Talbots for Spring

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Sunday, October 29, 2017

Fall Tour & Dinner Party


Hello, dear friends.  Happy Sunday!  I hope that you are having a good weekend.  

This post began as a Fall Tour of the house, and then I added some pics of a dinner party that we hosted recently.     






This year we decorated with mums, pumpkins just large enough for Chowdah not to fit into his mouth, scattered gourds that were strategically placed out of Chowdahs reach, and cabbage.  We usually jump the gun and plant too early.  By the time Halloween arrives everything is a depressing shade of brown surrounded by rotting pumpkins.
  


This year we planted a little later, and we are just going to make it to the finish line.




I took these pics over the course of a couple of weeks with different cameras and exposures.  Not because I wanted to experiment - I am just unorganized.  Ask my husband, Felix Unger.






Can you spell H-A-M?



He wasn't even offered a treat for these "candids."



This year, for the mantle I used Baby Boo pumpkins which are homegrown.  Not really - just wanted to see if you are paying attention.  I also incorporated scented pinecones, which, incidentally, does an amazing job camouflaging the scent of wet dog.



I also threw in some unpolished silver for a kind of a rustic look, or maybe I was just lazy.  You decide.








Lots of mums and my MC pumpkin that my buddy, KTG gifted me years ago.





I like to use cranberries and apples to freshen up the dining room.  Plus, I felt I was starting to overdo it with the mums.



This pic does not do them justice, but I found the prettiest tangerine colored linen placemats during my bi-weekly inventory inspection at Homegoods.  I also bought some burlap-looking napkins to go with them.  Again, carrying through on that whole "rustic" theme or maybe I bought them because they didn't need to be ironed.  
You decide. 








Enough with the table... on with the food.



Appetizers included the Mister's favorite tart shells with pork belly, caramelized pear, and blue cheese.




Also assorted sausage with dijon aioli and pumpkin hummus with pumpkin seeds and toasted Naan.



The chef spinning his magic and getting impatient with his gorgeous, younger-than-Springtime trophy wife for taking too many photos.



The entree was roasted chicken, creamed corn polenta, with oven roasted brussel sprouts, baby carrots, shitake, and prosciutto cracklins. 

Btw... am I the only one who has never heard of prosciutto cracklins before this post?






Why is dessert always my favorite?
The piece de la resistance was a caramel apple cobbler with a side of vanilla gelato topped with toasted marshmallows.

Nothing like a light, low-calorie meal to give you a good night's sleep. 


Until next time...




If these two hooligans come knocking on your door on Halloween... don't let them talk you into giving them any treats.  
Warning:  they are very persuasive and don't take no for an answer.


Linked up with:
Finding Silver Pennies
Metamorphasis Monday
Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

47 comments:

  1. Wow, just beautiful - magazine worthy, for sure. Your chef makes heavenly looking (and sounding) knockout meals. Your planting planning was spot on this year! Sadly, now, we have to adjust our sails and brace for Mother Nature's next act of freezing temps.

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  2. Love it when you post your chef's creations! I'll have some of everything and maybe seconds :-)

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  3. Your hose looks great! I was paying attention and was impressed that you grew those pumpkins for just a second! That food looks amazing! I am glad to know about those tart shells!

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  4. Your home looks lovely inside and out! And the food...my mouth is watering. And I am all for homegrown (someone else's), silver with character and who has time to iron?

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  5. What is the name of the dining room paint?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Niki - it’s called Alleutian Blue by Sherwin Williams. It looks different in the pics so try a small can. Have a great week.

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  6. How do you stay so slender with the Mister cooking such scrumptious meals? Your home looks so lovely and "fallish"!

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  7. Gorgeous decorating ! The food looked amazing too.

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  8. So aesthetically pleasing to all the senses. I love it all, Katie.

