Pear Sparklers and Barn Nails...

The crops are being harvested, the leaves are changing and the weather continues to be absolutely perfect! Why not take advantage of the sunshine, blue skies, amazing colours and warmer temperatures as we head into Fall, by hosting lunch outdoors.

I think what I like most about this piece for Style at Home by Event Planner and Blogger, Eden Passante, is how she uses the crisp, cool whites of summer side-by-side with the more tonal colours of Fall...the perfect transition!

The use of the rough and textural acorns and pine cones beside the smooth glass, Baby's Breath and pressed linens show how to still bring in the lingering bit of Summer, while welcoming in the Fall elements.

I am a BIG fan of supporting local business (if you're a regular reader of my Blog, you already know this) and am even more of a fan of planning meals around what is currently in season.

The Williams Sonoma website is also one of my favorite sites for not only shopping, but recipes, entertaining tips and fantastic holiday tips like how to incorporate foods of the season into your party planning. 'Click' on the photo to review all of the amazing recipes...

Apples and pumpkins tend to be the 'big two' when it comes to Fall flavours and recipes. Personally, I really enjoy pears and thought I'd share some ideas in how to incorporate them into your Fall repertoire...

This beverage would be my "transitional" drink....reminiscent of summer, but with the flavours of Fall.

Pear Sparklers

Quick to prepare, this refreshing nonalcoholic drink is perfect for autumn gatherings.

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes as needed
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups bottled pear juice
• 4 to 5 cups sparkling water, chilled
• 1 Anjou pear for garnish

Directions:

Place ice cubes in tall glasses. Add about 3 Tbs. pear juice to each glass and then pour in about 1/2 cup sparkling water. Slice the pear into thin wedges, garnish the glasses and serve immediately. Serves 8 to 10.

And this beverage would be my 'welcome to Fall' drink....the colour, the richness, the spices...It's like a warm and cozy blanket but for your taste buds.

The Barn Nail

Graham Case, Bar Manager and Mixologist at Blackberry Farm, loves to infuse simple syrups with herbs and spices to make his cocktails unique. The Barn Nail is one delicious example. The recipe serves one but can easily be made in a larger batch.

Ingredients:

For the spiced honey syrup:

• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 1 cup (375 ml) honey
• 1 cup (250 g) sugar
• 5 whole cloves
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 allspice berries 
• 
  1 1/2 fl. oz. (45 ml) whiskey
• 1/2 fl. oz. (15 ml) cherry liqueur
• 2 dashes plus 2 drops bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions:

To make the spiced honey syrup, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine the water, honey and sugar and heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cloves, star anise, cinnamon stick and allspice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Strain the syrup into a container. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using. You will need 1/4 fl. oz. (7 ml) spiced honey syrup for this cocktail; refrigerate the rest for making more cocktails.

In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, the 1/4 fl. oz. (7 ml) spiced honey syrup, the cherry liqueur and bitters. Stir until cold and pour into a tumbler. Garnish with an orange peel. Serves 1.

So it's official...you have no excuse but to get friends and family together, outdoors while the weather is still balmy and summer like, and have a wonderful afternoon or evening of eating, drinking, talking and laughing!

Cheers to Fall and all that it brings!

RR

Party Time!!

Cheers!

We made it through Christmas... the laughter, the happy tears, the hecticness and with possibly with a few more inches around the mid-section...but, we made it!

New Years is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the past year and welcome in the New Year then with a dinner party?!

You don't even need to do a full dinner party...an evening of appetizers and cocktails is just as fun and is a bit more casual.

Personally, I would be more inclined to have people over for appetizers and cocktails (mainly due to the size of my house/dining area) and in preparation of this, I always turn to my Williams Sonoma Cookbooks. Not only do I flip through my cookbooks for inspiration, but, the Williams Sonoma website also has a plethora of recipes from a variety of their cookbooks that you can access and enjoy! This is one of my favourites:

Mushroom and Mascarpone Tartlets



If mascarpone is unavailable, you can approximate its flavor and consistency by whisking 1/3 cup softened cream cheese with 1/3 cup sour cream until smooth.


Ingredients:

1 disk savory tart dough (see related recipe at left)

Flour for rolling out dough

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 large leeks, including pale green parts, halved, rinsed and thinly sliced

3/4 lb. cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced

1/2 oz. dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes, squeezed dry and finely chopped (optional)

Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

2/3 cup mascarpone cheese (see note above)

Directions:

Bake the tart bases

Preheat an oven to 375°F.

