
and it is great for low carb eating.

Thanks for stopping by to visit at
Purple Chocolat Home, where there
is always an adventure.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Lunch at the Davenport


Welcome to the beautiful, historic Davenport Hotel
in downtown Spokane Washington.
Many of you know that my sister Joni, from Red Couch Recipes
moved there in October.

My other sister, Jean, from Texas and I went to visit Joni
and she took us to the Davenport Hotel for lunch.


Davenport is a landmark hotel in Spokane and was 
commissioned by a group of businessmen in 1914
and named after Louis Davenport, the first proprietor
of the hotel.


 What a treat it was to go in and walk around.  It was restored
and reestablished in 2002 by the Worthy's
at a cost of around $38 million.


And it is a restoration worthy of this grand hotel.
They lovingly keep the rooms open when they are 
not being used for a function, so that you
can come in, enjoy, and take photos.


The Renaissance room is exquisite and makes
you feel like royalty when you are in it.
I would love to be here for a ball.


The Marie Antoinette Room is also stunning with
it's second floor balcony.  It is done in soft blue.
They were preparing for a wedding reception when
we were there.






There are beautiful chandeliers throughout the hotel.



Look at the detail on this original chandelier.


The Hall of the Doges, Spokane's "oldest and finest ballroom" 
was lifted intact out of an older part of the building
and placed here at the top of the stairs in the
new east wing.




It was modeled after royal palaces in Venice.




In this beautiful wood paneled room, each of these
chandeliers contain 75 pounds of silver.  


The Palm Court Grill, the open, two-story lobby
 is where lunch is served.


It is decorated exquisitely.  You can appreciate
the Worthy's love of this fine historic building and
their care in restoring it to it's charm and beauty.


with these fantastic onyx lamps atop gold twisted pillars.



We were seated right in front of the elegant fireplace.


I just love appetizers and desserts.  I could eat just
appetizers and desserts and die a happy woman,
so I had to try their Cougar Gold Cheese Dip.


Mmmmmmm....
Cougar Gold Cheese Dip, served with bread.
Cougar Gold is a white, sharp cheddar cheese
made exclusively at Washington State University.
  It can be ordered online, but shipping doubles the price.  I might
try this recipe, substituting another aged, white, sharp
cheddar cheese.  It really was amazing.  We all said we
could have just ordered our own cheese dip and gone
away happy!


Jean ordered the Halibut Fish and Chips,
 and it was so light and flakey.


Joni got Grilled Chicken Satay with a peanut sauce.



Tatiana, Joni's daughter ordered
 a gorgeous Reuben Sandwich.


Of course I had to try the
Davenport Crab Louis salad,
named after Louis Davenport.

It was filled with huge chunks of wonderful crab.


After lunch, we wandered into the Davenport's gift shop,
and I fell madly in love with this table.  Look at the lines
on it!


Of course I had to take photos of the gorgeously shaped
wood and the beautiful tablesetting.  I love the metallic
plates mixed with the swirled plates.  It is definitely a
rustic elegant look.


This store was a tablescaper's dream.  Look at these
stunning goblets with their peach colored beads.


I love how they tied the antique silverware
together with a ribbon.


It is a fun way to mix and match antique pieces.


Let's have a peek at those stunning legs -
three beautiful carved legs on each end - 
what's not to love?


I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful table.
I even asked about having it shipped.  I have to
say that the only thing about the Davenport that disappointed
me was that the sales manager never called me back
about how much it would be to have it drop shipped!
Alas, it was not meant to be!


Make me feel bad about not getting it one more time -
this is the view from the end!  I am in love!!


This is the view from the side.  What a glorious table.
Wish they could ship it!!


Isn't this table fabulous too?  That edge is
just fantastic!  



The store was just filled with all kinds of treats.
They told us you can even order their mattresses
and linens if you loved the way you slept!


Oh, and how about these plates for fun?  These look like
glass but are melamine.  You have to pick them up to 
believe it.

While you are in the store, take a taste test of
Spokane's famous soft peanut brittle.  It is quite
a unique treat that I just love.

Lunch at the Davenport was really a treat and if you are
in town, come in, explore and have lunch.  It is
breathtaking, and will transport you to a more
elegant time.  Breakfast and lunch are very reasonable and
we loved each dish.  


We had a delightful week with Joni and loved getting
to know her wonderful new town.

I will be posting this with

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