Leftover Turkey and Brie Quesadillas

At my family's Thanksgiving dinner there's always leftover turkey!  That wouldn't be a problem except I don't like turkey and I don't like leftovers ... that was until I discovered this really yummy quesadilla recipe with gooey brie, cranberry sauce and turkey.  Now, it's one of my favorite recipes and go-to party recipes.  [Quesadillas are great crowd-pleasing appetizers] So, on the day after Thanksgiving, if you want a delicious meal after some serious Black Friday shopping, try this recipe!

Flour tortillas

Dijon mustard

Turkey slices

Cranberry sauce

Thick slices of brie cheese

Brush mustard on tortilla.  Layer turkey and 2 slices of brie on one half of the tortilla.  Add a dallop of cranberry sauce (try to avoid any juice).  Fold the tortilla in half.  Heat in a skillet with a little olive oil, or bake at 450 for 10 minutes.  Did I mention the gooey brie?! It's so yummy!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and if you try this recipe, please let me know!

Photo credit and recipe inspiration from Martha Stewart

{in season} Gourd-geous Tablescape

Last weekend, during the east coast snow storm, my family visited our local pumpkin patch; it was two days before Halloween and we were without pumpkins!  We found little ones for the girls and perfectly round pumpkins for my husband and I.  I turned my pumpkin into a vase, filled it with seasonal flowers and placed it our dining room table.  I'm not one to brag but I really think it's gourd-geous! What do you think?

To make your own pumpkin vase, select a medium-size, not-too-tall pumpkin.  Cut the top and gut it.  Place flowers inside a glass container and then, insert this container into the pumpkin.  Voila!  In 10 minutes or less you have a gourd-geous floral arrangement, too!

More photos and posh in a pinch tips of my Gourd-geous Gatherings tablescape may be found in this month's party possibilities newsletter.  I invite you to read it and let me know if you like the butternut squash vases, mink brown satin table linens, place setting embellishments and leaf-shaped butter!

{in season} Pumpkins!

Like many of you, I've discovered Pinterest (and spend way too much time exploring sooo many creative and inspiring ideas)!  For instance, a quick search on "pumpkin decor" revealed thousands of fabulous ideas for embellishing a gorgeous gourd or making your own, not to mention a ton of yummy recipes.  Below are two ideas for posh pumpkin decor in a pinch ... plus an easy cheese pumpkin recipe from Betty Crocker!  Let's begin ...

Thank you Martha Stewart for inspiring another use for my orange paper lanterns!  Just add a stem and green paper leaves for 'lil pumpkin cuteness.

I can't wait to make this paper pumpkin centerpiece with my girls!  Creative and crafty blogger, Aly Dosdall, made these pumpkins from circles of scrapbooking paper!

This photo just looks too festive ... and according to the Betty Crocker recipe, these Cheese Pumpkins are really easy to make - rolled cheddar cheese, chopped peanuts, pretzel stick and parsley! 

Do you have a favorite pumpkin idea?  If so, please leave a comment to let us know!

Welcome Guests with Inviting Front Door Decor

Photo credit Pottery Barn via Pinterest

One of the basic tenets of successful event management is to create an environment ... to offer guests a positive impression and, depending on the event, to establish the theme of your party.  The environment might be your living room, private dining room or ballroom.  Regardless of venue, the room should incorporate the look and feel of the party.  One tactic, especially, if you have to stretch your budget, is to focus on the entrance or reception area.  For example, front door decorations like the photo above would be so inviting for a fall gathering!

 I'd love to hear from you about your front door/party entrance decorations.  If you have an idea to share or opinion on the topic, please leave me a comment.

{in season} Pumpkin Spice Yumminess!

Love Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte?  Me, too!  After a quick coffee fix last week, on a rather chilly Friday afternoon, I started thinking about fall, pumpkins and parties (not necessarily in that order!).  I envisioned sipping hot lattes with friends around an outdoor fire pit or perhaps sharing them with out-of-town guests at a post-wedding Sunday Brunch. 

Whatever you envision, if you want Pumpking Spice Lattes at your next fall party, below is a yummy beverage recipe, plus a few dessert recipes, to inspire a tasteful celebration!

Pumpkin Spice Syrup for Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Recipe from Cook Like a Champion

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 tablespoons pumpkin purée

Directions

Combine water and sugar in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook until sugar has completely dissolved. Whisk in remaining ingredients. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Do not allow mixture to come to a boil. Strain syrup through cheesecloth into a large glass measuring cup. Transfer to bottle of your choice and store in the refrigerator.

To make a pumpkin spice latte, simply add about 1 1/2 tablespoons of syrup for each shot of espresso. For an iced latte, stir together syrup and espresso before adding desired amount of cold milk. For a hot latte, add frothed milk and stir to combine. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Pumpkin Spice Truffles

Recipe on Annie's Eats

Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

Recipe on Better Homes and Gardens

Pumpkin Granola

Recipe on Two Peas & Their Pod

{fall cocktail parties} Verrines

Have you ever heard of a verrine?  I discovered verrines last night when I was flipping through my new Viva Terra catalog and was intrigued by the photo above.  Nice presentation, yes?  A quick Internet search revealed that verrines - not be confused with terrines - are sweet or savory dishes made by artfully layering the ingredients in a clear glass container.  Kind of like a parfait but the ingredient combinations, not to mention color, texture and flavors possibilities are endless!

