A Special Dinner

On December 4th, my Hubby and I will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. We always take a trip to celebrate. We don't necessarily go very far; just a change of scenery. One advantage to having a near-to-Christmas anniversary is that no matter where we go, there are decorations and lights: almost as if everyone is celebrating our special day! Hotels have large festooned trees in their lobbies, garlands of greenery welcome us at the check-in desk, twinkling lights greet us everywhere, and seasonal music surrounds us no matter where we go.  We also make sure we are near an Outlet Center so we can start our Christmas shopping. We buy everyone in the family new pj's and that means we buy 18 sets!! They are passed out before the holiday with the instructions: "Do not open until Christmas Eve!" Since our four girls all have husbands and children, we don't see them on Christmas Eve: they want to be home for Christmas morning and Santa's reveal. So, we see them for Christmas Day.

I decided to have a romantic anniversary dinner this year before we "hit the road'.  The menu will be Cesar Salad, filet mignon, baked potatoes and steamed asparagus. There will be chocolate cake for dessert. We'll have champagne for a toast, wine for dinner and an after dinner cognac.

Here is the table I have planned:

Here's How It Was Created:


I start with a white lace tablecloth. It seems appropriate for a romantic dinner, especially one commemorating a wedding!

My place setting starts with a silver placemat. I want a white and silver tablescape, so this placemat anchors that color combination.

I then add my openwork white ceramic charger from Maryland China Co.  Be sure and check out their clearance section on their website: these chargers are seconds (although you could never tell) and were 50% off when I bought them!

The dinner plate is from HomeGoods and is labeled Metaceramica (you've seen it many times on my blog!)

The salad plate is from Pier One and is part of their Madeleine collection. I love the scalloped nature of the rim and the delicate swirls.

To dress things up a bit I used a silver napkin sheath on top of a white and silver patterned napkin found at HomeGoods.  I had found the silver napkin ring at a yard sale and found it had just enough sparkle to complete the look I wanted!

The place setting was completed with my late mother-in-laws silverplate in the Heritage pattern from the International Silver company. It is such a romantic pattern and perfect for this dinner! I also added my Waterford toasting flutes (part of their Celebration series) and the wine and cordial stemware from the Rogaska collection in their Gallia pattern.  The silver glass votive holders are just to add some lighting ambiance to the table.

My centerpiece requires explanation.  I found out that the traditional gift for the 27th Wedding Anniversary is sculpture.  I immediately thought of the sculpture that my sister-in-law, Marie, had gotten us. It seemed a perfect anchor piece for my centerpiece: so romantic and precious with its intended anniversary blessing. I also added the cake topper from our wedding day: a tiny sculpture, but huge in its sentimental meaning.  I have been waiting to use the lighted wreath for just the right table, and I do believe I found it! It actually looks very much like the headpiece I wore for our wedding! (minus the lights, of course!) The candle holders were wedding presents from a beloved friend who left us far too soon.  I think of Eddie whenever I take these out of my hutch.

Accent pieces on the table include my crystal bowl which I will be using as a salad bowl,  (another wedding gift from a dear friend, Frankie) , and an etched glass carafe which holds our gifted cognac.

I'm still recovering from surgery, but every day brings more strength and energy.  I look forward to our anniversary dinner and the short trip that follows it.  We seem to use this anniversary trip every year as a starting point for our Christmas holiday time.  When we get back, the decorating will start as well as the frantic race to Christmas Day when our beloved family fills our home. Of course, things will be somewhat calmed down this year. However,  this year more than ever before I greet this time with gratitude and appreciation.  Happy Anniversary, dear Hubby..........

I'll be linking up to Christine's Link It! Party at www.rustic-refined.com ,
Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net. and Kathy's Home and Garden Thursdays at www.adelightsomelife.com  Please stop by these wonderful blogs to see what others have to share.  Thank you, ladies, for hosting these parties!