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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Last chance Giveaway, Tablescape Thursday, and Quickie Challenge!!


Hi all! Happy Thursday! And what a Thursday it is- busy, busy week here at casa Bramasole! Today we're linking to TWO Blogland events! First we're joining the fabulous Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her weekly Tablescape Thursday party. All of blogland's dishaholics gather to play with dishes- what could be better than that! Just click on the link on our sidebar and join the fun!

THEN, we're going to accept the gauntlet thrown down by Lazaro over at Lazaro Cooks! Read on for the details


But FIRST, we're going to announce the winner of Part 1 of our very first ever Giveaway!!!



Drum Roll Please...................


The winner is...........

True Random Number Generator  78Powered by RANDOM.ORG


Number 78 is Artie Vanderpoole!!! From Color Outside the Lines !!!

If you've never been to Artie's blog and you're a lover of great design, hop on over- you're in for a treat.
Now I happen to know that Scott is the cook extraordinaire in that household, so I can't wait to hear what he cooks up with his new mezzaluna! Scott, we want a recipe! And Artie, we can't wait to see you back here with one of your fantabulous tablescapes.

YAY!!! We are so excited for our first winner! I'll be emailing you for an address and your Mezzaluna, cutting board and Anthropologie spice jars will be on their way!!

NOW, for Part 2!! 

Tonight, Thursday May 13th, is your last chance to enter for Part 2- CSN Stores' 60 dollar gift certificate. You MUST go HERE to enter. Be sure to follow us- we had so much fun with this that Allie is already planning our next one!


Now onto the Quickies Dinner Challenge!


Lazaro has invited us all to come up with as many dishes as we care to using avocados and feta- this is one that is already a summer regular at my house!


The  challenge was to come up with a quick dish using avocado and feta. 
As it happens, the very first recipe we ever posted was a salad that we sometimes adapt with those very ingredients. The layering of flavors in this salad is awesome-a true blend of sweet, sour, heat, creamy, crunchy and healthy to boot!

Avocado, Watermelon, Feta Salad

1/2 a watermelon 
1 small onion (I like Vidalia or a sweet white), sliced into very thin rings
2 avocados
1 container of heirloom cherry tomatoes
1/2-1 jalapeno, very thinly sliced and minced
1/4 cup wine vinegar (my new favorite is infused with pomegranite- a gorgeous ruby color)
salt and pepper to taste
about 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
a good handful of chopped mint
4 ounces or more (I like extra) crumbled feta cheese
garnish with a few whole mint or basil leaves and a handful of toasted pine nuts
Cut the melon in bite-size cubes and combine in a bowl with onion, avocado, tomatoes and feta.
Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over melon mix. Fold all together till everything is coated. To serve, use a slotted spoon to put a mound on top of a plate of mixed greens. You may sprinkle with more crumbled feta and garnish with mint or basil leaves and toasted pine nuts (I forgot to put the pine nuts on before I took the picture- use your imagination- YUM!!)


I served this salad today to a friend who's working with me on a school project. With a creamy leek soup garnished with bacon it made for a nice Spring lunch on the porch


The weather today was perfect- sunny with a light, cool breeze
Blue, grren and white is on of my favorite combinations- and red makes ANYTHING better


Leftover Mother's Day roses- starting to droop a bit, but I'm not ready to let go...


A vintage drawnwork cloth- this work never ceases to amaze me


Waterford cased crystal- the blue is just made for a Spring day


A cup of soup to start us off...


Water goblets are old etched glass


Soup garnishes are served in the crystal punch cups


Does everyone remember Liberty Blue??


So pretty....


I can't imagine the hours this must have taken


I LOVE etched glass


Care to join us?


Be sure to join us tomorrow night for Foodie Friday at Gollum's and be extra especially sure to get in on this Giveaway!!



As Always,

Buon Alimenti, Buon Amici,

Pattie and Allie




41 comments:

  1. Oh, what a lovely tablescape, Pattie, and that salad is just out of this world delicious!

    I love those Waterford goblets, and I think those little soup crocks are the cutest things! I'd love to have some like those. They have classic lines! And that cloth! So pretty! You did a great job with your tablescape and the food! :-)

    Congrats to Artie! Yea!

