Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Progressive Nibbling

All the hustle and bustle from the last few weeks paid off as we were able to take time this week to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Yesterday, our luncheon club planned what we called a Progressive Nibbling. Not really a full luncheon, we progressed from home to home to enjoy Christmas tables and have a sampling of food of the hostess's choice.


We started at 10:30 with some coffee punch 
and nibbled our way from house
 to house...
 to house.

 Some pretty wonderful
  husbands and children 
got marching orders via cell phone 
when the group was on the way. 

We enjoyed everything
 from quiche to soup to fondue,
but mostly...
we just enjoyed the fellowship.

 We finally ended up at my house for dessert and hot beverages in the late afternoon.

I carried that shiny red kodak from table to table in anticipation of this post. I had planned to show every home, but very few shots came out at all. Apparently, I lack the ability to eat, yak and snap.

I do have a few shots of my own table
that morning
before the food was set out.



Just imagine
a variety of cheescakes sliced on this tiered dish...

I borrowed that plate stand from the Duchess
and used one each of the three dishes  in my place setting.

They're from a variety of sets, old and new.
See?
The dinner plate is Celebrations by Radko (Target).
 The salad plate is from a set that I've had for years.


The mugs match it.


I bought this little tea set at Home Goods.
Yes, I know it's a tea pot.
I served coffee in it instead.
You can do that when you're serving friends.
Of course, I offered cocoa too.


Now, we actually only used these dessert plates
which match that tea set.

My sister gave them to me for an early
birthday gift this year.

They have different patterns.
My favorite it the pinecone in the first picture.

And even though it wasn't an actual luncheon,
I still felt the need to make these little placecard holders
from shoe ornaments.


Because they were only a dollar a piece at Walmart, and well...
they're cute.


So I assigned places even though we didn't even sit at the table.


We just grabbed our dessert dishes and mugs
and headed to the living room for more informal chat time.

We finished the day with an overstuffed
group waddle to the mall.

 All in all,
our progressive nibbling
 made for a fun Christmas adventure.
I hope we make it a yearly tradition.

I'll be posting this on The Porch
when I get home from looking at Christmas lights with the family.

43 comments:

The Charm of Home said...

What a pretty table! I love your dishes. It all looks so festive! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Sherry

Anonymous said...

What lovely tables and what a novel idea! I may have to "steal" that next year!

our daily dishes said...

your progressive sounds so fun, love your dish stack with the plaid. merry christmas!

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

We did this a few years ago with our Sunday School class. It was called a progressive dinner. It was a lot of fun. I also wanted to tell you I love the golden shoe name holder. What a sweet idea.
Merry Christmas,
Bren

Lynn said...

Beautiful setting Debbie! Lovin' the plaid and that pinecone plate caught my eye right away! Sounds like you had a fun day-Merry Christmas:@)

Marlis said...

OOh love those dishes!!! What a great gift. Your table looks wonderful. Warm and inviting and a place I'd love to sit. It sounds like a wonderful day and fun had by all. Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing.

Sue said...

Debbie, it is all so pretty, I really, really like the plaid dishes! And I really need to visit WM more often, those shoe ornaments would be great for some princess affairs around here.
It sounds like such a wonderful day spent with friends ~ I don't blame you for not taking pictures!
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Sue

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

This is my first visit and I ma so glad to be here! Your table is beautiful, love ALL the dishes! I love the idea of the progressive nibble!!! Are you all within walking distance or do you have to drive? I am wanting to maybe try this next year with friends. You can e-mail me at szpinky@aol.com OR leave a comment on my blog!!! Have a wonderful Christmas!!!! XO, Pinky

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

How pretty! Love the mixture of disses on your table!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oops! I meant to say "dishes"!~

Unknown said...

Debbie...your dishes are exquisite! They all work so well together and those shoes to hold the place cards...too pretty :)

Merry CHRISTmas Sweet Friend!

Blessings!
Gail

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
We have a progressive dinner at our church and they are a lot of fun going from house to house. Have a Merry Christmas with your family and a very Happy New Year (I'll see you then)!

