tableofferingsblog.com

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Like clockwork, Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, come rain or shine. A day recognized as a federal holiday dating as far back as May 30, 1868, when it was originally named Decoration Day. A day specifically set aside to honor those that have given their lives for this country. On a less somber note, Memorial Day weekend has also traditionally signaled the beginning of warm sunny days, laced with trips to the beach, long lazy wildflower filled hikes, pool parties, bar-b-ques, and for the younger set the tingling anticipation of summer camp. For some, the excitement has been building all year toward that long awaited vacation to a far flung and perhaps mysterious destination. For those of you who plan on a home-based stay-cation .  .   . endless possibilities abound!What better way to top off a cold buffet on a hot night than with an iced cappuccino? Sooo simple to prepare. The best possible way to serve iced-coffee is by brewing and refrigerating coffee after it cools .   .   . for the best-of-the-best treat! Start with putting your mixing bowl, and whisk or electric mixer whisks into the freezer for 20 minutes. Make sure that your heavy whipping cream is ice cold as well. For every cold cup of heavy whipping cream, add 2 tbs. either sugar, honey, or artificial sweetner all in the same ice-cold bowl. Set your electric beater on high for approximately 1 minute, until medium to stiff peaks form. You can refrigerate this yummy treat in an airtight container for about 10 hours. When ready to use just hand whisk to refresh for about 10-15 seconds. For the adventure in all of you .   .   . I suggest stepping out-of- the-box and putting your creative mode in-gear! Lol! I was just asked for some creative input .   .   . Phew! Yes, yes, yes, I thought you would never ask!!! Here are a few off the top of my brain .   .   . a splash of bourbon, a dash of cocoa powder, and yes, even tequila! Please note a few extra whisking seconds may be needed when adding any additional liquid.No, no, no, that’s not all of my list but .   .   . hellllooo .   .   . It’s time for all of you want to be DIY graduates to step up and .   .   . play! Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38ZfRemember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!           Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as an ongoing contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®you think

Are you waiting for that imaginary bolt of lightning? You know the one that I’m talking about .   .   . that  comes and shakes those creative ideas loose? No? Just when you realize that you can not come up with one more creative Mother’s Day idea .   .   . Aye Yai, Yai! Yikes! Ok .   .   . how about trying one of my lightning bolt epiphanies?  Yes, yes, yes, I can hear all of you. Your plans consist of reservations, flowers, a loving card for mom, mother, grandma, great-grandma etc., and maybe a gift, just like last year and the year before that. Hmm .   .    . Geez, don’t you think that it’s time to add a little bit of pizazz to the celebration? Wow, I just heard sooo many yeses. Fantastic! Now let’s get down to business.

Nestled all across the United States are botanical gardens offering breathtaking and in many instances free admittance. Now combine beauty, education, amazingly scented air that will wrap you up in an invisible blanket of pure joy and .   .   . I repeat it’s FREE! Many of these wonderful gardens allow for picnics, or have on site cafes that take all of the work out of chow-time. Wait don’t leave until you hear my other option for Mother’s Day.

Take your Mother’s Day special person(s) for a wine or small batch, craft brewery tasting journey. Now hold on a minute! I just heard someone say wine is expensive, and they don’t live in wine country. Vineyards or a store front representation are popping up all over the place  No, no, no, not necessarily so. As far as crafted beer is concerned .   .   . easy-peasy .   .   . small batch crafted beer companies are all over the place. I am by no means promoting over-indulgence .   .    . remember these are tasting expeditions with the potential of bringing home a taste of Mother Earth!

Now on Amazon  http://amzn.to/2ehlCp4 “a collection of… Tableofferings™ from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER !

