Oh my gosh you guys – I can’t even tell you how excited I am to share our recent socially distant dinner! And how excited I was to set it up! The fabulous venue was our neighbors’ newly updated porch!
UPDATE – even though the days of the super separated dinner party might be winding down, we can still get inspiration from the ideas we had to come up with during those days. And a couple lovely tables never go out of style! 🙂
A Socially Distant Space
We’d been watching our neighbors put panels up on the far end of their porch, and were wondering what they were up to. Then the other day, I glanced over as I got home from work, and saw what looked like a lovely little outdoor bistro! Right there on their front porch!
As you can imagine, I ran right over and got the tour. The panels even have leaded and stained glass windows in them! They added a darling little bistro table, and even fairy lights. It’s totally magical!
We talked about having a socially distant get together there one day soon, and when I saw these flowers, I knew it was time!
Elegant Roses and Orchids
I’m still giddy about how gorgeous these flowers are! I saw the roses in the display at the grocery store, and right there in my line of sight were the sprays of orchids!
I don’t usually work with orchids much, but these were too beautiful to pass up. Plus, I learned a little orchid trick from the spectacular flower arrangement we got from SIL and BIL at Christmas. (I’d love to share that trick with you pretty soon too!) So I was ready to give them a try, and I’m so glad I did.
The elegant colors make my heart flutter! The name of the rose is Sunset Glory.
I’m going to look and see if I can buy a plant so I can have them in my own garden! And I’m keeping my eyes open for more orchids when these are done.
After putting together the arrangements, I piled my tablescape items on a tray, and started taking things next door.
Besides the place settings themselves, I took over our little bistro table and linens. Also, some blankets to keep us toasty.
Setting Up Socially Distant Tables
As all good socially distant tables are, I put our table well over 6 feet from our neighbors’. The enclosed part of their porch gave us plenty of room.
First, white tablecloths. (I know it sounds dangerous, but if we did happen to spill anything, white is so easy to bleach.)
Of course, they were way too big, but I tucked the excess up over the support bars under the tables. The rest just draped gracefully.
And the Place Settings too!
Then my new favorite old china. (See this post for the details.) I didn’t use chargers, because our tables were so small.
That was the reason I didn’t use napkin rings either. When you take them off your napkin, you have to put them somewhere! And our tables didn’t really have room.
Blush napkins were the perfect in-between color for tying it all together.
Next, some champagne glasses because we might toast our neighbors’ new porch, plus I just love the way they look!
Matte gold flatware and gold mercury glass votive candles rounded out our socially distant tables.
It didn’t hurt that the wall of the house blended in too!
Getting Sidetracked
Neighbors’ #2 Daughter helped me with the set up. We always have so much fun, and this time we got a little sidetracked. But in a totally good way!
We were talking about tea, (naturally!) and she offered to make us a pot. Never one to say no to tea-time, I took her up on it, and we relaxed at our respective socially distant tables for a few minutes!
While the tea was steeping, we had a little socially distant toast! This is the grapefruit vodka that I got for the Cocktail in a Teacup post a while back. (Very tasty.) In fact, I shared that virtual tea party with these very same neighbors! Plus I love when your drink matches your flowers!
When the tea was ready, my hostess also served some lemon cake that a friend of theirs had made. It was delicious, and was a perfect complement to our tea.
Our Socially Distant Get Together
Later when the sun went down, both families reconvened on the porch, and we had a totally wonderful evening.
I’m SO loving this safe, socially distant method of getting together. Hanging out in person with good friends is the very best! Especially if it’s at an elegant table!
Thanks so much for joining me, and if you want your own copy of my best social distancing tips, click to get my free Social Distancing In Person™ Checklist!
I hope you get to have your own socially distant dinner very soon!
Pin the Socially Distant Dinner for Later
This Post Shared With
- Tablescape Thursday #648 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 02.25.21 – Hosted by Shoestring Elegance
- Friday with Friends #11 – Hosted by My Hubbard Home
- Tuesday Turn About #89 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Centerpiece Wednesday 03.03.21 – Hosted by Karin’s Kottage
- Tablescape Thursday 07.21.22 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 07.21.22 – Hosted by Katherine’s Corner
- Fabulous Friday 07.22.22 – Hosted by South House Designs
Barbara, your roses are just stunning! Ours are still blooming but due to the heat they are so small. Hard to believe they survive triple digit temps here! So glad social distancing is in our rear view mirror….so horrible to be away from family, friends and loved ones for too long. How funny you forgot to post….glad I’m not the only one!
