Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tablescape Thursday: Canine Seder

Our dad Scott is Jewish, and our dad Artie is Christian, but that doesn't mean that we can't be worldly and culturally sensitive puppies. We celebrate all major Jewish and Christian holidays, and though that might be confusing for some pups, we think it's pretty cool. So tonight, on the first night of Passover, we set the table for a traditional Seder.

A Passover Seder is a Jewish feast, celebrating the Exodus from Egypt, and thus the Jewish freedom from slavery and imprisonment. The centerpiece to every Seder table is the Seder Plate
which holds six symbolic foods: Maror (in this raddishes), Charoset, Karpas, Z'roa, and Beitzah (a hard boiled egg). These foods serve as reminders of sacrifice, tears and bitter, harsh treatment Jews endured while enslaved in Egypt.
During the meal, the entire table reads from the Haggadah which is used to set the order of the passover prayers and courses. (There are several - including Matzoh, lots and lots of Matzoh!) Oooo, and dad says wine, too! Drunk leaning to the left! And this time because the book says ... yeah, right!

Our dad Artie is very culturally sensitive. He's really interested in new things, and was particularly interested in the Seder. We think it had to do with the tablescaping. He ran out and bought blue plates! Now - this isn't traditionally what you'd do for a Seder, but dad thought that it would be a nice touch, and a simple tribute to the blue you see in the Flag of Israel.

We couldn't find blue flowers though, but we came super close with the Iris. You'll see a small bowl at the top right of each plate. D and I set these there for the salt water each person at the table dips their Karpas (in this case Parsley) into, at the beginning of the meal.

And even though there were only 5 people at the table, we set a place for Elijah, the prophet who visits every Jewish family at Passover. His wine glass was made by Noah - our fun little boy who likes to play!

Dad (Scott) made a great smelling meal. We never get to taste it. But we heard them yumming and ooooing, and "Oh you have to make that again Scott!" from the dining room:
Matzoh Ball Soup, and Salad opened the meal - of course with lots of dry matzoh to go around. Then he brought out the first ah! course: the lamb, cooked in and rested on a plate of delicious looking couscous and roasted vegetables. Then he brought out a tray of grilled to perfection asparagus, and there were little roasted red peppers and garlic on them too. Dad likes to cook them in a vinaigrette that has a bacon balsamic flavoring. Sure smells delicious! Then came the roast, a semi-boneless beef roast that was cooked medium rare and had the most gorgeous pink center - if only we'd been able to hold the camera steady enough to take a picture! Add in sweet potatoes, an onion souffle, and no one went home hungry.
We hope you enjoyed our first table scape. Dad says if the comments on this are good enough - he might let us do the Easter table scape too! So come on, let us know what you think! And don't forget to come back tomorrow! We've got Mister from Gollum's here to give a scathing tell-all, and a yuppy puppy giveaway you won't want to miss!

30 comments:

  1. I think you kids did a great job, and the information on Seder was a very nice touch. I bet it was a fabulous experience!

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  2. Wow! Amazing! I wish you lived closer I think we could be great friends! I would have you decorate my house and set my table every night! It looks wonderful.

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  3. Lovely. I like the way the flowers and candles are offset.

    PS Your livingroom/sunroom maeover was great, lightened up and Spring like.

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  4. All the best to your family at Passover. Thank you for the interesting descriptions and sharing your beautiful table with us.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  5. You two are amazing. I'm proud of you for blending your beliefs and traditions.

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  6. This came out really great, and liked knowing the details around the Seder tradition. You should definitely do Easter!

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  7. I'm adding you to my blogroll so I can keep see what you're doing . . . . Looking forward to the Easter tablescapes. best, -susan

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  8. Oh I love all this information and seeing your gorgeous table. Blue flowers are my favorite and a pain in the neck to find! Have two great holidays!

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  9. We are a muli-religion...Catholic, Protestant, Jewish family. Plus we are multi-national. It makes for an interesting mix and we love it!

    Beautiful table and fabulous post!

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  10. Hi Artie...

    I'm so glad that you stopped by my place for Met Monday...it was so nice to have you visit and I sure did appreciate all of your sweet comments, my friend!

