Autumn & Friends
John and I have hosted a Fall dinner party every year. We skipped one year while we toured New England for two weeks and the year after moving into our current home we had a larger cocktail party in order to include more friends.
Why Autumn? Well, for several reasons. For myself, Fall has always seemed like the beginning of the year. School starts, people are usually home from vacation and the season begins and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
This particular dinner we included just two couples. We thought it would be a more intimate dinner. The men all ride bikes and have many things in common. Us girls are all good cooks and were/are pushing the last of our babes out of the nest. We had much to discuss ;o)
The dining room in this house called out (loudly) for a round table. It does make it easier to squeeze a few more around the table when we invite more and a centerpiece just naturally fits better. I will say though that my heart yearns for a long dining table.
I digress...this centerpiece worked so well. I placed a large riser (not too tall) in the middle of the table and then arranged some fall grocery store flowers in three stemless white wine glasses. I placed one on the riser, two on the table and then filled-in with greenery. I put out the arrangement around lunchtime the day of the dinner so no water necessary for the greenery. The fresh flowers consisted of three colors of fall chrysanthemums and the greenery I chose was seeded eucalyptus and magnolia leaves. I also purchased some mini pumpkins, gourds, pomegranates and little cutie oranges.
After setting the three arrangements in place, I set the veggies and fruits interspersed on the center of the table and then filled in with the greenery. The fruits and gourds helped conceal the cut ends of the greenery. I also placed in the mix a variety of mismatched brass candlesticks. Brass is pretty year round but looks especially warm in the fall with burgundies.
I use colored candles sparingly but love these taupe candles with the brass and fall colors. You know, opposites attract.
I used from the shop our Winter Woodlands placemats and napkins. This particular pattern works great for Fall, Christmas and after the holidays during winter. It looks especially perfect with the Spode Woodlands china pattern.
My vintage 1980’s Fitz and Floyd Renaissance Green china looks wonderful with the hunter green and the white pumpkin bowls for my butternut squash bisque pops on the green and lightens things up a bit.
It was a successful evening. At 11:30pm one of the guys jumped up and exclaimed...we’ve been enjoying ourselves at the table since 7:30! We need to go home!
