Wednesday, October 14, 2009

An Autumn Open House


“Bittersweet October.
The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking,
perfect pause between the opposing miseries
of summer and winter.”
~Carol Bishop Hipps

Someone once said,
"Never be the first to arrive at a party
or the last to go home
and never, never be both!" ooops...
...wish someone had told us that before this party. ;=)
But the setting was so pretty and inviting...a perfect place on an autumn day.

and the food was so abundant...
...delicious...
...colorful... ...attractive... ...and sweet!
"Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here we should dance."
~author unknown Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor's noisy party than being there.
~Franklin P Jones
{Trust me. They were all there.}
"At a party one should eat wisely but not too well, and talk well but not too wisely."
~ William Somerset Maugham "Life moves pretty fast.
If you don't stop to look around once in a while you could miss it."
~From the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off "I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party
because it means I have been surrounded by friends."
~Nancie J. Carmody

They were definitely surrounded by friends!!

Congratulations, Double M!

BTW, there's more to see of this delightful fall afternoon here.

And here's to other gracious hostesses, Susan at Tablescape Thursday and Mary at Mosaic Monday. I'm so grateful to them for hosting these parties every week so we can all show our stuff!


54 comments:

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Wow! This is gorgeous, Marsha!!

Mary Bergfeld said...

How gorgeous this all looks. I'm really impressed, Marsha. You did a wonderful job.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

just beatiful girl...you did an awesome job on this...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Beverly said...

I am so inspired! Just simply beautiful!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

Absolutely beautiful. The pumpkin centerpieces are gorgeous!

Signing Out said...

Wow, Marsha, this is amazing! Everything looks so professional. I love those pumpkin centerpieces!

Jane

dee dee said...

Marsha,
Thank you for sharing this fantastic setting with us! Beautiful, beautiful, stunning!
Dee Dee

James said...

What a beautiful spread and photographed wonderfully.

Stacey said...

That looks like a fabulous party. The tables, the food, the setting..it's all very pretty. :)

Julie said...

Hi Marsha, What a wonderful table...
xoxo
Julie

Deanna said...

OUTSTANDING!!!!
The pumpkin centerpieces are gorgeous.
This is really a great post,
d

Kat said...

I love that idea of the pumpkin filled with fresh flowers, this is very beautiful. The food and scenery looks very pretty and yummy as well. Thanks for sharing with me!

{oc cottage} said...

Every detail is absolute PERFECTION!!!
WOW! Just fabulous!

m ^..^

g.suzie said...

Oh, boy the further I scrolled the hungrier it made me, it all looked so yummy. Bravo to a wonderful job, I bet it was an instant hit!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is so Fall Festive! A lovely setting and the food just looks wonderful!

Marigene said...

Simply beautiful!

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Marsha! Absolutely gorgeous ~ I had so much fun "peeking over your shoulder" during this celebration.

Great photos! What a perfect day ~ happy memories for sure.

You did a great job recording it. xo

Phyllis @Around the House said...

The food looked wonderful and the centerpiece was so pretty, I just have to commend you on the wonderful pictures, you just captured everything so perfect..

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Wow-everything looked beautiful! Your photos are great too!

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

What a festive party table and the pictures are gorgeous!

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

What beautiful and delicious looking food! I'm very impressed with the skill and time you put into this. Thanks for sharing and happy TT to you!

The Bloom Girls said...

Wow! It is all so beautiful, down to the last detail! I am sure all the guests had a fabulous time!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Everything is so festive and pretty! I hope my daughter or son one day want a fall wedding! Simply gorgeous!

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

What a gorgeous blog you have! I linked over from Tootsie's Time. Your pics are incredible. -Jackie

Maddycakes Muse said...

I don't know what is more beautiful the decor and food of party or your GORGEOUS pictures!!
Maddycakes Muse

Anonymous said...

