Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Autumn Celebration!

This morning for breakfast I had a pumpkin bagel topped with pumpkin spice cream cheese, along with a steaming mug of pumpkin spice chai tea flavored with pumpkin spice creamer.  All to the scent of an autumn candle.

It was bliss.

My husband asked me how on earth I was not on pumpkin overload.

I do not know of what he speaks.

I've told you before, my love for autumn runs deep!

And I happen to have a few friends who share my obsession appreciation for this blissful season and all things pumpkin.

So last Friday evening, I invited those pumpkin lovers over for a cozy night in celebrating all things autumn!  It was a joy to have these sweet, fun women around my table, celebrating the season we love!


I asked everyone to bring a favorite fall dish to share.  I made my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins (a recipe I have literally been making since high school), sweet and savory meatballs, and a steaming pot of hot apple cider.  With what everyone brought we also had yummy soup, several delicious dips, pumpkin pudding and pumpkin cobbler!  



When I couldn't find mulling spices for the cider, I improvised and it turned out so well that I wanted to share it with you!  I used a quart of sweet cider, about 2/3 of a large can of pineapple juice, 4 cinnamon sticks, 8 whole cloves, some ground cinnamon, and 4 packs of this Alpine Spiced Apple Cider mix - boiled everything together, then let it simmer in the crockpot all day. Needless to say the house smelled amazing ~ if you are ever in a pinch and can't find mulling spices, try this!


After we ate and visited, we did some fall crafting!




These straw wreaths are under $4.00 at hobby Lobby, and the ribbon and picks were 50% off  ~ a very economical project!


Even Madi made a little craft!


My sweet friend Jennifer brought me this adorable candle as a hostess gift and it smells sooo good!  Madi had two of her little friends over for the evening, and she got a hostess gift as well - an adorable Halloween bow!  So thoughtful!


We had so much fun we want to do it again at Christmastime! What a treat to celebrate the seasons with friends who enjoy them with you!

3 comments:

  1. so fun! a few ladies and i have been talking about doing a craft night..we were thinking of doing a painting together.. (kind of intimidating)..we'll see. i'm lovin' your wreath and banner though! i love this time of year.. it stirs a natural desire to gather with friends.

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  2. You will learn, hanging out with me doesn't generate good pictures!!! But, I loved being there nonetheless!!

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  3. What fun! I think a festive girl's night like that sounds just wonderful!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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