A smokey repast

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583937970359952018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_1hjzsYH6zJta0yQxBVZtfsIG-2vigUCav7fQo5oKHPXhJlbixX0rY9lp2oY6TsHxD0cjmZuNpgKypYmlIrkjIrid7Yj6v-9c1Hc1QiNQB3uYzpEXv6R8luUo1mIEXQqn_3wKnQyU9o/s400/plaid.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />As blogger is being problematic with uploading photos, instead of a real post I'll share with you an adventure from my weekend. A friend from NYC who had never visited DC decided to come down for the weekend as my guest and see the sights.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50iHWRUNH2lwpaHezn_mAFCQ8_fFcLTVakrND5-VIRRlgiIAG2Dh3GPKFBxLpdiLjnInaBtDMXqRLHgAUjlvT91BkABiI9d-__Xz2RitQWj57sqjPYFf6eWSGFy-tkL_EYIhKyDjfXwI/s1600/steak.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583937970770494914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50iHWRUNH2lwpaHezn_mAFCQ8_fFcLTVakrND5-VIRRlgiIAG2Dh3GPKFBxLpdiLjnInaBtDMXqRLHgAUjlvT91BkABiI9d-__Xz2RitQWj57sqjPYFf6eWSGFy-tkL_EYIhKyDjfXwI/s400/steak.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> After a busy Saturday walking around the National Mall visiting the monuments and the Smithsonian museums, we decided to make a simple, filling meal at home: a salad followed by a steak, potatoes and asparagus.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDQP0tpSXTVhmU3Lup0MpdfCQwg8MKgFN0-LS5cCFzCTU2NpKNNuHK0sfPDbNB9a_-DKtHEaXbKJwhfeGL1YoQ73ZQo2M1LtS-hsPqP6XQ3AGTg89mvK3JShBA2KoOcB2piQ_LIBAeqA/s1600/atmosphere+2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583937963878277538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDQP0tpSXTVhmU3Lup0MpdfCQwg8MKgFN0-LS5cCFzCTU2NpKNNuHK0sfPDbNB9a_-DKtHEaXbKJwhfeGL1YoQ73ZQo2M1LtS-hsPqP6XQ3AGTg89mvK3JShBA2KoOcB2piQ_LIBAeqA/s400/atmosphere+2.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> For the steak, I thought I would take a tip from Jacques Pepin and fry it in butter. BAD PLAN, Jacques! After 2 minutes my apartment was filled with so much heavy smoke that you could barely see 2 hands in front of your face, setting off my smoke detector. Regrettably, I opened my windows and then the door to my condo's hallway -which then set off the entire building's fire alarm system!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583937977284415506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKip2QUuZd4Y46ZrrFQDze0Tqsrc4T2J0EvqhaDrN7LuYAqPRVR0CKgH0PSmfl2idgEDD1A0pNfj3zm6_nwMMZIoEAcXJsNonG3WnQZLizxvk00OikFLvRhw8ey65E9Jpimv2bqlPHzpI/s400/too+bright.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Sirens blaring, an annoying electronic voice repeating *WARNING WARNING* every 30 SECONDS, elevators and doors disabled for 30 minutes, I then had to explain to not only about 30 of my neighbors that it was a false alarm but also to about 10 very kind (and annoyed) firemen! All said and done, after the excitement ceased, the meal was delicious. So much for a relaxing meal for two! How was your weekend?</div></div>

A smokey repast

As blogger is being problematic with uploading photos, instead of a real post I'll share with you an adventure from my weekend. A friend...

