2018 Blog Tour Stop #23, Fall Party Tradition!

Welcome to Mountain Brook Ink’s 2018 Holiday Blog Tour! We’re so excited you’ve decided to join us on this journey of family, friends, traditions, and memories over the next month. You, our reader, have done so much to pour into our lives, and this season we want to give back to you with insights into our traditions AND some giveaways.

The more days you follow, share, comment, and engage with us, the more entries you’ll have toward a Kindle Fire Grand Prize (U.S. mailing addresses only) or one of three Amazon Gift Cards! I’ll also be giving away a $5 Starbucks gift card (because…coffee) to one of my blog subscribers–so be sure to sign up if you haven’t already. Winner will be drawn at the end of the Blog tour.

I’m going to go out on a limb here (one with some lovely fall foliage fluttering in the breeze) and say that MOST people love fall, but I LOVE IT MORE! Yeah, I’m willing to fight you on this point. Or arm wrestle. Or, we could just meet for coffee and discuss it. Pumpkin Spice Latte, anyone? I think comedian Trey Kennedy captures the female fascination with this season in this hilarious video!

Seriously, I love, love, love this time of year! (Can a girl have too many boots and jackets? I think not). For the past ten years or so I have been throwing a “Welcome Autumn” party to celebrate my love of all that embodies this time of year. It is a family and friend highlight of the season. When my kids were asked about their favorite holidays a few years back, they said “Christmas, Thanksgiving, and mom’s fall party” 😀  Because I don’t have a set date that I throw this shindig, I often have friends texting me at some point saying, “Hey, when’s your fall party? Did I miss it?”

As a transplant from the seasonal Pacific Northwest to the mostly hot state of Texas, I think my passion for Fall stems from my lack of ability to truly experience it. When I instituted this celebration, I scheduled it the weekend of the first day of Autumn. In part, it was a way of celebrating our survival of another HOT summer in Texas. Usually by the first day of fall, I am free of 100 degree days. Usually.

However, my main dish of choice is always soup, which is something I avoid making throughout the scorching summer. The problem with soup in September is that the temperature is still hovering in the 90s.

So, um, no.

Something had to change and it wasn’t going to be my soup! Therefore, I moved the party to some time in October. And that, unfortunately, can still be hit or miss, but at least we are talking more moderate temperatures (though they still spike into the 80s).

 

This year’s party also served as a welcome home celebration for my middle daughter. She has been living in Washington state for the past year and just moved home because she became engaged to a fellow Texan! And since she is one of my party’s biggest fans, I saved the celebration until November.

Having it this late in the season meant I was optimistic about chilly weather and the addition of a bon fire. Alas…it was 75 degrees. Though it did rain (and hail!) that evening, I still found myself in a sleeveless shirt and jeans 🙁 Thankfully it was pleasant enough to enjoy my white chicken chili and pumpkin cornbread (recipes below).

My Autumn decor rivals my Christmas decor in quantity. There’s just something so cozy about the palette of the season and I love that I can leave it up for several months. Besides decorations and festive food, there’s only the addition of friends and family that officially make this a “party”.

In the past, I have made attempts at fall-themed games (teenagers were “grossed out” about “sharing germs” in a bucket of water when bobbing for apples), and even a pumpkin carving contest, but those things never really took, or were neglected altogether because everyone was too busy talking and laughing. Guess I can’t complain about that!

So, after experimenting with ways to make the party more than a glorified potluck of fall flavors, I’ve learned that that is exactly what everyone enjoys. Guests bring a fall savory or sweet dish to share, I provide soup, drinks, and bread. Then we all eat and catch up on life, mostly clustering in my narrow kitchen despite a den, living area, and porches with plenty of seating.

I suppose we could recreate this in other seasons and everyone would still enjoy it. But, somehow, I think this time of year just lends itself to gathering close to those we love and enjoying rich fellowship with the addition of delicious, festive foods.

What could be more natural as we approach the season of giving, in which we remember the birth of our Savior? I believe the promise of Christmas lingering near serves to make all of our gatherings more meaningful. Don’t you? We begin our journey to Bethlehem afresh when days grow shorter and the air carries a chill.