~Jean

Jacqueline said...

Thanks for your sweet comments! I wish I had seen those adorable shoes, I would have snapped some up! I would love to have a little tree filled with shoe ornaments someday! What a fun event. We just did a family progressive dinner and I said the same thing, keep it light as we nibble at each place! I adore your plaid with the beautiful plates, it is so unique and the green is just wonderful. How fun to do this with girlfriends. I think I should try that one year.

bj said...

Oh, Debbie, first of all may I just say...
I LUV your cute personality !! :)

Your table is so so cute. I love the idea of nibbling parties. My group will have to try that soon. We all live so far apart in this city that we might have to take a picnic basket with us in the car. :))

I fell in love with the little shoes.
Merriest Christmas.

Anita Diaz said...

Look at your Radko plates!! I didn't know you had those too!! THe look great, and I LOVE the shoe ornaments/placecard holders! Sounds like you had a great time!! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!

Denise said...

Your table really was REALLY pretty. I just love the mix of your plates. And that shoe was the cutest little placecard holder! I would borrow it but everyone has already seen it! BTW, the food was great, too.

I will end with...a good time was had by all!
Hope you have a great birthday tomorrow!

Mary said...

Progressive nibbling is the best! Love your table! Still chuckling at "Apparently, I lack the ability to eat, yak and snap" ...I have the same affliction :-) Merry Christmas to your & your family~

CAL said...

Wonderful way to start your Christmas, with good friends and good food!

The tablesetting was gorgeous and how cute are those shoe placecards!! Love em. You have an amazing ability to put patterns together in such a pleasing way.

Marigene said...

Debbie, I think I could learn to like that...progressive nibbling! Sounds like a really fun day topped off with shopping.
Your table is beautiful, love the tartan plates...
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

I've heard of these but never gone to one. I love your dishes! I especially love the plaid but the one with pinecone stole heart too! I love the mixture of plates too. Thank you for such sweet comments on my last post. I just posted my Christmas tablescape how you get a minute to check it out too. I also wanted to tell you the wrapping paper I bought from Hobby Lobby this year early when they had a 50% off sale. It was the best wrapping paper purchase I have done in awhile. It is thick and same quality that the kids sell but is in longer rolls and more on the roll. I still have more on those rolls! Not trying to take away any sales from the kids but just giving you a little tip! Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

Kelli said...

You are so gifted!! And in true Debbie fashion, your posts are whimsical and beautifully written. I love the pinecone plate best too!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Jane said...

Beautiful dishes as always! Here's wishing you a wonderful Christmas,

Jane

Ann said...

That is such a fun way to spend a day:)
and your placecard holder is so adorable...

I love yout Christmas Table setting:)

Happy Holidays.

FrouFrouBritches said...

How fun!!!! I know y'all must've had a ball running all over town to nibble together. Your table looks gorgeous. I love all of your dishes and the little shoe ornament placecard holders are ADORABLE! LOVE THEM!

I hope y'all have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your time with Miss Practical and Miss Whimsy!!!

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

Next year, can my name be Sherri, Denise or Sabrina?

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh what fun you had, it is so fun to entertain during the holidays, I, like you, have every intention of taking pictures of events, but get just to busy. You table is lovely and those little shoes are so cute! Thank you for stopping by and your kind comments. It is always a pleasure to stop in and see what you are up to.

Merry Christmas to you and your family
Carol

saltbox
treasures
said...

Merry Christmas, Debbie! I just love your table and shoe ornament place card holders! What a wonderful idea and day with friends. It sounds like so much fun!
~ Julie

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Debbie...

Ohhh...a progressive nibbling...what fun! I've never been to one but it sounds awesome! Debbie, you set a MOST beautiful Christmas table! I love your place settings...my favorite is how you mixed and matched the dinnerware...love that! Your new dessert plates are simply gorgeous...what a wonderful gift! I'm sure that your luncheon friends were in awe of your gorgeous Christmas table! Thank you for sharing it with us!

Well my dear, I just read your sweet note and wanted to come over to say thank you for dropping by! I also wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy!!!