Divide the dough disk in half, keeping one half in the refrigerator until needed. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half into a rough round 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible. Transfer to 1 or 2 baking sheets. Gather the scraps, roll out 1/8 inch thick and cut out additional rounds. You should have about 32 rounds. Pierce the rounds in several places with a fork. Bake until the tart bases are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Cook the mushrooms

Meanwhile, in a large fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the fresh mushrooms and reconstituted porcini, season generously with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and become dry and softened, about 5 minutes.

Assemble the tarts

Spread 1 heaping tsp. of the mascarpone onto each tart base. Mound 2 tsp. of the mushroom mixture on the cheese. Arrange on a platter and serve immediately. Makes about 32 tartlets.

When it comes to cocktails, most of my friends "BYOB" as they have a very wide variety of tastes, however, I like to make sure I always have the 'staples' on hand (vodka, gin, rye, rum and red &white wine), mix, non-alcoholic options such as Efferve and lots & lots of bubbly!

 

 

Pull out your best stemware, flatware, serving dishes and then start to decorate!

From the kitchen (we all know parties congregate in the kitchen) to the dining room.....I know how much I enjoy putting together the centrepieces, the flatware, the linens...the possibilities are endless!

House and Home magazine put together a gallery of Holiday Tables 

You can take the holiday decor you already have out and make small changes to transform it into New Years decor. Replace the snowmen with snowflakes, the holiday stockings for sparkley stiletto ornaments or mini snowshoes (depending on whether you're going for glitz/glam or a more rustic feel) and leave out the antlers, the greenery, the deer, the sparkley branches etc etc....

Perfect for the 'kitchen party'..a moveable island, white platters/plates and natural decor.



Farmhouse Chic Decor....LOVE the goblets!



Rustic Simplicity!

Green glass! Use the collections you already have!

More formal.....

The buffet is a perfect to set up the bar area....

Holiday colours in a rustic setting....

Rustic Modern....

White, creams and natural elements...Simple = Beautiful

Non-trad colours look incredibly festive!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and "Cheers" to 2013!

RR

My Wish List...

I don't know about you, but I love this time of year! Family, friends, lights, traditions, decorations, snow, yummy food....the list of fun, good times and frivolity goes on and on!

 

However, the one thing that does make me a bit uncomfortable about this time of year is making "THE List".....a Christmas List. I'm one of those people that would much rather give than receive. It's a catch 22 ...I want to be sure that what I give to someone is something they want, but that it is also something unique and relates to my relationship with that person.

 

The catch 22 is that when people ask me for my list, I have a difficult time putting things on paper...I really don't need anything....and as for wants....well...there really aren't many things I yearn for...BUT......if someone would like to put a Range Rover in my driveway, I wouldn't complain ;)

 

 

All that being said....I am going to try and put a bit of a list together....a list of things that I would like to receive because they aren't just 'things' but are reminders of life events, memories, would help me make more memories, are practical (most of them) and just remind me of me....of who I am.

 

1. Sorel Conquest Carly

 

 

As you know, I have a wonderful 4 legged pooch and we do a lot of walking in all 4 seasons. A boot like this is perfect for those sub zero walks in the snow at 6am!

 

2. Classy T-Shirt and Lab Sweatshirt

 

 

This just makes me smile.....and is SOOOO true!

Perfect for our walks, the gym or for lounging!

 

3. Starbucks and Dean and Deluca

 

 

My guilty pleasures....They're my 'security blanket'...My "Sunday morning in my comfies on the couch" beverage/treat of choice! D&D...you NEED to start shipping to Canada or open a store here ASAP!



4. Travel Guides/Journals

 

Ireland - have never been and can't wait to go!



NYC - MUST go back again this year!



Alberta/Lake Louise - Can't wait for my annual trip out!

5.  Burberry



I think it speaks for itself...GORGEOUS and CLASSIC!

6. ANYTHING from Blush!







The perfect LBD, the Oxblood Pom Pom Beanie, the Button Hand Warmers, and the Buckle Cuff ...Yes Please!

7. Giftcards






.....Homesense, Etsy, Borealis Grill (my fav local resto), Williams Sonoma  etc...for those days when a gal needs to treat herself to a lil something.

But...most of all...what I REALLY want for Christmas is to be able to continue living the very blessed life I lead, that my friends and family stay healthy & happy and that the year ahead holds a lot of fun and many adventures!

RR