Go Pats!

football garland via Better Homes and Gardens

football brownies via Better Homes and Gardens

Super Bowl printables via Hostess with the Mostess

Football field runner and coasters via Martha Stewart

Today is the first day of Autumn. While I am sad the summer flew by, I am so excited for Fall. The leaves turn, the weather gets crisp, and it is a sign the holiday season is not far behind. I also love Fall because it is a fun time to entertain. Here are some reasons to celebrate this season:

• Football is here! Whether it’s your alma mater playing in a college conference or your favorite NFL team is on Monday Night Football, it’s great to get friends together to watch teams battle it out on the gridiron. Football parties do not need to be fancy — casual is better — which it all the more easy to pull something together.
• Fall picnics. Pack a picnic basket and cooler with your favorite snacks and drive to the country for an afternoon. Many wineries allow the public to picnic on their property which can be a beautiful backdrop as you snack and sip.
• Thanksgiving. Turkey. Pumpkin pie. Hot apple cider. Can it get better than that? It’s fun to set a formal table, break out the china, and put together a special feast. We’ll talk more about that as November approaches.

There is so much to celebrate this Fall, so don’t let the season fly by without stopping to spend quality time with friends and family!

Go Pats!

Shari's Berries football strawberries

Here are some tips, recipes, and decor ideas for celebrating the Big Game.

Rice Krispie Football Treats

Buffalo Chicken Tenders via Martha Stewart; tenders are often much easier to eat than wings

referee cupcakes via Hostess with the Mostess; simple and fun!

Hostess with the Mostess Decor Ideas; felt cloth and iron on numbers make a great tablecloth

Super Bowl Centerpiece on Hostess With the Mostess via InStyle Parties; I love the use of wheat grass as a football field!

Super Bowl Football Cake via Celebrations.com; more wheatgrass.

So as you are watch the painstakingly long and often nail-biting process, you may want to invite your friends over to enjoy another kind of “draft”… of the “hops” persuasion.

Instead of bottles and cans at your Draft Day party, why not try a beverage dispenser (or, using a term I haven’t heard since college, a kegerator)?!

The Krups Beertender at $99.00 is a nice, entry level, accessible model. It’s small enough to fit on your countertop and can be easily stored away when you aren’t using it. One downside is that you can only use it with Heineken 5L DraughtKegs. But if you like Heineken, you can’t go wrong. It’s an easy way for guests to serve themselves and it is likely to be a good conversation piece!

Krups Beertender

If this model is too “pedestrian” for you, you can always go for the cadillac of kegerators: Viking’s 24″ Built-in Beverage Dispenser. It can accommodate a half barrel of whatever beer you can order.

Viking's Built-in Beverage Dispenser

After you’ve setup your beverage dispenser, you’ll want to set out some glassware for your guests. Chilled mugs are always appreciated. I particularly love these pint glasses from Sur La Table.

Pallino Ottimista/Pessimista Beer Glasses from Sur La Table

Baccarat and beer seem like an unlikely pairing to me … but, nonetheless, these Baccarat Oenology Pilsner-style beer mugs are beautiful.

Baccarat Oenology Beer Mug, available through Geary's

Finally, I remember traveling in Belgium years ago and being amazed at how each brand and type of beer was served in its own special glass designed specifically by the brewery to ensure optimal flavor.  While not quite to that extent, this collection of glasses follows that line of thinking. The set includes a glass each for pilsners, wheats, ales, and stouts.

Mikasa "Brewmaster's Collection" Varietal Glasses, Set of 4, available at Macy's

With all of our “Draught Day” equipment, I think we are ready to watch Round One and hope for the best for our teams…

Go Patriots! (Skins fans, no taunts or jibes, please!)