Over the last few days, a taste of fall has been in the air. Notable bright white sun-filled days, crisp afternoons, and cozy evenings set into motion ideas for a fall fête.
Summer and Fall
Today it is still summer,
Tomorrow will be fall.
I see the purple asters,
I hear the autumn’s call.
I feel the warm sun shining
As a balmy south wind blows;
I see the flowers blooming,
And I see the grass still grows;
The goldenrod is waving,
The bees are in the clover.
I hear a distant honking-
The geese are flying over.
The maple leaves are golden,
The pumpkins, round and yellow;
The apple cheeks are rosy,
The pears are getting mellow.
Photo by Jodie Morgan
The nuts are growing rounder,
The cornstalk brown and sear.
By twenty lovely tokens,
I know that fall is near.
Today it is still summer,
Tomorrow will be fall.
Today I still am barefoot-
Oh how I love it all!
Nona Keen Duffy
A host of ideas for celebrating the arrival of the third season of the year gathered together in good company starts a cozy at home conversation.
Cozy at home ambiance, a warm beverage, seasonal dishes-treats, music, great lighting, a pumpkin here, and a fall scented candle there come together for an inspired fall fête designed with KISS- Keep It Seasonally Simple in mind.
Exhaustive and overly elaborate prep, plate, and present raises the question, “Where’s the fall fun in this party plan?”
Settle Norfolk – Folk on Facebook
Harvest happenings either planned or spur of the moment set for emphasizing good times, good food, good conversation, and good friends make a moment and a good memory- the stuff life is made of.
Colorful Fall Printable from Refresh Restyle
Seasonal beauty abounds in this lovely fall printable from Refresh Restyle.
Invites.
Place cards.
Framed favors.
Link to the free printable is provided under the image.
Accents in amber orange, husks, and pumpkin anything and everything gets you where you need to be, stretching your decorating dollar speaking.
Harvest into Halloween into Horn of Plenty decorative pieces stretch the uses and the dollars.
Pick up smaller wreaths to use as candle rings.
Surprised sums it up regarding my purchases (bought four of these candles for the fall into winter 2023 season). For under $5 your entire house will come alive with the scent of soft spiced oranges with a hint of cinnabar.
Better Homes & Gardens Farm Apple Pumpkin Scented 2-Wick Candle- Frosted
For under $10 the scent of apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, orange and maple butter grant house and home the inviting fragrance of fall.
DIY Project Time
Give gourds a wipe down and cut off the stems as close to the base as possible.
Using a spoon, scrape and clean out the inside of each gourd.
Use a drill with a paddle drill bit (and with caution) to drill a hole approximately ¾ inch deep into the center top of each gourd.
When completed, wipe area clean and place tealight candle into hole.
Southern Living Magazine – Photography by Van Chaplin
String lights.
Pumpkin.
Walnuts.
Candle.
Elegantly simple presentation guaranteed to capture the eye and the heart of the autumn admirer.
Rust And Gold Pumpkin Tablecloth
Entertain the thought of using a soft colorful throw as your tablecloth choice.
Cool, crisp, and cold weather signals it’s time to pull out the blankets and throws, start a fire in the fireplace, bedeck the abode to fit the season, and invite friends over to gather together for a it’s fall y’all celebration.
Fall Gold Leaf Tray by Place & Time
Part of the fun of entertaining is coming up with festive and creative ways to put a festive spin on the presentation of drinks, snacks, entrées, sides, and desserts.
Better Homes & Gardens shows how using a hallowed-out pumpkin lined with a fall themed kitchen towel as a serving bowl for chips brings the fall harvest serving A game to the table.
Apples and cheese make tasty pairing partners, and these appetizing apple-shape cheese are so simple to make.
Begin by rolling your favorite choice of soft cheese into a ball.
Coat the cheese in smoky paprika, finely crushed pecans or walnuts, minced fresh herbs, or crushed gingersnaps.
Press the top of the ball to create a spot for the stem.
Finish the “apple” by inserting a branch with leaves or a pretzel, bread, or cinnamon stick paired with a bay leaf to create a stem completing the apple look.
Harvest Leaf-Shaped Mango Wood Tray Tabletop Decoration
Corn Shaped Vintage Table Serving Platter
Straight from the shelves and departments of your local grocery store items such as dips benefit from additional garnishes and ingredients.
Crumbled bacon and caramelize onions make excellent flavor additions to store bought French onion dip.
Ranch Quick Bread
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 package dry Ranch seasoning mix- 1 ounce size
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk**
½ stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup cottage cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter in a medium bowl until combined.
** How to Make Homemade Buttermilk:
Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk. Let stand at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes.
Add the cottage cheese and stir to combine. Pour mixture into the flour mixture.
Gently fold ingredients together until the flour is incorporated.
Spoon batter into loaf pan. Bake 50 minutes until golden brown or until knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
Allow bread to cool in loaf pan for 10-15 minutes.
