.........that's AMORE'....
*
For quite sometime now, I have been wanting to do a fabulous ITALIAN luncheon and have been just waiting for the right time....and the right place....when all the time, the right place was right under my nose....
The sky darkened..... billowing white fluffy clouds began to form.....,promising rain...
We borrowed sweet DIL, KATHY,'S beautiful dishes that could not have been more perfect for my table...
FRESH, green, crisp bib lettuce....
*
Ripe, red, juicy tomatoes...
with a thin layer of fine ITALIAN OLIVE OIL, drizzled over the fresh veggies......
*
.............my very favorite ITALIAN !!
*
AHHHH, MAMA MIA...
A delicious PEPPERONI PIZZA....
a nice, red wine....
DINO, singing "AMORE'....
*
See the lovely bunches of green grapes?
I would have you pick some to eat but, o, how sour they are right now...
*
They are just waiting for time....
time to ripen into dark purple nuggets of the sweetest juice...
*
waiting for the nets that will cover them as they ripen, to keep the birds from taking more than their share...
*
They must leave enough grapes to harvest so my son can have them gathered and taken to the local winery to be made into fine wines.....
*
A crystal bowl full of grapes bought from the local market to tide us over until
some of the "table" grapes ripen here.
*
We have to hurry and drink the wine while it is chilled...this hot Texas sun will
have it too hot to even sip....
*
Dessert..prepared by my two fabulous assistants...
*****
What a wonderful job of dipping these bright red,
o, so ripe strawberries in the finest ITALIAN chocolate...then drizzling them with pure
WHITE CHOCOLATE...
***
*
The moisture didn't come until deep into the night and we were thankful for the sweetness of rain......
*For quite sometime now, I have been wanting to do a fabulous ITALIAN luncheon and have been just waiting for the right time....and the right place....when all the time, the right place was right under my nose....
WHAT better place, out here on the Plains of West Texas, than in my own son's beautiful grape vineyard... and....
since I was staying with my grands while their parents were AWOL...
this was also the RIGHT time.......
****
****
SOOO, grab a wine glass, a smile and follow me for a wonderful lunch in the vineyard....
ITALIAN STYLE....
*
*
The sky darkened..... billowing white fluffy clouds began to form.....,promising rain...
....the grape vineyard certainly needed rain...
EVERY thing out here in this dry country needed rain....
but....my table DIDN'T need it !
hurry...hurry !!
**
**
O, but the beautiful sky was the perfect backdrop for my photos....
I had two adorable assistants that helped me set things up in the thickest, greenest, most lush, grape-laden part of the vineyard....
*
We borrowed sweet DIL, KATHY,'S beautiful dishes that could not have been more perfect for my table...Creme with luscious grapes....just perfect !
Olden forks, brought from home, looked just right in the middle of a grape vineyard....
*
*
FRESH, green, crisp bib lettuce....*
Ripe, red, juicy tomatoes...
with a thin layer of fine ITALIAN OLIVE OIL, drizzled over the fresh veggies......
*
.............my very favorite ITALIAN !!
*
AHHHH, MAMA MIA...
A delicious PEPPERONI PIZZA....
a nice, red wine....
DINO, singing "AMORE'....
*
See the lovely bunches of green grapes?
I would have you pick some to eat but, o, how sour they are right now...
*
They are just waiting for time....
time to ripen into dark purple nuggets of the sweetest juice...
*
waiting for the nets that will cover them as they ripen, to keep the birds from taking more than their share...
*
They must leave enough grapes to harvest so my son can have them gathered and taken to the local winery to be made into fine wines.....
*
A crystal bowl full of grapes bought from the local market to tide us over untilsome of the "table" grapes ripen here.
*
We have to hurry and drink the wine while it is chilled...this hot Texas sun willhave it too hot to even sip....
*
Dessert..prepared by my two fabulous assistants...
*****
What a wonderful job of dipping these bright red,
o, so ripe strawberries in the finest ITALIAN chocolate...then drizzling them with pure
WHITE CHOCOLATE...
***
*
The moisture didn't come until deep into the night and we were thankful for the sweetness of rain......
MY MOST PRECIOUS ASSISTANTS.....ANDREA and BAILEY....twin sisters and 'bestest' friends !!
***************************************************************************
My thanks to my hosts.....and all participants....
SUSAN for OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY
SUSAN for TABLESCAPE THURSDAY
MICHAEL LEE for FOODIE FRIDAY
83 comments:
Oh, Miss Jean, you've outdone yourself this time! Who could resist an Italian luncheon in such a beautiful setting? Those grape vines are just beautiful and looks like they are loaded with fruit as well. Thanks for the peek at your Italian luncheon.
Love you,
Martha
You served all of my favorite things. It looks beautiful and so does the setting.
