Fall Dinner Party

I absolutely LOVE hosting parties, celebrations and everything in between!! I grew up in a home where my mom enjoyed doing this (she still does) and she taught me well. If I had the space and money, I swear I would host a party every season of the year! That’s how much I love it! This Fall Dinner Party was born out of this love for all things party. Plus fall is probably my all time favorite season. I just love the coziness of it, the scents, all things pumpkin, wearing sweaters and boots, the crunchy leaves, the changing colors and how it starts to bring people together for bonfires as a way to prepare us to come together for the holidays.

I had hosted a party like this like 5 years ago and ever since I had wanted to do it again. But as you all know life happens and things we love get away from us. I knew I wanted this party to be outside if at all possible and so I planned it for September. By October in PA the weather is chillier and it rains more. I texted my friends months ahead of time and told them to mark their calendars for an adults only dinner party. I mean, who doesn’t want to get together without kids and enjoy the company of other adults now and then? 😉

The menu was planned around fall flavors and things available to us locally. I even incorporated in some of the produce from our own garden into the menu. Many of the flavors involved something apple, but I had to add at least one thing pumpkin flavored because is it really a fall dinner party without something with pumpkin in it?? I asked our friends to bring their favorite fall beer or wine to pair with our meal. Here is what I served:

Appetizers: A charcuterie board with things from Aldi and our local Grocery Outlet. The apple cider was from a local orchard, Kauffman’s Orchard.

Salad: I made my own version of this salad from Half Baked Harvest

Bread: I made Focaccia bread from the latest Magnolia Table cookbook

Main course: Apple Bourbon Glazed Pork Chops, Seared Garlic Green Beans with Candied Bacon and Roasted Butternut Squash

Desserts: Pumpkin Mousse and Apple Butter Pound Cake with Caramel Frosting

A huge thanks goes out to my friend, Trish, from Flourish Flowers for creating the beautiful centerpiece from the inspiration photos I sent to her. She pulled the vision and the colors together so well! Another huge thanks to my mom for letting me borrow so many dishes and decor for the party! And last but not least, thank you to my dear hubby for helping me pull it all off so well! I couldn’t have done it without him!