Food & Entertaining
Rustic Elegant Autumn Tablescape
I love setting an autumn tablescape, especially outdoors. The weather is cooler and it gets darker earlier which is perfect for a candlelit table for fall.
I love setting an autumn tablescape. Maybe it’s because fall is one of my favorite seasons for entertaining and using my screened-in porch. The weather is a little cooler and it gets darker a little earlier which is perfect for a candlelit table for fall.
Fortunately the weather cooperated for us last Saturday for our dinner party that we held for some dear friends.
Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop
Chloe from Celebrate & Decorate recently invited me to join her Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop. Since I love setting a pretty table and had plans for our dinner party, I was excited to accept her invitation. The biggest challenge was setting the table, taking pictures and then cooking for six, all in the same day.
Rustic Elegance
This time of year lends itself to a more rustic, masculine form of decorating which I have always liked. Think Ralph Lauren. Heavier fabrics, leather and suede, plaids and tweeds, jewel tones. All right up my ally.
I used to love going skiing out west. The resorts were beautiful with their rustic elegant decor with items such as antler chandeliers.
HomeGoods for Accessories
I had a gift card for HomeGoods and decided I would like to get some new accessories for this autumn tablescape. Words can’t express how excited I was when I saw these brushed silver antlers by Tahari. I knew they would help me create the look I was going for.
For a topper, I picked up this plaid throw which was perfect to layer over my black tablecloth. It had great fall colors of gray, camel and black.
HomeGoods had these pretty two-toned camel tweed napkins with fringe. I could vision the tablescape coming together in my shopping cart. I like adding different textures to the table.
As you can see in some previous posts, I have a thing for individual serveware such as shot glasses (click here and here) and mini plates. Following suit, I fell in love with these individual cheeseboards which look darling at each place setting.
Tablescape Prep
Personally I love fresh flowers for a centerpiece. They give life to my table! I found some beautiful flowers that were perfect for a fall centerpiece. Some of the flowers were reminiscent of wild flowers from the mountains.
I especially loved the burgundy dahlias that looked like velvet. Unfortunately, the dahlias weren’t as fresh as I thought and they started dropping petals like crazy. Hence, you don’t see many in my arrangement.
I always gather my tableware on a tray to take out to my porch. It makes it so much easier to set the table without making so many trips to my kitchen.
Because it is fall and by the time dessert is served, it can be a little chilly. I like placing shawls on the backs of the chairs for my girlfriends.
It’s nice to have a bar set up near the dinner table too. We have a baker’s rack in our sun room that I also use for holding the serveware. It’s nice to have the food nearby for those that want seconds.
Autumn Fall Tablescape
I took these pictures during the day and am missing my votive candles that I added right before dinner.
For casual table settings, I like using my stemless wine glasses. The best part is that they can go in the dishwasher!
You can see the missing votives below which I added right before my guests arrived. I’m always adjusting things as the day progresses. I also decided to add my slate lazy suzan as a base for the vase. It added texture and the rich slate color to the tablescape.
By the time this picture was taken, dinner was over and our guests had gone home. My husband was enjoying a cigar and I was sipping on some wine, celebrating a fun night and what we felt may be the last dinner outside until spring.
Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop
A special thanks to Chloe for inviting me to share in this fun Blog Hop. It was so much fun pulling this tablescape together.
Please stop by these other blogs to tour their festive Autumn Tablescapes.
Monday: Everyday Living | My Kentucky Living Blog | Starfish Cottage | Up To Date Interiors | Twelve on Main
Tuesday: Life and Linda | CoziNest | Ramblings of a Southern Girl | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Celebrate & Decorate
Wednesday: Home is Where the Boat Is | Casa Watkins Living | Belle Bleu Interiors | Dining Delight | Rustic & Refined | Sweet Sensations
Thursday: PANOPLY | The Painted Apron | Exquisitely Unremarkable | Flourish & Knot | Little Bits of Home
Friday: Bluesky Kitchen | Farmhouse 40 | Designthusiasm | Red Cottage Chronicles | OMG Lifestyle Blog | Knock It Off Kim
Food & Entertaining
Beautiful and Creative Number Cakes
OMG, I’m in love with these gorgeous number cakes. They are a wonderful alternative to the traditional birthday cake. Today I am sharing both beautifully decorated number cakes as well as tips on how to make them.
OMG, I’m in love with these gorgeous number cakes. They are a wonderful alternative to the traditional birthday cake. Today I am sharing both beautifully decorated number cakes as well as tips on how to make them.
Gorgeous Number Cakes
These two cakes are just a couple of Adi Klinghofe’s creations. They are a work of art and so creative! Be sure to follow her Instagram account for more inspiration.
Use Cupcakes to Form Your Number Cake
Another creative account to follow on Instagram is Sophia Mya Cupcakes. I love her inspiration for using cupcakes to form the number.
Number Cake Using a Mold
Lekue silicone cake molds are available in numbers 0-9. You can create your own number combination for a special birthday party celebration. An easy yet elegant way to decorate a cake is with a variety of berries. I love the look of leaving the leaves on the strawberries.
