An Easter in Napa Valley

After yesterday's entry on spring-themed table settings, I kept having thoughts of spring...which led to thoughts of Easter...which then led me to fondly remember a past Easter weekend trip to Napa Valley. (I'm pretty sure thoughts of Reese's peanut butter eggs snuck in there somewhere, too, but let's stick to the Napa trip.)

Ah, Napa Valley. Amazing wines, beautiful landscapes and good company. With all this and more awaiting us, our group arrived at our rental house in downtown Napa and settled in.

Todd, Shelley and I sitting amongst the vines in Napa.

My favorite part about being in a rental house is that setting up for meals is like your own scavenger hunt...where are the plates? How about serving bowls? What can I use for a vase? It's these scenarios that bring out the creative gene in all of us.

We stopped at the local drugstore for some cheap Easter flair - candy, colored grass and the like - and the table started coming to life. I rolled a small clump of plastic Easter grass between my palms until it maintained a somewhat circular shape then placed it in the middle of the plate. On top I placed a few small green leaves brought in from outside and finished with a malted candy egg on top. Instant spring placesetting.

Leaves, flowers, petals, sticks, pebbles...never underestimate
what you can find outdoors to create placesettings indoors.

After adding more vines & flowers from outside, brightly colored plastic Easter eggs and white votive candles in drinking glasses, the table was set & ready for an Easter feast. And what followed was a very memorable Easter brunch and a weekend full of stories and laughter - but mostly laughter. (For an example of this laughter, see photo below.)

Our best "Food & Wine" photo shoot impression.

Celebrating the holidays with friends is something very special because friends are indeed the family we choose for ourselves. Yes, the food, drinks, placesettings and decor add great ambiance, but it's important to remember the most important part: the people that add a spark and bring it all to life.

Spring Table Settings

As I embark on Fellow Does Fab's blog adventures, my friends are kind enough to appease me. More than once they've been told "Wait! Don't sit down yet. Let me get a shot of that placesetting..." or "Put down the bacon-wrapped date - I need a picture!"

My dear friend Shelley is no exception when it comes to snagging items for the Fellow, as many times her meals are the inspiration. I'm always in for a treat when Shelley hosts because she has amazing culinary skills (it's what she does for a living) and a very fresh, simple style. I thought I'd pay a little homage to her, and thank her for all of the meals she cooks for me, by highlighting 2 of her tables.


A great use of simple materials that creates
a memorable, rustic centerpiece.

The first centerpiece uses one two of my favorite decor items: fresh fruit and candles. When I saw this on Shelley's table, I was struck by the beauty of it's simplicity. You can also substitute many fruits in this arrangement: lemons, limes, clementine oranges or another fruit that complements the season or the meal you're serving.

I promise - it's that easy. Fruit. White votive candles. Done.

Sam's Spring Ale on a spring day.

Shelley had me over for a little al fresco dining on a beautiful spring evening. Her stand-out side (pictured here) was roasted broccoli, tossed with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper, then spritzed with fresh lemon juice. We took the leftover lemon wedges as garnish for our glasses and found it to be the perfect pairing for the Sam Adams Spring Ale I brought, which also has a citrus note.

Because the table arrangment is clean and crisp, the beverage bottles take an active role in the scene. Whenever you're setting a table, remember that everything you place...well, has a place. Every day items - here, a Pellegrino bottle, beer bottles and lemon wedges- can add a simple style that looks (and truly is) effortless.

No matter what's on your table this spring, here's hoping you ALL have a Shelley in your life to share it with!