From her cabin in the woods Kristin Lenz sets a Fall tablescape inspired by the colors of Autumn to enjoy with girlfriends after a Fall canoe and kayak ride.
The weather in Wisconsin at the beginning of Fall is always up and down. It can be really cold some days and warm others, but it is usually a great time to still enjoy being outside. We may not want to swim in the lake anymore, but the leaves changing makes the perfect backdrop for canoeing and kayaking.
I thought I would invite some girlfriends over to go canoeing and kayaking on the lake and then set up snacks and drinks to enjoy afterward.
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I’m excited to share this idea as part of the Fall Tablescapes Blog Hop hosted by Chloe of Celebrate & Decorate . If you are coming over from Living With Thanksgiving welcome to Camp Paradise, our log cabin lakeside home nestled in The Northwoods of Wisconsin. I’m so glad you’ve come to visit! You’ll find a full list and links for the bloggers participating in the hop at the bottom of my post.
I always keep around fun cocktail napkins. I pulled out my green and white check to add fun to the table.
A quick way to invite friends over? Make an invitation on your phone save it as a photo and text it to your friends. On my phone I love using these apps: WordSwag and PicCollage. Online use PicMonkey.
No need for silverware, this get together is all finger foods. Just munchies that are easy to snack on while we talk. Most of these treats are favorites I like to keep on hand in the pantry so I always have something to pull out for guests or for my family.
I often make my family a little tray of snacks in the evenings or a tray for a lite lunch on the weekends to just graze from as we hang out together. And if friends stop over last minute we have something to easily set out.
Favorites:
- these pretzels
- this kind of gingersnap
- these nuts
- Wisconsin cheese
If found these acorn dishes at a local antique shop and loved the colors and Fall motif. The green vintage metal picnic basket was a gift from a friend. I love using it to hold flowers.
To make a rustic cakestand, for serving, I used one of my log platters and the base of a hurricane candleholder.
Most of my vintage pieces I put to use. This green cooler still works great and holds a selection of beverages for my friends. There are so many fun and delicious beers, bottled wines and cocktails to choose from these days. I like to match the labels flavors or names to fit my theme, like this Canoe Paddler from Lienenkugels.
Thank you so much for visiting! Next on the tour is the beautiful table from Intelligent Domestications.
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My Family Thyme
Kristen ,what a fun girlfriend gathering! Csnoeing and kayaking sounds like fun and your table with goodies is so inviting. Your fall decor is colorful, creative, and interesting. I love your wooden charger repurposed to a pedestal. So clever. Your fall throw makes s great tablecloth.
I would love to visit Wisconsin in the fall. Your lake area is so pretty.
Thanks so much Bonnie! It is almost storybook like in the Fall. The colors just take your breath away!
Can I be your friend? I would LOVE to canoe with you and admire Wisconsin’s beautiful fall foliage and then get to sit at your gorgeous table. My vintage loving heart pitter patted as a scrolled through your pictures. I have the same green tin and now I’m inspired to get a mum to put in mine. Love the fall dishes that you scored, they are perfect for this time of year. Your snacks look so good and I love the way you served them on the wood slice. It’s all so pretty!
You bet Paula! Wish you could come right over!! Thank you for the sweet comments!!
Kristin,reserve a kayak and seat for my, please! I’m all in for tipples and snacks in this setting! I love all the vintage goodness – always – and love seeing it put to use. I’m a girl who loves it all – glam, rustic, vintage, new, but my true self is more like an Eddie Bauer girl. I love your style.
I will save on for you Rita! Thanks for the sweet words!! I’m an Eddie Bauer girl too!
If Rita hasn’t tKen the last seat, count me in too! Hubby and I are heading out on bikes this afternoon along what use to be a rail line. But, to bee on a lake, awwww sounds lovely. My adult sons are into craft beers and would get a kick out of those that accompany your wonderful setting. Im especially partial to the green metal picnic basket.
Thanks Debbee! There is always room for you!! Wouldn’t it be fun to all meet someday!! Hope you enjoyed your bike ride!
Kristin, I absolutely love your style with all of its rustic beauty. The plaid throw makes the perfect background for nibbles with your friends. I agree with Rita, save a seat for me. Your friends must adore being invited to your table and kayaking on the lake. The old thermos cooler is so perfect! It is so much fun to visit with you!
So enjoy your post.
