
I love to bake. Love, love, love to bake. Cooking, notso much. You see I am much more into the presentation than I am into the recipe for, say, something like stuffed pork chops or chicken cordon bleu.
With this being said, I love to entertain. Whether it’s one friend over for lunch, or a dinner party for 12, I love making people feel special, and going that extra mile.

Time is a precious commodity for me these days as well, so I am always looking for fast and easy ideas and I’m going to share a couple of them with you.
First of all, I like to set a fabulous table, even if it’s just me. See the darling petite soup tureen in the photo there?
Yup, it’s the same little tureen I shared in my last Openhouse post. I’ve placed it on a charming mesh tray (another fabulous find at you-know-where) and added a fall themed cloth napkin. Why use paper napkins when you can find cloth ones so inexpensively at places like TJ Maxx and HomeGoods?
I always keep Trader Joe’s soups on hand. (The tomato and the squash are my personal favorites!)They are so yummy, and it’s the all time best autumn comfort food. Heat it in the microwave and while that’s happening, take a couple of pieces of bread (I like sourdough, but use whatever is handy) and cut out fall leaves and acorns with these sweet little cutters (Mmm hmmm, I got them when I got the soup tureens….and the cool pastry brush) Melt margarine and add some Italian seasoning and grated Parmesan and place the little leaves on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 6 minutes on 400 till they turn a yummy brown and the kitchen smells like heaven. Pour the piping hot soup into the tureen, plop a few freshly baked crouton leaves in the warm soup and voila! A meal that only looks like you slaved all day and tastes divine.
1. That is too cute! I’m going to surprise my husband this week with this idea. How fun for a special dinner!
by Heather 10/1/08 at 10:54 am #
2. Isn’t that pumpkin on the wire tray just adorable? And those croutons made to look like leaves! Too cute for words! Thank you so much for these decorating tips. Now I need to run out and see what treasures I can find at two of my favorite stores.
by Sheila 10/1/08 at 12:58 pm #
3. Wowie! I love that! So simple, but such a great presentation. Thanks, Tracey!
by Bettsi 10/1/08 at 4:08 pm #
4. How long ago did you get that wire tray? I MUST have one. I’ll go check it out tomorrow. Love that crouton idea. I’ve made some with little heart cutters for valentine’s day but those leaves are fabulous. I’m thinking Thanksgiving…Mimi
by Mimi 10/2/08 at 12:53 am #
5. I got the wire tray last spring. They get them back in every so often..sometimes they have tiered trays, sometimes round (I bought those too!) and sometimes rectangular. The point is to think outside of the box and use things not always used in a kitchen for serving and staging pieces!
Tracey
by Tracey 10/2/08 at 5:41 pm #
6. Wow, this is an idea I’m going to try! You’ve given a terrific idea. We have a group of friends we have over every year for a fish fry. I’m thinking that I want to get together more often, but don’t want to do any heavy duty cooking. Hmmmm, I see a Saturday Soup Social in the cards this winter.
~elaine~
by Elaine L. 10/2/08 at 11:13 pm #
7. I love the idea on how to make your own crutons! Thanks!
by Pat 10/14/08 at 8:36 pm #