a summer-inspired birthday dinner

This beautiful card inspired a quiet summer birthday dinner for my mother-in-law, Jeri.

When I saw it for the first time, I smiled . . . and thought of her. 

I love its bright, cheery colors . . . and feminine, fun design.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful mother-in-law.

She has always shown such unconditional love, caring, and giving to her family . . . a beautiful example to us all.

So it was my privilege to help make her special day, extra special.

~ fun mini bunting ~

and white garden roses

With the birthday card I found as my inspiration, I began planning the details of her evening dinner. 

I found this tablecloth in my collection, and thought it was perfect. Isn't it pretty? 

~ buttercream yellow, pastel green, periwinkle ~

and shades of pink 

Since we've been enjoying gorgeous weather here, I set up our dining outside . . . and I'm so glad that I did, because it was a beautiful evening!

In true Summer fashion, I kept our table setting simple . . . 

                  bud vases brimming with white garden roses . . . 

         and place settings of white chargers  and crisp, white plates. 

Playful green bunting stood tall in the center bud vase. 

Sweet wishes on our chalkboard!

And for dinner . . . 

I wanted to serve a simple (yet special) Summer menu . . .

fresh kiwis and strawberries

~

candied walnut & cranberry spinach salad

with Cranberry, Walnut & Gorgonzola dressing

~

fancy poppyseed chicken

with toasted almonds and sauteed Shitake mushrooms

Our kids and I made Jeri ~ aka Grandma ~  a 10-layer lemon cake.

We lovingly named it . . . the Lemon Penthouse Cake!

((Our kids named it after "Fix It Felix's Penthouse" in the movie "Wreck It Ralph."))

((As for me, I named it The Leaning Tower, as Swiss Meringue Buttercream doesn't 

hold up well in heat!))

The Lemon Penthouse Cake was Barefoot Contessa's Classic Yellow Cake recipe  with the zest of 1 lemon . . . . and then layered with fresh Lemon Curd and Miette's Lemon Swiss Meringue Buttercream. I garnished the TOP and sides of the cake with fresh raspberries . . . they were a wonderful compliment! And pretty too!!

It was a pleasant dinner that ended well after the sun set that evening.

There's something magical about good company, good food, an evening breeze, and a sunset. 

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