Fall Dinner 2015

Like everyone else, we're in full Christmas mode around these parts.  But I wanted to get these photos on here before next year, so excuse me for breaking a rule from the Blogger Handbook, by sharing fall photos in December.

Last year for Christmas, I gave both my sister and my parents invitations to a Northrop dinner at our house.  My parents cashed theirs in last month.

You may recall the fall dinner I did for my sister and brother-in-law, that prompted them to put it on their Christmas wish lists last year, and again this year.  They still haven't cashed this years in.  I think from now on, I'll put an expiration date on them.  ;o)

I'll start with the table setting.  Instead of going out and buying flowers for a centerpiece, I used branches and leaves from the yard to make a runner down the center of the table.   I added in potted succulents, candles, a string of battery powered LED lights, and my cute little vintage squirrel salt and pepper shakers, that are always hidden away in a cupboard.

Deep in thought.

For the place settings, I did a folded cloth napkin with a little dish we use for oil and vinegar, a sprig of rosemary, a maple leaf, and the name tags were some little wood cutouts I had stashed in a drawer.

Instead of doing a cocktail this time around, I had mimosas, made with Trader Joe's spiced cider.

Um, yum.

For appetizers, I baked brie in a cast iron skillet with almonds and chopped dates.
Inspiration came from this recipe.

Skillet cheese is a win every time.

I also made crostini, topped with smashed peas mixed with fresh lemon juice and red pepper flakes, then feta up on top.

 A bowl of nuts thrown in for kicks.

For dinner, we started with a salad of mixed greens, persimmons, hazelnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese.

I used this recipe for the dressing.

Really, really good.

And guess what, I didn't take a single, solitary photo of our main meal.

Ha!

But I'll tell ya what we had, and link to the recipes.

Ruby Chicken (deeeelicious), Parmesan Risotto (I made this recipe, just omitted the asparagus), and Roasted Vegetables (button and chanterelle mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, kohlrabi, golden beets, and pears) oven roasted like this.

And a yummy loaf of bread, of course. 

Instead of pictures of all that, I'll fill in with more table shots, with the candles lit and the lights on.

For dessert, I made this bread pudding again.

I added apples this time.

It's so dang good.

Of course, I smothered it in the Bourbon Caramel Sauce, that I said I'd share the recipe for and still haven't.

That stuff should be illegal.

These photos are from the last time I made the bread pudding.

Holy moly.

And that concludes another episode of Northrop Dinners.

I'll try to get my act in gear when it comes to blogging.
As of about 30 minutes ago, I have a new-to-me computer.
Sqeeeeeeee!!!!!
Friends of ours had an extra, and they just came over and got me dialed in.
You have NO IDEA how exciting this is, to type, and the letters actually immediately appear.
And I can SCROLL.
THANK YOU RHETT AND MAKAILA!!!!!!
Seriously, so awesome.
I have several DIY Christmas gifts I can share, as well as the inside of the house, lit up like a landing pad, so I'll get on the picture taking this week.

Ho, ho, ho.

You can check out posts from last year's fall dinner here:

Antonio Dinner: DIY Dollar Store Globe Lights
Antonio Dinner: Fall Decor
Antonio Dinner: Fall Table Setting
Antonio Dinner: Fall Dinner Party