This past Friday, I had a friend and her daughter over for lunch. I thought I would share some pictures and a few easy entertaining tips with you.
It was a warm sunny day, so I rearranged my patio furniture, so we could sit across from each other and visit. I'd like to keep the large chair there all the time, but it would get rained on.
My friend arrived around 10:30am and we had some hot tea. The lace cloth on my tea tray is actually a table runner folded in half.
I usually serve the same thing for lunch whenever we have company over. Sliced turkey and cheese, along with rolls or croissants (my favorite!).
Lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
Mayonnaise and mustard.
I put all of the food on plates about an hour before company arrives, cover them with saran wrap and place in the refrigerator. Everything is quick and easy to get to once it is lunchtime.
I also like to serve a vegetable and dipping sauce. I decided to get a little fancy with the cucumbers.
The girls and Benjamin like crackers too, so I filled up the other side of the plate, and put a bowl of cheese spread in the middle. Sometimes I put out an olive and pickle tray, too.
Everyone seems to like lemonade. I cheat and buy it all ready made.
It's even better with strawberries. I quartered the berries and added them about an hour before lunch.
For dessert, I usually serve fruit (whatever is in season and on sale) and something that I have baked.
I hope I have given you some easy entertaining ideas. I would love to hear your tips too!
37 comments:
Wait, wait, wait a minute! You serve sliced strawberries in lemonade?? I've never heard of or seen that! Did you invent that? I'm intrigued! I've had drinks where they added strawberried in syrup to lemonade. Is it the same idea but eaten as a dessert instead?
Everything looks wonderful! I want to come over! :-)
What a great idea. I'm always looking for simple ways to entertain. I'm not a natural! I'm trying to do better at this and I love looking at others ideas. Thank you for sharing.
I love entertaining girlfriends too. It makes me feel good. Loved your lemonade idea.
Kelli,
Thank you for the easy ideas. I like the idea of serving the same thing when you have friends. It makes decision making for entertaining easier (which is what always stresses me!) Doing what you do makes things simple and easy. You know what you need to get at the store and the menu is always prepared for you. Healthy too! Thank you so much.
Love Kerri
Such wonderful ideas. And that is the best lemonade!!! (I love their OJ too!)
I'm sure you made your guests feel so welcome and at home - everything looks very lovely.
I have never had strawberries in Lemonade. That sounds refreshing. What a wonderful lunch you served.
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend and lovely lunch. It's the best way to entertain when you plan ahead and have everything ready to just pull out of the frig. I like the idea of strawberries in the lemonade. Thanks for all you share.
What nice ideas for a lunch or bruch! Your blog is so comforting!
Have a wonderful week.
strawberry lemonade -- yum, yum! i want to come hang out on your porch. :) it looks so warm and inviting. your blog is so aptly named and a wonderful place to visit!
Kelli,
Your lunch looks delicious. What a lovely time you all must have had!
What a lovely lunch for your friends. Thanks for sharing. Your ideas are always helpful
I found your blog thru blog commetns.. Now I'm ready for lunch..lol
Hope you have a wonderful week..
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely!!! Another wonderful post Kelli:)
When I use to work at a restaurant Straberry Lemondae was the most popular drink I served:)
Julieann
Looks like you had a wonderful weekend! At my house if you are coming over, you are family (even when it was a colleague that I had never met in person, visiting from N Carolina!). So while I keep things nice, I also keep it simple. I served him and my family on the patio (this was pre-dog last year) and we had steak strips, pasta salad and... something else, but I can't even remember.
I forgot to link to my Summer Salad recipe, but due to it being on another website, I'm going to post the recipe in just a minute.
Have a wonderful day!
What a wonderful lunch! You made it sound so easy, yet beautifully done. I'm sure your guest enjoyed it all!
I'm having a giveaway - hope you will come over!
Yummy...everything looks scrumptious.I adore that kind of lemonade, and you sure know how to dress it up! Everything looks so lovely and delightful!
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Kelli, I love the sliced strawberries in the lemonade. How perfect! Thank you for sharing the delightful pictures, and I'm sure you shared a wonderful time of food and fellowship!
I love the post. Such fun and so girlie...I like the girlie times with good friends.
Simply Lemonade is the BEST store bought lemonade I have tried, but I never though to put berries in it. You are such a smart cookie! I am going to have to try that.
You always give me new ideas for entertaining. And I especially love the planning that allows you to really enjoy your guests.
I really enjoy reading your blog. I've been a faithful reader for some time now, but I thought today I would leave you a comment! You inspire me so much. I love your decorating ideas and your recipes are GREAT!!! I've tried several of them!
Shoot, I wanna come over!
You are the hostest with the mostest in my opinion!
PS...I'm having a Mother's Day giveaway...don't miss out!
So cute, I would love to have lunch with you. Hugs, Mary
Sounds like it was a perfect way to entertain. I know that the company enjoys your wonderful friendship even more than the great food.
Or a neat way is to freeze the strawberries into ice cubes and then added it to the punch or what ever you may be serving
Looks like you had a fesitve fun time.
I LOVE your idea of the strawberries in the lemonade! Everything looks so pretty in your pics! I really enjoyed my visit to your blog.
What a lovely place to have tea! It looks so cool, and relaxing. The lemonade looks so good, I have never put strawberries in mine, I'll going to have to try that!
Blessings
Linda
Ooohhh strawberries in lemonade????? And you've been keeping this from me why? LOL
Now I'm going to go make a big batch with my lemons from the tree outside and throw in some strawberries...
Hi Kelli :) Thank you for the tips! Love, Q
lovely ideas, easy food for a yummy healthy lunch - entertaining can be so enjoyable! thanks for all the ideas!
Oh Kelli, I would love to come visit you there! It looks so inviting and delicious!
Wow that looks fabulous. So simple yet quite elegant. I hope you had a wonderful lunch and visit. It is the extra special touches that make the diffence. Sure looks like you went all out. I love the idea of the strawberries in the lemonade.
Thank you for reminding me that hospitality doesn't have to be complicated. I always come away from your blog inspired.
Jenn
Looks so good, Kelli. I entertain like that a lot. and I love the "Simply" lemonade and the limeade, too. I'm a lime lover. for as nice as they are, I don't know that making fresh would be any better (or cheaper).
Nancy
You DON'T KNOW How much this has helped me! So simple and elegant. I can't wait to try it now with a few friends
I've been reading your blog from time to time and this just looks wonderful! I had been wondering what I was going to do for a lunch I'm planning in a couple of weeks and this has given me some great ideas. Thanks for all you share!
I just love your blog!! (I know I've told you that before - but it's nice to be reminded!) :) I gain so many wonderful ideas from you. God has truly gifted you w/ a heart for home...thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Kelli, this post inspired me with some winter lunch ideas. Instead of serving turkey, we have this great place in town that has the BEST ham. Well we decided to make toasted ham with cheese instead. DD(5yrs) is learning how to cook, so we will have Grandma and Grandpa come over for practice. When they come, they will get a little card to circle the ingredients or condiments they would like on their sandwiches. It will only take a few minutes to assemble and toast. We would then offer sides of fruit, cheese, a pickle spear and chips. We hope to do this before Christmas and serve christmas cookies and sweets for dessert. Thanks for giving me such great inspiration. I am always reluctant to entertain since our house isn't finished, but I KNOW this is something we can do!
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