minimal autumnal tablescape + fall foods i love
We nearly dumped this dining table when I moved in to create space for my workstation. I’m so glad we didn’t. J appealed gently to sentiment by revealing his sense of put-togetherness when he obtained the contraption for his condo. I understand the link between a designated meal area and a true companionship with the concept of “home.” So we kept the table, and I maneuvered my bookshelves and desk around its presence. And, now, the table is dressed for a night out…Or, a night in, really.
I’m no connoisseur of laying a table (can you tell?) but I take pleasure in creating interpretations. I never ate at my own when I lived solo, but now that I reside with another I love, I almost can’t recollect a duration prior when the glass top accumulated dust and stray mail instead of rice bits and spinach nubs. We’ve exchanged so many words, so much conversation, so many bizarre snippets of humor, over dinners sans our cell phones – sometimes over an hour passes before we yawn and migrate to the couch. Befitting, then, to detail the area in a season stocked with festivity and themed with togetherness. Forging memories. Dining heartily. I believe all of us could use a bit more intimate time with our loved ones. Keeps us young, sane, and joyous, really, and what better way than over a hot meal and maybe a glass of wine?
Too, I’m not really intricate with styling. Fresh flowers, neutral dinnerware, flashes of copper or gold, and candles…Really, that’s my formula. Everything originated from somewhere different, from different times, born of different purposes. That said, the sources for everything, or leastwise something similar, are as follows:
Mugs: World Market
Plates: Crate & Barrel
Martini glasses: Homegoods (no web listing and they rotate their selections frequently in-store)
Silverware (goldware?): Target
Runner: Target (actually a window valence, linked is similar but not exact)
Speaking of dining, fall flavors are my catnip. Below I share some of my favorite in-season produce and preparations as well as recipes I adore this time of year, even if Florida misbehaves and hauls 90 degree middays in the center of October. Any recipes I should try? Send them my way!
Top autumn produce picks:
- Butternut + acorn squashes (roasted)
- Pumpkin (roasted, or pureed for various treats)
- Sweet potatoes (roasted or baked & stuffed)
- Honeycrisp apples (snacking, pies)
- Brussels sprouts (roasted or sauteed)
- Pears (snacking, oatmeal or parfaits, baked with cinnamon & sugar)
- Hearty herbs: thyme, rosemary, sage (everything!)
Recipes I adore:
- Maple Glazed Salmon from Half Baked Harvest
- Vegan Spiced Pumpkin Scones & PSL Bliss Balls from Venturing East archives
- Chorizo Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from The Chunky Chef
- Vegan Potato Leek Soup from Vegan Huggs
- Salad with Goat Cheese, Pear, Candied Pecans & Maple Balsamic Dressing from Two Healthy Kitches
- Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake from Minimalist Baker
- Mediterranean Chickpea Stew from A Saucy Kitchen
- Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes from Ambitious Kitchen
- Green Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds & Feta from Cookie and Kate
