It’s a known fact I love nothing more than to throw a party. Give me any reason whatsoever and I will come up with a theme, research recipes and try my hardest to make my house as adorable as possible. So when some of the favorite ladies in my life and I decided to plan a little drinking dinner party, I quickly volunteered to host. We decided on the seasonally appropriate theme of “Autumn Harvest” and decided to do it as a pot-luck style sit-down dinner.
I got into the spirit by decorating my house:
Next was setting the table. This is basically what my table looks like at Thanksgiving too. I got the gold-plated silverware as a gift years ago from my stepmom and it’s the perfect accent to a holiday place setting. I really love brown, gold and green together.
Next was the food. Oh god, the food! Sadly I didn’t get nearly as many pictures of all the goodness we ate but here’s a couple of the indulgences.

Another one of my friends brought this amazing chocolate pumpkin whipped cream masterpiece. I ate a piece the next day for breakfast and it was still divine!
And on top of the copious amounts of wine that we managed to put down, I had a little surprise up my sleeve. I took some of my home-pressed cider and combined it with various liquor to make up these deliciously evil little things. Call them whatever you want (cider shots? apple pie shots?), they were wonderful. A how-to post is in the works!
And of course, I made little party favors to give out as people left. The trouble with this is after a night of drinking wine to actually remember to give them to people!
Anyways I made these little doughnut hole acorns last year for a pumpkin carving party so I knew they’d be easy to put together. I took Nutella and coated the top half of each “hole” and then rolled them in sprinkles. A little pretzel stem, and voila — perfection!
And that’s it: our harvest party was a complete and total success! We had a blast chatting and cooking together, eating everything from freshly baked bread with homemade butter to these shrimp pancake fritters that I am definitely getting the recipe for! Needless to say, we are already planning round two. I can’t wait!
You are amazing. We’d be fast friends if we were neighbors.
Oh yes I think you’re right. You’d bring the porkcorn, I’d bring the foie and we’d be all set! =)
Wow! Can I come over?? 🙂 Beautiful table, decor, and those favors are adorable!
Thank you! I have way too much spare time really. Several of the girls who came over have kids and others have second jobs. As for me, I just spent two days drinking sample apple cider shots and decorating! =)
Looks like a lot of fun! I like the creative use of doughnut holes.
Me too! Doughnut holes have really grown on me over the years. I was going to make some spiced cake pops and then thought, nope, screw it! Doughnut holes it is! No mess, no fuss, and plenty to snack on before the party started. =)
those apple pie shot are especially amazing–your girlfriends are lucky:-)
Thanks! They were incredibly tasty. Problem was I did such a good job of mixing boozes that you couldn’t tell how strong they were. With the caramel and the whipped cream, they went down too smooth! Trouble, I tell you!
You really are an entertainer…what a beautiful table setting!! I can’t get over the spaetzle gratin and the chocolate pumpkin whipped cream cake. You and your friends are amazing cooks!
Thanks! =) Yeah the gratin blew me away. I mean who thinks of making spaetzle, which is already awesome, and then baking it with layers of cheese?! It was madness. I am getting that recipe too so I’m sure it will pop up in a future post! Perfect fall comfort food!
Yay, can’t wait for that one!! Never made spaetzle before, but it doesn’t look too hard?
Great tablescape! I love that color combination too. And those donut holes are just too cute. Hope you gals had a great time!
Thanks — and we sure did! Maybe a little too good of a time!
Even skanks say thanks?!?! HAHAHAHA!! I love that! Please oh please tell me where you bought that…or did you just make it and include it for those with eagle eyes? 😛 Here I was…just enjoying your pictures and then all of a sudden I start busting up in a fit of giggles. Gotta love it 🙂
=) I was hoping someone would appreciate that! I got a set of coasters for my birthday last year and I love putting them out at parties. They are just great! Here’s the link so you can read the rest of them: http://www.incrediblethings.com/home/indelicate-doilies-let-your-guests-know-whats-up/
Omg thank you so much for link! I love love looove them! So hilarious!! I need them immediately! 😛
Those acorns are brilliant! I may have to borrow that idea…
Borrow away! =) They are too tasty not to share.
Thank you! I don’t know a single person who can resist a donut hole. :]