Okay, your turn! How do you celebrate the changing of the seasons, and what do you love most about this time of year? Are you a pumpkin lover or hater?

Don’t miss the Rafflecopter giveaway, below, along with links to the chicken chili and pumpkin cornbread recipes I used this year! Remember to subscribe to my blog to win a $5 gift card to Starbucks for the seasonal treat of your choice.

Also, if you missed the fun along the way, I’ve linked to our entire blogging schedule so you can get to know other MBI and have more chances to enter into our grand prize Kindle giveaway! Note that future links are not available until the day of the post. Don’t miss Sara Davison’s post tomorrow!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stop #1: October 28 – Kimberly Rose Johnson
Stop #2: October 29 – Christina Coryell 
Stop #3: October 30 – Mary Davis
Stop #4: October 31 – Angela Ruth Strong
Stop #5: November 1 – Susan Page Davis
Stop #6: November 2 – Amy K. Rognlie
Stop #7: November 3 – Gayla K. Hiss
Stop #8: November 4 – Christa MacDonald
Stop #9: November 5 – Linda Hanna & Deborah Dulworth
Stop #10: November 6 – Richard Spillman
Stop #11: November 7 – Annette M. Irby
Stop #12: November 8 – Miralee Ferrell
Stop #13: November 9 – Jeanette-Marie Mirich
Stop #14: November 10 – Anna Zogg
Stop #15: November 11 – Teresa H. Morgan
Stop #16: November 12 – Kelsey Norman
Stop #17: November 13 – Barbara J. Scott
Stop #18: November 14 – Patricia Lee
Stop #19: November 15 – Linda Thompson
Stop #20: November 16 – Janalyn Voigt
Stop #21: November 17 – Cynthia Herron 
Stop #22: November 18 – Trish Perry 
Stop #23: November 19 – Heather L.L. Fitzgerald
Stop #24: November 20 – Sara Davison 
Stop #25: November 21 – Taylor Bennett

I’ve used this Bush’s White Chicken Chili recipe the last few years (usually double or triple, depending on numbers). Everyone loves it and it is pretty easy to throw together on a day that is VERY busy with preparations. In order to keep it gluten free, I puree two extra cans of white chili beans and omit the cream of chicken soup.

And this was the first year I tried this pumpkin cornbread recipe, and it was excellent! I substituted the regular flour for gluten free.

 

 

37 comments on “2018 Blog Tour Stop #23, Fall Party Tradition!” Add yours →

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  2. I love decorating for autumn. Growing up in Michigan, we had gorgeous colors and lots of activities on the farm. There were numerous hayrides and bonfires, with hot dogs & marshmallows. We still did a few last trail rides and got all the animals ready for winter. West Texas sometimes has some color, but it is always hot and non-fall feeling. I am with you. It is hard to decorate for fall when it is in the 90’s! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

    1. Sounds like you had picture-perfect falls up there! I’m not sure I’d be tough enough for those winters, though! Happy thanksgiving to you, too!

  3. Aw, your party sounds like a lot of fun. Fall is my absolute favourite season too, although where I live, an hour from Toronto, it is far too short – we’ve already had a couple of significant snowfalls. Really enjoyed your post!

  4. Agreed. That’s an excellent reason to have a party, and an excellent time. And I also agree on what an odd thing it is that people tend to congregate in your narrow kitchen (including myself!). But what a lovely kitchen – and home – it is!

    Your party is one way I celebrate the season. And though I don’t really decorate my home, I celebrate the changes I see and feel in our little corner of the world with my youngest, who has a keen eye and a great appreciation for that sort of thing.

    1. I know! What’s with you guys, LOL?! That’s okay, it’s part of the fun and part of the mystery…
      Yes, C does have that artistic, keen eye that notices the little things! I love it when kids help us adults slow down and pay attention 💕. What a blessing she is!

  5. YES!! Love the idea of a fall party SO much! It’s my favorite time of year. ❤ And I love pumpkins too! I like to say I loved pumpkins before it was cool. 😉

  6. That video though!

    Fall and winter are my favorite seasons. I live in Western Washington so right now it’s super chilly over here! I celebrate by bringing out the winter boots, splashing in puddles, and stomping on leaves. 😉 Plus bundling up in a blanket and reading for hours. 😛 I find that I write and read more during this half of the year.