    Happy Tablescape Thursday...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  2. Wooops! I got overjoyed and went to far down to comment! LOL! This is so fantastic! I'm so excited! YAYAYAYYAYAYAYAYAYA! Scott will cook something fabulous - I assure you, and of course we're sharing it here! Oh, and BTW, LOVE LOVE LOVE this tablescape. Not only for the beautiful blue and white, but for the delicious looking menu and view. I love dining alfresco ... if only it would WARM UP here! Thanks again Pattie (AND ALLIE) I'm just overjoyed with thanks! MUAH!

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  3. I LOVE!!! the combination of colors the blue with green looks BEAUTIFUL!!! and the salad sounds and looks WONDERFUL!!! This is also a GREAT!!! combination of flavors.
    Geri

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  4. It never got out of the 40s today in NJ, so I am LUSTING after the al fresco setting of your table.

    But even more, I am lusting after ALL your glassware -- the blue Waterford is to DIE FOR and the etched glasses.... oh, my oh my oh my!

    I have scads of Liberty Blue --now I am going to have to try and DO something with it!

    Beautiful. And Avocado and Feta? Two of my favorite ingredients ... yum. Now we need the soup recipe, my girl.

    Now, I say.

    Bye! Cass
    (And congrats to the Mezzaluna winner ... my cutting board weeps.)

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  5. Okay, first I want to pick up this gorgeous table and run with it! I LOVE everything on it...STUNNING! I have a couple of small Liberty blue pieces. And that is good because I will be able to add a thing or two to this table that I am going to steal, race across the backyard, over the fence and into my truck for a fast getaway!

    Congrats to the winner! I am so jealous!!

    And tomorrow I will get watermelon to make this salad!

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  6. Ahh, my favorite color combination, blue and green. Your Liberty Blue looks really nice with the cabbage leaf chargers...hadn't thought to use that combo!

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  7. What a beautiful setting....I don't like throwing out flowers too soon, either!

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  8. Beautiful, Pattie!
    I love etched glass too..
    Love your little table with a view!

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  9. Pattie, It does seem that we are long lost relatives! Which just thrills me~ because I feel so connected to your family.
    Don't you just love green and blue? Your table for two is so inviting. I would love to sit on your lovely porch!

    Oh my, did you know I love Waterford crystal? ANd blue, no less! So beautiful. I'm sure you are thrilled each time you use them.
    As usual, you are one of my very favorite blog friends to visit!
    Give hugs to Allie from me!
    Yvonne

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  10. Pattie and Allie, Love your blue goblets and the etched glassware! Also love the transferware plates and the red toile table runner. The colors are very pleasing together. p.s. Hope I win your giveaway! I already entered and I'm feeling lucky!
    Hugs and blessings, Beth

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  11. Congrats to Artie -- can't wait for him to show off one of the recipes. Love your tablescape -- especially heart that tablecloth - beautiful combination. And what a divine salad!

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  12. Love your tablesetting Pattie and Allie. That salad looks delicious..
    Blue is quickly becoming one of my fav colors..
    Congrats to ARTIE~!!! I know this will brighten his week.
    hugs
    Sonny

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  13. really like your layer of colors~

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  14. Beautiful! I love the blue and green plates togehter and the red toile adds just the right touch!
    Awesome table!
    Dena
    sweet pickles and chocolate

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  15. I really love your colors and your lunch on the porch is so inviting!

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  16. Such a pretty table with all those layers and the lovely color combination. The lace table cloth is stunning! And the salad looks both delicious and healthy. Happy Day!
    Congratulations to Artie! ~ Sarah

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  17. So pretty and I love the blue and green together.. Very nice table setting in a cozy spot!

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  18. Fantastic entry into the Quickies Challenge. Thank you so much for participating. Have a wonderful night.

    Cheers!

