Autumn at the Beach #5 - Sonia's Dinner Party

There are times when I really am homesick for my "brick and mortar" store.  I miss our quaint Norwegian fishing village, I miss my fellow merchants... mostly I miss my customers; I miss their stories, and being part of their celebrations and redecorating projects.  During the five years that we were open in Poulsbo, I was so lucky to have met so many wonderful customers, many that actually became my friend.  Sonia is one of those special people.

Last weekend, I had a few minutes to catch up on my personal Facebook page, and Sonia had posted these beautiful pictures of her dining room table for a special Sunday night dinner party.  Of course they caught my eye right away - original and fun fresh design!  They were planning dinner for eight, and she was incredibly gracious to send me the photos and her menu.

Gosh, I hope we get invited sometime!

Sonia's Tablescape Ideas...

"For the tablescape, I collected curly willow branches, maple leaves, moss and cedar branches from the woods near our home. Then added white pumpkins, candles, and colorful fall gourds. To add a little coastal flair, I also added antique glass, aqua fishing floats and starfish!"

For us Pacific Northwesterners (not sure that was a word?), this is a perfect example of using nature's bounty; cedar, moss (goodness knows that we definitely have enough moss!) and curly willow branches from our backyard to create something that is so special!  Love the pretty aqua blue vintage fishing floats, adding that extra special panache.

Sonia's Menu:
Panko crusted Dungeness crab cakes with a light lemon & dill sauce, roasted garlic and rosemary smashed reds. A fall salad which included mixed greens, pears, blue cheese, candied pecans and a real maple vinaigrette. Accompanied by garlic roasted asparagus and homemade Manor Farm Inn Bread* (time consuming, but to die for) I learned how to make it when I worked there in high school!  For dessert I collected winter apples from my yard and made a crispy apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.  

Oh mi goodness.... I might have to beg for an invite!   I am drooling while I am typing... not a pretty sight.

*The Manor Farm Inn, is just outside of Poulsbo, Washington on the Kitsap Peninsula