Sunday, May 8, 2011

Sweet as Honey
































HOW SWEET IT IS!

If you're looking for a fresh idea to please your mamma, try a honeybee themed lunch. She'll think it's sweet.

Honeybees are symbols of diligence and domestic contentment. How appropriate then for Mother's Day!

The keys to making this apiary tablescape harmonize are "unity and variety." Amber colors and natural textures work beautifully, creating a warm atmosphere.  The tablecloth, napkins and chargers are neutral while the glasses, tulips, and candle holders are golden. Dimension is built up from the woven cloth and basketweave chargers to the topiary placecard holders. A bee design appears on the plates and in the bud vases. Together these elements support a honey of a lunch.





To accommodate eight guests, two different dish sets of four are mixed. Creamware blends beautifully with the butterfly and bee pattern from Portmeirion. Also the goblets are combined from two sets. Because the glasses are similar in color and shape, the eye moves easily across the table. The chairs are an eclectic combination as well. Variety keeps it interesting.








Elements that are repeated include the chargers, silverware,  and tulips. Unity keeps all of the elements humming along together nicely.


The Italian menu includes crostini appetizers. The mushroom pesto is honeycombed with toasted walnuts. Tea with lemon is the beverage and a honey-almond cake with citrus glaze is for dessert.

The main course is chicken saltimbocca, a spinach and prosciutto roll wrapped in a chicken cutlet. The side dish is penne with treviso and goat cheese. Bella!

Happy Mother's Day!