Saturday, December 26, 2009

Winter Wonderland... but no snow!





I do not like cooking. But I do like decorating, so when I knew we were expecting 30 people for Christmas Eve Dinner, I promptly delegated the task of cooking and started planning a Winter Wonderland around the pool.



The evenings are quite pleasant now, and even the mosquitoes venture out now that the nights are cooler.



Two days ahead of time, I started organizing the table decorations. When you are  satisfied with the objects you are going to use, it is so much easier to be more creative putting them together when laying the table.



We decided to have one single rectangular table instead of a few round ones, as this is a 'family'  dinner (albeit one extended 'ex-pat family'!).



I love using white, silver and turquoise.







Even though I started around 3 in the afternoon, the sun was starting to set very early, and I took a lot of photos even before the tables were finished, as I find the photos at night time never shows the colour and details well.



Even though I had plenty of help, carrying 30 table settings out of the house and to the pool took me ages, and then I can tell you that laying a table for 10 is MUCH easier than doing it for 30!



I added lots of little details in an attempt to keep it interesting.









It took me ages to decide where the trees were to be placed! And a very welcome breeze kept blowing them over (they are very light!), until my husband stuck them to the tiles with duct tape. That worked.



Try to pretend that you don't see the ladders and tripod, mosquito killer machine etc, but this was a work in progress.



I also tried to keep the people out of the picture, but I was not always successful! Perhaps you can see my son doing ninja kicks at the back somewhere.



This table is ready for the desert. There were also tables for the main dishes and coffee etc.



Soon it became dusk and as the sun was setting I took more pictures as the evening light can make interesting patterns.



The blue bowls on top of the serviettes were for salad which followed the soup.








Time to light the candles as the guests were on the way.



Candle light always cast such interesting glows on objects.



The night was a success. The food was cooked to perfection. From the two turkeys (my husband's speciality) to delicious side dishes (thank you to my friends!) and a variety of deserts. They all helped to make it a very special evening!





And I didn't have to cook (or burn) anything!




Anybody for MORE food or cake after Christmas lunch/dinner?
No?
Me too, I HAD ENOUGH!!!

Did you enjoy looking at my tablescape?
Then please feel free to leave a message.
I do appreciate it AND I read every single one!

If you have another minute to linger,
My New Years Wishes for you are HERE.

Back to Tablescapes with Susan...

54 comments:

Eva said...

Happy birthday dear Lize!!
It will be mine in two days...ahhh!!
I am shocked with the woderful table you have prepared and the faboulos scenario..the seimminpool. I love the colors and the decorations that you choose!
Huge hug!

Petra said...

happy birthday to you, lize!

rosanna said...

Happy birthday and congrats on your beautiful home. The table was gorgeous and very "fresh" looking even though you live in a hot country.We can arrange a pact: I should cook and you might lay the tables for me...no more than 10 people at the time at my place :o))Best wishes Rosanna

Anonymous said...

Hi Lize,

Man, you polished yourself with your Christmas table; you did amazing!

Feliz Cumpleaños, espero y te la hayas pasado muy bien y que el año que comienza este lleno de nuevos retos y nuevas ideas para tu blog.

Te mando un beso y un abrazo; de tu cuñada favorita!

Amparo
Viva Mexico y ole! :)

Rosa Caruso said...

Che bellooo!!GRAZIe per essere passata.
AUGURI & Happy birthday ...

A Kiss^_^
ROSA.

Josje said...

Hi Lize, Happy Birthday!
You did a wonderful job on the table settings, very stylish and 'cool'. Birthday hug, Josje

Mimmi said...

Happy birthday! :-D

What an extraordinary christmas table, I have never seen anything like it! It looks amazing! Love all the beautiful details!

Lisette said...

Lize,
Happy Birthday to you.

Beautiful decorations.

Lisette

Kim said...

Oh my goodness-so beautiful! I would love to be a guest at your home!! You did a fabulous job!!!

Marit said...

Happy birthday, Lize!

I really love your decoration! Blue is my favourite colour. Most people would use red or other traditional Christmas colours for a dinner like this. I really appreciate your choice for blue, and you made it really enchanting!

Marit

Papillon Bleu said...

Joyeux anniversaire Lize!
my birthday is very soon too but shhhhhhh...
Your table is a real succes, you have achieved to create a wonderful atmosphere.I wish I had been there!

cockerina said...

how wonderful! that sumptuous table! and that great place! but you're the daughter of the Sultan?? ah ah! seems to be in a fairy tale ...
decorations are spectacular, incredibly beautiful colors .... I have no words .. beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! You have certainly had a good birthday!
Caterina

Sans! said...

Dearie, Came by to wish you a happy happy birthday albeit late, since I remembered you mentioning that you share the same birthday as Xander, my nephew :). And then I read this post. My goodness, we are totally alike in this respect-don't cook but love to do table settings. 18 was my max though :) when we had a Moroccan themed party at my home. I made everyone else (my friends are all great cooks) cook and they all come dressed to the theme :).

Your setting is amazing! It's a lot of work and you only started at 3pm? WOW!

Whittaker's Miniatures said...

Lize Happy Birthday! Your table setting is amazing, so beautiful! I love the colours, those icicle decorations are so festive. We are very jealous of your wonderful party by the pool, lucky lucky you!! Kate xx

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Absolutely stunning!

and Happy Birthday!

claudie said...

