It was January when Jaithan and I took the leap, moving north, to the country and to a vastly new way of life. Sirens turned to snowdrifts and with them came the eerie quiet of winter—and of solitude. Well, the land has long since thawed, revealing, among other things, friends and colleagues from the city, who themselves lept and landed closeby. Among them: Margaret Roach, former editor in chief of Martha Stewart Living and creator of A Way to Garden; Dan Shaw, New York Times writer and co-founder of Rural Intelligence; Susan Schneider, a fantastic lighting designer in Millerton; and Jennifer Holwell, a lifelong friend of mine from culinary school. This afternoon, these are my guests for a casual, vegetarian lunch for six. On the table, I'm doing an eclectic mix of vintage servingware and linens, inspired by a cherished set of blue transferware plates from the flea market. The flatware is antique bone with a scrimshaw monogram, while the gingham cloth I made from a fabric remnant I found at Stormville last spring.
To accommodate the needs of all my guests, the menu is entirely vegetarian. It's always a challenge to do a vegetarian meal that's inventive and flavorful, but I love it! Here's what we're having...
Hi Eddie: I was following your twitter feed and saw that you boiled corn in milk and sugar. What does that do exactly? I have never heard of it. I have corn in my garden, would you suggest that for corn that is fresh picked - or just corn you pick up from the store?
Posted by: Jenna | July 14, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Those plates are really amazing Where did you find them.....X
Posted by: colby & Lady | July 12, 2009 at 02:15 AM
My favorites, almost any kind of blue and white! Where are those fish knives I had for years!
Posted by: Karena | July 11, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I'm not a fan of vegetarian dishes, but these are YUM* Fabulous weekend darling!
~XO*
Posted by: lenorenevermore | July 11, 2009 at 04:27 AM
Lunch sounds divine. I love your flatware and dishes. Hope you day was special.
Posted by: Judy | July 10, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Looks and sounds perfectly delicious! Do you open up these invites to anyone? Ha! Have a nice weekend.
Posted by: Naphtali | July 10, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Oh my goodness Eddie...my mouth is watering! Scrumptious menu!
I listened to you on Skirted Roundtable...you are a busy feller!
I look forward to all that you have in store.
Blessings...
Posted by: Renae | July 09, 2009 at 11:12 PM
How does one make a vegetarian pavlova? What replaces the eggs?
Thanks,
Hans
Posted by: Hans | July 09, 2009 at 09:46 PM
EDDIE!!! THOSE PLATES!
Posted by: abby jenkins | July 09, 2009 at 05:56 PM
ok this is from your technology-slow friend lauren... i'm not quite sure how twitter works/ what it is!!! i might have to figure it out because what i'm seeing looks beautiful!! if i don't go on at the same time as you're twittering, does that mean i miss it?
haha ok enough techonology, miss yas & LOVE those plates!!
xoxo
Posted by: Lauren Liess | July 09, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Looks amazing. I am just so perplexed as to keeping up with facebook, plaxo, twitter, utube etc. I am at the computer all day for work and then my art business does require a lot of marketing, so what do you feel is the best venue Eddie and Jaithan?
Posted by: Karena | July 09, 2009 at 11:08 AM
You just might be the one to get me to Twitter:-)
Everything looks amazing!
Posted by: Christina | July 09, 2009 at 04:03 AM
The plates are just lovely! I wouldn't mind to have them in my plate collection ;-)..
Posted by: Johanna | July 09, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Eddie, what a lovely "event." AND!! I just signed on to Twitter, but am suffering from Twitter-phobia..cannot figure out how to comment...yet. BUT! The pics a la Twitter ARE absolutely the coolest. I remember the ladies of Skirted Roundtable giving you kudos on this. Such a tech-genius. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!!! See you in TX!
Posted by: Virginia in Texas | July 08, 2009 at 08:31 PM
The silverware is identical to my grandmother's everyday set...what a pleasant surprise to see the photo. When I serve vegetarian meals, I frequently serve a Spanish "tortilla" (which is made with potatoes, onions and eggs) or an Italian frittata and a salad.. easy and everyone seems to love it. Thanks for the luncheon prep class!
Have a great week.
Posted by: mary | July 08, 2009 at 08:03 PM
Hi Eddie !
Looks so beautiful..as always....
I LOVE the transferware. And your menu..well, what can I say...it all sounds so good !
Looks like a great time.
Warmest Regards,
Kary
Posted by: Kary Gonyer | July 08, 2009 at 08:01 PM
You always inspire me, Eddie. The way that you describe things and the little details that you include always make me want to do something creative.
Lovely menu!
Posted by: Debbie | July 08, 2009 at 07:45 PM
This is fabulous! As a vegetarian myself I'm always looking for entertaining menus. Thanks so much for the ideas!
Posted by: Rachel | July 08, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Ooooooh, I wish I could have come! Yummmmmmy!
Posted by: Kristin | July 08, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Being a Veggie myself...love the menu...nothin like a great chick pea!
Have fun...I don't twit...darn!
Posted by: michelle | July 08, 2009 at 01:54 PM
yummmmy! and the food looks good too haha. i posted a little something about you in my blog for my giveaway!!! hope you have time to check it out. Thanks again for everything!
xo, grace
www.nameisgrace.blogspot.com
Posted by: grace | July 08, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Yum! Sounds tasty, as always!
Posted by: Laura | July 08, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Your menu sounds absolutely fantastic! - and I'm not even a vegetarian!
Do you have a favorite (and budget-friendly) Sauvignon Blanc you plan to pour? I'm always looking for my next new favorite pour wine to stock up on.
Posted by: LeilaMac | July 08, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Yum, that sounds delish- I dont eat meat so that meal sounds amazing!
Have a fantastic day, I hope the sun comes out and you have beautiful weather :)
Posted by: LindsB | July 08, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Yum yum! The lunch looks lovely! LOVE the transferware!
Posted by: Emily | July 08, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I wish I could be a little mouse following behind you all day. You are absolutely amazing and enjoy life to the fullest. I LOVE the bone flatware!
Posted by: sophiedahydesigns | July 08, 2009 at 08:13 AM
Good morning Eddie & Jaithan, the sun is coming out for our fabulous lunch. See you soon.
XO
Posted by: Shandell's | July 08, 2009 at 07:41 AM