Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Informal Autumn Luncheon





Yes, I know today is Wednesday, but I'm posting my "Tablescape Thursday Post" a little early. This is a post I did when I first began blogging, so please excuse all the spacing issues! Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is hosting the tablescape display. Check out her site later on this evening for all the great entries. Thank you Susan for allowing me to participate in this fun event!




My tablescape is an Informal Autumn Luncheon I hosted last year at our home in Mississippi. This is our table in the breakfast room and the food was served from the sideboard in the adjoining hearth room. Let's take a peek:




Informal Autumn Luncheon






Pumpkin Soup Tureen Centerpiece

Menu Card


Lunch Served Buffet Style


Pumpkin Cheese Ball


Spooned Southern Caviar

Miss Janice's Salad
Walnut Crusted Chicken with Pumpkin Sauce


Pumpkin Pie and Hot Apple Cider




This informal tablescape was set with autumn-tone dinnerware and glassware (purchased several years ago from Stein Mart). The butternut squash soup was served at the table from the pumpkin soup tureen (a Homegoods find). The gold-tone flatware was a gift from my mother many years ago. Autumn-theme place cards, pumpkin napkin rings, and a menu card brought the tablescape together to create a relaxed, but festive fall setting. The spooned Southern caviar is a recipe that helps to Make it Southern. Yummy pumpkin pie and hot apple cider was served fireside in the hearth room.


Autumn Luncheon Menu
Spooned Southern Caviar*
Pumpkin Cheese Ball with Green Apple Slices
Miss Janice's Salad**
Butternut Squash Soup
Walnut-Crusted Chicken with Pumpkin Sauce
Pumpkin Spiced Iced Tea
Pumpkin Pie and Whipped Cream
Hot Apple Cider


*Recipe for Southern Caviar
1 green onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 can black eyed peas, drained
1 can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1 can shoe peg corn, drained
A small amount of Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients and serve on large spoons.



**Recipe for Miss Janice's Salad
Mixed greens
Dried cranberries
Glazed pecans or chopped walnuts
Crumbled low-fat feta cheese
Trader Joe's Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette



I hope y'all have enjoyed visiting with me today.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Miss Janice! What a beautiful table you've set! I certainly would have loved to have been on your guest list! The food sounds so scrumptious!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Myrna said...

Wow! I can't find anything 'informal' about it! (wink)--it is all so lovely--you thought of every detail.Beautiful job! Thanks for sharing the recipes, too!

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Lovely table...just lovely! Love the menu card, the goblets (great color!) & the dessert & appetizer signs! But most of all, I loved your pumpkin-shaped cheese ball...I'm sooo making one for Thanksgiving!

BTW around here we call that Texas Caviar ;o)

Melissa Miller said...

Hello Miss Janice, Thank you so much for visiting my new blog and Congrats on yours as well. ~Beautiful job with it.~ Love your elegant luncheon tablescape. The dishes and pumpkin tureen are divine. The menu card placement is an adorable idea! Thank you for sharing your recipes. My mouth is watering at your pumpkin pie photo. I kid you not! Please come visit me anytime. You're always welcome. ~Warmly, Melissa

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Miss Janice, Thank you for visiting my blog today and your nice compliments! Your tablescape is really pretty. You did a great job. It looks like I'm going to get alot of great ideas from you! Welcome to blogland!! Kristen

brettinsky said...

This is just gorgeous! I love the menu card, where did you get this? I have been looking for one of these!

Oh, and I love the "you might be a southern lady if..." on your blog-so true! I am glad to be a southern lady!

Anonymous said...

How pretty! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I will certainly come back to yours for more entertaining ideas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your darling comments! I'm horrible at refinishing furniture, I just found that out 5 minutes ago ruining a tea cart :(. Now I have to take it to a professional to beautify it for moi. The rabbit, the menu card, actually the whole setting is very formal yet inviting. Beautiful post!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Welcome to the blogging world and thanks for stopping by. Your table looks wonderful and I am intrigued by those spoon appetizers! I want to find some of those menu card holders before the holidays. I plan on entertaining a bit! Have a great week!!

Melissa Lester said...

Well, I definitely dropped by here on the right day! I love a pretty tablescape, too, and your luncheon sounds wonderful. Reading your profile, I see that we enjoy many of the same things. I look forward to more friendly visits to come!

RetiredAtLast said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RetiredAtLast said...

This is a beautiful table setting. I hope you will post often.

Carrie said...

I foound lots of great ideas in this post!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I love those pretty plates with the "lacy" edges. Love the idea of serving the Southern Caviar on spoons. Sure looks like Fall to me. lovely. laurie

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Janice,
Wow, love this tablescape...and those napkin rings stole my heart! I have got to try the Spooned Southern Caviar...sounds yummy! I love the way it's served, too! So glad you posted this warm and inviting table! Susan

lvroftiques said...

Beautiful table! And the food looks delicious too!*winks* Vanna

Salmagundi said...

How wonderful with a beautiful table plus some new taste treasures to try. Sally

Bo said...

Hi...what a beautiful luncheon table & menu you have shared. I'll look forward to seeing more in the future. ;-) Bo

Unknown said...