Hi! I’m amazed you have roses at all with that heat! But you take such wonderful care of your beautiful garden I guess they just want to bloom for you, and do their best! 🌹 I know – I’m SO glad we can go cautiously back to dining together in person. That was tough. And HA – you are totally not the only one. 🤣
What a glorious thing to do! What’s that they say? “When life serves you lemons, make lemonade”? Well this is a BIG OL’ pitcher of it!!! I believe in making the best of any and every situation. Socializing has presented its own set of challenges the past 2-1/2 years. That gauntlet was thrown down, and you just picked it up and ran as fast as you could with it! Get it, girl!!!
I’m a major fan of orchids and roses, especially displayed together. What a visual treat! The colors are PERFECT for this time of year!!!!!! Heck, they’re perfect for ANY time of year! Can you imagine a contemporary Christmas table with that color?!?!?😮
Hooray for tea and hooray for creative entertaining options! Have a marvelous weekend!
Alycia! I literally drew in an excited breath when you mentioned a contemporary Christmas table!! Oh my! I see a project in one – or both – of our futures! 😲 Yes the social distance dinner was a big deal at our house, and I’m more than glad it seems to be on the way out. Thanks so much for stopping over, and hope you have a lovely weekend too!
Barbara, no one does roses like you!!!
Oh Rachelle you are so sweet! Thanks so much for sharing all the beauty with me! ❤️
What a wonderful plan. I have a large porch with screens…this might be a fun way to start entertaining again. Thanks for the motivation.
Oooh that would be a great place to have a couple of distanced tables! Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear about it!
The best part of this story is the fact that you have great neighbors…..that is a blessing!
What really intrigued me today is the partition of the porch. I spend a lot of time on my front porch and two days ago it was so windy that I had to go in before I wanted. It is often windy there because we live on a farm, so there are no breaks from the wind. On that day, I thought if I had a wall across the side where the wind comes, I would be blocked from strong winds. But, I know I will never do a wall because the view would be lost. And my husband would never agree.
I think your neighbors porch is very clever and will be enjoyed often. Love the color of the vodka and the match with those gorgeous roses is perfect.
Hi Patricia! You’re so right – great neighbors are one of life’s best joys! 🙂 Too bad there aren’t invisible wind breaks – but your porch and the view sound wonderful! Thanks so much for stopping by – Happy Sunday!
Barbara,
I wish I had your neighbor. What a great porch. It looks just like a French Bistro. Your flowers are beautiful as always. Thanks for the short term fantasy getaway. Can’t wait to hear about your dinner.
Hi! You DO wish you had my wonderful neighbors – they’re the best! 🙂 So glad you like the flowers, and any getaway is a good one! Thanks so much for sharing it, and Happy Saturday Night!
Barbara, I am always in love with your tables and the flowers that you use.
Those roses look a bit like the Lady of Shallot. I’ve ordered two bare root Lady of Shallots, and they should arrive this month!!!!
I am so happy to feature you at the Friday with Friends link party!
Thank you for adding your post, and I really look forward to seeing you next week 🙂
Wow – thank you so much Rachelle! I’ll definitely be there! 🙂 I’ve never seen Lady of Shalott, but if they look anything like those gorgeous grocery store roses, I can’t wait to see them in your garden! So exciting! Thanks again, and see you next time!
Oh Barbara, I have missed you! Leave it to you to make socially distancing beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing at the TFT party! Of course, I’m featuring you! Hugs, Theresa
Theresa you are the sweetest!! Thank you SO much – I’m so excited! Heading over to TFT right now for all the goodness!
What a great way to get together in these crazy times Barbara! The roses are over the top gorgeous and the settings are perfect. Thanks so much for sharing. It is so nice to see something as normal as dinner with friends in such a not so normal time!
Thanks so much Denise! I just miss seeing my friends so much, that I had to come up with something! 🙂 I’m glad you like the roses too – that peach is just irresistible! Happy march, and thanks so much for stopping by!
The roses are absolutely gorgeous – beautiful color and aptly named. How nice for you and your neighbors to be able to gather outside – that’s the only way we can gather here but there’s still two feet of snow lol! Glad you had a fantastic time!
Hi Kim – yes you still have a while to go before outdoor dining would be at all comfortable! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and hope spring is just around the corner!
What a beautiful porch! The flowers are gorgeous! How fun to have good friends as neighbors!
Thanks Jenna! Isn’t that porch something?! We actually met our neighbors when we were house hunting. We liked them so much, we had to move in next to them! 🙂 Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Barbara, those flowers! The color combination is amazing! Such a fun idea and as usual, your table setting is gorgeous.
Hi Mary! I just couldn’t resist those gorgeous colors! Glad you like the table settings too – nothing like a white tablecloth to let you do anything you want! 🙂 Happy Thursday my friend!
What a great post and so very timely too. Thank you so much for sharing and I’ll have to work on doing this. I’m ready for spring too as it’ll be much easier to host something outside, and less to worry about.
Hi Chas! It sure is fun – let me know how it goes! 🙂 So glad you stopped by! Have a great Thursday my friend!