Monday, October 14, 2013

Sharing the harvest

We had some friends over Saturday night to share the apple harvest.  I wish we could set these things up about a week ahead in order to get all the pretty party shots, but truth be told, I was running around arranging and setting up Saturday and the photography was catch as catch can.
Maybe that's the difference between a real party and a Pinterest photo shoot?
I love using the old crate my daughters picked up for me as a gift. A few clippings from the garden and some votives make a pretty display that just gets prettier as night falls.
 I set up a table for the coffee and home made cider.  Here it is before the carafes full of coffee came out. We froze some large cider ice cubes in small Tupperware containers to keep the cider cold and it worked very well. The sun was shining and the temps were in the low 70's so cold cider was appropriate.
 Did I mention the cider was home made? We would love to find a cider press for a reasonable amount, Earl actually saw one at a garage sale for $50 a few years ago and unthinking he passed it up.  He has lived with deep regret ever since, so the search for another deal like that continues.
I pulled out a large round tray that I found at a garage sale for 50 cents and filled it with oak leaves and those beautiful crabapples from the tree growing wild in our woods.  You can see in the photo above I also cut some branches from the tree, and Earl found some bittersweet and smaller crabapples that I stuck in a rustic old crock I had. The matching mugs come from the dollar store and we pull them out whenever we have a large crowd.  I feel it is often easier to entertain a lot of friends than it is to try to have a lot of small parties throughout the year, so when we have a party we invite everyone! 
I grabbed a photo of some of the guests enjoying the chili, cornbread, cider and apple pie. Earl manned a table making hot, fresh donuts using simple canned biscuits rolled in cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar, and our youngest guests raced around the yard exploring and playing games. Now that our own kids are all grown up it is so lovely to see and hear little ones playing in the yard again. 
I meant to get a photo of the food table but never got around to it. Once the party starts it's time to put down the camera and enjoy my guests! More guests arrived after this picture was taken.
 It was such a relaxing evening, sitting around the blazing fire with a simple meal, a great group of friends and some hot coffee and pie!  We laughed and talked well into the evening and the night was perfect!
How was your weekend?


12 comments:

  1. See? This is why I wished I lived near you! What a wonderful harvest party you had Kathy!

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  2. Oh Kathy, I don't care one bit that you don't have all that many photos. I'd rather have a report on a REAL PARTY any day than a Pinterest Photo shoot. I'm quite positive that all your guests felt very blessed for having been there. You put a lot into it which transferred into love to your guests. I love the idea of the easy donuts too. We need more people like you in this world!

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  3. This looks like fun. I love fall. The pictures are great.

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  4. You have a beautiful setting for a yard party.
    Your beverage table is very country with the crab apple accents.
    I bet it was enjoyed by all!

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  5. What a gorgeous setting for a fun party. Yummy food and good friends are the recipe for a good time!!

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  6. Oh my goodness, how lovely! You should be featured in a magazine. What a thrill to be invited to your house. It looks like a wonderful memory was made!

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  7. Very inspiring...the decorations, the menu, the hospitality! I'd love to do something like that. No, strike that, I'd rather attend a party like yours.

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  8. Kathy that sounds like just the perfect evening! The menu sounds great and the decorations are just beautiful! I'm sure everyone felt it was a magical night - it sure looks that way.

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  9. What a wonderful event! Would love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays this week! New Follower.

    Jody

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  10. Your table setting is adorable. Isn't it amazing how the simplest decorations can make the loveliest impact?
    I'm sure your party was a great success!!

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