AUTUMN LEAVES AND PUMPKINS PLEASE

I love everything about fall but the autumn leaves and pumpkin (everything) are always at the top of my fall love list. When I spotted the natural leaf wreath and all the variety of pumpkins at Trader Joes last week I knew exactly what I would be creating. . .

An Autumn leaf and pumpkin tablescape

 

Since the weather doesn’t feel like fall quite yet I decided to stick with mostly white pumpkins which still gives it a cool and light touch. I added touches of fresh white hydrangea along with some sunflowers and fresh cuts from my own garden.

An impromptu al fresco luncheon

When I began arranging all these autumn delights and the weather was outside was absolutely perfect, I knew it needed to be shared.  So I sent a few friends a message inviting them to lunch the next day. And let me tell you, this is the reason we create in the first place, to simply gather friends around a table and share an afternoon (or evening) of laughter, yummy food, and friendship.

*When I entertain like this, it’s a no stress, low maintenance kind of menu.  For this particular luncheon I threw together a fall salad: some spring mix and butter lettuce, pre-cooked chicken, apple slices, fresh pear, handful of dried cranberries, candied pecans, a package of spice flavored nuts (trader joe’s) and served it with a homemade maple vinaigrette.

As a fun side I served a peach balsamic bruschetta: buy a round loaf of raisin cinnamon bread (sliced) spread a generous portion of mascarpone cheese to each slice and layer with slices peaches.  Toast in the oven at 500 for about 4-5 minutes and then drizzle with a balsamic/honey glaze.

*For a fun fall drink I mixed 1 part peach nectar to 2 parts apple cider and 1 part ginger ale.

And of course we need a dessert, especially when one of the guest volunteers to bring it.

If you follow me, you know I love throwing big parties that take me weeks to plan but this kind of impromptu gathering is just as lovely and gratifying.  We don’t need to wait for an event, you can simply call a few friends and just open your front door.

*And just look how lovely it all works as an indoor table scape for the next week.

As always my friends, thanks for dropping by on this lovely autumn day. Oh, and a side note, I would love to give you a Tuesday Tablescape each and every Tuesday but you know me, that’s probably setting a really high (like way too high) goal.  So for now, I’ll just continue to surprise you when I can.