Monday, September 12, 2011

Wine and Dine Outdoors

 I do not need any excuse to eat outside!  The evening weather is perfect for a simple wine and cheese.
 I love brown and green and the earthy colors of fall.  This little child's chair serves as the centerpiece to hold the tray of cheeses and fruit.
 Decorations are uncomplicated with just a bowl of pinecones.
The food is simple with some crusty French and whole grain bread to eat with the cheeses.
Small stools or a child's bench could also be used to elevate serving pieces.  This would be great for a buffet style table.
I served some double chocolate macaroons for those craving something sweet.
 
 Is there anything better than dining outside in the cooler weather?
This vintage table cloth was a bit too small for this old farm door converted table, so I added the willow placemats to either end.
A good strategy to use in selecting cheeses is to borrow the old wedding saying: something old, something new, borrowed, and blue.  For an "old" cheese, select an aged cheese, usually a hard cheese, such as a Gruyère.  "new" should be a fresh cheese, usually soft, such as goat cheese or brie or something else creamy.  For "borrowed" think outside of French cheeses and 'borrow' from another country a fresh parmesan, a manchego or cheddar.  For the "blue" serve a good Roquefort.  Add a pot of honey and sprinkle with some nuts.  If you have some fresh herbs from the garden, add them on the side or on top of the cheeses.

 
As much as I love summer and the time with my children, I do so love the fall!  The crisp air, eating al fresco and time with family and friends watching football!  Maybe instead of chips and dip, serve wine and cheese for your next football gathering!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bamboo utensils: Homegoods; Pewter server and dome: Homegoods; Brown check tea towels: Tuesday Morning; Willow placemats: World Market; Tablecloth, child's chair, French market basket, Rusty outdoor chandelier, old chairs and benches, ironstone plates: various thrift and antique stores; Rattan cake stand: store in Charlotte, NC (also at Room Service Home.)

Photobucket







Photobucket


Thank you so much for the feature!
Photobucket

34 comments:

  1. It's always a good time for wine and cheese! Your setup is beautiful as always.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous...I love everything you used...but that chair is just too adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such lovely photographs! I love the rustic and romantic elements.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the rustic simplicity of this!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely delightful ... you're so great at setting beautiful tables. I love the rustic colors and textures you used!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks like a nice way to spend a fall evening. I've got the same utensils at Home Goods. It's probably a good thing we live on the opposite sides of Charlotte, else we may be shopping for the same things! ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  7. How beautiful. I would LOVE that setup in my back yard.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful farm table setting--the little touches are so pretty--wicker, that antique little chair, vintage silver--love it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Perfectly charming!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    ReplyDelete
  10. A gorgeous, autumnal tablescape, Christie! Great composition!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks like a magazine layout! The little chair is perfect for buffet serving! great photos! xo Debra

    ReplyDelete
  12. How fun is this! Thanks for the wine and cheese party ideas, you're making me hungry! Great job, Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just darling! I love all the texture in the various elements. LOVE that wicker cake/cheese stand! I have that same bamboo flatware and those chargers too. It looks soooo inviting!

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Perfect! Great outdoors for a Wine and cheese!

    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the table and how everything is displayed..You have a great eye for details..
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  16. love every bit of this... espcially your colors, the tablecloth is fantastic~

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'd list everything I love, but I love it ALL. Great post and I'm your newest follower.
    Babs

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a wonderful setting! I love how you've incorporated all the old chippy pieces with the chandelier....looks very romantic.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am coming to have some wine and cheese with you. That whole setting looks so good. Thanks for sharing at Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is just the most creative table setting I believe I've ever seen. Your photos are all magazine worthy! hugs ~lynne~

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh I adore this~ all your details are so wonderful! Your child's chair as a serving tray is so creative!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Delightful in every way. I close my eyes and I'm there!

    ReplyDelete
  23. So enchanting! How I'd love to relax there with a glass of wine.

    Visiting from Savvy Southern Style. Following you now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a cute presentation! Love the childs chair and the cheese and wine all look so good! Great ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is great, I love your color scheme and mix of wood and wicker! Great Idea with the child's chair centerpiece too! Found you on Tablescape Thursday.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow! What an enticing and inviting tablescape! It's lovely and so thoughtful. So many lovely details. Thanks for sharing. I'm visiting from Common Ground's Vintage Inspiration Friday.
    :) Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your blog header looks stunning! The outdoor setting is just perfect.
    Hope to see you on my blog:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh, no you didn't go brown and white plaid!!!! This is beautiful!!! Beautiful, I tell you!!! You go, girl! And you KNOW that baby chair is the bees knees! Love it all!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Chrsitie, So beautiful! I especially love the baskets, the rattan chargers and the chandy. Thanks for linking to the Open House party and have a great week.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love it ALL!!! I'll be right over...save some of that cheese for me!

    What a wonderful idea to use the little chair on your table...it is DARLING!

    ReplyDelete
  31. The childs chair as a centerpiece is GENIUS!!!!!!!!! I love ALL of this. I have the same flatware too! Love wine and cheese for dinner too:):):) XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Christie. Okay, I have missed so many of your posts and they are all so beautiful. You are one amazingly talented lady. Your style is so versatile, so classy, so clean, so gorgeous...so everything that I love looking at.

    ReplyDelete