What a beautiful place for a lunch, and everything looks so good! Do your assistants think Gram is funny hauling everything out and setting a fancy table to take photos? I think I see rain clouds herre, can you send your assistants to my house with some of those berries please?:>)
Now that is fit for a magazine! Gorgeous post and looks like it was delicious. Hmmmm... should the magazine be decorator or food! BOTH! Have a blessed day!
Oh, my goodness, BJ ... what a treat. I loved your "vineyard luncheon" and appreciate the time and trouble that went into your sharing it with us. Your pictures are beautiful (as are your sweet assistants!), and the food looks delicious. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Dean Martin started singing "That's Amore."
This was a beautiful post, and a nice way to start my Outdoor Wednesday. I hope yours is a happy one.
BJ you are so smart! You just created a picnic that your grands will never forget!
Dear BJ...WHAT FUN! But...sigh...Although I love dean martin...I thought I was your favorite Italian!
Salute to you bj for this beautiful post! And I did not let it slip past that you said...Grandaughters! Sigh...you lucky Grammy you!!!!!!!
I am in heaven just enjoying the pictures of your blog this morning. I love wine country-- and Italian things.
Oh BJ how precious is that. Loved the assistants. In a grapevine orchard how wonderful. It is only 6am in the morning and you have made me so hungry for pizza. Yum. That looked so delish, and my gosh those strawberries. How devine. Great post BJ, great post. Please pop over and say hi. I love to see you. Country Hugs, Sherry
Oh how fun this looks! I didn't know you had a vineyard. I love all things Italian. Thanks for sharing :-)
Wow! Now that was a treat! I loved everyone of these photos, but especially the one with pizza! (Just kidding, I haven't had breakfast yet!*Ü*)
Gorgeous setting for lunch with Dino...
Such a beautiful setting. The strawberries looked sooo good. I love strawberries anyway. The way they look, their scent and of course the way they taste.
Susan
P.S. I have never told you that I love the fairy dust!
GM BJ, girl what a wonderful place to have a luncheon ut in your son's vinyard...you out did yourself on this one my friend...lokks wonderful...now pass me a slice of pizza and pour me a glass...Just loved it...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
WOW WOW WOW ! ! ! ! !!
These pics just took my breath away BJ ! FANTASTIC !!!! You need to make one of these as your header now .I bet you had fun doing this table.Cute girls too!I wish I had a vineyard like that.
BJ, fabulous photos here! I cannot believe that vineyard is in Texas. I guess I just didn't think of grapes there, but I'm so excited to see this! And your sons vineyard is spectacular. This was a special surprise and a treat. Loved it!
XO,
Sheila :=)
BJ...you are getting tooooo darned good at these pictures!!!! They are truly lovely!
Happy Outdoor Wednesday.
Hugs, Barb
Wonderful styling and pictures.
Have a fabulous day!
Darlene
BJ, I love it. What a perfect spot for a perfect meal.
And, those strawberries look divine. How lucky you are to have such wonderful assistants.
Oh my that vineyard is so perfect but your lovely assistants are such DOLLS....
HUgs
Linda
What a perfect place to have a wonderfull meal. Looks really great.
Have a nice day, Annemieke
Good pix, BJ. I can tell you are really getting into the photography. I Love the big ones. love, al
What a great post! I didn't know there were vineyards in Texas! How lucky to have one in the family :)
Beautiful pictures!
~Susan
how awesome!!! my grapes...well the one lone plant that survived the winter we had last....is not table grape...and I let the birds have them!
Amazing! Beautiful! Those are two very lucky little assistants you have there, Jean, and they will always remember this day.
How ever do you get your photos to look so clear and gorgeous? I must come and take lessons soon.
btw, haven't forgotten that we're doing lunch before school starts, ok?
What a fabulous post. Thanks so much for sharing those gorgeous images with us.
I enjoyed so much. Thanks for sharing your lovely post.
Have a great day BJ.
Regina
Oh BJ!!! I simply ADORE this post!!I just LOVE Italian food,music,decor, everything!
How much fun that must have been and too bad you HAD to drink that wine~~LOL! Everything looked just so delicioso and with Dino crooning in the background~~Perfecto!
Hugs,
Lynn♥
Beautiful pictures - looks like France or Italy to me. Hope you get some rain - saw on the news last night that Texas was really dry. Sally
Wow BJ this was just fantastic. I can't believe how much work you put into this table! And you dragged a table into the vineyard? Man, but you were a woman on a mission. The twins are beautiful and your pics are amazing!!!!!!!
Justine :o )
How pretty! I love the setting and everything surrounding it. :)
Blessings,
Sandra
BJ, this was awesome. I declare I almost felt like I was right there. You do have a way of inviting people in. Everything looks luscious.
And I think it was just simply fun too.
