No tablecloths.
No serviette rings.
No cloth serviettes.
Damnation, how am I supposed to impress a woman with a plain arborite table?
Wine glasses I have. Not real special ones (plain glass not crystal), but I do have a whole box full.
I do not have matching serving dishes.
Damn this "starting anew" thing all to hell!
I only have a couple of proper serving spoons.
I have chairs that suck. Got them from the cottage.
Oh, well. Looks like I'm going to be spending some time at my Mom's place raiding her stuff (well, their stuff - I just don't associate cooking and entertaining stuff with my Dad).
I know Smitten is aware that I am less than fully eqippped, but I really do prefer to set a proper table.
Planning. Planning. Planning.
[dinner on Saturday evening]
I know she's been here already, but dinner table presentation is something I'm really uptight about.
Perhaps if I make the presentation an intentional or self-conscious blend of proper and "ad hoc" substitutions I can make it fly... Got to think.
My sister sent me a $100.00 worth of Pier 1 Imports gift cards, but I am loathe to spend that unless I really need to just for dinner stuff, in case there is something else I need on a more permanent basis that I can't abscond with by begging, borrowing, or stealing.
Oh well. Maybe by planning a draft menu a presentation motif will appear before me.
[mutter]
8 comments:
sweetie, you damn well know it doesn't matter whether you have candles or nice chairs or matching anythings...
she's already impressed.
Mr. C. . . you are stressing to much. . . if you really want to jazz it up. . . take the pier 1 card and you can buy everything you need, and you can do it in one stop.
She gets what has happened in your life. Uprooting usually means the woman gets the kitchen stuff, and the man . . . he eats out and doesn't need it.
For the record. . . I split all the kitchen stuff, and he went an bought all new stuff. It made me made because I split up stuff to be fair.
Ciao
Ciao
Babe, go to the dollar store. At the larger Dollar Tree stores near me (I'm assuming yours are a bit different, but there's GOT to be some type of dollar stores - or would they be "quid stores"? - somewhere near you) they have everything you've described. Even the dishes! Usually the ones here are just the white crockery-type, but they're still attractive on a table with a nice cloth. You can get one of those vinyl cloths that looks like lace. Also, see what Big Pissy found at TJ Maxx.
Like the others said, though, don't fret too much. She's gonna love the evening, no matter if there's fine china or paper plates. Trust us!
I agree with everyone. But being so big on having all the proper items needed for entertainment is important to me too...so I know where you're coming from.
but really? She won't care.
Let me know your menu and I'll give you some ideas, if you want. ;-)
terry: i know, you are right, but even if she is already impressed - i want her to know that her company and attendance at dinner is terribly important to me. i want my actions to show that i do not take her granted. that will go the step(s) above to make a special effort.
sicilian: i think you are right - if my mom doesn't have all the right stuff i'll go do a run to pier 1 and see if they have something funky as an accent piece
kristin: thanks. your words calmed me down a bit as i stewed last night. i know she likes me, but i am just jaw dropping ga-ga over this lady... your words were soothing
friday: you are so dead on. i was cruising a big dollar store near my insurance broker when i went to get medical travel insurance this summer (travel to the States...) and they had all variety of cheap stuff that will do in this pinch - candles and some stuff
my dishes are ok - white with a white pattern and silver edge trim - it's just my serving dishes don't match
but your suggestion gave me an idea
i have a bunch of chinese patterned serving dishes and stuff (mrs_c doesn't go for that...). i can cruise to the chinese store and pick up some really cheap (buck or two per item) stuff there to finish the table - AND such a meal will go with our respective dietary patterns
l'il sis: good point
ok
maybe i should be less uptight
hmmmm
i will consider your words - you might be right - i so desperately want to impress her - you are right - being wound up will be a bad thing...
perhaps a happy medium between excrutiating precision/authenticity and a nice table setting? ;-)
Pissy (and others):
my projected menu (yes, i know it's enough to feed an army - i'm Ukrainian - what can i say?)
Kung Pao Chicken (but i intend to grill it in a barbeque basket instead of stir frying)
Szechuan Marinated Mushrooms (again, grilled on the BBQ)
Dim Sum from the chinese store (i buy the frozen ones usually [being to lazy to make my own most days] and a tray of 6-8 is Cdn $1.99 - $2.49) and steam them
Steamed vegetables - broccoli, bok choy, suey choy, zucchini, chinese mushrooms
Baked Tofu Sticks
*late breaking update*
my Mom, who is already coming through with a white tablecloth, will also be coming through with some red serviettes she's going to sew me today
i love my Mom
----
Cadbury: Hey Mom - do you have a white tablecloth that will fit my table?
Mom: Yes, I already checked and dug it out after you called last night.
C: Cool. You wouldn't happen to have any red serviettes would you?
M: Are you going for a red and white theme?
C: [Explains Chinese/oriental theme for setting and menu.]
M: Well, you know, I'll check, but even if I don't, I might be able to find an appropriate piece of red material somewhere in the tiny stock of material i have here... [editor's note: that would be a whole room full] and maybe sew some. How many will you need?
C: Uh
[pause]
C: ...two
M: I think I can manage that
----
** note: red is the colour that symbolizes good luck in chinese culture
Sounds perfect!
Great idea! :)
i think there are plenty of other ways you can show her that you appreciate her that have nothing to do with stressing out over napkins and candles.
though i am kind of a candle freak myself...
anyway. i'm sure your dinner will be beyond lovely.
and kristin's comment made me smile.
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