Update: You can find the Pumpkin Praline Trifle recipe here. The Bavarian Apple Torte is here. I’ll be posting the Mount Rainier Chili recipe here.
We had a open house this past Saturday at our little condo in Southern California. There were 16 of us that enjoyed each others company and some food and drink.
I went with an autumn theme for the buffet table which triples as our dining table and my computer table every other day. It’s always funny when I plan events like this because I get a bit confused about what I have here at the condo and what is at my home in Washington. I always have to improvise because the majority of my stuff is in Washington. Mish Mosh works for me in these situations.
These are some of the food and drink we served. Our main course was Mount Rainier Chili that is made with white beans and chicken. We had a salad and lots of yummy bread from the Diamond Jewish Bakery on Fairfax in L.A. My BIL Nick and sister Vera always stop there on the way to our condo and load us up with Rye, Pumpernickle, and Challah. We had a cheese tray with fruit and salami, bruschetta, guacamole. Our desserts were a Pumpkin Praline Trifle and a Bavarian Apple Tart. I’ll be posting the recipes later this week. They are both great desserts. Most of the serving pieces are from thrift stores and target clearance. Instead of a punch bowl I’ve been using this great glass jug that I got at target for $12.95. It has a lid, too.
We were blessed with some great company at the open house. Friends from our past and new friends and family. I didn’t get a photo of everyone. My brother Tim and his wife Letty, my niece Michelle and her husband Ryan, My bloggy walking buddy Willow and her husband the Professor, and our old friends Ken and Heidi. My sister Vera and her husband Nick, my mom and dad, sister Kathy, and grand nephew Jackson didn’t get in any of the photos.
For more Tablescapes you can visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch on Tuesday.
Photobucket is holding all my photos from 2007-2015 hostage and demanding a ransom for me to access them. I’m slowly cleaning up many of my posts where PB have added ugly black and grey boxes where my photos used to be. So frustrating!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
A wonderful time was had by all!
What a lovely time! Your table decor is beautiful and your food — delish! I look VERY forward to your recipe sharing! I’d love a bowl of Mt. Rainier Chili right now — and some Bavarian Apple Cake — and, and, and. YUM!
Thanks for making me hungry! LOL! Great post!
LaTeaDah
I really wanted to come!
alas I’m just too far away! 😉
A lovely table, Ellen! I wish we could have come too!
NICE WORK! It all looks great! Glad you had a great time!
Can’t wait till Thanksgiving!
Food looks yummy and wonderful but the smiles are even more wonderful 🙂
I miss you Ellen 🙂
Well, you said the ‘magic words’–“…posting the recipes later this week.” 🙂 I can’t wait, and hope the soup is one of those recipes.
What a LOVELY spread, Ellen! You are the hostess with the “most-est”! My eyes went directly to the desserts — care to share that Bavarian Apple torte?! 😉
Your tablescapes always make me want to pop on over. Sooo relaxing.
You have done a wonderful job at making a second home and entertaining with “mish-mosh.” The company appears very happy with it all!! Nice table arrangement and the food looks highly appetizing!
I can just imagine what a lovely time you had together – you’re a wonderful hostess Ellen! Looking forward to the recipes.
Looks beautiful. I love the mirror over the table and the way you did the tablecloths.
Everything looks fantastic…so glad you had such a nice time with your friends.
What a steal! I can’t believe that jug was so cheap! I love your mirror, is that a shelf it has on the bottom?
Are you going to post recipes? Everything looks so delicious!
If you would like to join Trim the Tree Thursday where we are going to show off our holiday decor from any holiday comment on my blog! I would love for you to join!
What a wonderful buffet! Love how you repurposed the jar as a punch bowl. I’ll be back for the recipes!
Glad you like the Pear Setting. I enjoyed visiting your blog too! Great ideas & pictures. Come back again soon. Until we blog again, Rita
Hi and what a great setting for your occation! Love your use of the two tablecloths, and that mirror! Oh, it’s just so gorgeous! Now the food looks so scrumtious! You really know how to make a person hungry!!
Be a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me today,
Shelia 😉
You did a lovely job with the buffet setting. And the food — ffabuloous. Your guests look happy and content at your open house.
I love what you did with the leaves and the table. Beautiful and inspiring. I will have to see what I can do to copy it.
Wow! Your decor is stunning! And the food looks delicious! Your mirror on the wall behind the buffet is an amazing piece! Great job putting this all together! 🙂 ~Rhonda
I DONOT EAT CHICKEN,BUT THAT CHILI LOOKS AWESOME.I WONDER,COULD I HAVE THE RECEIPE FOR HUBBY AND FAMILY?PLEASE——-AWESOME PARTY.EVERYTHING LOOKED YUMMY…ANN
Everything looks simply lovely and y’all look like you are having fun! It’s a lovely tablescape and yummy-looking food. Thanks for sharing these photos!
Miss Janice
It looks like you improvise very well!! Everything looks fantastic. Look forward to the recipes. Sally
Hi Ellen…I love making trifles and your’s looks super yummy! What a wonderful gathering you had! Thanks for sharing it with us…looking forward to the recipes! Susan
Wow, you really gave us a treat…beautiful food and delicious menu…and good looking guests! This was a great post…really enjoyed it, I only wish I could have been there..LOL 😉 Bo
Your table looks beautiful and the food looks delicious. What fun it looks like you had. laurie
What a beautiful fall table. Please post the pumpkin trifle recipe!
This is wonderful. I can’t even imagine keeping up with two households, one gives me fits. You did a marvelous post, regardless of whatever limitations you felt.
My DH has a heart situation, or I, just like everyone else, would be checking back for the recipes. Maybe the chili recipe wouldn’t be bad for him, since it is made with chicken. I will be checking for that one. For the rest, I at least, can still eat and enjoy with my eyes, if not my mouth. Everything looks delectable.