Entertain & Celebrate - Autumn 2025

RUSTIC ENSEMBLE Create a casual, eclectic feel by using what you have on hand. Fill a birch bark vase with greenery and any blossoms remaining in your yard. Complete with an assortment of flowers from your local florist—yellow billy balls, dahlias, waxflowers, and even a few seedpods. Craft unique votive holders from apples by simply scoring and removing about a 1-inch-deep portion of the fruit. A PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE A carved pumpkin can be used as the base for a beautiful autumn arrangement. Find a waterproof container, then cut a hole in the center of the pumpkin the size of the container. Fill the container with floral foam or stones to anchor the stems of the flowers. Add a mix of leaves, berries, and flowers to create a seasonal centerpiece fit…

FARM TABLE Host a dinner outside before the weather gets too chilly. Set a rustic farm table with vintage plates and linen napkins. Create a long, running centerpiece using a mix of small pumpkins, pewter vases, ceramic jugs, white roses, and harvest vegetables. A warm blaze in a stone fireplace anchors the cozy ambience. WOODLAND CREATURES Incorporate natural elements on your table with pine cones, greenery, and fresh fruit, along with a replica bird’s nest and turkey feathers found in another arrangement nearby. Set the table with a china pattern like Spode’s Woodland in brown on rattan chargers to bring life and autumn color to the table. Use accent plates in green and brown with linens in reds or oranges for a finishing touch. SUBTLE SOPHISTICATION Serve lunch on the…

IN THE LOOP Salute the season with a fall garland made from a mix of nuts and decorative balls purchased from a craft store. Attach mini screw eyes to the pieces, and tie them onto two-toned jute string. Finish by creating a grouping of ornaments and tin bells in the center. MARBLEIZED METALLICS To make these gorgeous pumpkins, first fill a tub or a big bowl with water. Next, spray oil-based spray paint into the water, and swirl the paint. Quickly dip the pumpkin into the water so the paint will stick in a marble pattern. Try more than one color or dip the pumpkin more than once, depending on how many marbling patterns you would like on the pumpkin. DIY AMBIENCE Hit the thrift stores and flea markets to…

ON THE GO Enjoy a plaid-themed picnic just about anywhere. Plaid blankets and accessories paired with wicker picnic baskets and wooden serving trays set the scene for a vintage-inspired outing. Serve no-fuss items so you can make the most of your time with loved ones. PORK TENDERLOIN SANDWICHES WITH CARAMELIZED ONION MAYONNAISE Makes 8 servings 2 (1-pound) pork tenderloins1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground black pepper1 tablespoon canola oil8 Kaiser rolls with sesame seeds, halvedCaramelized Onion Mayonnaise (recipe follows)1 cup stone-ground mustard2 Braeburn apples, cored and thinly sliced8 slices Havarti cheese4 cups fresh arugula ONE Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. TWO Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add pork; cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about…

GAME-READY Serve finger foods guests can easily walk around with throughout the evening. Make sure to have enough tables and trays nearby for guests to set down food and drinks when it’s their turn to play. Wooden trays and serving boards of different hues help to convey the feeling of a cozy night in next to the crackling fire. VINTAGE FUN Get out some favorite games from your childhood along with glass bottle sodas, patterned straws, and casual serveware. Allow guests to sit on the floor or lounge about wherever is most comfortable. Provide blankets and pillows to create a laid-back atmosphere. WHITE CHICKEN CHILI Makes 6 to 8 servings ¼ cup unsalted butter¼ cup all-purpose flour1½ tablespoons chili powder2 (32-ounce) cartons unsalted chicken broth1 (15-ounce) jar medium salsa verde2…

Wine & Cheese PAIRINGS There are no written rules for wine and cheese pairings—and there’s plenty of room for experimentation—but here are a few suggestions to try. Manchego: Rioja, Merlot St. André: Champagne, Chardonnay, Rosé Roquefort: Port, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel  Goat Cheese: Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre Sharp Cheddar: Rioja, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Brie: Chardonnay, Champagne Gouda: Riesling, Champagne Gruyère: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc Parmigiano-Reggiano: Chianti, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon Muenster: Zinfandel, Beaujolais TASTING TIPS Use the right glasses. Be sure to serve wine in clear, lightweight glass (preferably Riedel, but less expensive is fine). Believe it or not, the right glass does improve the tasting experience. For older reds, use a decanter to aerate the wine before tasting. Serve wines and cheeses at the right temperature. Don’t serve red wines too warm…