Other Ways to Make a Number Cake
This infographic from Today’s Parent shows how you can make any number using an 8-inch round and 8-inch square cake pan.
I found this picture floating around Pinterest, however the link attached to the photo was not a working site. I wanted to share it because I feel it helps to see how they put the actual cake together to form the number.
Use Cupcakes to Form Number Cakes
As you saw above, you can form cupcakes into the shape of your desired number. It makes it easy to serve as no cutting is required. The number 2 cake above is festive with the floral pattern on both the cake and the serving board.
In need of a large serving board? You can use a large piece of cardboard or corrugated poster board and cover with foil.
The patterns below will help you decide how many cupcakes you will need to create the desired number. Depending on the size you want, you can use either regular sized cupcakes or mini cupcakes.
Which cake was your favorite?
Party Decorations
Need decorations for a milestone birthday party? Read my post Festive Party Decorations for a Milestone Birthday for some great tips.
Food & Entertaining
6 Festive Heart-Shaped Cookies for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s a wonderful time of year to pass out treats to friends and family. Following are seven great heart-shaped cookies to give you some inspiration. I love the idea of putting just a few in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon to pass out gifts.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s a wonderful time of year to pass out treats to friends and family. Following are seven great heart-shaped cookies to give you some inspiration. I love the idea of putting just a few in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon to pass out as gifts.
Heart-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
Mallory from Chocolate with Grace says these Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies are super soft, decorated with a fluffy buttercream frosting. They look delicious!
No time to bake? If you live near Orange Grove, Texas, you can order these beautiful cookies from Blue Sugar Cookie Co.
Heart Shaped Gingham Cookies
Elizabeth from Sugar Hero came up with this clever way to create Gingham decorated Valentine cookies. She also has some fabulous ombre colored heart-shaped cookies. Head on over to her blog to see them.
Valentine Cookies with a Message
I love these cookies with a message, reminiscent of the Valentine candies we had as children.
Heart-Shaped Peanut Butter Valentine Cookies
If your loved one craves peanut butter cookies, these heart-shaped ones from The Semisweet Sisters are easy to make and no decorating required. Holly and Katie have a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these.
Festive Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie treats are delicious regardless of your age! These heart-shaped treats from Click Cut Create look great in cellophane bags that you can find at Michaels.
Visit these other posts for more Valentine inspiration including more cookies, desserts and ideas for a Valentine Party. Have fun creating!
Creative Valentine Sugar Cookies
Sweet Treats for Valentine’s Day Gifts
Valentine’s Day Menu Suggestions
Elegant Valentine’s Day Party Decorations
Host a Valentine Party & Skip the Hectic Restaurant Scene
Food & Entertaining
Hearty Sausage & Lentil Soup
I made the most delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup. There is something about making soup that gives me a creative license to experiment. Since it was cold and snowing, I didn’t want to venture out to the grocery store so it was more of a day to raid my fridge and pantry.
I made the most delicious Sausage and Lentil Soup. There is something about making soup that gives me a creative license to experiment. Since it was cold and snowing, I didn’t want to venture out to the grocery store so it was more of a day to raid my fridge and pantry.
Pantry Staples for Soup
I always have chicken broth or stock on hand; either homemade in the freezer or store bought in my pantry. I’m rarely without the famous trio of onions, celery and carrots. Lentils and rice are also pantry staples.
I just so happened to have some Johnson Andouille Sausage that I picked up last week so I decided to make a spicy sausage and lentil soup. It was time to get creative and I loved the results.
One of my favorite things about broth based soups is that they freeze well. We will enjoy a bowl of soup for dinner tonight and I will freeze the rest in individual portions. It will make a great lunch on a cold winter day.
- light olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 stalks celery, sliced
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup lentils
- ½ cup white rice, rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb. Johnsonville Andouille Smoked Sausage, sliced
- Sauté onions and celery in olive oil until soft. Add grated carrots and garlic and sauté for two minutes. Add spices and sauté for one minute.
- Add rice, lentils and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add sausage and continue to cook until lentils and rice are done, approximately 20 more minutes.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper and crushed red pepper to taste. You may also need to add some broth or water. Remove bay leaves.
- Serve with warm crusty bread.
Other Soup Recipes Perfect for Winter
Following are some links to my other soup recipes. Enjoy!
Mom’s Healing Chicken Soup Recipe
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Home & Garden7 years agoOne Room Challenge | Great Room | Week Two
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Home & Garden7 years agoOne Room Challenge | Great Room | Week Five
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Food & Entertaining8 years agoHearty Sausage & Lentil Soup
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Home & Garden11 years agoHome Office Inspirations
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Home & Garden7 years agoOne Room Challenge | Great Room | Week 3
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Home & Garden7 years agoOne Room Challenge | My Great Room | Week One
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Food & Entertaining12 years agoEthnic Potluck Dinner Party
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Home & Garden7 years agoTake Your Houseplants from Dull to Shiny in Minutes