The Only Time I Like Orange...

is this time of year. I like a combination of fall colors. I'm not normally a "brown" person and orange is my least favorite color. But I love the combination of brown, orange, yellow and green right about now.

Tonight we're having a very few friends over for the Iron Chef Competition---except I've changed it to "challenge." The secret ingredient is pumpkin. I thought it would be too hard comparing apples to oranges. So, we're just going to enjoy a few pumpkin dishes. 

I have a lot of friends so inviting just a few is always tricky. I don't ever want to hurt anyone's feelings. But, as big as my table is, I can't fit 16 people! Not everyone reads my blog, so they wouldn't even know. Since my blog is another form of scrapbooking, I'm not going to "hide" the fact that I had something and only invited a few since I want it documented. I made the decision of who to invite based on who has invited us recently. Sounds fair enough to me. So on to it.

Setting the table is my favorite thing to do:

I've had these Fitz and Floyd candleholders for over 20 years now. I love Fitz and Floyd---just about anything. I'll refer to it as FF for the remainder of this post. The "loose"leaf table runner is barely visible. I've had it for years too. I have no idea where I got it. Pier 1 has similar place mats.

I don't care what it costs! You'll find FF mixed in with cheap stuff. Gold pumpkin from Pier 1 a few years ago. Notice the little squirrel---more on that later. 

A few years ago, I planned this cork craft project for family and friends. We each made 4 votive candle holders. I have them scattered around the table

The long view of the table. I love layering table cloths. Actually, if you want something fun, you almost have to. I use both leaves so the table is really long. I can only find basic cloths to fit it. The plaid one came from SteinMart a few years ago--cheap too. 

The napkins are really old---probably 25 years or more. Back then, I chaired the fall fashion show for many years for our woman's club at church. Every year, we made (not me personally since I don't sew) napkins to go with our theme and then sold them as an additional fund raiser. These are fall themed with leaves and indian corn on a dark green background. The napkin rings--are just fall colored, fake jewels. I don't remember where they came from--probably Pier 1. That's my favorite store for inexpensive holiday decor.

I've had these FF salt and pepper shakers forever too. Actually, FF is dated. I just checked. These along with the candleholders are from 1993.

I got these pumpkin plates on sale from William Sonoma a couple years ago. They are called Botanical Pumpkin. They still have them. They are 30% off now.  I don't have these but they are currently at Pier 1 and are so cute too. I love using paper plates as chargers. These shiny copper ones are from Hobby Lobby---really cheap.

This little grouping of squirrels including the one above and those below, I found at an antique mall while scrapbooking about 2 or 3 years ago.

Someone must have collected them. I paid $9.00 for all of them. This is the first time I've used them as we've been going to Charlotte for Thanksgiving for the past few years. Last year, I was laid up so didn't do any fall decorating. Notice the book---I like to use books for heighth in my tablescapes.

The large pumpkin at the center is actually a FF soup tureen (it is not dated, but I didn't have it before moving here nearly 22 years ago---so at least 20 years old. Pier 1 has this one.

I've had these pumpkin pots for a few years---they are little, so I don't think they are teapots. I don't remember where I got them. Made in China. 

 The little pumpkins scattered around came from Pier 1 last year. They come in a clear box and I think they are called "scatters." I also have these but didn't use them. They are still available.

The leaf bowls are from Pottery Barn and no longer available. I chaired a fund raising dinner for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center around 8 or 10 years ago. It was the first time The Lion King was coming to town, so we had a jungle theme. We also had leaf plates at the dinner. We sold the bowls and plates. I gave them as Christmas gifts that year. I've used these so much. They go perfect on my fall table.

The leaf placemats came from Bed Bath and Beyond a couple years ago. After Thanksgiving, I got them for 99 cents a piece! They are made from 1/4" thick, heavy felt. 

I bought this Mark Roberts fairy from a friend that was moving. I'm sure he has a name, but I didn't look at the "papers: when I took him out of the box.

Of course, none of my parties would be complete without table favors. Tonight it's Bath and Body Works pumpkin or fall hand soap. The guys are getting some little bottles of alcohol.

