Ok y’all, I admit that I was looking for an excuse to use my vintage picnic basket and the vintage tablecloths I recently found at the thrift store. My husband, being such a good sport, went along with this spur of the moment idea. Even though, the plan had it’s ups and downs, it was still fun in the end.
Here are the adventures in planning a fall vintage picnic that we encountered.
You may be saying, “What, another fall table share?” Although I have shared a lot of fall tables lately, I had previously agreed to join some of my favorite blogger’s for a Fall Tablescape Hop. Therefore, I HAD to come up with something new to share with y’all.
I promise this one is different and was quite the adventure. We decided that an impromptu wine and cheese party might be just the thing.
Oh, and don’t forget, you’ll want to stay until the end so you can see all my friends inspiring tables.
How to Plan an Impromptu Picnic
So first, the location for the Fall Vintage Picnic would be on the pier. The original plan was to place the table cloths on the floor. However, we are getting old and the issue of getting up and down had to be considered. Plus, those boards are really hard on old bones. Therefore, the vintage tablecloths were spread across the small pier table to create a tabletop picnic.
In addition, adirondack chairs were pulled up close to the table for more relaxed seating, and a couple of pillows were added to soften the landing. LOL
The adventures in Menu Planning
Did I say this was impromptu? Well, as a results, the menu was limited. There was wine and cheese which we usually have on hand. However, I had to get creative with the other items.
First, there were no grapes.
Pause…… remember we live in the woods and a trip to the store is time consuming.
Remembering that some grapes were growing along our driveway, I jumped on the John Deere Gator and found the vine still had a few hanging on.
Pause again…… while there, a few grapevine branches were gathered for a project you may see later this week. As you can see, I’m easily distracted. Wink, wink!
On the way back, a persimmon tree caught my eye! It was easy to quickly gather a handful of fresh persimmons to add to the table.
Planning Fall Vintage Picnic Center Piece
What picnic would be complete without a bouquet of wild flowers? Oh well, the pasture did have some lovely wild flowers and I quickly cut a few stems. Quickly, because the cows were beginning to think it was feeding time. Yikes!!
Upon returning with these treasures, it quickly became apparent that the arrangement was lacking. Those darn cows!!!
Luckily, a few zinnias still had some life in them so I gathered a small bouquet from the garden. Ta da, a perfect picnic centerpiece was created when they were added to the wild flowers.
The Finishing Touch
When packing the picnic basket, some vintage silverware was tucked into these cute silverware pouches from Cutlery Couture. In addition, some thrift store napkins (that just happen to be the perfect color) and some pumpkin plates, from a previous fall, were packed.
A couple of pumpkins and a mum, from the Welcome to Fall Dinner, were easily to transfered from the outdoor kitchen.
The cheese was a little hard!
The grapes were a little sour and don’t get me started about how bitter fresh persimmons are!
But, good news – the Wine was Perfect!
Even Rudy seemed to enjoy the impromptu fall picnic, however he kept his distance during all the bitter and sour tastings.
I hope you enjoyed our impromptu adventure and that you are inspired to create events, without worry about how perfect they turn out.
Ready for more Inspiration – Check out these Fabulous Tablescapes
5 Easy Fall Table Decor Ideas - Stacy Ling
Wednesday 10th of August 2022
[…] Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse […]
Karolyn
Monday 28th of September 2020
If the wine was perfect, it all became perfect!!! Lol!! What a beautiful setting...the lake, the adirondack chairs and most of all, that beautiful, inviting table for sure! Looks so inviting for a great afternoon on the dock in Fall!
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Wednesday 30th of September 2020
Karolyn Yes, wine fixes all mistakes. LOL Thanks for your sweet compliments. Rachel
Corine Mapes
Monday 28th of September 2020
Love it!! I am so easily distracted too, I swear sometimes it's embarrassing for me. Now I want to on a picnic. Corine
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Wednesday 30th of September 2020
Corine, It's that creative mind. My husband gets so flustered with me because I don't finish anything. Jumping from project to project. LOL Don't change. Rachel
Kristin
Sunday 27th of September 2020
Rachel, this is all so pretty and I love the setting in this spot over looking the pond! All so lovely!
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Monday 28th of September 2020
Kristin, Thanks so much sweetie.
Kim | Shiplap and Shells
Sunday 27th of September 2020
Oh Rachel! This was such a fun post! I loved you taking us through the entire process and always enjoy a picnic on a pier. Pinned.
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Monday 28th of September 2020
Kim, It was very fun trying to pull it together without actually having supplies. Rachel