According to my research, verrines are very popular in France; in fact, most of the recipes I found were in French.  I guess this trend has been slow to reach the United States (or maybe we're calling it something else?), but I think the presentation would be great for a fall dinner party - a layered colorful salad for the first course or a deconstructed apple pie for dessert, either served in a stemless wine or martini glass.  Other serving containers might include shot glasses or cylinder votive holders. 

For more information about verrines and inspiring ideas for your fall party, please read this NPR article, Verrines: A Glass Act.

So what do you think about verrines - fun presentation or too much effort?  Please leave me a comment to let me know!

Table Tent Trivia Cards

My friend, Stacy, of Everday Celebrations in NJ introduced me to these clever conversation starters - Table Tent Trivia Cards!  Displayed on a cocktail table and or bar, these trivia cards have lots of thought-provoking questions like 'How many grapes does it take to produce a bottle of wine?'... and they come in a wide assortment of designs/themes like Wine, Martini, Girls Night Out and even, Halloween.  I've been eyeing the 'Martini' collection for a Martinis and Mayhem Holiday Party in December (but I don't know if that party needs any more initiative!)

Anyway, check out the trivia cards and then, contact Stacy to order ... or better, stop by Stacy's table this Sunday, October 10 at The Dilworthtown Inn's Wine Festival from 12-4pm!

{in season} Butternut Squash

I absolutely love being inspired from blog readers, especially when it's a new recipe!  Today's inspiration comes from my friend, Stacy of Everyday Celebrations in NJ.  She responded to my blog entry last week on Sweet Roasted Grapes, suggesting Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette as her go-to- recipe for cocktail parties.  She shared this recipe; it looks so yummy - I just knew that I had to share it with you!  Thanks, again, Stacy!

{photo credit}

I love butternut squash in soups, mixed with pasta and now, in a galette.  What is your favorite fall food?  Please share and include a recipe.  I'm ready to experiment in the kitchen!

{fall cocktail parties} recycled sweater vases

This clever decor idea is my best find all week - recycled sweater vases! I love, love, love it!

This is the how-to article on making recycled sweater vases.

So, what sweater will you recycle?  I'm thinking beyond fall to winter.  I could reuse my girls' outgrown holiday sweaters to make a cute Christmas display and fill the vase with holly branches, cranberries or faux snow.  The possibilities are endless!  However, you decorate, have fun!

{fall cocktail parties} Food and Beverage Calculator

Pondering how much food and drinks to serve at your cocktail party?  Here is some general guidance:

10-12 pieces of appetizers per person

2 drinks per person for the first person, 1 drink per person each additional hour

1/2 lb. of ice per person (double up in warmer temps) (more ice to chill beverages)

6 cocktail napkins per person (especially if passing hors d'oeuvres)

Offer soda, juice and water for non-drinkers and designated drinkers

For more information, incuding bar set up and a drink calculator, I encourage you to read this article.

Another 'posh in a pinch' idea.  Need a passing tray?  In a pinch, use a charger, you know the big base plate under your dinner plate.  They are about the same size, have a lip to avoid spills and cost a fraction of the price.  Take a look ...

L: 15.5" tray - $30, R: 13" charger - $16 - both from Crate and Barrel

Are you ready to party now?!  Any clever cocktail party ideas to share?

{fall cocktail parties} DIY Cocktail Napkins

It's the small details that excitement me when I entertain!  For example, I think it's clever to embellish solid, inexpensive cocktail napkins with a rubber stamp.  The possibilities are endless like Merlot-colored grapes stamped on gold napkins; gold flourish design stamped on rust colored napkins; or a perennial favorite - white monogram stamped on black napkins.

{photo credits - here and here)

Ready to stamp cocktail napkins?  It's really quite easy! 

You'll need:

cocktail napkins

rubber stamp

slow drying ink pad

detail embossing powder

embossing heat gun

Directions:

Blot ink pad to rubber stamp

Stamp cocktail napkin

Sprinkle embossing powder on design; shake off excess (save for the next napkin)

Heat stamp design in slow circle motions, holding gun about 2 inches away

I recommend practicing a few times on scrap paper before stamping napkins.

Cheers!

{fall cocktail parties} Sweet Roasted Grapes

It is officially fall this week!  To celebrate, I'm writing a series of blogs on fall cocktail parties and featuring fun, quick and clever entertaining ideas to inspire you. 

First up, Sweet Roasted Grapes ... to accompany an artisan cheese and crackers display!  Originally discovered on Hip Hostess, the recipe is from Food Network.  The photo looks yummy and the directions seem easy.  My husband and I are going to our first fall cocktail party this weekend; I think I'll make some as a hostess gift. 

What do you think of serving Sweet Roasted Grapes - thumbs up or down?  If you have an upcoming cocktail party, what will you serve?  Please share and inspire us!

Fall Decor That's So Clever

A chip bowl made from a big pumpkin (from bhg.com)

Napkin rings made from gourds (from thepartydress.net)

I love these ideas! Perfect for a stylish food buffet or place setting.