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  19. Beautiful, just beautiful. The linens and crystal are perfect and the menu is right up my alley. I think I will have to try it and soon. Thanks for sharing. Come by and visit.

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  20. Oh, Patti!

    I adore that table! LOVE the colors combined together. LOVE that tablecloth. Lucky you to have such a piece of work!
    Beautiful.
    HUGS precious friend!
    Leigh

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  21. Hi Allie and Pattie!
    Your vintage items are just beautiful!
    and
    Your salad looks scrumptiously delicious!
    Thank you for the fun and the giveaways...
    Blessings always ~ Maria

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  22. Congrats to your lucky winner and you have another winning tablescape here!! I just love it! Very beautiful and that recipe, well, how wonderfully refreshing and tasty looking!

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  23. Just lovely! It looks like a beautiful day! I, too, love green and blue!

    Love, katy Noelle

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  24. dear ladies,
    i am so thrilled to see your blog.
    my mom, sis and i just started blogging and i created the site as a forum for our creativity!! it sounds like we have
    something in common!!!
    i am so touched to see a young lady of fifteen be so appreciative of her mother.
    you are both blessed.
    i love your table and the stemware is stunning!
    all the best,
    donna

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  25. A beautiful table set for all of us and your guests too. To sit on your patio would be a slice of heaven to enjoy this salad.

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  26. Pattie and Allie, I adore your table so much. The tablecloth is an really outstanding needlework. It's a special handsewed lacework, I have seen very seldom. Your tablescape is so fresh and romantic. I love this etched glasses, they look as tender as the tablecloth does. Really lovely tablescape.
    Greetings, Johanna

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  27. Congratulations to your first winner. Your luncheon table is lovely and your salad sounds delicious. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  28. Hi ladies, Beautiful tablesetting with the tablecloths layered and your gorgeous porch is another pretty room for all of your family!I use feta a lot being Greek American and it is great just with bread. Your posts are so lovely and so pretty and fun to read. Thank you and take care.~Emelia~

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  29. Beautiful table. I love your dishes and etched glass. The salad looks wonderful. Will have to try.

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  30. Yum...all foods I love but never would have thought to put them together! This sounds really good. Will have to give it a try!!
    Your table scape is so pretty and inviting.
    Hope your having a good week!
    Wendy

    P.s.(Contrats to your winner...woohoo!!)

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  31. I love your blue, green, toile and white! What a great combination -- and the roses and the waterford!

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  32. Everything is so pretty and what a great place to have a lunch! The setting and the small table are very sweet.

    The salad looks fabulous--the mixing of those flavors sound yummy!

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  33. Absolutely stunning, girls! I love those colors together and the Waterford goblets are crazy gorgeous!
    Rhonda

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  34. Bonjour Patti and Allie,
    What a lovely lunch setting. The blue Waterford and etched water goblets are beautiful. The recipe is a winner for the Summertime!
    Mimi

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  35. Allô,

    I've been to San Gimignano a few years ago. I will never forget its beauty! I was reading your previous comments and I'm not sure what to add that was not already written about how beautiful and artistic your table is but I will accept your invitation LOL You have an eye for beauty. Thanks for sharing and I've decided that the food looks so good that I'm a new follower.

    Anne-Marie

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  36. Hi Pattie and Allie...what a beautiful tablescape in a lovely setting! I love the etched glasses, the blue Waterford stemware (drool) and the wonderful way you layered all the gorgeous fabrics for your table. That salad looks beyond yummy! :-)

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  37. You outdo yourself EVERY week!!! I love the whole tablesetting and am trying not to covet those blue waterford cut crystal pieces!!!!!

    And, I also LOVE anything fresh with feta!!!!

    Hugs, Lana

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  38. Beautiful as always. I have joined Foodie Friday too! Thanks so much girls!

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  39. Sitting on that gorgeous porch? I never say no to your invites.

    Love every inch of your settings, specially the mismatch stuffs. You rocks!!!

    Happy Friday...

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  40. Love the use of lots of colors on this table, but it is still restrained. Lovely!
    LL

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