Last weekend, for my husband’s birthday,
we had a few friends over
for a Lobster Clam Bake.
My sister made Sea Breeze Cocktails
(with vodka, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice and lime slices).
Even though it was his birthday, my husband made
(he likes to cook…and I couldn’t handle dropping the live lobsters into the pot).
He put an additional fragrant seasoning mix of
fennel seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns and salt
on the tables, and individual cups of drawn butter.
fennel seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns and salt
on the tables, and individual cups of drawn butter.
The red bowls were for discarded shells.
I set the round tables close together so that everyone
could be involved in the conversation.
could be involved in the conversation.
Later, we had a little hiccup when one of the tea candles melted one
of the shellfish scissor handles and then set the raffia mat on fire…
opps…nobody’s perfect. We cleaned it up quickly.
Our daughter made home-made ice cream sandwiches
(chocolate chip cookies with French vanilla ice cream)
for dessert. With a little twist…
for dessert. With a little twist…
some had a slather of peanut butter inside
and some had a bit of Nutella.
and some had a bit of Nutella.
Delicious.
Sorry, my photo isn’t better but this was at the end of the evening.
Thanks for stopping by!
Participating in
Lisa Mende says
LOVE! LOOKS divine! I love everything you do! oxox Lisa
Renée Finberg says
Fun Fun Fun
i love the lobsta' napkin rings – or clips.
oxo
Chic Coastal Living says
You are one awesome hostess! the tables ape looks absolutely beautiful! XO
Lobster Meets Peach says
I cannot even begin to tell you how hungry this post has made me!!!
Carla Aston says
What a lovely party! You set such a pretty table and the food looks divine! I'm sure it was a wonderful birthday.
Brenda Murphy says
Mary Ann you are so lucky that I am not closer, I would come! Talk about uninvited guest;) You are a star at creating memories.
designchic says
What a fun birthday celebration. Just love your tablescape!!
The Pink Pagoda says
Happy Birthday to your husband! What a fantastic table!
stephanie says
Mary ann – looks delish! Looke like fun@
Kathysue says
Very cute Mary ann!! Love the special touches on your tablesetting. I have always wanted to try a clam bake like I see on the east coast. Someday I am going to try this! Happy Birthday to your hubby and have a fun weekend, beautiful weather this weekend, we are lucky to live where we do, aren't we.
xo Kathysue
Leslie says
Happy Birthday to your husband!!! What an amazing party!!! I have a completely random question….what do you use to clean your marble countertops??? They always look stunning!
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
Leslie: n Since they are honed I use Bar Keepers Friend on tough spots (don't have to worry about the polish) but normally just a wet sponge and dish soap.
Leslie says
Thank you! We're in a rental and they have honed marble and I have no idea how to care for them. I'll have to buy some Bar Keepers Friend!!! I've read that dish soap and water are best for every day but to make sure the dish soap isn't citrus. Have you heard that? I guess the citrus etches the marble. Learning each day….it's a good thing since our new kitchen will also have honed marble!
Leslie says
Happy Birthday to your husband Mary Ann! This looks like a wonderful party! Love all the red and the food looks delicious.. love the dessert you made:) Have a fun weekend! xxleslie
Abby M. Interiors says
What a fun evening! I love that you shared your hiccup. 😉 Have you ever tried Pioneer Woman's "Malted Chocolate Chip Cookies"? They are amazing for ice cream sandwiches.
Have a great weekend!
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
No…but I will!
An Eye for Detail says
How beautiful to look at… and lobsters are the best! Lucky you to have a husband who loves to cook!!! We are going up to the North Shore of Boston in July and really hope to hit our favorite spot there: The Lobster Pot. I'll report back if we make it there!
Mary Ann at classic•casual•home says
Yes…please report!
Therese Long says
You rock at entertaining!!!
Linda {Calling it Home} says
I love this tablescape. You have such a natural flair in your entertaining. I love adding the nutella.
cindy @ a curious gardener says
I love your table settings! Happy birthday to your husband, he is awesome to cook lobsters on his bday. I am jealous, I wish mine cooked! No such luck ;o( I love sea breezes, one of my favorites but mine are pale pink, guess I put more grapefruit than cranberry. Need to make one this weekend now that you mentioned it!
The enchanted home says
Gorgeous! The pops of red look so beautiful in the twilight…..love it all, so festive and fun. Seabreezes are my favorite drink, I drink them all the time. Well not ALL the time…lol.
Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt says
What a wonderful party…I love lobster and I haven't had it in years…
Kimberly Lemmon says
What a fun party! I can't bear to boil the lobsters either.
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
What a beautiful way to celebrate your husband's special day. I love the way you decorated the tables!
Have a great weekend.
Pam
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
Its not a party until something catches on fire! 🙂 Looks like a wonderful time.
Terri Steffes says
Gorgeous!! I have been away for a couple of years writing a dissertation, but now I am back… I came at the right time! LOVE lobster!!
annie@mostlovelythings says
Mary Ann,
Love your tables! Just beautiful! Even the drink matched your red theme! Gorgeous!
annie
Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood says
Festive and very fun Mary Ann! Tables look great! Happy Birthday to hubs!
cindy hattersley design says
That looks like so much fun! That recipe is one of my favorites…yum! The red looks absolutely gorgeous on your patio!!
Mrs. B says
Oh my gosh!!! Beautiful tablescapes and even better food! You have such a lovely way of doing things.
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
I love your tablescapes and this was such a fun and cheerful one. Sounds like a great celebration for your hubby – wishing him many more ahead!
Gail Storti says
Well….first "Happy Birthday" to your hubby! What a fabulous party it must have been! That "Stovetop Clam Bake" of Ina's looks out of this world and your table setting is amazing. How fun are those lobster napkin rings…where ever did you get them? And tell Ally those ice cream sammy's look heavenly and I love that she added that little surprise inside! Yum!
You are truly the "party queen"!!!