The ladies' luncheon

Justin's desire to prepare a luncheon has been fulfilled! On Friday we together hosted seven of my lady friends, three of whom are named Nancy, where Justin demonstrated his culinary skills. I was able to make use of several of my serving pieces, some used for food the first time! More than just a pretty decoration, this soup tureen held his strawberry soup. What great presentation this was!

This soup tureen was a gift to me from Martie about a decade ago, and this is the first time it's held soup!  It was served with angel food cake croutons and was wonderful 

Justin's glazed fresh fruit salad served in a bowl which was a gift to me from Ellen Schleicher. Justin even had a recipe for water---sprigs of rosemary and sliced cucumbers in the water

Our appetizer was brie bites, presented in phyllo cups. A dab of raspberry jelly on the brie made this dish wonderful. This cake plate was purchased by me at the Cummer Museum. Beside this you can see the kalamata olive salad, served in a dish which was a wedding present

I got many compliments on my dishset and the matching tablecloth. This serving plate holds the pastry cups of Justin's chicken salad which contained dried cranberries, grapes, sliced almonds, and red onions. Oh, my!

Three of my guests: Nancy L, Kay, and Maureen. All of them are my neighbors with the first two listed being in the water exercise class with me. Between Kay and Maureen is a dish of mixed nuts, the bowl a gift from my sister, Lori. The pedestal bowl with chicken salad in it is a Princess House bowl I got when my friend, Jennifer, was selling this product line.

Here is another view of the table: Susie, Justin (caught walking through), Nancy W., Nancy L. and Kay

Maureen getting a glass of tea poured by Nancy M. Missing from the photos is my friend, Pat, who arrived a bit late. The pitcher was a gift to me from Nancy W., who said, "Merry Christmas, Happy birthday, and Happy New Year!"