It’s been the perfect picnic weather~ sunny, with a little nip in the air. . .
I pulled out the pumpkins, spread some blankets & pillows and pulled on a sweater for a lakeside picnic since the boat is tucked away.
A seasonal sip of Pumpkin Ale to wet your whistle~
Leftover Pork Tenderloin makes a perfect picnic slider~ with the addition of Horseradish Mayo for a bit of heat and a bread and butter pickle for a touch of sweet~ topped off with a soft Martin’s Famous Potato Roll.
I found Pumpkin Tree stems at Trader Joe’s for some seasonal color~
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Dried Cranberries, Toasted Pine Nuts, Baby Spinach & Bacon Dressing~
Cube sweet potatoes, season with salt & pepper, toss with olive oil and roast for 40 minutes at 400 degrees, stirring occasionally. Serve on a bed of baby spinach, add dried cranberries, toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seeds, crumbled bacon and warm bacon dressing.
Warm Bacon Dressing, recipe courtesy Southern Living can be found here.
Pumpkin Spice Cake Trifle
I had some extra Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes that I put to use for a couple of individual trifles~ crumble cupcakes (or any spice cake) and layer with vanilla pudding, whipped topping, & some crushed ginger snaps for some added crunch for a quick, sweet treat. Chill to let flavors meld.
Top and serve with a decorative & tasty Maple Leaf Creme Cookie :)
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes~ moist & easy with a spice box cake mix~
To box mix add: 3 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, 1/2 cup water, 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon & 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Bake cupcakes according to box directions.
Very pretty, looks like a great day! Love the warm colors and great plaids-enjoy:@)
That sweet potato salad on spinach looks divine as well as your pumpkin spice cake trifle! I love that you have recipes along with your beautiful tablescapes. Btw, I have one of those pumpkin on a stick plants growing in the garden this year. I will definitely grow it again next year as I have used those tiny pumpkins a lot in decorating this fall.
What a wonderful idea to have a fall picnic. Everything looks so inviting. I’ll bet your hubby has fun with all of your ideas “Tete-a-tete”.
Your picnic is utterly dazzling! The food is gorgeous, not to mention the setting, And I love the look of that pumpkin ale! I wonder what it tastes like. It’s all gorgeous!
The setting, as always, is perfect, but I can hardly wait to try these recipes–in the jars, to copy your great idea! Thank you for all your great, beautiful ideas!
As usual, the photos are spectacular…. I love your attention to details. The recipes sound delicious….The sweet potato salad would be lovely using our purple sweet taters!
Woman, do you ever stop!!!??? The setting is divine, and the food sounds fabulous! That salad is one I WILL make, oh yum! The dessert is calling my name and the sliders would be my Joe’s favorite. He LOOOOVES pork! I think a picnic is a great idea for a Fall afternoon. Once agin I am enthralled! XO, Pinky
oh yeah, its good to be home again and see you LIFE SIZE! i am so smitten with your lakeside feast, i was so audible i am sure you could have heard me in a 10 mile radius :)
your salad wows me, i make that too, but no bacon or bacon dressing, it sounds like a great addition.
i love love LOVE fall, you make me want to get out there and do cute fun things, but i am still playing catch up after so much time away. thank god you pick up the creative slack for me, i can come here over and over and oggle with the greatest joy!
Your sweet potato salad looks like my kind of comfort food! Your picnic is so beautiful. I love the basket with the throw and extra pillows. Everything is just beautiful.
I would enjoy this picnic very much. Sweet Potato salad sounds scrumptious. You always make things so beautiful.
Looks like it was the perfect day for a lakeside picnic, beautiful! Laura – Cottage and Broome
I wish I had my own personal jet. I’d fly right in for this gorgeous spread. You are amazing, Mary. Each photo, each detail leaves me awestruck.
