"WITCHEY BREW AND STEW" TABLESCAPE

Hey y'all! I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and all the other dishaholics for Tablescape Thursday.

Husband and I entertained a couple of friends from waaaaay back tonight, with a "Witchey Brew & Stew" on the porch. Both girls worked with us on cruise ships for many years. Our friend Joy lives in Savannah, Georgia and is a native of my hometown, Augusta. Gail is originally from way up north...New York City. Lord have mercy does she have a Yankee accent! She now lives in West Palm Beach.

Earlier in the day, here's Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, getting ready for company...

Let the party begin! Welcome to "The Roost"...
First of all..."Here's What I Wore"
I was sporting my usual ponytail, secured with a black grosgrain ribbon bow. It was a very casual event, so I wore a casual white blouse and khaki slacks with a "witchey" apron I found at Home Goods. I wore my Cartier roll ring wedding band and a pair of festive pumpkin earrings.

The menu for the "Brew & Stew"...
The Buffet-Style Food Table...

Some witches are really pretty--the centerpiece for my food table...

My "Witches' Brew" in a darling Halloween punch bowl with a black polka dot ladle, from Home Goods...

I served the "Witches' Stew" in these cute Halloween mugs, also from Home Goods...

Toppings for the "Witches' Stew"--the bowls and serving spoons also from Home Goods

Creepy pigs-in-a-blanket...


Boo Y'all!

Boo-tilicious brownies adorned with Martha Stewart witchey picks...

The Beverage Serving Cart


Hallowine y'all?

The Dining Table
The Halloween-themed plates are from Home Goods, and I used natural wreaths as chargers, available at Hobby Lobby. The solid black napkins are secured with "witches' hat" napkin rings, from Dillard's. The festive hats are "Glitterville" party hats by Dept. 56. The black goblets were purchased at Hobby Lobby and the black flatware was purchased at World Market. The party favors doubled as my place cards and are tins of Orange Hot Chocolate--by Mary Englebreit, also from Home Goods. I couldn't resist this "good witch" as my centerpiece, from Stein Mart. The black and white gingham tablecloth was custom-made for Miss Janice. She's a good witch--my centerpiece...
Festive Halloween party hats...
Y'all don't forget your party favors!
My party favors doubled as place cards...

*Recipe for Miss Janice's Salad:
Toss together the following...
Mixed greens
Dried cranberries
Glazed pecans
Crumbled feta cheese
Trader Joe's Red Wine & Olive Oil Vinaigrette

** Recipe for Witches Brew:
2 3 oz. pkgs. lime flavored gelatin mix
1 qt. hot water
1 46 fluid oz. can pineapple juice
2 12 fluid oz. cans frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
2 cups white sugar
4 1/2 cups cold water
2 liters ginger ale

In a large saucepan, dissolve the gelatin in 1 quart of hot water. Allow to cool. When gelatin is cool, pour into a large punch bowl. Stir in pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate, sugar and 4 1/2 cups cold water. Pour in ginger ale just before serving.

***Recipe for Witches Stew:
3 tsp olive oil
2 lbs ground turkey
2 onions, chopped
4 cups water
2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 16 oz cans kidney beans, drained, rinsed, and mashed
2 tblsp garlic, minced
2 tblsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place ground turkey in the pot and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion and cook until tender.

Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, mashed kidney beans, and garlic. Season with the chili powder, paprika, oregana, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Whew! A great evening with old friends and good food. Thank you for stopping by today. Don't forget to stop in and visit all the other tablescapes at Between Naps on the Porch.