Sunday, October 03, 2010

Autumn Lunch with Friends

DSC_0082 framed

We had our Florida friends stop in for lunch recently while on their way up to

Albany, NY to visit their children.

We've known each other for over 24 years &

they were actually part of the reason we relocated to Florida in 1997.

I don't think she has forgiven me yet for moving back home to Ohio.


DSC_0092
I made sure to put out all of my autumnal decor because in Florida,

you don't get to see much of it.

I remember the first year I lived down there,

I tied corn stalks to my light post & set a few

pumpkins on hay bales at the base of it.

Within days, the heat had begun to deteriorate the pumpkins

& nasty red ants had invaded the entire scene.

Never did it again!



DSC_0087 removed

I put out my paternal grandmother's Carnival glass biscuit barrel

just because the colors go so beautifully this time of year.


DSC_0090


Up high, on the top shelf of the baker's rack, I have displayed her Carnival glass berry bowl,

her Fenton Carnival glass hat bowl

as well as a faceted Carnival dish in the beautiful marigold color.

I treasure each of these pieces, not for their monetary worth but because my

grandmothers hands touched them.

She, sadly, passed away 10 years before I was born.


DSC_0085


The bottom of the bakers rack has some wine bottles, a wine themed tray, my tea caddy

& my bread making bowl...with a pumpkin in it at the moment.




DSC_0119


I had some fresh flowers inside, for the little shoe-shine box my son-in-love made for me.

His mother had one that she kept herb pots in out on her deck.

It was destroyed in the winter weather so she asked him to replicate it for her.

That's how I got one, too!

Hubby has treated it with a coat of varnish to help it stay nice.


DSC_0094


The brilliantly sunny day for our lunch helped to

create some cool shadows.




DSC_0077

I used my everyday dishes along with last year's pumpkin plates & little bowls

from Walmart & I noticed yesterday that they have them again this year.




DSC_0078

Although these placemats photograph a redish burgundy,

they really go well with the dishes, honest!

I don't know why they photograph so off???

DSC_0079



I served homemade slow-roasted tomato (what else???) soup first,

followed by salad on these pumpkin plates

& a mixture of fresh fruit went in the little pumpkin bowls.




DSC_0080

A favorite fall candle sat next to a wire & grapevine bittersweet-pumpkin centerpiece.

DSC_0081
DSC_0093


Using my covered autumn pie dish gave a hint as to what we were having for dessert.



DSC_0086



However, the pie dish was a ruse....nothing in it!





DSC_0106


I made more of those darling individual lattice topped cherry pies

with the William-Sonoma pocket pie mold.



I just love that little thing & I'm going back to get the apple shape, too.


DSC_0107


My sewing friend & mentor, Carol, sent me the sanding sugar you see sparkling on the tops.

What a nice difference it makes in the appearance of these little gems...

Thank you again & again, Carol!!!


DSC_0108


They look like little diamonds sprinkled on top!


DSC_0103

The fruit was naturally sweet but I like to offer a topping to dress it up a bit.

If you haven't tried Marzetti's strawberry cream cheese fruit dip, you don't know what you're missing! YUMMO!!

DSC_0104
Pull up a chair & I'll drizzle some on this for you!


fondly,
Photobucket

17 comments:

  1. Rett, What a beautiful table setting. The cherry pies look so yummy. Love the post. Take care and have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh how pretty your fallness looks. I loved looking back at your pictures around town and the trip to the pumpkin patch as well -- Your little cutie doesn't know what she's missing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. WOW! What a wonderful lunch you served your friends. The table settings were gorgeous. All your photos were stunning! Thanks so much for sharing.
    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful settings and decorations! I know your friends enjoyed themselves immensely. I have put up a fall wreath, and that's it. It finally cooled down some last week, but now it's gotten hot again. We hope it will cool down before we get back from our cruise.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is so special that you have friends like that. You must have had a wonderful visit and you certainly set the table beautifully as always! Yummy food you served too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. scrumptious table setting & the food looks fab as well! We have been blessed in making wonderful friends all over the world - I hope that we are still dining with them 24 years from now! -diane

    ReplyDelete
  7. "Everything is SO PERFECT", I can not pick a favorite, Hmmm, I was thinking those little pies BUT they would disappear WAY too fast! LOVE all your plates.I LOVE your Carnival Glass Biscuit Barrel, how lucky to have a treasure like that from someone special... Thank you for such a wonderful treat...Hugs, Donna

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! I am so glad I caught this post. You have offered so much inspiration on how to decorate my bakers rack. I love your's by the way, it is gorgeous! Your carnival dishs are wonderful especially the one with acorns. I have two, a candy dish that was in my family growing up my mom gave me and one I bought. I adore mine as well. Your setting looks wonderful only to be outdone by your delicious menu. Sounds like you and your friend had a wonderful afternoon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely fall accents- love the carnival glass and the son in love planter.

    Nice shot of the pies with the sanding sugar- i am not fond of cleaning the lattice portion of the mold- thinking i need more practice.

    Lauren does not like apple butter either-and we made several pints.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your cherry pies look so pretty, Rett. The whole fall decor and the set up on the table and rack look very beautiful! I am sure you had a lot of fun visiting with your friends....Christine

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lucky Florida friends, to sit down to such a pretty setting.
    Those little pies are adorable - let's see the apple shapes when you find them. I think it would be nice to serve pie without the worry about how the first piece is going to come out of the pie plate - and not crumbs all about. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a wonderful welcome for your longtime friends. I'm sure you all lingered over this delicious meal with wonderful conversation catching up for lost time.
    Those little pies are calling my name. I think it's time to pull out the flour, heat up the oven, and make some of these for us. Thanks for the inspiration, Rett. ~ Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Rett, The pumpking table runner is a new pattern, from Border Creek Station Pattern Company, not even for sale until after October 24. The pattern is called 'For all the Right Seasons' and has applique for Thanksgiving/Autumn, Christmas, 2 for winter and Spring/Summer. If you e-mail me your address I will send you a pattern. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  14. My mouth is watering, and it's not just for the yummy desserts. What a gorgeous setting for your meal with precious friends...isn't that just the best! Of course, I am totally taken by the treasures from your maternal grandmother. I agree; just touching those dear jewels brings a tender smile to my face. Thank you for sharing your charming Autumn design and for stopping by my post. Come visit any time! Cherry Kay

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Rett, You have been MIA!
    What a lovely lunch table you set. I am sure the Fla folks were happy to see Fall colors!
    They have those little pie cutters in the Outlet. Do you have an outlet? I have the heart and the star and the pumpkin, The pumpkin was 2.00 last year after the season.
    Still looks like summer outside your window , here too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love your autumn table, Rett. Those dishes are so very pretty. The carnival glass is really special too. Your cherry pies are gorgeous and I'm sure delicious as well! I will be hosting a Pumpkin Party beginning on 10/26. I invite you and your readers to join me. Read about it here: http://foodasart-beth.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-pumpkin-party-please-join-fun.html
    Hugs, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rett, Your table is so pretty and colorful! And to be "breaking bread" with good friends makes it even more special. Glad you had a nice visit.
    Your grandmother's carnival glass is all so beautiful displayed on the baker's rack and looking out into the neighborhood from your window is such a pretty sight. No fall colors yet, I see. I just got back from FL to see some gorgeous colors finally emerging! Hope all is well up in your neck of the woods. ~ Sue

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I read them all & each one is so very special to me & I try really hard to return the visit!

fondly,
~Rett~