What a lovely table! Very inviting!

Thank you for visiting me and your kind words. I will be back to see your blog again!

~Liz~

Jean said...

All I can say is WOW.
Jean in Virginia

Diana LaMarre said...

That is just lovely, Ms. Janice.
I especially like the extra detail of the bows on the end of the appetizer spoons.

Miss Janice said...

Yes, that is correct!

Teresa Jane said...

Yes, as usual very pretty Miss Janice

What Kate Wore said...

This is fabulous Miss Janice, that Pumpkin Cheese Ball looks killer!

Smiles to you,
tp

Joyce said...

Pumpkin sauce oh that sounds delicious!
Joyce

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Miss Janice, next time you have an informal luncheon count me in! So inviting. The southern cavier is fun and creative. Your table is beautiful.
Thank you for all the recipes!
Yvonne

g.suzie said...

Delicious and beautiful too,killer combo. . .Love it all!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is beautiful -- and so elegant -- just like you!

susan said...

Janice-I love your table and your menu sounds elegant! Love the pumpkin cheese ball. Read your profile; you are a woman after my own heart! Thanks for sharing your table and recipe! how about the soup recipe? :)

Julie said...

This is just a gorgeous tablescape...
xoxo
Julie

Krystal Kats said...

HI Janice I love your fall table! so gorgeous! I have the spacing issues what's up with that? sometimes all is well others all messed up. Have a great evening. Beautiful TST! thanks for sharing with me!

Kathleen said...

Beautiful table, I love the dishes..
I didn't see this last year, so it's new to me!

Barbara said...

AHHH, Miss Janice, Lunch was perfect, complimented by a beautiful table.

Thanks for having me in for lunch.
Everything looks great and food sounds great.

Barbara

A Hint of Home said...

Beautifully done, Miss Janice. Love the pumpkin tureen and your pretty dishes!
Thanks for sharing the recipes. It all looks scrumtuous.

Yellow Sun Soaps said...

Beautiful fall table. I love your pumpkin cheese ball, what a clever idea.

Sue said...

This is a party I would love to attend. I enjoyed my first visit to your blog very much. Everything looks perfect.

Sue

nannykim said...

So pretty....just wish I wasn't on a special diet! BUT I can have cider and I am going to go heat some as I write!!

Spindle Cottage is my house blog

Michelle said...

Happy Fall! Your tablescape is beautiful! Please stop by for a visit soon.
Michelle

Lisa said...

How creative! And such a welcoming table~ thanks for sharing! I was hoping to see the recipe for the Walnut Chicken with Pumpkin Sauce~ Perhaps another post? Thanks again!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Janice,
Oh, so glad you did repeat it...it's beautiful...gorgeous color scheme. Love that cheese ball...so clever! Thanks for the yummy recipes...I want to try that salad!
Susan

Kathie Truitt said...

I'm having a dinner party tonight and am having the slow-cooker chili in the crock pot (recipe found towards the back), and I also prepared the onion/bacon dip.

PoshMomma said...

You are just so lovely. Your posts & tweets make my day. Write a book! I'd carry it with me everywhere & I'd look at the pictures & read your words when the gloom of the world got too much. You are sunshine personified!

Melissa Miller said...

Miss Janice everything looks so beautiful on your table dressed for Fall! All of your food items are very delicious looking as well. Your tablescaping and parties are always impeccable.
I would love to attend just one!

I have found door toppers at various places over the last few years. I will list every store that I have seen them at and I do hope you find something beautiful very soon. They are such a wonderful way to add charm and style to a room. One of my favorite things to decorate with.

Ebay, Pier 1, Kirklands, Michaels, Marshalls, Ross, TJMaxx, HomeGoods, Ballards catalog, and the best source to me is the "Touch of Class" catalog online. Good Luck!

~Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)

Melissa Miller said...

Oh how neat to see one of the very first comments I ever left for you here. I began blogging on the 1st of November 08'. :)

Sarah said...

What a lovely fall luncheon. I'm so glad you shared this again, because I'm a new blogger and hadn't seen it. I certainly like the color of these dishes and all the details make this a stunning setting. The spoons of southern caviar look delicious, and what a clever way to serve this item.

PAT said...

Beautiful Fall table Miss Janice and the food looks wonderful too!

Happy Weekend!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What a beautiful table! And those recipes sounds wonderful...

Nanette said...

Very pretty, so warm and inviting!
Valerie

DecRenew Interiors said...

Great pumpkin cheese ball!

Deanna said...

Your Informal Autumn Luncheon is so delicately set out and looks awesome!
Must have been Autumnatious!!!
Just made that word up, but at any rate this looks great,
d

Pearl Maple said...

Miss Janice, you do know how to host a party. The Southern Caviar looks yummy. Thanks for sharing all the lovely little thoughtful details.

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

May I have the recipe for your pumpkin cheese ball?

The Hayden Family said...

Might you share the recipe for your darling pumpkin cheese ball? My mouth is watering and so are my eyes - what a lovely tablescape!!!

Miss Janice said...

Hayden Family....I have posted the recipe as a comment on your site...enjoy!