Simply LOVELY ... wish I'd been there really ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
Beautiful post. Looked so romantic.
Dawn
What a fabulous post! Totally romantic, adorable, delicious...
Hello! Looove your Italian dinner! And what a fabulous place to put a table and enjoy your meal!I'
Thanks for visiting also.
Monica.
Wow, Bj...this is soooo romantic and the photos of the picnic where just beautiful. You must have had a great time! Lovely!
Now that is what I call Italian style :) SOOOOO perfect and those pictures are frame worthy yummy :)
Hugs,
Dena
That was so much fun! I never think of TX as wine country..see blogging is educational..
Great post, BJ! Your assistants are lovely!
I can't stop drooling over those yummy looking chocolate strawberries! They look delicious and everything looks beautiful. Happy TT to you!
Oh how cute! The only thing missing is someone serenading with a violin. What a perfect vineyard luncheon!...Christine
I've just come over from Sarah's A Beach Cottage Blog
WOW what a perfect place for lunch!!
I've enjoyed my visit to your warm and sunny part of the world
What a wonderful little luncheon and oh what a lovely scenery! I just imagined myself sitting there feeling the warm breeze against my face and sipping that delicious wine...Ahhh bliss!
Deanna :D
Hi BJ
You have missed your calling girl! Your pictures are absolutely ldelightfullly wonderful. Just like some advertisement! You did a great job. The dishes and the foods and the strawberries and the chocolate...ohhhh myyyyy mamma mia!! Loved your background music too!
have a lovely day..and enjoy your pizza!
Judi
What a wonderful outing! The food looks delicious (those strawberries...oh my!), the company looks charming & the ambience is amazing.
Wow...way to capture the moment staying with the girls. I don't think they'll forget the fun of helping you get it all set up. Thanks so much for sharing. That plate of tomatoes...fantastic.
This is fantabulously gorgeous, BJ!!!
I hope Fifi sees this. That photo is definitely frame worthy and a great piece for Fifi's magical work.
I'm married to an Italian, but you sure know how to put on an Italian lunch! Who wouldn't want to stop and enjoy the great outdoors? Your son was kind to grow that vineyard just for Outdoor Wednesday.
Oh now Bj! This is the absolute perfect setting for sure!! How lovely that your son could provide it for you :0)
You did real good with all the ambiance! Enjoy...
Oooooh la la... You have moi très jealous!!! LOVELY place to dine!!! Table is great! Photos are GREAT!!! Do you mind terribly if I steal a photo and paint it???? You MUST let me... I'm sooooo INSPIRED!!!
What fun! I have been to Italy,,,,been to the wine country in California, but NEVER have I dined in the middle of a vineyard! It looks fabulous! I am jealous now...
Hugs,
Penny
I was sold on the first picture! Can I come and stay too! Oh, I loved your son's vineyard! I have a 4 vines trying to get to live. I want a tiny one. I just love the sunflowers, the wine, the dishes! The Setting is so perfect! The girls are gorgeous! What a wonderful time! I enjoyed it so much! I riding to Louisiana with hubby tomorrow, I could go on to Texas and have a picnic lunch in the vineyard! OH, How I wish! I love it!
This is the ideal place to have a meal. Surrounded by the grape vines with the good earth under your feet. Delicious wine and a mouthwatering salad. Perfection.
What a fabulous idea...LOVE IT! And your table is so pretty but it would have been pretty any where!
Great job!
What a great post. I loved it:) Looks like a very fun party.
Thank you for the lovely compliments! Funny, I never been called pretty or beautiful, just plain. This year in blogland and today, wow that's about five times! It does make one feel better! lol
I did look terrible, I was so exhausted I was about to drop! Don't tell Daddy! lol Your setting today is just a taste of heaven for me! Doc wants me to drink a glass of red wine daily, I have not found any I like! I use to drink white wine, but its a no no! Maybe your son would know of a sweet tasting red wine, not dry. How sweet of you to want to use some of my words on your post. You can use words, pics, anything you like, I am honored. Thank you! Lately I have thought of deleting my cancer articles, I do not want to depress anyone. But as you said I hope I am helping someone out there! One day with this is all over, I am going to tell my true whole story, why I had so many surgeries. Doc says to look forward, not good to look back, for I made it this far, while death knocked three time, I beat it so far. That is what I am doing for now, Looking Forward, well Thankful to get the rest of the summer off, Doc wanted to do surgery end of August, Hubby has trip planned to Destin,Fl so we get to go before surgery, Thanks to Doc, he is giving me this time to regain some strength and hopefully I will be able to do somethings, and pray he doesn't have to do my nightmare surgery, where I could lose my left arm and side movement and other complications. Its up to me to get better, before I see him in August! I had authors, ect wanting me to share my story, but as of now I just tell the Breast Cancer part, not what I caught in the hospital in 2005 that has left my life, well with complications, besides my breast cancer and headed to my 40th major, major surgery. OK I said too much. I still have not told my family what is going on, I've got to get to deal with it first. Thanks again. Wish I was there!
