Fly Away Dinner

How do you know when it is time to fly the nest, leave your comfortable hometown filled with childhood friends, parents, sisters, bookclubs and mommy and me meet-ups?  Last weekend, I prepared a going away dinner for two young attorneys that I've known since one of them was my high school student who have decided that it is time to move away, start a law firm together in an area that they love but is three hours away from "home."  In the spirit of adventure and flying away, the table theme - birds and adventure!

I found these plates at Pier 1 and sort of "yelped" for joy. My dining room is painted this color and my husband raises birds for local bird stores so collecting birdie stuff always delights me.  The plates called "Indonesia" sell for $5 and come in yellow, green and red.  I first bought a pair of each three colors, returned them, liking best all in yellow.

I mixed in the bird plates with an old KMart purchased Gibson fruit embossed plates and servingware that I've had since 1985, purchased set of 8 for $23.99!  I kept the price tag on the box so that it can delight me whenever I see it on the shelf.

 Another "yelp" escaped me when I happened upon these amber stemmed water goblets made by Clay Art.  Very delicate blown glass.

Fun opportunity to use my bird napkin rings found at Z Gallerie many years ago.  Birds, on sale and in my favorite green!  Had to have them.

Catalina pottery yellow vase, votive candles for sparkle, birdie salt and pepper shakers, flowers from neighbor as a thank you for babysitting adorable children.

I couldn't resist sharing this homemade ice cream porch party!  Theo and Paloma.  They call me "Robin" because they come to visit "Rob and CJ"  so somehow that became "Robin."  Love that!

I digress.  Back to Birds in Flight dinner. One of the couples coming for dinner happen to be vegetarians so I opted for a pasta dinner, one with meat, the other without. The tablecloth I've also had for years, puchased at Home Goods for those lovely Spring tablescapes.

The pasta decision, led to an anitpasta choice and opportunity to use other bird inspired treasures.

 These sweet little plates from Home Goods, 222 Fifth "Early Bird" $2.99 were perfect for the walking buffet.  I don't usually like using paper napkins, but I couldn't resist the charm of these garden birds.

Anytime I can work in this little vase found years ago in a flea market, it makes me smile.  "With a new day, come new strength and new thoughts."  ~Eleanor Roosevelt.  So with that thought, I sent my adventuring young friends, off to their new life, wishing them grand times and success with Baltadano and Baltadano Law!  Here's to new life, may we all be open to adventure!