Hi Marsha, I have just come across your blog!! What a great blog on the party with wonderful photographs and the food and drink look very delicious. Your friends certainly have a great "back yard"!!
I have become a follower and when I have more time I must look at your past blogs, but for now I will look to the future blogs and getting to know you.

Very best wishes, from Jackie across the pond in Surrey UK.

Barb said...

Marsha, it is all just fabulous!!!!! Wow, girl!!!!

Barb ♥

Amy said...

Wow..wee! Beautiful setting, food and presentation!!! My kind of gathering!!!!

food with style said...

marsha i don't tell you enough how much i enjoy your blog, thank you for sharing!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow! Everything looks wonderful - food and decorations!

Kathleen said...

That looks like a wonderful party! I love all the quotes too!

Maureen said...

Absolutely breathtaking.

Wow!

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

What a beautiful party. Wish I could have been there. It looks like so much fun. Fabulous!

Christi

Unknown said...

Hi Marsha!
What a fantastic party to attend! The pumpkin flower arrangements are spectacular!
Really Wicked Rainey

nannykim/ spindle cottage said...

So gorgeous!! looks so inviting!!!

Mike Hale & Co. said...

Hi there! My apologies for not stopping by in quite awhile...trying to catch up on lost time.(Is that even possible?) What a beautiful celebration! Great photos and quotes too! I can relate to all of them, especially the first to arrive and the last to leave :)

Cheers!
& Co.

ellen b. said...

What a fabulous open house!! They thought of everything :0)

Maureen said...

Wow! This is amazing! Wonderful!

One Shabby Old House said...

All I wanted to do was dig in!!!
Beautiful presentation of all the food. Beautiful centerpieces too and I loved your quotes.
Hugs
Becky

Sue said...

Oh what a delightful way to spend the afternoon. The tables look wonderful and the food has made me hungry. This was really fun.

Sue

Sarah said...

Oh, my, what a fabulous post this is. The party mush have been amazing with all that gorgeous food. Love the idea of the pumpkin as a container for the flowers. I always think I'm going to do one of these, but never have. I also recently saw a magazine article where they had used a pumpkin and potted it with plants. Not sure how that would hold up, but like the idea. Thanks for sharing this party. I'm off to see more of it.

Sherri said...

Love the pumpkin 'vase'! The food does look yummy and everything is just gorgeous. Bet it was a fun party.

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Marsha, I loved seeing this. It is beautiful. I always enjoy when someone does a spectacular party with all the trimmings. This one is over the top...and so gorgeous! wow. You did a wonderful job...to be remembered forever!
Blessings,
Debbie

sherri@lavender fields said...

Wow now that looks like a party!

Ellie Mae's Cottage said...

The pumpkins arrangements are gorgeous! What an incredible job! Thanks for sharing. The pics were such eye candy. -Jackie

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh this does look like a wonderful party! Love the way those black tablecloths look so elegant in the casual outdoor surroundings, and that food--that food--that food! All I can say is, Yum! laurie

Joyce said...

Great job! It all looks so pretty and the food looks wonderful. I want to throw a party myself after seeing your post.
Joyce

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

The most beautiful party captured with gorgeous photography!!!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

I am jealous to see an autumn pumpkin arrangement and a swimming pool still open, at the same time. :-)
Great colour in your photos.

Wildflowerhouse said...

You have inspired me to throw a party. Beautiful photo's. Sharon

Kathy said...

What a gorgeous party, Marsha! The food looks wonderful, your pumpkin centerpieces are beautiful...you know how to throw a party! Have a beautiful new week...Kathy

Claudia said...

Ab
so
lute
leee

Gorgeous!! :)

If you have a moment — I would love you to stop by and say hi!

TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

Mary said...

Wow, gorgeous!!! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful party with us at MM. :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

What crisp, delightful photos! The food looks great. So does the table. Love the pumpkin. And the quotes were really good sage ones, some I'd never heard of before!
Brenda