A Fall Fireside Gathering

I hope you have plans with your friends and family this Thanksgiving season and I hope they include marshmallows and a fire!  We held a gathering at White Oaks Ranch around the fire pit for all ages and enjoyed the crisp Fall weather we are now enjoying in Texas!  

 We threw on a fire and put together some sips and nibbles and had just tried to relax.

The crisp air was fresh and perfect for a cape and gloves!  I have been waiting for an excuse to pull out these monogrammed gloves from Mark and Graham! 

If you only make one thing from this post, I hope it will be the Warm Citrus Olives.  They were amazing and, by far, the most popular dish.  I served them in Belly-Shaped Saucepan with one of my Halo Home by KSW fringe napkins 

Holiday Cranberry, Orange, Walnut & Goat Cheese Dip was served in a silver dish on a wooden charger from World Market .  I love the charger as a serving tray but it is so versatile.  It can add height to a buffet or serve as a dramatic charger at everyone's place setting for a seated dinner.

These  Savory Cheesecake Bites with Crab, Grapefruit and Avocado were an unexpected twist on our outdoor casual theme but I like that they added something unexpected.

Of course, we treated the drinks with the same care as the menu! 

 A little something for all was offered including this spiced tea which hit the spot!  It is a family recipe that our amazing food stylist, Stephanie Greenwood,  shared with us.

Spiced Tea  - A Greenwood Family Favorite

2 qts. Water

½ tsp to 1 Tb of whole cloves

3 to 6 sticks cinnamon

Place these in a large pan and bring to a boil.  Let them boil for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat.

Add 3 Tb of loose black tea and steep 10 minutes.  Using a strainer, pour liquid into container for the tea.

Add 1 large can of pineapple juice (might be 1 quart and ¼ oz or something), 1 ½ cup of sugar, 1 small can frozen orange juice, a couple of Tbs of real lemon and 3 orange juice cans of water.

Zest 3 Sunkist Lemons and Juice and then add in the Dried Citrus at the end! 

You can add spiced rum to it if you want as well! 

 For those who were wanting something with a bit of a kick, this Grapefruit IPA Twist  did the trick! 

I don't know who enjoyed this hammered copper tub of Vintage Style Sodas from World Market more, the children of the adults!   Not only were they delicious but they sparked some fun conversations too!  They are sold in a twelve pack that makes a fun gift too!

 But, of course, the highlight of the afternoon was roasting marshmallow.  We put our own citrus twist on the marshmallows after they were roasted by adding a slice of citrus and drizzling them in Annie B's Baking Caramel.  It was so good!

 I swear that I didn't ask my children to stand like this.  It just happened and, thank God, the camera was near by!  What a precious moment I will always remember and cherish.  

Big Thanks to the fabulous team who helped put this together!  

Assisted by Kathy Short

Photographer: Kelsey Foster Wilson
Photography Assistant: Rachel Strum

Food Stylist: Stephanie Greenwood

Food Stylists Assistant: Amanda Mobley

This post was created in partnership with Sunkist Growers and products were provided by World Market, Both are brands that I love!