Marie Antoinette Tablescape

Marie Antoinette inspired plates

With a suggestion from a friend on what to do for a post on Valentine’s Day, an obvious choice seemed easy enough, “use your Marie Antoinette plates and do a tablescape!” These very lovely designed, 'Ladies in Waiting' plates from Anthropologie were gifted to me for Christmas a few years back by my sister and seemed the perfect theme for a Valentine’s Day table setting. 

I wanted to set a small table for four in my study. The round table I’m using is usually stacked tall with my favorite art, travel and decorating books. After setting the table and photographing the tablescape I decided to leave the table set. I think I will put it to good use over the Valentine’s Day weekend.

 Pink and red roses for a valentine centerpiece

Place setting sketch effect

Simple black placemat

Napkin rings with a little sparkle, Potterybarn

Four Ladies in Waiting

Watercolored roses

Goblets from Anthropologie

I want to wish all of my dear friends a sweet and Happy Valentin’s Day. Thank you for your visit and I would love for you to leave a comment, it’s the only way I know you were here!

linking

Pink Saturday
Amaze Me Monday
Mosaic Monday
Roses of Inspiration
Not Just Homemaking Party
Share Your Style
Share Your Cup
Tablescape Thursday
Home Sweet Home
Feathered Nest Friday
Simple and Sweet Friday

JULISKA WINTER FROLIC AND CHILI

Chili on the menu for a cold winter's day!

After all the festive holiday decorations are put away everything looks a  little bare so I love using my Juliska Winter Frolic for its beautiful patterns and the red and while color. I think it is perfect to use Christmas through Valentine's Day. I enjoy setting the buffet in the dinning room for coffee, hot chocolate and dessert but today I am serving up bowls of piping hot chili. With just the two of us, I am using trays to enjoy eating in the family room. I have been using the platter as a centerpiece on the table adding a glittering white grapevine wreath. Sitting on the platter is a Jay Strongwater bird (a birthday gift from my sister), a beautiful dark red with lots of sparkle, y'all know how I love sparkle and glitter! The dessert plates have four different scenes, you can see them here in a post I did last year for Valentine's Day. 

Chili will warm you to your toes!

Solid white dinner plate.

Dessert plates.

Bowls dotted with snowflakes.

Such a pretty place setting.

Chili recipe ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Large onion, diced

1 Medium bell pepper, diced

2 Small red and yellow peppers, diced

2 Tablespoons chili powder, or to taste

1 Tablespoon ground cumin

2 Pounds ground or cubed sirloin

1 (28 ounce) carton beef broth 

1 (28 ounce) can finely chopped or crushed tomatoes

1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans

2 Tablespoons chopped parsley, fresh or dried

Water as needed for desired thickness

And my surprise ingredients for extra flavor? 

1 Large or 2 medium diced green tomatoes

1 Cup salsa verde

Toppings

 Sour cream

Grated cheese

Finely chopped scallions

This is the recipe I use most often when I make chili. It makes a lot with leftovers for lunch for a day or two and it only gets better in the frig! This recipe is mild, not hot, I don't like hot but if you do just add whatever you like. I love that it is easy and I try to keep it healthy by using low or no salt products. Salt and pepper to taste.

Brown meat in oil, add chili and cumin. Stir to coat.

Add diced peppers, onion and green tomato(s).

Add beef broth and cook on low until vegetables are soft. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salsa verde, black beans and parsley. Stir and mix well. Simmer for twenty minutes and serve with toppings as desired. I sometimes serve this over rice or with a grilled cheese sandwich. Delicious!

I love chili, perfect for a quick meal on a cold day. Do you make chili often? I hope you will leave a comment so I will know you stopped by. 
Burrr, it's cold outside!

Linking

Amaze Me Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Mosaic Monday
Make It Pretty Monday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesdays
What's It Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Feathered Nest Friday
Home Sweet Home