FOR THE KIDDIES in your life …It’s all about those adorable sisters! Listen to my children’s books live radio interview bit.ly/29QSJPd
I am sooo Lucky!!!  AVAILABLE NOW on Amazon http://amzn.to/1qh38Zf

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper. Tableofferings® & Come sit with me for awhile… and see what I am bringing to the table® are registered trademarks owned by Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Holidays are all about the gathering. The gathering of family, friends, and the occasional no-particular-place-to-go new-comer. When I run across a person-without -a-place to gather .   .   . I say .   .   . please .  .   .   come gather around our table. While my glass table is configured for a comfortable 10-elbow room affair, I just have to   rethink what pieces will make-up a place-setting. Oh please .   .   . I can always eke out another place setting or two! It really is all about logistics. Wait !!! Nay-sayers .   .   . it is totally possible. The table below was originally set for 10, however, two separate texts, brought my table to a whopping 12. What to do, what to do? Off come the chargers .   .   . easy-peasy! Sit-down dinner gets switched to buffet after cocktails and appetizers. Then the first course is served at the table, and then the buffet kicks in! By now everyone is friendly, or ‘familied’ and .   .   . well .   .   . the problem of tight quarters is indeed history! Voila!!! People come together (as the song goes).

Below is a gorgeous colored vintage obi that I laid down the center of the table. Stemware has been set on bits of antique scraps from Tibet. The mix of golden yellow and lime green glasses gives it that extra pop of color.

Now I would love to stay and chat with all of you .   .   . but .   .   . I’m late! I’m late! I’m late! .   .   .  for a very important date! Happy holidays to all!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings® from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings®

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

Deep navy blue, frames this jeweled toned square cloth, holding floral sprays against a rich terra cotta/salmon background creating a burst of pattern and color, while resting kitty-corner over a pale golden-yellow damask table linen. The rainbow of colored roses set center stage, sits regally in an antiqued mirrored pedestal flower vase. Flickering cream colored tapers and waxed topiaries not only draw the guests eye to this centerpiece, but will surely add a sense of drama that only Mother Nature, in all her splendor can. The ‘flight of the dancing flame’ gently doing what it does best .   .   . swaying to the air currents being cast about from the congenial conversation, and indeed is the most flattering light without a doubt.

Now add all deep navy blue dinnerware, some vintage ‘Moderne’ glass with some brand- spanking new navy dishes, accented with terra-cotta square plates for the first course, topped with cut burgundy colored glasses holding pale gold/yellow napkins. Bread and butter plates are rimmed in various jeweled tones in keeping with the table linen. Stemware are a mix of pale yellow and rose blush. All that’s left is to bring in my guests.  HAPPY HOLIDAY’S everyone!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your e-mails … Keep them coming!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings® from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

When life hands me lemons .   .   . I ‘make’ tablescapes ! What ? .   .   . you thought I’d make lemonade ? .   .   . Oh please! .   .   . I do have my priorities.  How could I possibly ignore the vibrant color pallet that Mother Nature so lovingly, and skillfully supplies in abundance  for my taste pleasure .   .   . and for my visual consumption?!!  No, no I don’t have it backwards .   .   . honest! Go ahead and click on the above photo and drink in the natural beauty. Ah haa .   .   . now you see .   .   . it’s all about the rich pop of color that reaches inside, squeezes your heart while feeding your soul.  Liken this to a burning orange sunset that guarantees a very hot next day .   .   . what is a person to do? .   .   . I say, first enjoy every breathtaking and awe inspiring brilliant moment before the sun sets, and the new day begins. Tomorrow .   .   . mmm .   .   .  yes, tomorrow will take care of tomorrow .   .   . it usually does.

Please click on the above photo .   .   . for a bird’?s eye view. There are times when the simplest of table settings can translate into spectacular. When I am fortunate to have this incredible French tablecloth of yummy, and I mean yummmmmy  yellow with a grey dusting of a very French pattern, quietly dancing across the cloth to a melody that us mere mortals cannot hear. Something so exquisitely elegant must be given the much deserved spotlight, and breathing space. By keeping this tablescape simple, the incredible pops of color screaming from my cheeky carrot pitcher with it’s one Bird of Paradise (of course it’s real .   .   . sheeesh!) and the robust lemony yellow real lemons mixed with a few granny smith apples for further punch have been allowed to take center stage. Adding flickering flames dancing off the glass bell holding the fruit, and you have more than enough eye candy for one setting. The vintage patterned fruit plates help carry out my fruit theme. Now I hear some of you whispering .   .   . what? .   .   . this is it? You must be the newbie’s .   .   . because .   .   .  my veteran readers always know that there is always a surprise twist waiting in the wings!!! Here is the twist .   .   . I will be loading this table up with .   .   . lemon meringue pie, a tray full of  lemon custard filled éclairs drenched in chocolate, assorted yummy lemony cookies and, and, and .   .   . for any of my guests who are faint of heart, a very simple cheesecake with thin candied lemon slices for decoration. So you see that my very simple table has been set to resemble that of a blank canvas, quietly waiting for the final act.

