Table For Two #4 – Breakfast On The Balcony

Breakfast has always been a meal close to my heart. So much so, that I once did a project where I made a new breakfast recipe every day of the year. As much as I enjoy making breakfasts for my friends and family, I also enjoy creating a beautiful table setup for the first meal of the day. So this week, we set up a beautiful table, on my brother’s balcony. And the 4 years old nephew and 12 years old niece were our special “guests” at the table. A small table for two, complete with rice crackers topped with yogurt and fruits, cranberry juice, mini croissants, freshly squeezed OJ, and more fruits. We also added a small bowl of marshmallows because I am a terrible aunt and let my little nephew get on an early morning sugar high.

Keeping It Simple

As you will see over the coming weeks that elaborate setups, with formal cutlery and layers and layers of plates and mats isn’t necessarily the way to go for an intimate and happy meal full of kids’ jokes and hearty giggles. I like to keep things simple, and most importantly, send out a message that you can create beauty and memories with whatever resources you have available at home. A small bowl full of gathered leaves, and a tumbler full of flowers picked from your own garden would work just as well at a table like this. You could even use disposable cutlery and plates if you are hosting a larger number of people. Really, anything goes! Just have fun.

Breakfast On The Balcony

Using a small table from Westside as the base, and a wooden shelf filled with potted plants as the backdrop, Noopur and I got working to create a small but pleasant vignette of flowers and food. I used a small cluster of Baby’s Breathe flowers, inside a decorative bird cage to create a focal point. We used a couple of medium sized, crystal cut glass plates, and linen napkins to create an extremely minimal setup. The mini croissants rested on a miniature cupcake stand, which makes a rather regular appearance on my own breakfast table. Clear glass bowls filled with assorted grapes and marshmallows bridged the heights from the plates to the cupcake stand and the birdcage.

Colours And Flowers

I used an Ikea throw on one of the chairs to bring in a splash of colour, which I feel adds so much more to a morning table setup done outdoors. A cane weave basket, filled with more flowers added a touch of rustic chic to the setup. Little details and decorative elements made sure that my niece and nephew had a plenty of pretty elements to rest their eyes on while slowly waking up at their own pace. They were quite thrilled to be the guests of honour at the Table For Two, especially since my pre-teen niece had loved the table last week.

Incidentally, we also discovered that a table setup full of fresh colours and flowers is a great way to get the two fussy youngsters to eat their fruits. The nephew did not even look at the marshmallows. I am thinking that a weekend breakfast table just might be a great way to end a slumber party at home!

Eat Your Fruits, Kids!

Despite their obvious enthusiasm, we could not have anticipated the excitement when I brought out the Rice crispies topped with yogurt and fruits. I also did a set with cheese spread and salsa, with microgreens. We have cracked the secret to get those greens into the children, people! I am doing a quick post on how to make these 5 minute snacks, so watch out for that! These would do so well at a tea party too. And the toppings options are just endless.

Why The Table?

A few people have asked this question: What is the purpose of setting up these tables? Well, for starters, I want to encourage mindful eating and conversations. When you eat at a beautifully set table, there is no desire to rush through your meal and gobble it up. And it’s a table for two, because one on one conversations flow freely and naturally. It could just as well be a table for four, or eight, or more. It’s your choice.

Also, we have somewhere forgotten to take time out for life’s simple pleasures. Table For Two reminds you that mealtime is more than just a passive consuming of food. It’s an everyday experience that we have started taking for granted. Serving of food is as much as art as the cooking of an elaborate meal is. So, I do hope that you will start setting up your own tables soon. In fact, it would be an honour if you could share your ideas with me as well. Looking forward to hearing from you all!