A Season of Change

Well, giddy up! 

The sun is shining, the leaves are turning, and I've had one of the most amazing weeks of my life due to a decision I made to follow a new career path. 

In celebration that I actually made it through the whirlwind of the last few weeks, and that I am feeling a bit crazy, I combined a few of my favorite things to make this centerpiece - pumpkins, fall and cowhide - yes, cowhide. 

Crazy, right?

Here's to craziness and switching it all up!

A Season for Gathering

As the leaves transition to shades of crimson, amber and maize, it’s time to prepare your home for the holidays. Although it may be tempting to fast forward straight to Christmas décor, a holiday in which we give thanks and celebrate the season’s bounty deserves its own day in the spotlight.

Here are some ways to make your Thanksgiving dining table a showstopper:

Start with a neutral or solid color runner or table cover, then pile on the pumpkins, plates and glassware. The neutral background will help to avoid a busy look. 

Use white plates and serving pieces to allow your beloved family recipes to take center stage.

Play with color. Reds, golds and browns are fall’s quintessential colors – give them an update by mixing in a complementary hue such as turquoise, green or purple. 

Using colored goblets, chargers or napkins is a good way to incorporate the additional color.

Get personal. Pull those heirloom pieces out of storage and put them on display. Nothing evokes family memories like grandma’s china, vintage linens or wedding-gift crystal.

Look to nature for inspiration. Include a little of the outdoors into your centerpiece. Branches, bittersweet, berries, pine cones and leaves will bring an earthiness to your table. 

Faux versions are just as beautiful and will last throughout the whole season, not to mention can be stored for years to come.

Generate movement by varying the heights of objects in your display. Stay away from any items that block guests from seeing each other across the table.

Get creative. A myriad of tags and cards are available at craft stores and are ready to personalize. 

Dress up your linens with extra silk flowers or branches by wrapping the stems around napkins.

And finally, set the mood – dim the chandelier and light some candles. The soft glow will create a warm and calming atmosphere for a relaxing meal, one where your guests will want to linger a little longer and savor the occasion.

Have a great day!

Autumn Apple Bars

We Midwesterners love our apples. Apple cider, apple fritters, apple pie, caramel apples – anything apple will do. With apple season in full swing in our region, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of the harvest and early fall weather with apple picking, apple festivals, apple baking, and just plain old apple eating.

Apple pie may be the most quintessential apple dessert out there, but why not use that just-picked bushel for apple tarts, apple bars, apple bread or apple anything.   

APPLE BARS

Like fine wine, these apple bars get better with age - becoming moister each day.  Don’t leave off the frosting - its sweetness balances the flavors in the cake beautifully. 

Servings: 25

3 large eggs
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ¾ cups sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups chopped, unpeeled Braeburn or Gala apples
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk

Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.

In a large bowl, combine eggs and salt. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until frothy, about 1 minute. Add sugar and oil; beat until blended. 

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Add to egg mixture; beat just until blended. Fold in apples, nuts, and vanilla. Pour into prepared pan; spread evenly.

Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned and set.

In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, butter, and enough milk to achieve a spreadable consistency. Spread over cake. When frosting has set, cut cake into bars. (Adapted from fall 2010 issue of Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate) 

Happy Apple Weekend!

Adorn your front entry for fall

From football parties and wine tastings to trick-or-treating and Thanksgiving, the fall entertaining season is upon us. Celebrate its arrival by giving your front door or porch an autumnal redo that will welcome your guests for any occasion. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Make it sparkle – begin your transition by tidying up a bit. Wipe down your door and give it a fresh coat of paint if needed. Clean surrounding windows, vacuum any cobwebs, and change lightbulbs if necessary.

Hang a beautiful wreath in rich and vibrant hues and upgrade your doormat– nothing says “welcome to our home” better than a colorful wreath and a fresh, clean doormat.

Replace faded, summer annuals in window boxes and planters with fall’s signature flowers – mums, asters, salvia and ornamental grasses will last well into the season. Embellish arrangements with bright and playful pansies, which do exceptionally well in cooler weather.

Pile on the pumpkins and gourds – stack short, flat pumpkins in urns for instant topiaries, arrange mini pumpkins in wire baskets, or line your walk with pie pumpkins. Use all white pumpkins and mums and watch them glow in the moonlight.

Incorporate baskets, buckets and wine crates lined with burlap into your display to create a rustic, farmhouse effect.

Add some glitz – use lanterns with battery-operated, outdoor candles; orange and black paper lanterns in covered areas; or hang strands of mini lights. Many are available in fun shapes like pumpkins, leaves and bats.

Be mindful of scale and proportion – if your entrance is tall, think big. Adjust your décor to take advantage of the extra vertical space.

And don’t forget the old standbys like corn stalks and bales of hay. With a few simple embellishments, your home’s entrance will be ready when the guests come knocking.

Happy Fall!

TGIFF

Thank goodness it's Friday, and a fall one! There's definitely a nip in the air this morning, and is that fall foliage I see?

Have a great day!