Transfer bread from pan to bread board or wire rack or serving tray. Allow bread to cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Wrap any leftover bread in waxed paper and store in airtight container. I added fresh rosemary sprigs to canister for good seasoning measure.
Newly discovered fall favorite- Private Selection Cranberry Walnut Loaf Artisan Bread.
Delicious!
Grissini (Italian Breadsticks) with Three Toppings
Cream Cheese Herb Biscuits Recipe
Cream Cheese Herb biscuits stored in and served from a cozy cottage house cookie jar puts the home in homemade.
Biscuit, bread, and cracker basket options.
Acorn Wicker Basket by Ashland
Warm Brie in Puff Pastry with Sweet Honey, Fig and Savory Prosciutto
Ingredients
1 (8-12 oz) wheel of brie cheese
1-2 tbsp honey
1-2 tbsp fig preserves
Black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
4-8 slices thin prosciutto
1 egg, beaten
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
Directions
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Lay the thawed puff pastry flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the wheel of brie in the center of the pastry and use a knife to score the top of the brie in a crosshatch pattern.
Spread the fig preserves over the top of the brie. Drizzle with honey, then sprinkle fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of black pepper over the top.
Wrap the slices of prosciutto around the brie, then fold the corners of the puff pastry up and over the brie, sealing the edges.
Brush the puff pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with coarse sugar for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Bake the brie in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is deep golden brown and crispy.
Serve warm with your favorite bread or crackers for dipping.
6-8 servings
Photo by Rebecca McKenzie
Regional fruits are ripe for the picking, washing, slicing, and serving.
Photo by Katie Azi
Pumpkin is the star of the taste of fall show, and what would a fall fête post be without at least one pumpkin something recipe.
Photo by Katie Azi
Pumpkin Dip
Ingredients
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin (such as Libby’s)
12 oz. cream cheese (from 2 [8-oz.] pkg.), softened
1 cup (about 3¼ oz.) sifted powdered sugar
1½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1½ tsp. vanilla extract
Graham crackers, gingersnaps, piecrust cutouts, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans, for serving.
Directions
Combine pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and vanilla in a food processor. Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish; cover and chill 30 minutes.
Serve with an assortment of graham crackers, gingersnaps, pretzel sticks, sliced apples, berries, or pecans.
Grocery store deli rotisserie chicken saves the crisp fall day!
Oven-baked Polska Kielbasa (350°F for 20-25 minutes) smoked sausage drizzled with honey while still warm and before slicing is harvest hearty.
Acorn Squash Salad with Tahini Vinaigrette
Pumpkin Serving Spoons
Big Leaf Wooden Spoon
Just a bite samplings include autumn acorn salad, sausage, rice and cranberry stuffed mini pumpkins, Southern sweet potato casserole, and oven-roasted root vegetables with spicy pecan topping.
Sausage, Rice, and Cranberry Stuffed Mini Pumpkins
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup milk
¼ cup Southern Comfort whiskey
1/3 cup butter, melted
For Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup butter, melted
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. Boil sweet potatoes under tender. Carefully remove from heat, drain, peel and mash sweet potatoes.
In mixing bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, Southern Comfort, ground cloves and ground nutmeg.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.
In a separate mixing bowl, mix together brown sugar, chopped pecans, flour, and melted butter.
Spoon over sweet potato mixture.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.
Comfort food at its c’est si bon best.
Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping
Being in the moment enjoying guests means not always being in the kitchen. Keep it seasonally simple by amping up juices, coffees, waters, and teas using garnishes with the taste of fall.
Sparkling water (spiced apple, blood orange, cranberry apple) garnished with fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, or rosemary sprig.
Apple juice warmed on the stovetop with Red Hot cinnamon candies added until melted equals one easy and delicious fall favorite.
Flavored coffees leaded or unleaded warm the soul and take the chill off.
Cinnamon water is a recent fall perfect beverage discovery that’s as tasty as it is easy to make.
Begin by adding 2 cinnamon sticks to 2 cups of water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Allow concentrate to cool before adding to cold water and ice.
Comforting recipes full of down-south flavor speaks warmth, comfort, and cozy to me.
Pumpkin Coconut Fluff Pie
Ingredients
1 9″ graham cracker crust
1 8 oz container whipped topping
1 3.5 oz box vanilla instant pudding & pie filling
1 15 oz can 100% pure pumpkin
½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, add pure pumpkin, vanilla pudding mix, coconut, ground cloves, ground nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice. Using a wooden spoon, stir ingredients until combined.
Next, add vanilla and whipped topping. Fold until incorporated.
Spread the pumpkin fluff mixture into the graham cracker crust; cover with plastic wrap.
Chill covered pie for at least 4 hours to set.
Before serving dust the top of the pie with additional pumpkin pie spice.
Pumpkin whoopie pies- the taste of fall.
Hosting a fall fête is a crisp breeze when good ideas and friends come together.