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Easter Dinner

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx1Rc1Rz2tvG0rcAlJPwRF0xex-ieqtlUlqxuvD4-0AdWxUEmwyQ6dmozpspNWhUkj7DK-E9e9TGj9aA4nsQlfSyMRuz0U5LsgjAVjVBYwSvo4thu5fns9EOsX6B3hFxsKKzUHtww9_f4/s1600/corner.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178332134617042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx1Rc1Rz2tvG0rcAlJPwRF0xex-ieqtlUlqxuvD4-0AdWxUEmwyQ6dmozpspNWhUkj7DK-E9e9TGj9aA4nsQlfSyMRuz0U5LsgjAVjVBYwSvo4thu5fns9EOsX6B3hFxsKKzUHtww9_f4/s400/corner.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This past weekend, I hosted Easter dinner for six and thought I would share it with all of you via the weekly Tablescape Thursdays at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Between Naps on the Porch</a>.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzIu-ukm-ADtjKICusJENRHKu6zI_HBxEUNvQa_Jvc-TdbgmlMQy-PJqyMF0KgEMa7ytAgSdIkLrOnGRgpwqHHlL8JJgUl8oQzqkkwP1w0PoriMnoZv2B1o1TbKmH8NC0_s-lWOvYfTru/s1600/easter+table.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178323801178242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzIu-ukm-ADtjKICusJENRHKu6zI_HBxEUNvQa_Jvc-TdbgmlMQy-PJqyMF0KgEMa7ytAgSdIkLrOnGRgpwqHHlL8JJgUl8oQzqkkwP1w0PoriMnoZv2B1o1TbKmH8NC0_s-lWOvYfTru/s400/easter+table.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I was tired of the white tablecloths I have, so I went to <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/">Pottery Barn</a> and got this beautiful tan paisley cloth. It has tiny specs of green in the pattern that match the green linen napkins I already had.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiDwks4RZPqHPT6qfcfuNiHIkhPzDsVlLG22pqISeJ-kz29BG6bk8CZ7Sfcheag0YN0DBbtxsfaXJD2I7UkJERK90Lk5zftiOYOMiZJiLzf8LDvBSBGi30ptZ03LWISXc4FO-ctSMQvzB/s1600/place+setting.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178215117506146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiDwks4RZPqHPT6qfcfuNiHIkhPzDsVlLG22pqISeJ-kz29BG6bk8CZ7Sfcheag0YN0DBbtxsfaXJD2I7UkJERK90Lk5zftiOYOMiZJiLzf8LDvBSBGi30ptZ03LWISXc4FO-ctSMQvzB/s400/place+setting.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I used my white <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2008/02/sans-souci.html">sanssouci </a>plates for the main course (roast lamb and vegetables) with some pretty antique plates by Ernst Wahliss with a red floral pattern for the salad course (waldorf salad).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhE9R9wc6X4r_P8ell2oLkO0T4ZUY3fOHPbR0qPtZX3hUWO1OxQ2ajjuWYFsRJ3pikJiOAHn76rQ9GX2Js1Km_JUP7UQGZh6EVYIc7Bqf_7O35RSPJ1fsVaeHXyYVpilGqlU4fNYg6LK0/s1600/detail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178207535745986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhE9R9wc6X4r_P8ell2oLkO0T4ZUY3fOHPbR0qPtZX3hUWO1OxQ2ajjuWYFsRJ3pikJiOAHn76rQ9GX2Js1Km_JUP7UQGZh6EVYIc7Bqf_7O35RSPJ1fsVaeHXyYVpilGqlU4fNYg6LK0/s400/detail.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The serving pieces are an antique pattern by Minton that I rarely get to use as they're so big! I dream of having a dining room someday so I can hang that huge platter on the wall!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5ZqiiqNmTDLJRe3VZC96DOLJn6DQasGl5Bj2WVhy1EqiUMuOlRKTabyrLFGgMe7MFoS8Jf8fPhsWsIuvQNMW8FmbQYD1-w0kT0dxNxvarxiSA2cR-1SKaKKpL4__1RWlpRb7YGXmAfEn/s1600/flowers+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178195169764194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5ZqiiqNmTDLJRe3VZC96DOLJn6DQasGl5Bj2WVhy1EqiUMuOlRKTabyrLFGgMe7MFoS8Jf8fPhsWsIuvQNMW8FmbQYD1-w0kT0dxNxvarxiSA2cR-1SKaKKpL4__1RWlpRb7YGXmAfEn/s400/flowers+1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I chose 2 small bunches of ranunculus on either end of the table, leaving the main course as the center of attention (family style).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsBeqMnXYDe0jMZsLlZKojlbQtpTao-qia9wy-xuY7_00mtn5cIjy6JjnpgTAYxghpmg5N32Km_L1R35FNNZv45RPQP2hcAXR6oylWV-VkBa1sqCxW6OCev8f7G1oYYEcFq1PzgT9h2y4/s1600/flowers+2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178189820636082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsBeqMnXYDe0jMZsLlZKojlbQtpTao-qia9wy-xuY7_00mtn5cIjy6JjnpgTAYxghpmg5N32Km_L1R35FNNZv45RPQP2hcAXR6oylWV-VkBa1sqCxW6OCev8f7G1oYYEcFq1PzgT9h2y4/s400/flowers+2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I had to have a fun party favor to embaress my guests with. These candy suckers in the shape of a bunny snout will come in handy for ransom someday as I insisted each guest had their picture taken 'wearing' them!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVjWqSmJHo2T_-9HFwqbVtPPfIXwy1tHBftiv7iUthVrizLGGgctwVL5Ag3YZEC9rnePMNlAwNQP9oRGThl6ah18K2H9SQNzkpH8RR9q0rfmcxNE653vlfi2tQbpr983VSGb-gd7zQf2c/s1600/party+favor.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457178180936411058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVjWqSmJHo2T_-9HFwqbVtPPfIXwy1tHBftiv7iUthVrizLGGgctwVL5Ag3YZEC9rnePMNlAwNQP9oRGThl6ah18K2H9SQNzkpH8RR9q0rfmcxNE653vlfi2tQbpr983VSGb-gd7zQf2c/s400/party+favor.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I hope you enjoyed my Easter dinner tour!</div></div></div></div></div></div>