    Well before I comment on your fabulous Seder tablescape, I just wanted to tell you how much I loved seeing your sunroom and living room transformations! Artie, you're so talented...both rooms look fabulous...I love what you have done!!! Beautiful, my friend!!!

    Okay..onto your Seder tablescape! Well I just love it...love that you have honored Scott's Jewish faith and traditions! I'm somewhat familiar with Jewish tradition but not the specifics and your post was so interesting to read!!! Thank you for sharing! And...what a beautifully done table...love your place settings! Ohhh yes, and the menu sounds divine!!! It's 7:50am here...and I'm NOT even a breakfast eater but after hearing the kids describe the menu...mmmm!!! By the way, cute post!!!

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari

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  11. Artie, Beautiful feast for the eyes and I keep scratching my computer screen thinking it's going to let me smell your Seder Feast! Would Scott consider sharing the onion souffle recipe? It sounds divine!
    Love the addition of the iris to each place setting. It's all about the details!!!!

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  12. I loved learning more about Seder from you. The table is beautiful - the irises are gorgeous and a great touch. Noah's glass for Elijah is wonderful, and so sweet. The menu sounds fabulous - what a feast - and for the eyes, too!
    It's great that you honor each other's traditions - and do them beautifully, I must say.
    xo Isa

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  13. Thank-you for wonderful insight into your ritual! And the Sarah too.she is one of my favorites...makes me cry. Oliver Wendell-my bassett --says hi to your pups!! love,kelee p.s. thanks for stopping by my place..,

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  14. Dear Poochies .... one great tablescape/dinner deserves another - so I imagine you will have much to share on Monday! Thank you, Dad, for sharing all of this with us. It's an important thing to do - keeping our sacred traditions alive.

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  15. What a wonderful way to celebrate each other traditions. Your tablescape is gorgeous. My fur babies say hello, they are peacefully snoring in the background. Oh, the life of dogs. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday,
    Kathleen

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  16. What a beautiful site!
    Each sense is considered, including the sense of humor. Even your musical selections are beautiful.

    Thank you for the experience, fellow W. NY'r!

    peace & puppyhood,
    Chuck

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  17. Oh you puppies did an absolutely tail wagging beautiful table. I am sure the smells from the kitchen were driving you nuts...the Sedar plate was fabulous.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings...

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  18. Score one for the puppies! They did a beautiful job. I can't wait to see what they do for Easter.
    hugs, b.

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  19. I wandered over from Tiney's blog; I hope you don't mind.

    Your post was quite eloquent... for dogs! :-)

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  20. Very informative post regarding Seder. Look forward to your Easter post and your place is looking incredible!

    G in CT

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  21. Artie, this is so lovely, and I learned some things I either had forgotten or never knew. By the way, that flatware is wonderful! laurie

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  22. Artie...this was sooo interesting since I know very little about Jewish traditions. Thanks for sharing this beautiful table...the food sounds amazing! Can't the pups have just a teeny, tiney bite? :-) Susan

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  23. While our Seder Dinner was far from the elegance of yours it was my first Seder. Awesome!

    I just have to say, though, I wish I had known that radishes were acceptable...I really don't like horseradish!

    Your table is gorgeous!

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  24. Beautiful table (Artie) as was the Sedar lesson you shared with us.
    -Brenda-

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  25. Beautiful words and such a hopeful moment of blending of faith without the need to indoctrinate. Such loveliness. And don't we deserve a huge amount of that right now? Best of the new season to you.

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  26. this is just gorgeous Artie= really the prettiest Sedar table I have ever seen, truly. just gorgeous!!!!! amazing.

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  27. Hi Artie,
    First let me tell you how much I enjoy your blog. You are so very talented! Also, your seder table is beautiful. We are a mixed family also, Catholic gal marries Jewish guy... Now I can't wait until to next year to use some of your ideas for the table. Also, loved wonderful description of Passover.

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  28. What a beautiful seder table. Love the new blue dishes.. Omg, I do think the Iris will do. Great great table and a gift of telling a great story.

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