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings® from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings®

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on AmazonBook1  getBook.at/book1Lucky©   Book2  getBook.at/lucky2© Book3  getBook.at/Lucky3©

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and … Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper. Tableofferings® and Come sit with me for awhile. . . and see what I am bringing to the table® are registered trademarks owned by Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

A GIFT FROM MOTHER NATURE

Believe me I know!!! The deluge that hit Los Angeles seemed endless. Just when I thought my little garden could not possibly hold another drop . . . presto! Graciously the clouds floated on leaving precious gifts from Mother Nature behind. Oh and what a gift. A breathtaking bounty of vibrant foliage highlighted by colors so brilliant that I had to pay homage to their beauty.

Sooooooo . . . what to do . . . what to do??? I could not miss this opportunity to gather passionate reds, angelic pinks, brilliantly bleached white gently kissed with touches of lavender, and yellow flowers with dew drops still clinging to some of the petals. This gift of Mother Nature deserved a tablescape created with a thankful nod to Mother Nature. As seen below . . . I picked a jewel toned table linen and added accents of vintage navy blue glass plates layered with a mix of vintage pottery and hand painted china. Tumblers of passionate ruby red and clear cut crystal topped off with stemmed goblets of pink and yellow hues. Pleeeeaaasse don’t forget the candles!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your e-mails … Keep them coming!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings® from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings®

For the kiddies in your life “I am sooo Lucky!!!” Series AVAILABLE on AmazonBook1  getBook.at/book1Lucky©   Book2  getBook.at/lucky2© Book3  getBook.at/Lucky3©

Remember if you’re a Prime Amazon member you can read for free!

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the globally recognized  Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and… Beverly Hills, California, as well as a former contributing columnist for the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper.

Tableofferings® and Come sit with me for awhile… and see what I am bringing to the table© are registered trademarks owned by Sharon Insul

Come sit with me for awhile . . .
and see what I’m bringing to the table ®

I am sooo busy that I find myself dizzy! Talk about jammed packed event planning commitments! No of course not. Nooooo, no complaints. I am extremely lucky to have me, and my expertise in demand. Well enough of that .   .  . moving on.

Hmmm .   .   . Chinese New Year .   .   . Super Bowl .   .   . Mardi Gras .   .  . Valentines Day .   .   . and that’s just February .   .   . hang on .   .   . phew .   .   . let me catch my breath. That noise? Lol, that’s just yours truly doing some serious deep breathing .   .   . annnnd      .   .   .   . exhale. Yes, yes thanks for asking. O k  I’m good. Now that I am reasonably calm, let’s talk Super Bowl since having already done a blog on Chinese New Year.

Whether steamed, boiled, broiled, or charred, hot dogs will always be one of Americas all time favorite sports event foods. Now can you really turn down this fun loving Super Bowl Sunday favorite? Of course not. I personally prefer my hot dogs charred. Wait. Hang on there fellow followers. Charred doesn’t mean I would say no to boiled, broiled, or steamed. O k, now that we are on the same page again let me wrap this up with a few new ideas of how to serve these yummies. Besides the standard bun, I offer you hot dogs in a pita pocket. You know how we all love to load the hot dog bun up with at least one condiment, then add maybe chili, sauerkraut, grilled onions, etc. and then go for that first bite .   .   . squishhhhhh, splattt .   .   . and there goes half of my favorite add-ons on my lap. Yikes!!! Well I say try a pita pocket heated on the grill and then fill her up!!! Oh yesss please.

Wait. You can’t leave without checking out my very tried and true dessert as seen below. I fill bowls of what most ice cream sundae lovers yearn for including hot fudge, caramel, homemade whipped cream and .   .   . and .   .  . enjoy!!!

Are you looking for a new twist on the same-old, ho-hum table setting? Well look no further .   .   . help is here .   .   . Now on Amazon “a collection of… Tableofferings from the go-to expert tablescaper” Available in E-book and HARDCOVER getBook.at/Tableofferings