| Aaaah, autumn! It's the perfect time to | | | | them with containers of water to make vases. |
| entertain outdoors -- most of the bugs are | | | | Mass potted mums in vivid colors. Use orange |
| gone, the sun isn't scorching even though | | | | Chinese lanterns, bright rosehips, stems of |
| it's warm enough to enjoy an afternoon or | | | | red or orange berries, or chilies. Wrap |
| evening al fresco, and there's a bounty of | | | | vibrant maple or sumac leaves around votive |
| good things to serve for an outdoor | | | | candleholders or napkin rings. Sunflower |
| meal.Because the days are shorter in the | | | | heads can be strewn on the tabletop, or left |
| autumn, outdoor entertaining in the fall | | | | on the flower stalks in a |
| calls for special attention to lighting and | | | | container.TextureThe textures of fall are |
| temperature.LightingThe earlier sunset will | | | | earthy and rustic. Especially play these up |
| afford you an ideal opportunity to bathe your | | | | if your gathering is informal -- a corn |
| outdoor space in evening lights. Use soft | | | | roast, a bonfire, a jeans and sweater |
| light, but use plenty of it. Try dozens of | | | | evening. Use burlap or rough cotton to cover |
| votive candles in jars and glasses to protect | | | | your buffet table, and dish towels as |
| the flame from the wind, hurricane lamps, or | | | | napkins. Weigh down your tablecloth with |
| kerosene lanterns set on low. Create cozy | | | | apples or pears hung on rough twine. Or use |
| seating areas and equip each with a glowing | | | | rattan placemats and wicker baskets. |
| light source.HeatingThe method you'll use to | | | | Terracotta pot saucers make great paper plate |
| chase the chill from the night will vary | | | | holders.If you're hosting a fancy sit-down |
| depending on your climate and your outdoor | | | | outdoor dinner, use the subtler textures of |
| space. If you have a yard (and community | | | | hydrangea blossoms and colored leaves on a |
| by-laws allow), a campfire is a wonderful | | | | linen tablecloth. Try bringing your indoor |
| informal party setting. In smaller gardens, | | | | dining table outdoors for the evening-it will |
| consider self-contained fire pits or a | | | | add unexpected elegance to your setting. |
| chimenea.For a more formal affair, you can | | | | Paint gold lettering on small gourds to use |
| install a propane-powered heater. These units | | | | as place cards. Grace your table with |
| are available in a range of heating powers | | | | late-blooming roses in crystal vases.Whether |
| and prices. Or, drape attractive throws or | | | | you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish |
| quilts on each chair for your guests to wrap | | | | sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for |
| around their shoulders to ward off the night | | | | outside entertaining this autumn!Debbie |
| air.Of course, you'll want to take advantage | | | | Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates |
| of the wonderful colors and textures of | | | | Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping |
| autumn in your decorating scheme and table | | | | people create outdoor living spaces that |
| settings.ColorAutumn's colors are deep and | | | | nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to |
| rich -- russet, crimson, burnt orange, gold, | | | | guide "Attracting Butterflies to Your Home |
| dark green, and the color of hay. Use these | | | | and Garden" is now available on her web site. |
| hues repeatedly in tablecloths and settings, | | | | Visit her at and get a free report on "Eight |
| flowers, centerpieces, and even the food. | | | | easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor |
| Scoop out pumpkins and other squash and fit | | | | space". |