Warmest Christmas wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Donnie said...

What a beautiful table you have made. I loved your groups idea of a progressive nibbling. Such fun. Have a Merry Christmas.

Life In The Thrifty Lane said...

Such a beautiful tablescape, love the dishes and the shoe ormament is so so cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment. Wishing you a Happy Christmas, Veronica.

Miss Char said...

A Progress Nibbling, now there is a great idea for the busy holiday season. I love the idea and will have to give it a whirl as soon as I can catch my breath and settle in for our winter, this might be a fun one to do in February. Your table looks beautiful, I love your $1 place card holders, WM can be a place of surprises from time to time. Thank you so much for sharing and Merry Christmas.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

How beautiful and how much fun! I love the place setting card holder...that is great.
My daughter-in-law borrowed my things this year for her women's banquet...she set a beautiful table and it was such a joy to be able to share with her...it all come back and then I could set my own table.
What a fun party!!!

Entertaining Women said...

"Group waddle to the mall"...hilarious! I walk like that, too! The place settings exhibit your usual good eye for design. I think that the dessert plate pattern might be a neat addition to my wreath plates. Hmmm. Thank you for sharing your charming design. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Cherry Kay

Sharlotte said...

Linda,
This looked like so much fun! I love the idea of nibbling and sharing favorites. I think it's a great idea and you should make it a new tradition!

Your table is so pretty and festive! I love all the dishes you've put together, they really go together very well. And those place card holders! You are so creative...perfect for the girls!

Thanks for sharing and dropping by to visit. You are always so sweet! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
Sharlotte

Sharlotte said...

Oh my...I'm so sorry Debbie! I was looking at several replies tonight and mistyped your name. Please forgive me!!!{I need to go to bed and get some sleep!} I truly appreciate you always stopping by to visit!
Sharlotte - the sleepy one ;o

Alycia Nichols said...

Beautiful table! LOVE the dishes!!! Progressive events are SO wonderful! They split up the duty and are less stressful...I love them! Have a great Christmas!!!

Sharon said...

How come nobody managed to progress to MY house?! I know how to nibble - I can also do a mean "shovel it in," too.

Hmm...maybe next year.

Love the plates - I'm kinda partial to pine cones, too. I like their rustic look. The little shoes were adorable - not decoupage, but still cute!

One question (this is for real) - what is coffee punch? Do you know I didn't start drinking coffee until I was 45 (truth!), but now I LOVE it! As much as I hate conforming to the "crowd" - I can now Venti Frappucino with the best of them. So...if there's a recipe - could you send it on?

Well, I guess I'll be waddling off for now...

MERRIEST CHRISTMAS and GOD BLESS!

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

What a fun thing to do with friends! Sounded like a fun afternoon! I loved your dishes...they came together beautifully! Your tea set, oh I mean "coffee" looked nice on the crystal pedestal. Very festive! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Oh how fun. I wanna come next time too. ;) Beautiful settings. Merry Christmas.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Okay! That's it! I'm moving to Georgia. Will you tell Mr. Magpie, Debbie???

Dropping by to with you the Merriest Christmas to date, Debbie! Meeting you has been such a pleasure!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Angel said...

How fun! Wish I could've gone to nibbling party with you! But I guess reading your post is the next best thing :)

By the way, thank you for commenting on my article. Seems I can always count on you for much needed encouragement. I appreciate your taking time to visit me. God bless you!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Debbie

Happy New Year from Southern California. No snow here but a lot of rain storms and mud slides!

I hope you and your family had a Wonderful Christmas Celebration.

God Bless You, ~Ron

Miss Merry said...

Each of your dishes is prettier than the next and your table is gorgeous. And I love your progressive nibbling with friends. When I was about 10, I would check the same book out from our library over and over again. It was about a group of girls in the same neighborhood and in one adventure they planned and participated in a progressive dinner. I can't remember the title or author or really much about the characters (except one of the girls was Portuguese and her mom served a nifty recipe)BUT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRESSIVE DINNER! It just seems like so much fun and even more fun during the holidays. I could be your best waddler! Thanks for visting.

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