OK, BJ ... I'm here for that glass of wine you so kindly offered me!
SPECTACULAR post!!! The setting, the text, the food and wine ... the sky, your photography --- ALL amazing!
Thank you for sharing the experience with us!
Warmest regards,
Bill
Oh, how lovely...a meal in a vineyard. It is just gorgeous BJ. The chocolate-covered strawberries look super yummy. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful luncheon with us. Amy :)
BJ, oh, I am so, so sorry. I am just now reading your message about the icing. I couldn't post to my blog! Wild! My mom is in the hospital, and I haven't been online all week. I am so sorry to leave you hanging and hope your cupcakes were beautiful. Will come back later to look at your wonderful Italian luncheon!
Hugs,
G
Wow...I love this tablescape, BJ! So romantic and so beautiful out in the vineyard! This tops them all! Dinner looked sooo yummy! Darling, darling assistants! How much fun you must have all had playing with the dishes in the vineyard...thanks for sharing this fabulous day! :-) Susan
Bellissimo!
Child - you outdid yourself!
Fabulousa - gorgeous, beautiful, mouthwatering, awesomeness!
Love it all BJ!
xo,
Kim
OMG BJ, Your post looks like something in a magazine, it is absolutely beautiful. Hope you got rain!
Purple Hugs,
Barbara
BJ, girl you can come and make me lunch any time.
God bless.
Mama mia! (I mean BJ!) Lovely, Lovely setting. Great post!
...when you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet...I'm lovin' this post!! How incredibly divine! I love that you have this vineyard at your disposal! Wonderful setting, and pictures and helpers too!!
Truly beautiful!!
(Love Dean!)
How exciting a vineyard! How fun! Love the food and tablescape :)
All the best,
Allison
A son with a vineyard? Oh my, what a spectacular setting for lunch with your grands!
Beautiful, just beautiful! There are not many places that can tempt me away from the beach, but vineyards are one of them. I lived in Napa Valley for about a year, many years ago and there's something about vineyards that speaks to me like waves on the beach. Thanks for taking me along with you.
I felt I had been trandsported to Italy! Oh this is so wonderful! What a unique post - thanks for inviting us along. I bet your assistants had great fun helping out too. They're beautiful. And I love Dean...and Perry....and Bing! What fun!
What a beatiful setting for a lunch, right in the middle of grape country.....How romantic is that? I love the table settings, beautiful.
Hi Bj :)
How wonderful! I would love to sit out there and drink wine with you :)
I couldn't get on your blog for the longest time and it turns out it was my computer that was the problem. Now I can come and visit again! I've missed you sweet friend.
love,
ruzzer
I would just love to have my lunch in a setting that beautiful
You are just so FABULOUS. Love the vineyard and your 2 super helpers. Wish I could have been in "Italy" with you :)
Well you should really consider being a photographer for a cuisine magazine. Those pictures made me feel like I was right there. Instead, I just WANT to be right there! :) Gorgeous setting. Oh and what beautiful grandchildren. I know you had a great time.
Thanks for your visit today!
Donna
Wine, pizza and chocolate covered strawberries would be delightful anywhere!
But to have them amongst the vines would be simply divine!!
Have a wonderful day!!
Sherri:)
BJ, What a terrific post and wonderful pictures! I should be on the cover of Bon Appetit Magazine! Happy FF!
Oh BJ, what a wonderful post! Your assistants did a terrific job, and that setting is divine! Enjoy your weekend, dear BJ, :)
xoxo,
Mary
Happy Friday! What a setting! I hope you’ll stop by my Friday Feast link/recipe exchange and share this recipe.
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts-couscous.html
You can make the most delectable looking plates of food, my Texan friend!
Brenda
Oh My Word BJ!!!!!! This is glorious girl...love the new header and the new look and those pics in the vineyard...on my word....what camera are you using they are gorgeous!!!! Oh how beautiful those vineyards are and the table setting and the flowers ..love it girL..just love it all...great post sweetie....I can't get over the pics..my jaw is still on the floor! lol lol
This is all so beautiful, and the food looks delicious! Great photography!
Katherine
I loved every bit of this feast for the eyes!!!
Love the fairy dust too!!!
Thanks so much for linking. Hope to see you again next week! I am so excited this linky is growing (27 recipes-yeah!). I might even get a fun little button to display on Momtrends.
I could picture myself right there. The wine, music, wonderful company, some crusty bread and dipping oil would have been enough. You did a great job. I cam over by way of Lady Katherine's place.
Mama Bear
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