Spring

I hope everyone is doing much better and getting their shots but still mindful to be safe during this time of COVID.

At Easter I set the table for six with playful green bunnies right down to the bunnies with my six grandchildren’s names as they could not be with us this year. I hope you enjoyed this table as much as I did with the planning of it.

Looking forward to setting many outdoor tables for you all to get ideas from in the very near future. Usually with me, it is one idea that gets me started……. a different piece of coral, or a colour combination or using a new scarf ………and I go from there.

For Mother’s Day I wanted something soft and gentle and I used a grey scarf I bought in Qualicum which was perfect with the pink silk blooms which I mixed into a fresh green plant.

The pearls were from my All Heart Christmas tree I decorate each year.

My coffee table book, Best Dressed Tables, continues to surprise me and was recently on display in Indigos in Langley and also at The Mason Jar in White Rock.

Please know you can contact me at 604-803-8072 to purchase a signed copy of Best Dressed Tables.

Wishing you all a wonderful Summer, and have fun styling tables for family and hopefully before too long, friends also.

I will continue to post tabletops on social media throughout the summer.

Susan

Fried Plantain

Fried Plantain Recipe (from Travel Section Best Dressed Tables)

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

• 5/6 ripe plantains

• 3 tbsp brown sugar

• Cooking oil

 Preparation

1.  Peel the plantains
2.  Cut in half and then again
3.  Put oil in frying pan so that it covers the plantain
4.  Heat oil until it is sizzling
5.  Arrange plantains so they’re not on top of each other
6.  Deep fry plantains until golden
7.   Turn them over and cook second side.
8.  Remove with a slotted spoon and let oil drip
9.  Spread some paper towel and put the plantain on top
10. Let the towel absorb all the excess oil
11. Put on plate and serve
12. If you want, you can sprinkle brown sugar in pan after turning over when frying, or sprinkle on the plantain before serving.

Note: you can decorate before serving with sliced pink grapefruit.

Mother's Day Contest

myvancity.ca ran a Mother’s Day contest featuring Best Dressed Tables. This was very well received and the winner was Julia Russell of Richmond, BC. I will be featuring a picture of her shortly with the book.

What's Happening...

I am happy to say Best Dressed Tables continues to sell very well on Amazon and Chapters/Indigo, along with various florist / gift stores. Recently West Vancouver Florist and Vivio Flower Gallery in Port Moody have taken books into their beautiful stores.

As soon as it is safe to do so, I will let you know when I am doing book signings again. I will be happy to personally sell and autograph my book for you…just send me an email at susan@tabletopsbysusan.com.

On March 25, 2020, the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel gave away curbside to all first responders and medical personnel, their famous McCarthy salad which was featured in my coffee table book Best Dressed Tables.

During this time of enforced togetherness I continue to set tabletops to inspire everyone at home. Thank you for your emails telling me about your tables and how I have given you ideas and the desire to set a beautiful table. Below are two recent emails I received and a poem:

“Susan, your book is the perfect antidote for these anxious times, and has brought me a lot of pleasure already as it is amazing eye candy to raise the spirits during this grim time in history. It is my considered opinion that not only are your table dressings exquisitely presented and creatively and whimsically imaginative, the stories are captivating for travellers and non-travellers alike. Well Done Susan.”

Annie M.

“During this time of isolation, I took the time to browse through your Best Dressed Tables book. Looking at all the beautiful pictures and gorgeous colours was such a calming things to do and a great way to de-stress. I also enjoyed all the personal notes with each picture, memories of your parents and growing up in the Bahamas. Looking at the themed table settings made me feel like I was taking a trip to exotic locales - so nice to do now that we are unable to travel. Thank you for this beautiful book.”

Sylvia P.

Just saw Susan’s “Feeling Fruity”. My, she’s such an awesome cutie! And this tablescape is a real beauty. Just dreamed it up while she’s off duty.

Easter 2020

Had fun making the coloured Easter Eggs to put into the pink napkins and used my lovely Easter Runner with all the cut outs and pretty colours. Decided on the chargers in pink and white and my turquoise plates to tie all the pinks and blues into this pastel tablescape.

Bring out all your Easter bunnies and bits and pieces and you can add them each year in different ways. Loved filling my large china bowl with silk hydrangeas and adding the wee white pots with Easter Egg Trees.