I may as well say it before you do. I’m lazy. You see, I joined a bloghop hosted by my friend Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate. The subject is a Halloween tablescape. Easy enough, right? Except that the whole time I’m planning my vignette (an alfresco meal by the light of the moon), I’m being watched. I think I even saw him tapping his paw with impatience.
Hadji knows there is a canine costume contest at a local bar this Friday, and he’s been ready to go shopping for his outfit supplies (we only do homemade costumes in this house) since 9 this morning. Seriously, he won’t move from that chair unless I say we’re going to Michaels. And because I’m a highly competitive person, I have a very intricate costume in mind (that will definitely win). Hence, I’m keeping this Halloween table setting very casual. Very, very casual.
Since chilly, windy weather is finally upon us and raking leaves is a futile endeavor, I thought it fitting to use only natural elements for this tablescape. First, I grabbed a linen tablecloth from the closet (note the wrinkles) and layered it over a piece of festive fabric. With patio lights strung on my fences and a cozy fire pit just waiting for some glowing embers, I thought a buffet would make sense. We can fix our plates and dine around the fire.
I carved out three small pumpkins I borrowed from my front porch and drilled holes into the sides with some new drill bits I bought. Here’s how they look at night. (I should have made more intricate patterns in them, but you know. Hadji’s staring at me.)
For several weeks I’ve been collecting acorns from my yard, so yesterday I strung a garland of Indian corn and acorns. I found the easiest method was to use a tiny bit to drill holes into the corn and acorns. Then I strung them together with an embroidery needle and pliable small wire. They work as a swag or in a haphazard arrangement strewn across the table.
I added plates, utensils, napkins, and wine.
Hadji suggested that I have my guests each bring a potluck dish so I don’t have to spend time cooking. So voila! Here’s my lazy girl’s guide to Halloween entertaining. Or maybe I should call this post “Has Halloween gone to the dogs?” I’ll keep you all posted on how the contest goes.
P.S. As you can tell from this tablescape, I tend to choose pumpkins and corn over ghouls and tombstones. But just so you know that I can do creepy, here’s how I decorated my front porch. My sister and her Pittsburgh native husband visited for the Bengals & Steelers game. It didn’t quite go as planned.
The biggest compliment is a little share – please pin the photo below!
And check out these other super creative Halloween tablescapes!
Wendy, your garland is fabulous! I am all for easy and you have done a very fine job of balancing easy with festive! Looking forward to seeing Hadji in his costume! He is adorable 🙂
thanks Maureen! finishing up his costume today!!
Wendy, I just love your garland! I’ve never seen acorns that size…the ones we have here in Connecticut are tiny. Your tablescape is casual and unfussy, but I wouldn’t call it lazy! Just perfect for an outdoor potluck supper. It was nice hopping with you. Happy Halloween!
Rebecca
Thanks Rebecca!
Oh my gosh, that corn garland is darling. What fun and easy ideas. This is one of the most unique tablescapes to date! You win for simple elegance, just perfect for the season!
Oh Kim, thank you so much!
That corn garland is fantastic! What a fantastic and unique idea to give the table something special. Love all of your pumpkins too!
Thanks!
Oh Wendy, the garland is perfect and would do great all the way through Thanksgiving! I LOVE the little pumpkins with the holes, they are so cute and a great way to add light to a Halloween table! Thanks for joining us in another hop! I look forward to seeing what that costume for Hadji was!
Wendy I am in love with your garland! This would be so stunning for Thanksgiving. If I make one I will be sure to link back to you. I also love your little pumpkin lanterns!
So happy to be joining you on the hop this week. I would also like to invite you over to share with us at Thursday Favorite Things. The party is open from Thurs.-Saturday at midnight.
https://followtheyellowbrickhome.com/for-the-love-of-pumpkins-at-thursday-favorite-things/
Happy Halloween!
Thanks amber! I’ll check out the link party!
Wendy, I LOVE this! I am not a fan of Halloween, and so I didn’t participate in this particular hop, but that garland you made for runner is so perfect for any fall table, but especially for your French Twist! The pumpkins are pretty darn cute too. Bravo from a girl who doesn’t like Halloween!
Ha! I’m not really a Halloween gal either so my tablescape looked more like thanksgiving! I do like the garland though!
Love your garland and swag with the Indian corn and acorns and festive pumpkin luminaries! It seems far from lazy, I can’t imagine drilling into those hard little acorns 😉 Looking forward to seeing Hadji’s costume! Fun hopping with you this week!
Thanks Mary! I’ll definitely share his costume.
I am going to have to get out my drill!!! Your pumpkins came out so cute! I saw this on Pinterest but thought mine would for sure be a Pinterest fail – but now you have given me the courage that it could work! Love the indian corn garland too. We used to grow indian corn when I was a kid and I could not wait to open it up and see the colors. Good luck with the costume contest tonight!!! Have Fun!
Looks like I am going to have to get out my drill!!! Your pumpkins look so cute – I saw some on Pinterest – but I thought if I tried that it would be a for sure fail!! But yours look great! Love the indian corn garland too – we used to grow indian corn when I was a kid and I could not wait to open it up and see the colors. Good luck with the costume contest tonight!!!
Thanks Ann! I’m trying to finish Hadji’s costume right now, and he’s hiding under the bed! lol
Very creative corn and acorn runner. Natural elements are great to use. The mouse hold pumpkins are darling. Hanging out by the fire is awesome on cool fall nights. I admire your drill skills.
Thank you Linda. A power drill is easy, but I’d like to learn more woodworking & such. I love being outdoors all year long.
hi Wendy! I always love your unique and fresh interpretations of our tablescape themes, and this is pure delight! Love the Indian corn garland and your tool carved pumpkins, {I am always impressed by women who use power tools } Hadji is adorable, I hope you’ll share his costume soon!
Thank you Jenna. Yes, I will share Hadji’s Halloween pics! I would love to do more with power tools…. just so many intentions and so little time!
Wendy there are times when “lazy” is called for…and there is nothing wrong with that, but I don’t call your tablescape lazy because it is perfect for a cozy potluck out by the fire. I love the Indian corn strung out on your table.
Your fur baby is so patient and I can’t wait to see the home made costume. It is always great to blog hop with you.
Kari @ Me and My Captain
Thanks Kari. Yes, I will definitely share pics of Hadji in his costume. Fur babies do come first, don’t they?
Wendy, how handy are you with a drill in creating fab fall decorations! I loved the corn garland, useable strung across a mantle, and through Thanksgiving. Also liked that you alone braved an outdoor setting.
Debbe, thanks! It was not my most elaborate tablescape, but it was fun.
Hi Wendy! I love the corn and acorn garland! What a great idea! The mouse hole pumpkins are a great idea for outdoor lanterns. I can imagine them all lit up on the table for Halloween dinner! So happy to be hopping with you!
Thank you Michelle!
Your Indian corn table runner is a great idea. It really looks easy to make and certainly makes a statement for Halloween with your mouse-hole pumpkins and for the enter Fall season.
Thanks Marsha!