    I love to make Curried Pumpkin Fries. I really should write up a recipe for it sometime.

    1. Helloooo fellow Washingtonian! Please think of me next time you stomp in some pudo🍁❤️. Also…I reeeaally would love that recipe if you are willing to share! Sounds amazing!

  7. I don’t really do anything to celebrate fall my favorite part of it though is the leaves changing colors and falling I live in PA so it is very pretty here when that happens it is also my birthday, my husband’s and more family members also have their birthdays and Our Anniversay at the beginning of fall

    2. Well it sounds like you have quite a few reasons for a party in fall without adding a fall party! I’ve always wanted to head east for autumn…PA is beautiful!!!

      1. Yes we had a bit of a late fall with the warmer weather but we had it
        Come beginning of Oct to Mid Oct 😀

  8. It sounds like you throw a great party. Just curious though: do any of your friends from The Tethered World ever attend? 🙂

    1. Hi, Edward! Well, that depends on how you look at it… A lot of those characters in the Tethered World are named after friends of mine, so I guess you could say they attend!

  10. What a fun post, Heather! GREAT idea—a party celebrating fall. We, too, live in Texas and when a good “norther” blows in, blowing the high temps out (even down to the 70s!), we feel like we’ve been reborn! When we all roll in to the farmstead for the holidays, we set up one of those long white tables and immerse ourselves in a lively card game of Hand and Foot, gorge ourselves on great food, laugh, and catch up. It’s awesome!

    1. Hey, Shara! Nice to meet a fellow Texan ☺️. Sounds like you may be further south than me. Our northers do give us a few nights in the 30s, which I love! We are near Fort Worth. How about you? I love that you guys eat outside in the temperate weather!

  11. Fall is my favorite season too. I love pumpkin, although I started consuming pumpkin everything way back in September, so I’m about over it now. 🙂 Fall in OR is hanging on. It’s sunny and cold. There are still too many leaves on the tress for mid-November. I dodged yellow jackets while out walking–I’ve never experienced this in November before.
    I really enjoyed your post.

    1. Ahhh! Say hello to that Oregon autumn for me. Loved the Indian summers up there! Yes…time to move on to peppermint from all that pumpkin 😉. I agree!

  12. I think being your neighbor would be a lot of fun. Loved the silly video. Are we women really that spacey? Laughing here. Have a great Thanksgiving Heather.

  13. That video was hilarious!
    Fall in Florida is similar to yours. We only got into the 70s recently and last week was out first week below 70!
    I hated fall when we lived in SD because it was a too-short indicator that winter was coming. But now that we live somewhere warmer, I’m rediscovering my love for the season. I love the colors too. 🙂

  14. I do like pumpkins and its classic uses. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin spice tea….yum!
    I wish i could attend your Fall party – it sounds amazing!!
    Also, that video is hysterical ~ a friend of mine sent it to me a few weeks ago and it still has me laughing. XD
    Sadly, fall in pretty much over here in MN. We reached winter temps at the end of October. ^.^ I love winter, but would’ve loved a longer fall. Ah well, I enjoyed it while it lasted!

    1. Consider yourself invited next year, Raechel! Yes, you live in a chilly part of the country. At least you have four seasons 😉. I’m not sure I’m tough enough for your winters though!

  15. I love autumn, also. I love the different colors and all the fall activities. Thanks for the recipes. I have never heard of pumpkin corn bread, but it sounds delicious!

  16. In a pumpkin lover not as much as my niece she’s all pumpkin. I mean everything. I love taking the leaves and watching my grandchildren jump in them. Higher grandma and pappy so we make them higher!! I’m not a big turkey water but I make it every year for Thankst. But I think I love Christmas more. The fresh smell of winter the snow. Watching the grandchildren make their snowmen and snow woman. The fresh smell of a live tree in my house.

    1. Sounds like you live somewhere with beautiful and distinct seasons! The seasons are definitely enriched when you are a grandparent, too. Where do you live?