Welcome Fall ~ 2010!

Hello Friends!

Cinnie (Cinnamon), our Mastiff-Malamute mix, is my constant companion.

She joins me in welcoming you. Please make yourself at home for an early Autumn lunch ~

She's been keeping a watchful eye down the driveway for quite a while, waiting for your arrival. She's a very good girl and keeps me lots of company (plus, she doesn't beg at the table!) :D

Come on back to the family dining table in the kitchen nook...

As you pass through the entry you'll notice we don't make substantial decorating changes for the seasons. Since we live in the wooded forest, the large windows in the house make "decorating" a bit of a challenge, so we enjoy the seasonal transitions nature brings through the windows during the year, and I just add minimal touches here and there to compliment nature's constant renewal.

This afternoon we're having a casual country-style lunch.

It's apple harvest time, so in keeping with eating with the seasons they provide abundance to our towering center piece.

(In real life I would never use such a massive piece on such a small table... but we're in the virtual world, so almost anything goes... isn't that fun?? :D)

I love when the mini pumpkins come into the market.

Seeing them always make me feel cheerful!

The "chargers" are actually small trays from Crate and Barrel a few years ago.

I've had these Lone Oak & Co. terracotta dishes and bowls for years, they are from the Napa Valley ~ when we lived in California we spent a lot of time there, and I loved shopping for treasures, these dishes remind me of those times. Some are plain terracotta, and others are glazed; I love to mix and match them.
Unfortunately the company went out of business long ago, (and that's a shame because these chip rather easily.)

I am especially fond of the Queen Ann-style rim detail.

The "Rooster" stainless flatware is by Pfaltzgraff

The fresh flowers are from Safeway... $5. for a mixed bunch. A feel-good bargain.

I've used these Italian ceramic Salt and Pepper shakers before...

(pffftt....and I still cannot remember where I purchased them.)

Stay tuned for some "apple" goodies coming from the kitchen in the near future.

I'm so fond of the "Granny Smith" green color.

Oak and acorn detail from the 3-tiered rustic metal stand.

Thank you so much for taking the long journey out to the country to come visit for lunch ~ I hope you had a good time! We really enjoyed having you, and hope you'll visit again soon.

Happy Autumn, everyone!!

Please go by and say hello to our gracious host of Tablescape Thursday;

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.