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  9. It all looks perfectly festive for fall. I came home from NY to find my asters all bloomed out, my mums looking dead, and squirrel bites out of my porch pumpkins. Reality!
    Dinner looks yummy. I'm thinking I need the recipe for that low cal dessert. 😋

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  10. Beautiful!! and does it sound crazy that I would, no lie, buy an airplane ticket and spring for a fancy schmancy hotel in the boston area just so I could come visit you and taste some of your mr's food??? Better yet, I'd just like to watch him prepare said food!!!! prosciutto cracklins?? pork belly?? Oh MY!!!music to my ears!
    Can you tell me where you found your red sofa? I'm in process of trying to refurnish my family room and I've looked at sofas until I'm sofa'd out. and then I see yours? Love it!!!!! Love the design

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  11. Your home is beautiful and the dinner party was a huge hit, I'm sure. WOW!!

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  12. The house looks just beautiful all decked out for Fall, Katie...and the meal? Well--beyond fabulous. The food looks delicious. My own husband cannot heat canned soup (not that I ever have that on hand) without setting off the smoke alarm. LOL

    Loved the pictures I saw of you with the MC traveling tote gals! What fun!!! Hope you have a great week. xo Diana

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  13. Your home is just lovely Katie...I love all the colors and you can never have too many mums in the fall. How do you keep your trophy wife figure with that handsome chef cooking up all those goodies???

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    1. Thanks Arlene! There's a reason that all photos taken are of me are from the chin up.

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  14. You've had a great fall! Tell the chef I said hello.

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  15. Your house is absolutely stunning - inside and out! Have you ever been featured in a magazine? Where do you find your wall art? Or have you just collected it over the years? -Jenn

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jenn... the only magazine that has contacted me is Playboy and they weren't interested in the house. wink wink

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  16. Your home is THE prettiest!! I love the colors so much along with all of your beautiful touches.

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  17. Well Miss Katie...you have once again done it again! A stunning look for autumn in New England.....this is a gorgeous stately manor! Your home is warm, lovely and inviting! What a marvelous fall feast for the eyes, nose and tummy! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful post!

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  18. Katie, your house looks fabulous! I love the window boxes. And the Mr.'s dinner party preparations always intrigue me. Have a great week.

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  19. Your home is picture perfect and lovely for autumn. Love the meal your chef cooked up. Would love for him to give my husband a few lessons! Hope Mother Nature doesn't turn cold before you have time to enjoy your beautiful outdoor seasonal decor. I love the ham!

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  20. Oh my! Your home looks like Thanksgiving day already and this was just a "come over for dinner" night for you and Felix. I'm just going to print your photos and tape them to my table...it will give everyone something to oh and ah over! Another success for you and the hooligans in those pretty bows.-laurel

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  21. love love love your fall decorations - especially love the window boxes!!

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  22. I couldn't love your home more if I tried! You can NEVER have too many mums, pumpkins, or lamps! I adore how you decorate. Such a joy to see!

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  23. YOUR HUBBY TOO Gets UPSET with TOO MANY PHOTOS!!!!!Just another thing in common we have and I ADORE the TARNISHED LOOK!IT is EVERYWHERE IN MY ABODE!!!!!!!
    YOUR HOUSE GETS AN A PLUS PLUS............XX

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  24. You, your home and your man are out of a magazine! That's it you should publish a seasonal Preppy Empty Nesters Journal!!!! You are a gem I tell ya!

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  25. Everything looks lovely! Congratulations on a job well done!!

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  26. You always make me smile with your self deprecating dialog! Give yourself some credit-your house looks fantastic and that dinner menu is over the top. I never iron napkins, it looks like you are using them for the very first time and people should never feel that special! lol!

    Your mantel has the perfect touch of fall mixed in with your blue pieces, and the deep colors everywhere are so cozy!

    Kudos to your Mister for making a wonderful entree with all of the presentation down perfect. The dessert is heavenly.