Now, for a few things I have my eye on to find on sale after Thanksgiving (or maybe before)--all from Pier 1:

 As I was making the tea for tonight, I realized that I do not have a fall pitcher.

 I think these napkin holders are so cute. Love the gold leaves.

 I'm sure I could use this platter on Thanksgiving.

These little squirrel place card holders are adorable. I do have some little pilgrims made out of clothespins that a friends daughter made that I use on Thanksgiving, but these would be cute to use as food cards for a party too. 

Who am I kidding? I haven't had a party in ages. I used to entertain ALL. THE. TIME. But now it's just a lot of work. Still, I have luncheons now and then. I like to do things at Christmas too. But for now, I'm enjoying the fall--at least until tomorrow when I put it all away! I have to get ready for Christmas. It will be here before you know it!

Leaving for our farm crop on Monday. Can't wait!

Friday Funnies

 Maybe I should do this now---just in case!

Halloween

I love getting Halloween pictures.

Morgan did the face painting. Butch was certain they hired a professional. I knew she wouldn't spend money on something like that since she's a poor nursing student!

 Carter and Morgan hamming it up.

These little boys just crack me up. Aren't they the cutest little pirates? They belong to my niece, Angie!

Nathan and Travis have some pretty cool looking pumpkins too!

This is my niece, Jessica and her family.  Jessica, Mike, baby Harper Monroe and Max. They are in Texas.

 We have no idea where little Josie got her red hair. That's a first for our family! As you can see, daddy, Greg doesn't either! Must be his side!

 Evie turns Josie in to a rooster!

 Mindy and Justin are in Disney this week with his family. They were at Micky's Scary Halloween party on Sunday. They made their costumes before they left. Mike and Sully from Monsters, Inc.

 Mindy is pretty crafty.

 Elizabeth is sporting her favorite color crayon.

We had quite a few trick or treaters this year---16! We only had about 5 or 6 the past couple of years. It's a pretty old neighborhood now, but I think it's turning over. We don't usually see any kids, but maybe on the other side there are.

The Weekend in Washington, D.C.

We had a great weekend. We were there for a meeting, but managed to work in a great dinner on Thursday night with friends, David and Linda. We went to The Prime. They are known for their prime rib--which Linda and I both had. It was the BEST prime rib I've ever had. Sometimes prime rib can be fatty--which is okay with me, but this was so lean--it melted in your mouth. Everything was good. We've decided that we'll go back there next year too.

We stay at the historic Mayflower Hotel. I love it!

 The lobby is beautiful with all of the crystal chandeliers. It's a fancy place for sure!

The rooms are really nice and spacious. I love the marble bathroom tile.

We had most of Friday free so we did some sightseeing. Butch had gone out early to do a little geo-caching. I met him at the Lincoln Memorial.

 We had been there before, but it never gets old seeing that giant sculpture of Abe.

We had to memorize the Gettysburg Address in the 7th grade. Rather than making us memorize it, I wish our teacher would have taken it apart and really explained to us what it meant. What was the point of memorizing something if you didn't really understand it anyway? 

We strolled through the Korean Memorial on our way to the WWII Memorial.

We can't remember why we didn't do this the first time we were here. It was amazing!

WWII and the Civil War are my favorites. I love everything about those time periods.

The leaves were starting to turn. Butch got this great shot.

 The reliefs at the WWII Memorial were unbelievable in the detail. Each one told a story.

And, of course, when you are walking around you have to admire the beautiful architecture. I love big cities!

We or I should say "I" had one little snafu. I realized on Saturday afternoon that somehow or other (totally my fault), my dress for the white tie dinner got left at home. I just told our friends what had happened. It wasn't all bad. I stayed in the room, ordered room service and had the best cheeseburger--while watching the World Series. I don't ordinarily follow baseball unless the Cardinals get to the playoffs. My sister, Janice and I have been betting on the series in recent years. I took the Cubs and she took the Indians. We have fun with it.

I actually had a good time all by myself!! Honestly, we've been to so many of these types of dinners--average food and boring speeches. Maybe I'll forget my dress next year!