Romantic Lakeside Dinner for Two at Sunset

Lakeside Dining

Have you set your table with a lakeside theme, or set a table for a picnic lakeside? That was my goal for this week.

Speaking of lakeside dinners, when we moved to Texas, I was desperate for anything “waterside”. As I was coming from Cleveland, Ohio, I was used to having waterside parks all around us. My second apartment was about 15 minutes from Edgewater beach on Lake Erie, and Huntington Beach was on 1/2 hour away. My friends and I often went to the beach, day or night, and reflected on God’s beauty as well as our place in the world while watching the waves come in. My then boyfriend, Wayne, (now husband) and I often ate out at what was then a restaurant area in the “Flats” on the Cuyahoga River. As we watched the water and the boats, the worries and cares of the week seemed to “float” right off of us.

But in Houston, I felt very “land locked” in the northwest suburbs. Galveston and Kemah were about 1 1/2 hours away, and although Lake Conroe was only 1 hour away, we were unaware of any public areas or areas accessible to “boat-less” city dwellers on this largely residential lake. (That was before “Google”). Now that we live here, we find that there is a public beach and also about 15 lakeside restaurants. Yeah!!!

Do you have a favorite lakeside “get away”? If so I would love it if you would share it in the comments section! I think we all need a waterside haven from time to time, and I’d love to hear about yours.

Choosing a Smaller Table

When planning this Sunset Dinner, I first had to choose a table. As my indoor tables and two of my outdoor tables are rather large in order to accommodate family and friends, I decided to do something unusual for me and go for a more intimate (smaller) table to create a different atmosphere. At the lake, we only have one smaller table, which was purchased as a table for the tile patio, and we used it mainly while grilling. In between “spatula flips” we would have a cold beverage at the little table. However, the table got moved to the shaded dock when the sprinkler system near the patio started to cause harm to the table, due to our hard water. In the new dock location it was used largely as a cooking station for the “Big Green Egg” grill. But today I decided to bring it back to use as a dining table.

The first step was picking a location on the dock for the table, as most of the dock is occupied by our large table. I tried it in a few positions, and it ended up in the location below.

The Table

The table is Cast Aluminum and is 24″ in diameter. I was surprised at how little room there was for two people, I love the coziness though.

The Plate Stack

The featured plates are Mallard salad plates from Japan. (No brand name or pattern name is printed on the plates). The plates show two different scenes, one of which shows 3 adult mallards near a lake or marsh, the other shows adult mallards with ducklings. I found these plates on eBay about 8 years ago, and they can be found today as well. I originally planned to use my blue glass or green geranium plates as the dinner plate, but the blues didn’t blend well together, and green dinner plates and green chargers was a little too much green. I was surprised to find that my lighthouse dinner plates, coordinated with the mallard plates.

On the blue tablecloth, I added a Bordallo Pinheiro charger in the Geranium pattern. I added the lighthouse dinner plate on top of the charger.

On top of the dinner plate, I added either the salad plate with the 3 adult Mallards at the water’s edge…

… or the plate with 3 adult mallards and ducklings at the water’s edge. Both are plates are from Japan, but no brand or patten name is available.

In addition to the plate stack, the table includes a cup and saucer from the same pattern as that of the lighthouse dinner plates (American Atelier “Signals 5100”. The flatware is Onieda’s Golden Reflection (this flatware was the pattern we received as wedding gifts) so very fitting for a romantic tablescape.

To our family, one of the many enjoyed “wildlife sightings” on the lake is that of a mallard family. Its possible for Mallards to have more that one brood each year with usually 9-13 ducklings in each brood. I’ve read that the eggs hatch around March, and if there is a second brood, it hatches around July. In our area, we often see the ducklings in marinas, and sometimes around other docks. The “no wake” zones in these areas seem to help the survival rate, and also allow boaters a chance to feed the ducklings. This feeding can be a good or bad thing for the ducks, depending on the food given. To see food that is safe for Mallards and other ducks, please click the following link. Do’s and Don’t of Duck Feeding

I was hoping we would have a mallard family swim by during are dinner, but as that did not happen, I will include a picture of the family that swam by at Mother’s Day.

Napkin Rings

I chose to use the vintage yellow duckling napkin rings by Omnibus (Omnibus is a somewhat less expensive division of Fitz and Floyd).

Centerpieces

The featured centerpiece is a Fitz and Floyd Mallard Couple that is a soup tureen. The duckling who seems to be in deep conversation with his parents, is a pepper shaker, also from Fitz and Floyd but from “Garden Rhapsody” a different Mallard pattern.

I love the expression and pose that the artist/designer chose for this soup tureen.

I had planned to add candlesticks and candles, and possibly a vase of flowers, but realized quickly that there really wasn’t room for that.

Tablecloth and Napkins

The tablecloth and napkins are from Amazon, and I was happy to see that the color went with both the Mallard and lighthouse plates and blends well with the bluish lake color of the lake at sunset.

Romance vs. Reality

Although this table was planned as a romantic dinner for two; the reality was that we discovered fungus on our flowers in the back yard and Wayne decided, rightly I think, that the plants needed to be sprayed immediately. Therefore, dinner was postponed until late at night and the romantic sunset dinner will be postponed until another day.

I was glad to have done the tablescape though, as I now know how I want to set it up, and what plates and centerpieces are needed. The sunset had begun by the time I finished the table so I decided to go ahead and photograph the table in the sunset, even without food or diners.

