Friday, September 14, 2012

ORCHARD INSPIRED FALL TABLESCAPE

 Early fall is a favorite time for me; days still warmed by the last vestiges of summer, evenings punctuated by a crisp, cool breeze. It's a fantastic time for outdoor entertaining... 
 Hampton orchards are brimming with apples right now, ripe for the picking. We made our first trip to the apple farm last weekend and spent the afternoon climbing trees and loading buckets with dozens of crisp Granny Smith and MacIntosh apples. I like to pile them in an old wooden crate near the front door--the smell is intoxicating!
Enjoy the last days of summer with an autumnal inspired lunch and make it alfresco!
 Set the table with a rustic bulap cloth and surround it with fragrant pots of herbs, autumn perennials and apples for a burst of color. 
 Personalize your table--these minature baskets of candied walnuts taste as delicious as they look and are simple to prepare.
 A buffet lunch simplifies serving guests and looks so inviting 
I always keep a basket filled with colorful pashminas for guests to throw on when the night gets chilly
 no party is complete without a signature cocktail-for a fall soiree, stir up a delicious spiked apple cider cocktail  

  • 1/4 gallon apple cider
  • 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon schnapps
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cut into large chunks
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced

Directions

Mix together the cider, rum, and schnapps in a large pitcher. Add the apples to a small bowl and toss them with the lemon juice. Thread the diced apples onto skewers. Pour the spiked cider into glasses filled with ice, then garnish with an apple skewer and serve.

Cheers and Happy weekend!

6 comments:

Splendid Sass said...

I love fall, and I too am excited to see the cool weather moving in.
Beautiful post. The apples are so pretty int eh wooden crate, and the flowers are perfect.
Happy Friday.
Teresa
xoxo

JMW said...

Fall is my favorite time of year! Love these ideas for a fall tablescape. Beautiful!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Oh how I would love to go apple picking. Not quite as many opportunities here in Phoenix. Love the idea of the little baskets with candied nuts, will be doing that one for sure :)

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

I love all these ideas! Who wouldn't like to be a guest at that lunch? You've put me in the mood to call some friends over this weekend.

Hadley Court said...

I love the idea of having pashminas on hand for when guests get cold!

Unknown said...

Love fall myself and this is a great post. Apples are in their element in the fall and we are so lucky that farms invite us in to enjoy the process of picking and eating.