How about hosting a pie and wine gathering? You can make the pies, or pick them up. Drag some furniture outside, as there are many days left when a jacket and a fire pit will keep you satisfyingly warm. Take this idea as one to simply daydream about (like most of us here!), or use this inspired plan to recreate a pie party of your own!
Katie Jacobs, who came up with this fabulous, autumn-themed pie party and styled it just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, joins us today to tell us how to set it all up.
- Styling by Katie Jacobs, StylingMyEveryday.com (http://stylingmyeveryday.com)
- Photography by Amy Cherry, AmyNicolePhoto.com
- Special thanks to Peggy Franks
Katie:
Delight in the splendor of the crisp, winter air by setting up a farm table in your backyard. Decorate it with candles displayed in mercury glass and incorporate rustic elements like pine cones, acorns, cotton branches, cranberries and pomegranates (all easily accessible and affordable). Light a fire pit close by to warm hands and use wooden rounds to display candles and pies at varying heights.
No matter how you slice it, an old-fashioned pie party is a simple way to gather friends and family to savor the sumptuous holiday season.
Invite friends and family to bake (or pickup) their favorite pies. You end up with a magnificent assortment of sweet and savory, and maybe even a few new recipes. Make tags to label different flavors, and be sure to have to-go containers on hand to send leftovers home with guests.
Serve warm apple cider and wine. Both will not only pair well with the pies, but will warm your guests, as well. Think outside the box of the traditional pie and make hand pies, fried pies, mini pies or pie pops.
Make sure your serving pieces reflect the rustic charm of your theme. Use pieces that have silver, pewter and copper accents. We kept decor white with just a touch of red. Whatever color scheme you use, make sure that it will complement the natural colors of the pies—the star of your party.
Shop the Party
Wood and metal were the theme when shopping for this party. Since most of the decorative pieces were pulled from nature, the serving pieces were important to bring a clean elegance to the table.
- On Our Table solid walnut charcuterie board ($199). AshBlue
- Antler bottle opener ($17). AshBlue
- Threshold brass fox wine accessory set ($19.99). Target
- Large footed mercury hurricane ($39). West Elm
- Threshold decorative serving tray with fox handles ($29.99). Target
- Match Italian pewter wine carafe ($115). AshBlue
- Ben Caldwell vine handle copper servers ($100 and $175). AshBlue
- Match Luisa rectangular platter ($315). AshBlue
- Smith & Hawken log holder with rope handles ($59.99). Target
- Emile Henry Artisan Ruffled Pie Dish ($45.95). Williams-Sonoma
The Pie’s the Limit
While some guests enjoy baking, not all will want to take the time to make their own pie crust, roast a fresh pumpkin and bake something from scratch. It’s ok though, because there are lots of amazing bakers around town who will do it for you!
- Blackberry Pie from Loveless Cafe. lovelesscafe.com
- Fudge Pie from Loveless Cafe. For recipe, click here.
- Sweet Potato Pecan Pie from Loveless Cafe. lovelesscafe.com
- Berry Skillet Pie from Hello, Good Pie. facebook.com/yousayhellogoodpie
- Cayenne Pepper Apple Pie, for recipe see: Hello, Good Pie.
- Pumpkin Pie Brûlée from StylingMyEveryday.com. For recipe click here.
CHEERS!
These wines were all expertly chosen by The Bottle Shop, in Franklin.
It’s important that you choose wine that pairs well with the pies at your party. That’s why I trust these expert recommendations from Lisa Quillman of The Bottle Shop in Franklin.
1) Klickitat, Pinot Gris, 2012 (Klickitat County, Washington)
This Pinot Gris drives home the stylistic difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris and has converted many sippers to the more food friendly Pinot Gris! Aromas of lime, orange blossom and white flowers lead to crisp acidity and citrus flavors that finish with the slightest kiss of acidity-balancing residual sugar. $15.99
2) Les Traverses de Fontantes, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012 (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
A perfect match for holidays because there’s no oak and hardly a tannin to compete with the abundance of flavors on your menu, just loads of fresh, fruit forward, juicy organic Cabernet that drinks more like a Pinot Noir. A great wine for those with sulfite sensitivities (not a sulfite added). $15.99
3) Patrick Bottex, “La Cuielle” Sparkling Wine (Bugey-Cerdon, France)
This delightful gently sparkling Rosé, made primarily of Gamay, hails from the lesser known cru of Cerdon in the Bugey appellation of France (at the crossroads of Savoie, Jura, Burgundy and the Rhone valley). The alcohol is nearly half that of many wines so you can sip this surpisingly fresh sparkler until your heart’s content. The sweet strawberry notes will take your from the cheese tray through dessert. $24.99
4) Gilbert Celars, “The Pilgrim” Red Blend (Washinton State).
A blend of Mourvedre, Grenache and Cabernet from the 2011 vintage that drinks more like a blend from the South of France than from France, but it has all that juicy fruit that makes Washinton wines an ongoing favorite. Lightly oaked with notes of baking spice, smoke, bright berry and cranberry on the finish. The name and the wine are perfect for the season (though it’s named after the Pilgrim shell). $14.99
5) Domaine Pral, Morgon “Les Charmes,” 2012 (Beaujolais, France).
This 100% Gamay is a remarkable example of the Morgon Cru within Beaujolais where the Gamay is a bit more serious. Aromas of black raspberry preserves, bacon, and game with hints of tart berry skin and toasted hickory. The complexity marries with range of holiday occasions and will be perfect for those special menus featuring game or plum pudding. $21.99
WOW! Thank you so much, Katie! Be sure to check out Katie’s GORGEOUS blog: stylingmyeveryday.com
Meet the Stylist:
Katie Jacobs is a graphic designer, photographer and stylist. She is the art director and creator of stylingmyeveryday.com, a food and lifestyle blog with a focus on styling, entertaining and DIY. This Nashville native has a passion for all things local, a huge sweet tooth and a love for styling her everyday.
