Tablescape Thursday-Mom's Surprise Party

It is time again for my favorite blogging day, Tablescape Thursday. Please take a moment to join our hostess Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch. You will find some wonderful tablescapes.

It has been a very busy two weeks for me. I know I have missed reading some of your blogs and I am sorry! We were gone for 5 days to Michigan last week, getting home on Saturday evening. My parents arrived from Florida on Sunday and are staying at my house. My mom's birthday was Tuesday and we surprised her (sort of) with a party Monday night. We had dinner at a local restaurant, but the appetizers and dessert were at my house. Most of you can imagine how tricky it was to get the house, food and table ready…all while she was here! I arranged the flowers the night before and had them in the garage. I had all of the dishes on trays on the bar in the basement ready to come upstairs.

As I started putting things out on the table, she asked if I was doing one of “those table things” for the blog. I told her that I certainly was. So, I am sharing with you the appetizer portion of my wonderful mother’s birthday party. I’d love to share a picture, but she wouldn’t like that at all. Let’s just say that you would never guess my mom’s age if you met her.

I went with a fall theme and kept the appetizers simple because I had to (she was here) and because we were going out for a nice dinner. We purchased a variety of wines in Michigan and had our own wine tasting.

I used my pumpkins plates (HomeGoods) and the gold napkins tied with fall ribbons. The plate on the stand with the crackers, the votive candle holders and the basket with the napkins are all from a Southern Living at Home. I bought the iron candle holder at a little shop in Michigan.

This is my new favorite thing. We found it in a wine shop in Michigan. It is a slab of granite with handles to use as a cheeseboard or for appetizers. It can go in the oven if you want to keep things warm or the refrigerator to chill if you are serving cold foods. We both loved it and it just had to come home with us. As you can see, I kept it simple. Brie and an artisan cheese brought back from Michigan and fresh pear wedges.

The candleholder is from Cracker Barrel and really is supposed to be turned the opposite direction, but I liked it this way better. The breadsticks are in an antique wine glass and served with an olive spread. The Parmesan Cheese Biscuits I made before I left and tucked them in the freezer. I marinated some olives and offered a variety of crackers.

I took the flower picture with the flash so you could see the snapdragons. I was really surprised to find them around here this time of year.

My sister ordered the "Tiffany" cake from a The Cake Artist's Studio  in Champaign, IL. Isn't it gorgeous? It was a fun evening and I hope we celebrate many more with my mom.