Sorry I’ve been absent of late. I hope to scroll down and catch up on what I’ve missed. ;-)
Picnic in a Mason jar is always a fun treat for guests. Marvelous colors and textures create an inviting vignette. Thank you for inviting us for a peak at another of your wonderful lakeside designs. Cherry Kay
That trifle looks de-lish, as well as the sweet potatoes and all the decor! I’ve always wondered how that pumpkin ale was. My husband thinks I’m crazy b/c I buy wine based on the beauty of the labels. Don’t know whether you’ve been to the new LKN Antique Mall (grand opening this weekend), but there are some wool throws in the back room (near the bathroom) that made me think of you b/c it seems you have a nice collection of wool blankets.
Oh Mary! Thank you for all of the eye candy treats ~ you never fail to produce that WOW factor, including lots of tempting inspiration. What a treat it is to come see what you have in store for us. Thank you for sharing! xo ~m
This looks like the perfect picnic. Cool weather, gorgeous sunny day and wonderful food. your photos are amazing! hugs, Linda
Sadly, our picnic days are over here! What a delicious one you had.
I love picnics…your menu looks delicious! My Mom used to buy those maple leaf cremes…
I love lakeside feasts! A friend introduced me to maple leaf cremes recently. Love the plaids! Thanks for sharing with us.
I love every bit of this …the romance of the picnic, the innovative way that the food was packed and served….it is just beautiful and perfect!
Mary it is a good thing I am out the door for dinner as you have me drooling everywhere! Everything is just perfect as it always is. The food is a feast for the eyes and I am sure it is all delicious too! I love the sweater pillows. Did you whip those up too? They are wonderful. You couldn’t have a nicer setting and better food!
Ooooooooh, yeah…lovin’ this!!! This would be the perfect way to spend a crisp, cool fall day! Yes, indeedy!!! Beautiful, Mary! The sliders are a great idea, too. Not too bulky, a couple of bites…perfect! I can’t remember the last time my husband and I packed a picnic lunch. He’s always working, so I’m sure it has been many, many years. I am going to have to figure out a way to steal him away one of these days and treat him to something special like this! Have a beautiful weekend!
Beautiful picnic, Mary! I wonder how the Pumpkin Ale tastes.
What a great picnic, Mary! The food looks so yummy I’m a little hungry right now. I love picnics, nice weather and great food! I’d love to pack up a picnic basket with hubby sometime soon. Lovely sweater pillows too. Happy Seasonal Sunday. Hugs, FABBY
This is absolutely stunning. I love the blanket.. and the food and your set up.. all so very pretty for a lovely fall day.. xo marlis
You are amazing. Each and every posting is orchestrated to perfection bringing delight to each and every sense. Thank you for sharing your talents. Cass
What a beautiful fall picnic. I love the wooden trays you used for the sliders and tiny pumpkin. Lovely!!
Looks like a beautiful day! Love your pictures. Pat
Mary, Every post you do is one I will spend time pouring over and ooooohhing and aaaaahhing over too! What a gorgeous Autumn picnic! I love every detail and you are the queen of gorgeous details!
Putting food in jars is such a brilliant idea! So fun!!!!!!!
This post is full of inspiration and great ideas! Thanks for joining ON THE MENU MONDAY!
Yvonne
What a beautiful picnic. We love a fall picnic at the dock, but all of our water is gone, it is so refreshing to see the water in your lake. Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
Miz Helen
Your picnics are incredible!! I wish I was at your fabulous setting. At least, I catch a visit with your wonderful pictures!!!
Thanks, Mary, for your nice comments on my pomander tutorial–high compliment from someone with your talent. Coincidentally, I’ve been thinking about you today, because I made a version of your trifle in the Ball jars to take to my brother’s log cabin tomorrow—perfect, right?! Great idea; love it. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Where did you get and where can we get the recipe for the Trifle? It looks soooo good I cant stop thinking about it!
The ingredients are on the post :)
http://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2011/11/09/picnic-with-pumpkins/