    If one of your pooches comes knocking here, I'm holding him ransom until I'm invited for dinner!! ;-D

    Jane x

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  27. Oh how I have missed coming to your blog and how I'm going to stalk every single post in these precious moments I have right now. Everything looks ravishing darling. I love the decor, food, and wit! xo

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  28. Hi Katie,

    Your home is just lovely; I adore older houses -- so much character. Your fall decor looks charming, and your dinner party menu sounds delicious! Dessert is my favorite, too, unfortunately for my waistline. ;>)

    Those darling doggies really steal the show, don't they? Are they Labradoodles? They surely are cute! We have a Scottish Terrier, or as my husband says, a Scottish Terrorist. They quickly learn to rule the roost.

    Visiting from Met Monday -- hope you have a wonderful week.

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  29. Holy Stars, be still my beating heart, where did your husband learn to cook like that??? I'd be throwing parties every night if I didn't have to do the cooking! Your home looks beautiful, but I'm sorry the food upstaged it! Now that Chowdah, he's a cutie!

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  30. Hello Katie my dear friend
    Happy Halloween to you and all your family, and those sweetie dogs decked out in their checked bows :)
    They know how to look as gorgeous as your lovely home, your decorations are stunning and the dinner party looked delicious ( of course) the mister is whizz in the kitchen
    I hope you had fun with your guests, it is so good to celebrate this time of year and I have my trick or treat candy all ready for the children. Hope there's some left for me
    I wish you a wonderful evening my dear, and I'll be thinking of you and all my friends across the pond
    All love to you
    Sally xxx

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  31. Lindas imagens, tudo muito lindo. Abraço e feliz semana.

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  32. Your house looks so festive - inside and outside. Can you come over and decorate mine??
    Another mouth-watering meal prepared by The Mister.

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  33. Just discovered your blog. I too am am an empty nester and thoroughly enjoyed your musings. Beautiful home and your decorations are lovely. Dinner looked delicious. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more posts.

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  34. Beautiful home and talented hubby - you are a lucky girl, indeed! Happy Halloween!! xoxo

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  35. Everything looks stunning and yummy, too! Such a gorgeous home.

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  36. How many ways can I say yum! Evey thing looks beautiful and so yummy....your home is a perfect fall picture.

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  37. As always things are so pretty. I don't know if the lamps on the side table in the dining room (apple table) are new or not, but I am in love with them. Of course, Felix always makes the dishes look so yummy!

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  38. Katie,

    You have such a beautiful home and you have a husband who cooks? Get out of her, girl! How did you manage this? lol I like cooking. DH inspires me. He finds recipes for me to experiment with and he doesn't mind being used as a guinea pig. Your photos of the lit candles and fall decor radiated a welcoming warmth. I'm sure your dinner guests felt right at home, too. Thanks for sharing but I've gotta say my invitation to the dinner party didn't make to my house in time. *DRATS* Oh well...maybe next time, huh? :D

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  39. Your home is so gorgeous! You've decorated it to the max, elegantly and with great beauty. And that dinner -- oh, my! How fun to sit at that gorgeous table, at all that fabulous food and then maybe even get a Chowdah appearance! (Cutest dog ever and I'm so glad he doesn't eat the pumpkins!). It's lovely, Katie. Just perfection!

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  40. Oh Katie- what a fun tour - your home, your "Felix Unger," your decor, your pups, your wonderful tablescape and dinner party - what a true feast for one's eyes! Inside and out is absolutely stunning.

    I think more than anything I enjoyed your humor the most - you have a wonderful personality and reading your blog is a true delight.

    I found you from your sweet comment about my home tour at Stacey's First Friday post this morning, and now am your newest follower.

    Have a wonderful weekend. Keep smiling. It keeps you younger than springtime for sure. : - )

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  41. Your home is just lovely. Fall in New England, I miss it so since we's moved to Florida. Your meal sounds fantastic. I'm so happy to have stopped by for a visit today.

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  42. As the anticipation builds, I eagerly await the feast ahead. Explore these captivating "Waiting for Food" quotes that perfectly capture the essence of culinary longing at Waiting for Food Quotes.




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