Fall Harvest Potluck Dinner Party

So that title is a bunch of words I threw together to make this dinner party seem more Fall festive, it's a mouthful but it sounds fun right? The "theme" actually caused a guest a little bit of angst since he never participated in a themed dinner party and had no clue what "Fall" foods were. After I assured him that the name of the Potluck party was just an excuse for me to decorate my home with all things Fall, he calmed down, just a bit. I never had a potluck dinner before but it was such a great experience. We only had one couple that were a no show. Lesson was learned - good thing was we had a ton of food, so their dish wasn't even missed. Now the only bad side was this was a Dinner Par-Tay, and after I took pictures of the centerpiece, the meatloaf (which was an afterthought) the rest of the party was NOT photographed. I am so upset. I wanted to show you guys all the other decor, the appetizers and the great dishes my guests brought. Of course I have a bunch of pictures of the centerpiece, since it was what I cared most about to begin with anyway.  :-)
Before decorating, I decided to put all my loot out on the kitchen table so that I could get a visual for my centerpiece. Yep that's everything.

I used fresh cut mums (from my garden) in small vases and I also wrapped a container of mums in burlap and wrapped that with raffia. I used vases and urns that I got from Goodwill, also Fall scented candles, votive tea light holders, dried corn, tall Dollar store candles that I wrapped in twine, faux leaves, ribbons, small pumpkins and gourds. Being thrifty and creative was the goal.
Putting up these pictures, I realized that I didn't take a shot of the WHOLE table. I was too worried about showing the details. ugh.

the view down the table

The place settings

Simple but it all made the statement that Fall is here.
oh and like I said I completely forgot to take pics of the food and guests, yah know the important stuff, but I did take one, of my meat loafs. Kinda looks like a mummy, doesn't it??

And yes, that is bacon wrapped around those meat loafs. If you want it, here is the recipe. I use fresh bread crumbs. It really makes the difference - Trust me. I also made Broccoli Casserole and an appetizer - Caramelized onions flatbread. Other guests brought sausage and peppers, Acorn Squash casserole, Italian sausage and squash soup, pork with sauerkraut, pumpkin roll and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. For drinks we served an Octoberfest beer and my sister in law brought bottles of Red Guitar wine (along with a half of bottle of Tannat). Did I mention I'm really upset I forgot to take pictures of all this stuff?
Regardless It was a good time. Thanks to everyone that came and hopefully this will be come a yearly thing!

I'm linking this up on: Seasonal Sundays, Metamorphosis Monday, It's So very Creative, Just something I whipped up Monday, Market Yourself Monday, Your so very Creative, Make it for Monday, Making Monday Marvelous, Making the World Cuter Monday, Made by You Monday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays, All Thingz Related, Tabletop Tuesday, My Uncommon slice of Suburbia, Centerpiece Wednesday, Transformation Thursday,