Holy Cow Lize that was the BEST blue post yet. I'm new to your blog and I think you win for today. You worked very hard to make this a majestic, angelic, fresh, stunning blue sparkly *have I used enough words yet LOL* table setting that I have ever seen.
You had me at the words " I DO NOT LIKE TO COOK" my kind of gal, now decorating I love also.
I'll be back as Arnold would say. It's late and I gotta get to bed...
Happy Blue Monday Lize
Love Claudie
xoxoxo
P.S. MORE CAKE YEAH! Happy Birthday.

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

Wow!! What an amazing scene to create in real life!
I hope your birthday was happy! I too am surprised at how many people have birthdays at this time of the year.
Mercedes

Rinkly Rimes said...

What a fabulous setting, particularly wit the candles lit! It must have been a wonderful party!

Anne Fannie said...

Oh my gosh, what a inviting table setting for dinner! I had to take a peek and see where you live to be able to eat outside in the evening in December....and its SAUDI ARABIA? LOL
Happy Birthday Lize...
I have enjoyed my visit to your blog tonight!
~Ann

Meli Abellán said...

Lize Happy Birthday, although a bit late.
The photos are amazing and incredible, so beauiful the table and surrondings!!!
Meli

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you. Your photos are just awesome.

Martha said...

What a beautiful table -- I would have never had the courage to have had one long table! It's beautiful!

gengen said...

wow you have a beautiful place. Happy b-day too. Happy blue Monday.

SmilingSally said...

Happy birthday, Lize ♬

What a wonderful way to celebrate! That table is gorgeous; you are very creative. Happy Blue Monday!

Luna said...

Happy birthday to you!!!
And have a nice last Blue Monday this Year!
Wonderful decorations in your pictures!
You're painting too?
Have a Happy New Year!!!!!

Smiles....Luna

Vivian said...

What a beautiful party setting! I bet the evening was lovely. An "enchanted evening" may be a good name. Lots of work I'm sure but well worth it.

Cindy said...

Happy Birthday!!!! Gorgeous, stunning, beautiful....

Chubskulit Rose said...

Wow, what a fabulous decoration! I bet your guests loved it! Happy birthday!



Have a glimpse of a Japanese Yukata outfit at my page. Happy New Year!

Erica (Irene) said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

WOW! What a gorgeous setting for your guests, it looks like a wonderland. Love the colour and everything is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks you for sharing. :-)

Marice said...

wow gessh! thats so spectacular :) great job! happy birthday to u!

u may view mine here

Kristina said...

Lize,

I'm breathless - absolutely beautiful and most of all so filled with love of your friends and family. Thank you for sharing!

Glo said...

It's gorgeous! It reminds me of Tiffany's! You have so much detail going on with it too! Love, love, love the color...it all looks great!

LV said...

Beautiful, beautiful post. You really know how to throw a party. You have a lovely home and I am glad you shared it with us.

Charlotte said...

Absolutely gorgeous. Perfect photos for Blue Monday.
Hope you have a beautiful new year.
Charlotte

Kim, USA said...

OMG!! Very very impressive so loving the colors. Thanks for sharing!

MYM~BMTricycle/Trisikad

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!

Absolutley Breathtaking...and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! The table is amazing, and I just love the blue glasses with the medallions. They're fabulous!

Shy said...

Beautiful and Stunning! Happy Birthday.

ThriftyAnnabella said...

Very pretty!

Treasia Stepp said...

A truly breathtaking tablescape. I love the color combination of the entire scene. Just gorgeous.

Marigene said...

Stunning! I love the aqua, white and silver combination...it does look like a winter wonderland without the snow.
Happy New Year to you and yours!

a quiet life said...

oh that was FABULOUS! wonderful pics and ideas, must have been so fun to do~ gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous!

Happy new Year!

~Liz

Lori @ Dining Delight said...

I enjoyed your post so much! Everything from you marvelous explanation to the gorgeous photos is fantastic! The turquoise colour with the white and all your crystals is so striking! I can't imagine sitting outside by a pool at Christmas time but how wonderful it would be to be a guest at your table! It looks as fancy as a wedding! Thanks for sharing!
Happy 2010!

DD

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh Yes! I did enjoy your tablescaping -- this is stunning. The winter wonderland by the pool is my kind of winter wonderland! Happy Birthday and Happy New Year's!

Cathy Miller said...

That is absolutely stunning. I love the colors-so fresh and festive! Thanks so much...just wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is amazing. I love the crisp and fresh colours. Your attention to detail is to be admired. Although the colours were beautiful in the daytime, I loved the golden tint that the candles added at night time. Wish, wish, wish I could have been there!
Lots of love.
Anina

Sarah said...

Wow! And double Wow! This is magical. How special to be a guest at this setting. You have a beautiful pool and how fun to dine in the moonlight. Thank you for sharing this with all of us. Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! ~ Sarah

Tardevil said...

Girl...that table is just
F-A-B!!! Love the aqua and color combos! What a beautiful evening you must have had! The dishes and decor rock!

KC-Design said...

This is the best I`ve ever seen!!! Wonderful decoration, Lize!
Late but never too late:
Happy Birthday (-:
Hugs from Karin

Pubdoll said...

I was so busy around Christmas I totally missed this post! Your table setting totally blew me away, so beautiful and I love the turqoise colour too! (Infact I love many different colours :-)) Very belated birthday greetings from me Lize!

JDayMinis said...

Fantastic, it is like a fantasy. thank you so much for all of your work sharing!

Michele said...

OH MY GOSH

What you need is to write a book.

Stunning. One of the most beautiful tablescapes I have EVER seen.

I wish I could have been there!

Anonymous said...

....FABULOUS, really wonderfulllll

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