Pumpkin Season Is the Reason
BY PAT BURNS
This time of year, for most GRANDS living in North America, means the sun begins to rise later and nightfall comes sooner. More than any other season, autumn is the time of year that awakens all of our senses. The feel of cooler temperatures. The smell of pumpkin candles. The cuddliness of comfy sweaters. The crunchy sound of fall leaves breaking under our feet. And, the splendor of witnessing Mother Nature’s showoff time with her colorful changing of leaves.
And, oh the food. We find pumpkin treats everywhere. From McDonald’s® Pumpkin and Creme Pie with its dual piping of pumpkin pie filling and creme in a baked turnover-style pie to Starbucks’ delicious array of pumpkin treats. Hot Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato chilled Harry Potter’s Pumpkin Juice and their delightful warmed Pumpkin Scones which, despite the vanilla icing, are not too sweet plus have enough spices to remind us of this special yummy season.
For tablescapers, let’s give ’em pumpkin to talk about. (Pardon the pun) Whether you decide to feature traditional autumn colors or set a table with the scary darkness of Halloween, there are plenty of options to set the theme in catalogs and stores.
For my autumn tablescape, I chose traditional colors of orange, yellow, ginger, and black. The white runner is covered with pumpkins and fall leaves on which I loosely tossed artificial autumn-colored leaves for a three-dimensional look. The three centerpiece candles bookend the setting with spider web candles that I found years ago at Cost Plus World Market.
With the chargers, I wanted to try something a little different. I covered them with checkered ginger-colored gingham fabric and I love this new look. The amber glass dinner plates were transparent enough to enable seeing more of the gingham fabric and then I topped the plates with Halloween-themed salad plates. Once all the main dining items were set, the rest of the tablescape items (mostly pumpkins) were added for fun and additional festivity.
Celebrate this special season. Pour yourself a pumpkin-flavored drink and set a tablescape that features the colors and smells of fall and forget all about raking leaves – unless you need them for your table.
For a delicious fall meal that’s sure to please, take a look at this recipe: Soup in a Pumpkin. This scrumptious recipe makes the house smell amazing as it cooks. When serving, be sure to break off little bits of pumpkin into the soup. It’s a must!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – PAT BURNS
Pat Burns is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Orange County Children’s Book Festival; a Celebrity Journalist, Film Reporter, the author of Grandparents Rock®. Also, a happy grandmother of four.