Category: Fall Entertaining

This category offers tips, inspiration and solutions for Fall Gatherings.

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Make a grand Entrance this Season.

Your entranceway is the first impression of your home or business to a guest or client. Your home may be lovely beyond the front porch or center hall but that first impression is already made. Or perhaps they make inside and forget the pots of dying plants and faded past season decorations for a few hours while they visit with you; they still have to leave sometime. As they are backing out of your driveway, what do they see? That is correct. Your entranceway. Dead plants and all.

Don’t be a victum of “S.E.D.” {Sad Entranceway Design}. This season create a fabulously welcoming porch or entranceway. Even a few minor changes can make a huge difference. Or perhaps you are ready for a full overhall? Either way, stick with me kid and we will make it happen. {Virtual and In-person plans available}

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Seasonal Decorating: Yes, Even in the South.

Although I am not exactly sure how it happened; It is October 5th already and Seasonal Decorating has kicked off in most parts of the country. October in the Northeast is a time of leaves changing, pumpkin patches, corn mazes {I mean the ones actually growing in the ground} and hay wagon rides with hot cider. In the South….not so much. After living all my life in the Northeast and now finding myself in the South this time of year is confusing to say the least.

Today it will be in the 80’s. I am wearing a tank top and flip-flops. How do you write about those cool fall nights with bonfires? October mornings with the fog hiding the turning trees? The sound of crisp leaves crunching below your feet when there is a pretty good chance we will head to the beach this weekend {at the very least a dip in the pool}. I have asked friends/clients in the cooler parts of the country to message me daily about the fall, “Tell me not just about the weather, but how it feels. Remind me of having to wear a sweater in the morning when at 12 noon on a sunny day you will not need it at all.”

This challenge carries over into my business. Seasonal Decorating is a huge part of my business. I use a ton of plants, live produce, and organic items in my natural style of decorating. This will be my 3rd Fall in the South and I have learned quite a bit about things you can and can not do as it relates to the Fall / Winter decorating. This year, my goal is to educate my readers and clients on some of the beautiful ways you CAN create the feeling of the season at your home. I will continue to write with my Northern clients & readers in mind as well {after all as they say “you can take the girl out of the North but you…..”. You know what I mean.} but also attempt to inspire the warm weather gang about how magical true seasonal decorating can be.

With this in mind: Today’s search for small mixed gourds, mini-white pumpkins and sunflowers was a huge success! I will be a busy lady this weekend placing them in bowls and scattering them around the house. {not to worry, pictures to follow for sure!} Enjoy! And please be sure to share your stories about the Fall in your part of the world so we can all learn.

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Festive Tailgating: Tips & Recipes

FESTIVE WEEKEND TAILGATING

  

It is Football time again and although I have to admit, I don’t track the rankings until literally days before the actual Super Bowl, I do LOVE this time of year for the mere fact that there are so many opportunities to do what I love: Entertain.

Getting together with neighbors and friends to eat and drink from the back of an SUV is a tradition not be missed. BUT, just because you might be in a field or parking lot is no excuse to lose your sense of style. Try a tip or two below for your game day outing.

TABLESCAPES & ENTERTAINING TIPS

* MVP Bloody Mary Bar *

Setting up the perfect display takes a little planning and preparation but once set up the work is done. For tailgating use various sized tubs that can be filled with ice. Keeping everything in one place, cold and making for easy clean up once the game begins.

* Show Your Spirit. Tastefully. *

You love your team. We all get it. So be a good sport and decorate the table supporting both teams. Use wheatgrass as the “field” and accents from your local party store to create a tablescape worth cheering for.

* Taking the Show on the Road *

A true tailgate takes place in a parking lot or field, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a gorgeous display. To create a backdrop for the food and beverage, lay a plaid or team logo blanket over the tailgate then begin to place your items with the dishes most likely to drip closest to the front.

* Green is Everyone’s Team Color *

Consider eco alternatives such as using ingredients are your vessel rather than disposable forks & plates to save on trash. Scoop chips work great for chili; Celery and pepper are ideal for dips; Wraps & Buns should be available for sandwich making. Provide an ample supply of eco-friendly napkins.

 

MENU SUGGESTIONS

{Image & Recipe Provided by The Soul of Health}

                                      Turkey Chili with toppings: Baked Chips, Green Onions, Sour Cream, Cheese

                                      Buffalo Chicken Wraps {by Can You Stay For Dinner?}

                                      Sweet Pumpkin Hummus with Apples and Ginger Snaps {by Knead to Cook}

                                      Spinach Dip with: Carrots, Celery, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Pita Chips {by Lindsey Isham}

                                      Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies {by Pennies on a Platter}

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MVP Bloody Mary Bar

Bloody Mary’s are a tradition in my family, a staple at all our get togethers.  I remember Sunday Brunch’s with various pitchers of fresh homemade mix on my Grandparents kitchen counter. My Aunts & Uncles pouring a tall glass and adding dashes of this, splashes of that, a few of these then stirring it all together with a tall stick of celery.

When I was able to move from the “virgin” version to a true “adult” version I began to learn that Bloodies vary not only family to family but geographically as well, with each person in need of a different sauce, powder or vegetable to complete it. And so the beauty of the Bloody Mary Bar is born. Each guest has the opportunity to select what they like, leave out what they don’t and perhaps try something new.

Setting up the perfect display takes a little planning and preparation but once set up the work is done. For tailgating I recommend using various sized tubs that can be filled with ice. Keeping everything in one place, cold and making for easy clean up once the game begins. Labels on bottles & vessels not only look great but come in handy to help friends mix as they wish and doesn’t require you to stand guard answering questions about what each element may be {unless you want to of course}. They can easily be made on your computer or purchased in various remade themes.

The below are my favorite items to choose from but feel free to add to you and your guests preference. Be sure to provide additional clean ice, glasses, straws, small wooden stirring spoons, and cocktail napkins.


Bloody Mary Bar Featured Picture 

THE BASICS

* V-8 Juice {it’s a standard and still delicious}

* Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix {there are many but I have found this is my favorite when mixed with V-8}

* Vodka {Everyone has their favorite…recently came upon 360 which claims to be eco-friendly..}

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ADD-ONS

  •  Lea & Perrins Original Worcestershire Sauce
  •  Intensity Academy Carrot Karma {An all natural carrot based hot sauce. You will never go back}
  • Horseradish {buy a local brand for freshness}
  • Cleaned halved Celery Stalks
  • Green Onions {ends removed}
  • Hearts of Palm {sliced in quarters}
  • Cornichons / Gherkins {I prefer Maille brand}
  • Spanish Olives
  • Lemons Slices
  • Lime Wedges {I like the lemons and limes in different shapes for contrast}
  • Celery Seed
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • Pepper Mill for Fresh Cracked Pepper

Most of All ENJOY!!

 

 

Be sure to visit the other fantastic members of Sunday Supper as we share our favorite tailgate recipes and tips.

The Lineup

Pre Game Warm-ups:

On the Sidelines:

Main Events:

Overtime:

From the Cooler:

Wine Pairings by Wine Everyday