Wednesday, March 23, 2011

True Confessions

Ok, I admit it!! I don't always dine at the table with chargers and monogrammed napkins.
Sometimes I eat at the coffee table in front of the tv.


We interupt this post with a word from the camera person:
Please excuse the quality of these photos as the light was very bright in the family room and they all seem to be a bit overexposed. I'm still getting used to my new camera.  The first photo is the actual color of the couch, etc.

And now, back to "True Confessions":

Also, I must confess that I love Ramen noodles... yes, I know, but they are so easy to make and sometimes when I've had a busy day... or for no reason at all... I make them and pretend I ordered "take out".



To add a little extra nutrition,  I add fresh or frozen stir-fry veggies or sometimes I'll add a bit of cooked meat.
In this photo, I also added baby bok choy that I got at the Asian market.


 Here you see frozen egg rolls that I cooked in the oven and served in a take out carton





To make everything easier to serve, I use the bamboo trays I've had for years. 
The little white dipping bowls and the chop sticks are from World Market, and the red flower shaped dishes that hold the chop sticks are from Goodwill.
The napkins are from Pier 1 Imports last year.






There, I feel much better now that you know my little "secret".
Stop by again for another "true confession".

I'll be joining Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  See you there.



Between Naps On The Porch

25 comments:

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
It has been said that confession is good for the soul. Your dining "coffee" table looks very inviting to me! Adore your tablescape on trays. Take out, home-made, sounds like a wonderful concept to me. I'll give it a try soon!
Fondly,
Pat

Anonymous said...

A beautiful table setting Babs and the meal looks wonderful.

I have had several suppers on the big ottoman here in the condo living room.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How yummy, Babs! You really had me going! I was sure you had been to the Chinese restaurant down the street...which is also yummy, by the way! lol Looks very cozy, too!Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Marigene said...

We sometimes eat away from the dining table, too...
Your ramen noodle lunch looks delicious, Babs!
Have a great week.

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

Love love love this post! I love your tablescape too! I have to admit that I love ramen noodles, but I am lazier. I don't add all the good stuff like you do. Never even thought of it. I am definitely going to try this though! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

That is a fancy tv dinner.. sooo nice. Great job and great post.

Alycia Nichols said...

You sure know how to dress up a package of Ramen noodles!!! The presentation in the bowl is really very pretty. I'm glad you showed a table-away-from-the-table that looks so great!

Meredith said...

very cute post!!! sometimes we need to share behind the scenes photos!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Babs...

My friend, your coffee tablescape looks fabulous! Ohh...honey and I usually sit in front of the TV in our easy chairs for dinner. You did say that confession was good for the soul...right? Hehe! I think your coffee tablescape is lovely and dinner looks scrumptious! In fact, I have never seen a more yummy bowl of Ramen noodles before! Love your pretty bamboo trays and dinner napkins too! Thank you for sharing your lovely dinner with us!

I also wanted to thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my latest treasure finds! I sooo enjoyed your visit and sweet note, my friend! Thank you!!!

Warmest spring wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

PS...I forgot to mention what a beautiful living room that you have! Those are my colors, Babs!!!

Lynn said...

Looks great! I call these "keeping it real" posts-enjoy:@)

Marie Arden said...

Lovely I too sometimes eat in front of TV when alone!! SShhh
I love the take out container idea so clever.

A Hint of Home said...

They say confession is good for the soul! lol
Your tablescape is lovely for a easy, tasty meal to relax in front of the TV. Love the take out box and cute dishes.

swedecollection said...

Goes to prove beauty can be created anywhere. The combination of items was a treat for the eye. It looked relaxing and peaceful. I also have a stack of those trays.
Very nice and enjoyable to see your post this week.

Donna said...

Oh, Babs, your coffee table dining isway more elegant than our nightly table dining! Great job! That food looks like it could have been authentic chinese takeout! Yummy! You asked about our Baby cat. She's strictly an indoor kitty, as is our Tiger. But she sure loves to be in the window so she can experience the great outdoors! ... Donna

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Yeah, Babs...shshshhhh...it's my little secret too, I don't eat like you mentioned, with the great table setting and great linens, I love what you did! You're really honest, hahahaaa..I love the setting and the chinese soup looks sooo yummy! Thank you for visiting sweetie. The napkin rings are also made by us, (I forgot to mention), as the runner was made by my mom years ago.
XOXO
FABBY

Sarah Howe said...

LOVE IT!!!! Coffee tables dinners are the best!

Thanks for visiting "The Artist's Life" and I certianly hope you will come visit again soon. I am a happy follower of "Upstairs, Downstairs"!

Blessings!

Kathleen said...

And sometimes we have tuna sandwiches for dinner! :)I have those trays too. I love your coffee table, I am looking for one like that. Do you think they are still available?

Entertaining Women said...

My trays like that finally fell apart. We often dine on a pair of yellow trays and sit on either side of Sweet Mister's writing table to watch television while we eat. I do use cloth napkins, but that's about the extent of my decorating. I always think that I'm going to do a deskscape, but I never get around to it. Thank you for sharing your little secret. Cherry Kay

Sarah said...

We used trays just like yours for years. Unfortunately they are no longer with us. ;-) They were perfect for many purposes though. Finally replaced them with some wooden trays.
Dinner looks delicious, and those little red bowls were a great find. ~ Sarah

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I adore your real life tablescape~ swoon!

I am currently hosting an auction of vintage and antique linen treasures on my blog. Stop by and take a peek.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

What a cute table setting. We don't always eat at the table either.

Marlis said...

I would love to join you in front of the tv! Your trays look enticing and the ramen noodles divine. Of course your nutritious additions make the dish. thanks for dropping in and leaving your kind comments!

Betty said...

You are too cute! Most everyone I know that buys carry-out puts it in fancy dishes so that no one knows where it came from. You, on the other hand, have found a way of creating home cooked beautiful, healthy food and put it in cute carry-out cartons! That is thinking out of the box! You are a creative genius and that is why your readers will keep coming back to see what's new.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

We should probably all "confess". I can't pull my husband away from TV -- when the kids were home we always ate at the table, but now almost never. I do eat breakfast at the table thought. My "settings" generally stay up all week.

Unknown said...

This looks so yummy, and the egg rolls too!!
Thanks for coming by my blog and leaving a comment!
Beth @ The First Year Blog