One of the things that I love about Italy is how restaurants look. It’s completely normal to have tablecloths, wine glasses, cloth napkins and candles on the table. It’s just the way things are done. Any self-respecting sit down restaurant will have a nice table presentation, like this one on a back street in Venice, inviting customers to stay.
It makes meals here in Italy feel special for me, since growing up the only time I saw these things on the table were either going out to a really fancy restaurant (where we were dressed up and had to be on our BEST behavior) or a very special dinner at home. Mom’s china, my grandmother’s silver, cloth napkins and candlelight. Those are the things that dress up a table to me.
When is the last time you ate by candlelight? Just that one little thing, a candle burning on the table, can make a normal meal a little bit magical. Try it out and see.
Today’s prompt for 9 Muses Musing is CANDLE. Tomorrow’s is SNOWFLAKE. Have you been playing along?
I agree with you completely. Nothing compares to the wonderful ambiance created by candlelight!
Lovely Kat. I really love these simple table settings with the beaufifully folded napkins, and am very impressed with all the wine glasses 🙂
I love using candles, especially in the winter, they really do give everything something magical. Love the photo, and would love to eat in this place too 🙂
I love eating by candlelight, but admit I rarely do it at home!
My grandparents were from Italy. My dad says that my grandfather always insisted on cloth napkins at the table and never gave way to the American tradition of paper napkins. While we use paper napkins every night, we usually use cloth napkins and candles for company (and always on holidays). It makes everything festive, doesn't it?
It's true…I love using tablecloths and candles all the time! They make every occasion a wonderful event…I always find it amazing how friends will say "you didn't have to go to such trouble" because I use linens and candles ~ when it's really no trouble at all.
Isn't it funny that we feel we must have a special occasion to use the good dishes and candle light? I grew up that way too. But I try to not save things anymore and just use what I love. Why not make it special more often? Thanks for the reminder.
I honestly don't remember the last time I ate by candlelight – how sad is that.
So true. Candles make everything seem more intimate and heighten the "special" factor.
Whenever we had company coming over (when I was growing up) the last task, the one I couldn't wait to do, was to light all the candles …
great take on the prompt
This image is so inviting…I just want to go in and sit down at that lovely table. You are so right about candlelight. Think I'll have a candlelight dinner tonight. 🙂
So pretty… I think you have inspired me to have dinner by candle light with my husband soon 🙂
We eat with candle light a lot in the winter. I always try to have some type of candle on the dining room table, especially in the winter. Now we don't have a nice table cloth, but we do have cloth placemats. But also have paper napkins, so at least we have part of the scene!
Love the picture, makes me think of a nice anniversary dinner.
Krista Pomeroy
I'm going home tonight and lighting a candle. thanks kat. I always love how you can spark an idea of how I can make my day better in every post you write.
Yes–how special a tablecloth and candle makes a meal! I can't even remember the last time, to be honest. How lovely. I wish it were more common over here. 🙂
You are so right. Not much tablecloth use anymore except for holidays. Guess we are on the run too much! Love it Miss K!