Sunset for the Dinner Hour

Sunset “Afterglow” – After Dinner

After the sunset, I cleared the dishes, and put them away so that they will be all organized for when we try this again (with food of course).

But as I finished cleaning up the dock, I noticed that I had packed away my dishes to soon, as the post sunset sky was beautiful tonight.

A “Blue Moon” Joins The Beautiful Scenery Tonight

When I finished taking pictures of the gorgeous post sunset sky, I remembered that our neighbor said we had a Blue Moon tonight and that the front yards were a good place to view it, so I headed to the front yard, and enjoyed the “Blue Moon”.

The Blue Moon was visible from our driveway, seeming to sit just above our neighbor’s house. Viewing this was a great way to end the day!

In This Post

In this post are sections entitled “Table Details and Origins”, “Posts I Hope You Will Like”, “Coming Soon”, “Link Parties and Blog Hops” (which introduces other websites I think you will love) and then, if you scroll all the way down, you will see the “Comments” section. I would love to hear from you!!! Please comment on anything duck related, or waterside dining related or anything else you would like to share!!

Posts I Hope You Will Like

Tropical Bird Tablescape – Adventure Awaits in the “Tiki Room”

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Go To School

Welcome To Our Butterfly Garden Tablescape!!!

The Astros Skeleton Baseball Game – Held Over By Popular Demand

Coming Soon – but Not Yet Written

Coming Soon are posts on Halloween Tablescapes including a Skeleton tablescape, and one with Mickey and Minnie. Also coming soon, are more outdoor skeletons display posts, including the Astro Skeleton World Series Win, and Pickleball – Skeleton Style.

Tablescape Details and Origins for Lakeside Sunset Dinner for Two

Oneida Community Golden Affection – discontinued pattern sometimes available on eBay

Bordallo Pinheiro “Geranium” Chargers – https://us.bordallopinheiro.com and available occasionally or eBay or Amazon

American Atelier “Signals 5100 ” Lighthouse dinner plates and cups – eBay

Mallard Salad Plates ( 7 5/8″ – 7 3/4″) marked “made in Japan” (no brand or pattern name)

Vintage Omnibus Duckling Napkin Rings – eBay

Blue tablecloth – Amazon

Blue Napkins – Amazon

Fitz and Floyd “Garden Rhapsody” Duckling Pepper Shaker – eBay

Link Parties and Blog Hops 

I often participate in Tablescape Thursday at betweennapsontheporch.net, Please click on the link to see this website of one of my favorite bloggers – I especially love her “Tablescape Thursday posts” which are all about tablescapes and her tablescape post is followed by photos and links for many other wonderful tablescapers.  Her “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters” – is another favorite of mine. 

I also often participate in Marty’s “Inspire me Tuesday” link party at “A Stroll Thru life” I hope you can check out her website and her Tuesday link party which is followed by photos and links for many other ideas from her followers.

Recently I started following Katherinescorner.com. I frequently join her TFT blog party. The TFT – Thursday Favorite Things blog hop contains links on many topics with lots of great ideas. To get there click on the preceding link and go to her website and they check out her most recent Thursday – TFT post. At the bottom of the post, you will find many of her followers’ ideas. 

Recently I discovered the Imparting Grace blog, and I am really enjoying it. To get to this website click the preceding link and look for the “Grace At Home Blog party” which begins some weeks on Thursdays.

I have also started following SouthernSunflowers.com and recently joined their “Home Matters Link Party”. It begins each week on Thursdays. I hope you can check it out.

Very Recently, I started following KarinsKottage.com, and I am loving her blog as well, and can’t wait to see her Italian Castle remodel! I often participate in her Linky Party on Wednesdays . 

I also enjoy following Life and Linda. I have been checking out Linda’s wonderful tablescapes for years! If you are currently planning your Christmas tablescape, I think you will enjoy visiting Linda’s Christmas Tablescapes. Recently Linda featured my Dancing Skeleton Tablescape on her Link Party, which I really appreciate – Thanks so much Linda!!

I have also started following EclecticRedBarn.com and am loving the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” and I am sharing on it on Wednesdays. 

In addition I really enjoy Lifeasaleowife.com and share on the “Crafty Creators Link Party” on Thursdays. 

This year, for my first time, I have joined the “Home Imagined Link Party” at Masterpiecesofmylife.com. I love this website, and the hostesses and other contributors have some great ideas! To get to the home page, use the above link and then scroll down to “Home Imagined Link Party” and click on it to get to the Link Party page. A new link party is posted every other week. 

I have also shared recently on EsmeSalon.com. The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site.

I also wanted to share that my “Drawing Disney” tablescape was shared recently on the “Crafty Creators” Link Party. It was such a nice surprise to see that Nikki had shared that tablescape with her many readers. Thanks Nikki! 

On Fridays I join the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party . I am honored that Stephanie chose to feature my Barbie “Eras” Tablescape on Friday October 13, 2023. I am also honored that Stephanie chose to feature my “Romantic Lakeside Dinner at Sunset” tablescape post. To see the this week’s link party click – Crazy Little Lovebirds. I hope you can visit this website.

I hope you will enjoy visiting these wonderful bloggers on the above websites as much as I do!

Comments

I’d love to hear from you!!! If you have time, please share your comments below. I would also love to hear about any of your favorite lakeside dining spots! Thanks so much!!