With the leaves falling, the air turning crisp, it is the perfect time to get in one last picnic before it is too cold.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Kids are back in school, the usual routines are back in order and the holidays are quickly approaching. This is the time to take a breather and enjoy the company of friends. I can’t think of a better way to do it than under a tree, hot cider in hand, amongst the beautiful fall leaves. It’s a perfect afternoon for your soul!

There is something so beautiful about being out in nature and enjoying God’s beautiful creation. For a brief moment, the crazy in life goes on pause and you have the chance to grab a moment, exhale and take it all in.  Sip on that hot apple cider, catch up on the latest news and watch the squirrels scamper around the yard burying treasure for the winter months.

It’s important to feed your soul with laughter and love, especially before the chaos of the holidays and end of year sets in. Take time to be with friends, encourage one another and make memories.
This fall picnic does not require a lot of work or effort and your friends can bring a dish to share. In this picture, I created a look and feel with items I had around the house. It is meant to be simple and carefree! No stress on this one.
Step 1:  Find a base to use for your picnic set up – I used my living room sofa ottoman. You could create a table with old pallets, crates with a board on top, or just lay your blanket on the ground.
Step 2: Use a plaid scarf, or piece of material to use as a base layer. I used my scarf as my pallet to create my color base from. I pulled out the soft blues, greens and neutrals to create a warm welcoming look.
Step 3: For the Tablescape in the middle: I used a wooden tray to give a solid surface to work with. I placed a recycled kombucha bottle with a small bunch of flowers and a few faux pumpkins from my fall decor, an old sheet of music rolled up and 2 candlesticks to add a little height.
Step 4: Plates and napkins – I chose to use my cream plates to help offset all the color. Light green napkins to match the plaid and add a touch of softness to the mix.

Step 5:  I created a table for the drinks to be served from by stacking a couple of crates. It needed a little more height so I added the drinks on top of a cake platter.

Step 6:  Enjoy the fun with your friends! My recipe for Hot Apple Cider and the most delicious Caramel Apple Dip you have ever eaten are here in my recipes!

It is not hard to create a place for friends to gather, perfection is not the goal,connection is the key! Be the one to extend an invite, and in return, others will follow too. Create a space that says, you are welcome here. Make the effort to open a space for hearts to be fed and filled, enjoy the gifts of nature God has blessed us with!

What are some fall traditions you have?  Favorite recipes you break out? Comment below so I can hear from you.

My Amazon Picks for a Great Outdoor Party:

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