Thursday, May 5, 2016

Special Friend Birthday Luncheon

My luncheon group meets every Monday at different restaurants, but sometimes we celebrate birthdays at someone's home.
The birthday girl, my dear friend Charlotte, loves blue and white as much as I do.
So it was fitting to pull out the blue and white to celebrate her birthday!

We also share a love of hydrangeas.
 I would like to say these white hydrangeas came from my garden but it is a little early yet.
So the flowers, along with these blue vases came from our local Publix.
They are inexpensive and available in several colors.
To ensure they would be available, I bought the hydrangeas four days ahead of time and kept them in my refrigerator.When I got them out, they looked limp, so I  cut the stems and submerged them completely in a sink of water for two hours. They plumped up nicely and I put them in the vases. The night before I soaked one blossom again and they still look good a day after the occasion.
Our lunch group has sixteen but only eleven could attend so we all sat at one table together. Believe me, it was loud.
Most of us have known each other for over 35 years.
 Pictured on the back right is Joan whose garden was recently on my blog and front right, Mary Alice who hosted a luncheon featured here. Debbie is front left and Mary back right.
 Left to right: Eddie,whose barn I blogged about here: Charlotte, the honoree, whose home I blogged about here: Sarah, who hosted an engagement party here and Diane, who needs to be featured.
 We all go to the same church and our children are close in ages.
 Eddie, me, and Dona. 
Five of the eleven have been featured on my blog- parties, holidays at their homes, garden tours and even a barn tour. I have ideas for future blog posts for the remaining ladies.  There is plenty of talent to feature.


Birthday Luncheon Menu

Mimosas
Wildrice Chicken Salad
Broccoli Salad
Fresh Fruit with Poppyseed Dressing
Rolls
Chocolate Cake
Peach Tea and Coffee
 This was my plate in the middle of eating. You can't stage everything! Too busy having fun visiting.
                                         Happy Birthday~ Charlotte!
 Hope your wish comes true!
I forgot to make a picture of the food before we ate so imagine the bowls full instead of mostly empty. The wild rice and chicken casserole has avocado, toasted pecans and diced red pepper. It is a great recipe that can be made ahead except adding the avocado and pecans at the last minute.

Wild Rice Chicken Salad

Four large chicken breasts cooked and chopped
1 box Uncle Ben's Wild rice,cooked according to package directions
1 large red pepper, diced
3 large avocados
1 1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted

Dressing:( I doubled everything except garlic)

2 cloves garlic minced
1 T. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. sugar
1/4 t. pepper
1/3 c seasoned rice vinegar
1/3c. veg oil

Mix 1st three items together and pour dressing over: combine. Right before serving, add toasted pecans and avocados if you wish.
The best thing about this recipe is you can do everything the day before serving except cutting the avocados. You can toast the pecans the day before but add them right before serving with the avocados. Also, if you want the red pepper to be crunchy wait and add it right before serving too. This recipe served eleven easily with some to spare.



It was fun to celebrate Charlotte's birthday and enjoy good food and fellowship. Those that could not attend were missed.

Do you have a lunch group? No one can attend every Monday but there is usually six or so that can make it. We all miss, if we have other commitments, but fit right back in when we can.

 I am extremely thankful for these wonderful friends. We share our joys and sorrows and pray for each other. Friendships are a great blessing.


18 comments:

  1. Beautiful table. Love the blues and the way you have place the vases down the center of the table. I will surely try you recipes.

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  2. Beautiful! Fun, Food and Fellowship!

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  3. Beautiful table and the menu sounds wonderful!!! I have a very similiar group and we celebrate eaveryone's birthdays at each others homes. There are 14 of us but rarely are we all together. We just started doing lunches, we used to do heavy snacks and cake at night....along with plenty of wine and coffe:) We have all known each other for over 40 years!!! Aren't we blessed to have such friendships!? Have a beautiful Mother's day!!!

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  4. Beautiful table, Bonnie. It is such a good feeling to get together with women we all have so much in common with. Your menu sounds delicious.
    Enjoy the rest of the week.

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  5. Oh Bonnie, what a delightful group of ladies. It looks like you had a wonderful time together and I must say that everything looked simply lovely!

    Have a blessed weekend and a special Mother's Day. Hugs!

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  7. Bonnie, this setting is so elegant and melted my heart. I just the blues. I think it is so wonderful to be able to do this on Mondays with friends. What a precious friend you are Bonnie. Happy Mother's Day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  8. Is there anything better than sharing time with special friends and you have given such a gift to one of yours with a lovely table and delightful lunch.

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  9. Bonnie, the fellowship of friends, yummy food, and a gorgeous tablesetting is the perfect way to spend time! Friendships that have spanned 35 years are rare these days...what a treasure to share life with these lovely ladies. Your blue/white tablesetting is elegant with its mirrored table runner, blue vases, and white hydrangeas! The food is excellent fare for a ladies' luncheon...some of my favorites! Southern hospitality at its best!
    Pam @ Everyday Living


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  10. What a lovely party Bonnie, and what a treasure long friendships are! I know you all have shared so many life experiences over the years and have very special bonds. The blue and white table and your menu sounds just perfect!
    Jenna

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  11. Beautiful table Bonnie. Love the blue and white....so elegant. Truly friendhsips are so important. Exchanging experiences and get togethers is always fun. Happy Mother's day to you. xo

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  12. This all looks like so much fun. Charlotte's smile is beautiful. :)

    Happy Mother's Day.

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  13. A beautiful table, Bonnie. And you all look so happy. Your friend will remember this day for a long time.
    Amalia
    xo

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  14. Bonnie, what a special
    fete you gave Charlotte!
    She's lucky to have you,
    and I'm sure you feel the
    same way about her and
    the rest of your lunch group!
    Your love was surely in all
    of the beautiful details.....

    I have a book group and an
    exercise group (one friend is
    also in both groups) and the
    latter is always celebrating
    birthdays. It's the best!

    Thank you for your kind and
    supportive comments on my
    last blog post. Your thoughts
    make sharing my own worth-
    while : )

    Happy Weekend,
    xo Suzanne

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  15. I love that you get together every Monday. It's the perfect way to start the week. Everything looks so delicious. Have a wonderful flower filled week!

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  16. Bonnie,
    This is a precious gathering of cherished and lovely women, I enjoy seeing the sincerity of all of the smiles and joy shines from everyone's eyes.
    Those friendships which have stood the test of time are so enriching and comforting aren't they?
    Two of my dearest friends moved away several years ago, but the good news is that one of them is moving back in September!
    We are both thrilled to be within a short driving distance of one another.
    Such a lovely table setting and your menu looks divine!
    Wishing you a very, very good week!
    Jemma

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  17. Your menu sounds wonderful Bonnie and I love your blue and white table! Have you tried the alum-dipping method with cut hydrangeas? I discovered it last year and it keeps the blooms fresh and from going limp.

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  18. Happy Birthday Charlotte...your lunch group sounds like so much fun and how great that you have know each other for all those years!!!

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