Where should I check for the plaid tin picnic baskets? I guess the only problem with them would be they have rust or dents?
More details on spice wafers and your Wiscon. Cheese you are serving.
Thanks!!!
I find the mental picnic baskets in antique shops or on Etsy. I linked the gingersnaps and cheese that I love in the post so you can find them. The picnic baskets do sometimes have dents or rust, but if they are in mostly good shape I don’t mind. Thank you so much for you compliments!! Let me know if you have trouble following the links and I’ll see what I can do to help! Happy Weekend!
Thanks so much Pam! I love these crisp Fall days for relaxing outdoors!
Kristin, what a fun way to enjoy the great outdoors. The plaid throw speaks “the northwoods” and is perfect for your outdoor gathering. I have the same throw myself and love it. Your cake stand for serving your snacks is such a great idea. I can just hear all of the fun laughter from the ladies having a great time and the smell of the fresh cool autumn breeze while being by the lake. A wonderful way to convey the beauty of northern Wisconsin. Enjoy your time with your dear friends! I know they will feel at home.
Thanks Marsha! It’s so fun to pull together tables with our favorite things isn’t it! It’s such a fun way to be creative! I loved that throw because the colors were so different!
I want to come up and get out on the lake with you! Honestly, I just want to be your neighbor! I would be hanging out at your house all the time! A warm throw is the perfect thing to use as a tablecloth in your part of the country, and you know I love all of your vintage items, the cooler and the picnic hamper. The bottles with the paddle logos are just perfect for your casual girls together! Thank you so much for sharing your talents and your wonderful home with us once again!
I wish you were my neighbor Chloe! We would have so much fun!! Thanks for organizing another amazing hop!!
This is rustic perfection. You always make beautiful settings around your home. Using the plaid is a great touch and says fall. Love what you did with the wood slab and candle holder.
Enjoy the rest of your day
Cindy
Thanks so much Cindy! It is so much fun to decorate and coordinate with the forest!
What a cozy and warm table. I loved the fact you used a colorful throw. Those snacks look wonderful for a nice crisp day. The canoe theme is quite fun and original. We all want to jump in a canoe and paddle away. The picnic hamper is a great idea for your florals. A pleasure joining you on this fall tablescape blog hop.
P.S. Kristin, I am having a difficult time reading the text in the comment box. it is super tiny. I had to blow up the screen to 150%. Not sure if anyone is experiencing this?
Thanks so much Linda! Thanks also for letting me know about the size issue. I have only had the one other comment and am keeping track to see what needs to be done to improve it. I appreciate it!
What a fun girls day! Love the blanket and snack stand! A cool day lakeside sounds dreamy to me, we are still sweating down South!
Thanks so much Jenna! Hope you cool off soon!
what a lovely afternoon gathering spot for girls. We know how to enjoy the moment without too much fuss. The plaid throw has set the mood and easy refreshments are perfect for the occasion in your outdoor setting. I’d sit and talk far too long. So cozy.
Wish you could come over Shirley! Thank you so much!
What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon!! your relaxed afternoon with the girlfriends sounds right up may alley! I love the setting and casual feel of camp paradise! crushing on your vintage green picnic basket. I see this gathering going into the evening with a campfire!! Wish I could be there!! Have a wonderful fall!
Thank you Ann! The campfire is the perfect next activity for this day!! So much fun!
Kristin, I love all the goodies that you put out for this girlfriend gathering. Look yummy and healthy. I have canoed, but never kayaked, but your fun northern colors and patterns look so nice to relax by after a day on the river.
Oh Kristin, your tablescape speaks to everything that I love about Fall! I just love being outdoors when the heat and humidity of Summer finally breaks. There’s nothing like spending time with friends enjoying snacks and conversation. I can totally see you all around the campfire, too! And of course, all of your vintage treasures make my heart sing, especially The leaf and acorn plates atop the plaid throw with the green picnic basket full of mums. That vintage thermos cooler is so cool, too. I actually used to live in an old thermos factory that was converted to condos, so I’m partial to all things thermos! It’s a pleasure hopping with you. Happy Fall!
Rebecca, that is such a neat story about you living in an old thermos factory!! Wow!! Thank you for all your sweet comments!!
It looks adorable and so perfect for fall Kristin! You have lucky friends, they get to spend the day with awesome YOU and enjoy your beautiful decor and snacks!
So fun hopping with you on the tablescape hop. Thanks for sharing at ALl About home too!