Out With The Old, In With The New!

The clock is ticking down and we will soon be at the beginning of a New Year…and I have a confession to make,  This is my favorite tablescape of all the table settings I have put together over the last 15 years or so.  Plus, I have some delicious simple recipe suggestions for your New Year’s Eve.

The dinnerware for my table each year is very specific and perhaps that is why I love it so…and I confess I set it up each New Year’s Eve using the exact same table setting. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it)The clocks numerals and numbers on the dinnerware tell me that a New Year is coming, which reminds me of something C.S. Lewis said: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.”  How great is that for the upcoming New Year?

In addition to using the same dinnerware each New Year’s Eve… I use the same foods and or appetizers…I guess you could liken it to one’s favored Thanksgiving meal which usually includes a turkey and dressing etc…My New Years Eve foods are always the same.  Also, they are what the Captain prefers when he is able to be home instead of flying, and now that he is semi-retired…he is usually home on New Years Eve.  I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you the Orange Crush story…but you can read about that here.  (For a teaser, Orange Crush will always be a part of our New Year’s Celebration.)

My table starts out with the following and if you have followed me over the years, you will most likely remember this table.

I use a black tablecloth and black linen napkins.  The clock salad plates are an old Pottery Barn purchase many years ago when living in Seattle.  I don’t think you can find them anymore.  I have always liked them and use them for every New Year’s Eve or anytime I have a clock theme and as you will see each clock face is different..

My dinnerware set consists of the dinner plates, napkin rings, saucers, dipping bowls and platters.

 The platter (holding the cupcakes) and the dipping bowls (holding the votive candles)

The square chargers are silver and a black plate sits beneath the clock plates.

I used gold flatware and black napkins and sprinkled star and circle confetti on the black tablecloth.  This makes the stars and circle confetti pop.

You can’t begin a countdown unless you have an hour glass on the table….and of course several clocks of various sizes and shapes. A tall aspen tree adorned with small led lights sits in the center of the table along with a few sprigs of flocked pine needles.

The champagne bucket sits on one end of the tablescape and has a “cheers” wine stopper sitting in the bucket.  I found it at Pier 1 along with the initial “M” wine stopper. 

The Salt & Pepper shakers are little hour glasses.

There are also party hats and party horns.  Below you will see the black and white straws with black bow ties I found at World Market, along with a few “poppers, or crackers” that I like to give my guests as party favors.

I don’t remember where I purchased the paper napkins…but I bought a huge package and I still have quite a few left after all these years.

The gold swizzle sticks with various words atop …are really cool too…..…..and I placed each one in the flutes.

Now for those easy peasy recipes that taste oh so good.  For the food…another confession, I go the easy way each year. 

These little Smoked Salmon Blini’s with dill are so easy to make.  I used mini Eggo frozen pancakes, and I made up a mixture of cream cheese, fresh dill, sour cream, lemon juice and salt and white pepper.  I rolled up smoked salmon and sprinkled a little dill on top.  Delish!

Next up is chicken and waffles. 

Below are the ingredients to make the best tasting little chicken & waffle appetizers.

Yep! I buy the mini frozen waffles, red pepper jelly and Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets.  Just place the waffles in the oven per directions on the box, top with your favorite chicken nuggets and drizzle the mixture of maple syrup and red pepper jelly to taste over the top and serve! Oh so crispy and I’ll bet you can’t eat just one. 🙂

These little parfaits are another simple food to make…You can make your own pudding(s)…chocolate and vanilla OR you can do what I did and buy already made puddings!  Then you cut up an angel food cake or pound cake or whatever your choice is and layer in a parfait glass and top with whipped cream.  I sprinkle gold sugar (from Michael’s) on the top.  Quick and easy and pretty.  How simple is that?

This platter is also easy…I bought/buy cupcakes at the supermarket and place a sparkler in the center of each one. We don’t really need anything additional but you could add chips and dip or what other appetizers that would make a complete meal for your taste.

Finally, I pour the champagne …use the good glasses, they are so pretty with some of the same gold sugar on the rims.

As another year comes to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the highs, lows, and everything in between.  This past year has brought many changes in all our lives.  For some it is perhaps our health or our home or our livelihood or just plain ole’ disappointments.  These are difficult, no doubt about it. In our family, we have lost family members and several friends.…as I am sure many of you can relate.  Rest assured that when someone you loves becomes a memory, the memory becomes a special treasure.  My sweet friends, the end of the year is a time to celebrate the lessons we’ve learned, the growth we’ve experienced and the memories we’ve made.

“Here’s to a bright New Year and a fond farewell to the old;

here’s to the things that are yet to come,

and to the memories that we hold.”

2026 gives us the opportunity to take a moment to look ahead, filled with hope, inspiration and motivation for the coming year.   So let’s humbly start off the new year with a Spirit of Praise, Thanksgiving and Hope for a better tomorrow.

Happy New Year my dear sweet and wonderful friends.

God Bless You.

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.”