Sunset Tablescape in Memphis

Memphis in May is celebrated this weekend with music and a huge barbecue cooking contest along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis. Thousands of people will be in the Bluff City from all over the world and it's three days of fun! So today's post celebrates Memphis Tennessee, home of some great barbecue and blues. Far above the smoke that drifts heaven bound from the hundreds of teams of competing cookers is a penthouse that overlooks the excitement below and the Memphis sunset. I have attended many glorius parties there and always have a wonderful time. The hostess is no other than Pat Kerr Tigrett, bridal gown designer, philanthropist, businesswoman and friend.

The view from the penthouse, overlooking the mightly Mississippi at sunset can get pretty magical. In the background you can even see the famous "M Bridge." If these walls could talk, goodness gracious, volumes of best sellers could be written. The dining room has a lipstick red ceiling to match the walls and some of the finest Southern staples have been served off British family silver to a who's who. Titans of business such as the Chairman of FedEx have been guests at parties here, Vice Presidents and men who aspired to be President, add assorted New York, Palm Beach and Houston socialites, the second man to set foot on the moon, entertainers including Elvis and Priscilla and Cybill Sheppard. Mix with them family from rural west Tennessee, artists from New York, a smathering of billionaires, media moguls, nationally recognized men of the cloth and oil barons from Texas. Oh yes and there were Broadway producers, pop stars, civil rights leaders, international financiers, and a lawyer, a doctor, Danny Thomas and the crew from St. Jude also. Oh and there are scads more, but they all were greated royally upon arrival and when they left, they had all been exposed to Southern hospitality.

"Fire and Ice" Dessert

Silver Bowl
2 quarts premium ice cream (in scoops)
2 cups shredded coconut
Long slender birthday candles

Place fresh fruit or leaves and flowers around base of silver bowl. Ice cream scoops piled high in bowl; sprinkle with coconut. Pass hot chocolate fudge sauce and strawberry sauce or your favorite liqueur. - Pat Kerr Tigrett

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