Easter Dinner

This past weekend, I hosted Easter dinner for six and thought I would share it with all of you via the weekly Tablescape Thursdays at Betwe...

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Cheerful winter breakfast

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldjzfSUW3v9-5svdtSKNuzJdza8FNc6YXaIFtkjcPvJyW1WXrOJhhqnychv4dC2hBLw75GqIpdqLG55e-kTBVCIXIbI4M3OoZELMUsqWXKTpYwy8uU5IjE4qDGzNgKRnM7eoeBw_MTgo_/s1600-h/tableshot.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437806120573700274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldjzfSUW3v9-5svdtSKNuzJdza8FNc6YXaIFtkjcPvJyW1WXrOJhhqnychv4dC2hBLw75GqIpdqLG55e-kTBVCIXIbI4M3OoZELMUsqWXKTpYwy8uU5IjE4qDGzNgKRnM7eoeBw_MTgo_/s400/tableshot.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Since everyone seemed to enjoy my dinner party post <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2010/02/dinner-at-eight.html">last week</a>, I decided to photograph breakfast this past weekend to include in this week's <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/">Tabletop Thursday</a>!<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437806102278231186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInDALtBLMAgkT5K1_elGi6aPA_qyTRlt7tUorL6x2f2TrGJUgfdeCINa-Khyp67mWPX69qDEUIq_cp9X5bz7aRqewyJCEHQsa3hg2m18xizPhEHxN2XrYrOp4Sb7119s3oLxT7nK7wbEU/s400/tablescape_thursday.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> Bacon and eggs (fried and runny), wheat toast, english breakfast tea with milk and OJ were on the menu. While the bacon fried (and then eggs done in the same pan afterwards), I took a few pictures. Daisies were snipped from a larger bunch ($4 at trader joes) elsewhere in my apartment and put into a bud vase to brighten up the winter gloom. Daisies are the most cheerful flower in my opinion and really last a long time (up to 2 weeks if you change the water frequently!).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7vgvSb458Om-rrMu71hbD_RSsGZ5a0aoqYISFcXOfaR7jWFoHJ0Et7ILAoMOmHqXTdQbKNKl8khSJU87oLA2QgpSaJ1BrklowBurSkvDo2HSvcXW-nabk4lxLb2i4Vc7C-zPFs9Z46cS/s1600-h/breakfast.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437806109211601986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7vgvSb458Om-rrMu71hbD_RSsGZ5a0aoqYISFcXOfaR7jWFoHJ0Et7ILAoMOmHqXTdQbKNKl8khSJU87oLA2QgpSaJ1BrklowBurSkvDo2HSvcXW-nabk4lxLb2i4Vc7C-zPFs9Z46cS/s400/breakfast.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The china is Harebell by Radford Fenton (made in England) and from the 1930s is my best guess. The linens are all from potterybarn and I liked how the green napkin brought out the green in the plates. The teapot is the one I use everyday, Martha for Macys, the juice glass is italian glassware from TJmaxx and the creamer is antique crystal from my great-grandmother: just typical old victorian glass. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437806115395475058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfIbHvdyb6Wsh8zKBch_2dVIu-aSyqTzUv4SII2g1pWnAmouCuZVECDWcQ91lEP89JvDbwUD1vPGp0XTXvR3xXgbALdXjE3hcpBNopxsD8W3E_xq_mIr8bffkB47YKjEH-KqGfAYRADAh/s400/Harebell+by+Radford.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />NPR was on and featured the listener's favorite top 10 soprano solos which was a wonderful backdrop. Renee Fleming singing <em>o mio babino caro</em> by Puccini was #1. I hope you are all finding ways to brighten up your winter as well!</div></div>

Cheerful winter breakfast

Since everyone seemed to enjoy my dinner party post last week , I decided to photograph breakfast this past weekend to include in this week...

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