When you live in a small home like we do, entertaining during the cold winter months means limiting the guest list to only a few at a time. While we enjoy those more intimate gatherings of family and friends, it is the summer time where things really come to life!
I am excited today to be part of a week long Dining Alfresco Blog Hop featuring five days of outdoor dining inspiration at your fingertips. You will find links to all the participants below.
Dining alfresco is probably my most favourite thing about summer time. And, we do it often. Many weekends from June until September you will find family and friends enjoying a meal, playing lively games of bocce ball (which even extend out into the park behind our home), and relaxing over hours of conversation. 
Often our backyard gatherings are spur of the moment, and are always relaxed and easy going. They usually involved bbq of some type, and using an edible centerpiece means that we can all gather together and nibble a bit while Tim tends the grill just a few feet away.
In keeping with the relaxed and casual theme, I had Tim build me this outdoor harvest table that can easily sit ten. It is rustic and weathered and perfectly imperfect. 
I keep things simple by using simple white plates*, inexpensive Ikea glassware, Ikea tea towels for napkins and mismatched cutlery. At the end of the night I simply load up the dishwasher and throw the tea towels in the wash!
I had Tim whip up a set of miniature cutting boards. They are perfect for little baguettes that guests can slice off a piece and pile on some cheese!
When it comes to dining alfresco, for me it is all about the gathering of people. The tablescape helps to set to mood, and I know that summer entertaining in our family is easy and relaxed. Life is busy and creating an inviting place to invite friends and family, makes it that much easier to slow down and leave the rush behind. At least for a few hours!
Having dessert close at hand means I don’t have to get up and down from the table!
A few candles and patio lights keep things glowing when the sun starts to set.
A little pot of fresh lavender not only looks pretty, but helps to repel pesky bugs.
I am all for using what I already have. Whatever fruit, veggies and cheese is in the fridge. Nuts or seeds from the pantry. Some olives and *honey too. If you have never tried honey on blue cheese, you really need to try it. Dessert is as easy as baking a quick loaf. It’s inexpensive and serves several!
Just a few more pictures to share and hopefully inspire you to put together an easy and relaxed tablescape, throw some cheese, nuts and fruit on a platter, invite a few friends and spend some time breaking bread!
Now that I have shared my style, check out all the links below for even more dining alfresco inspiration.
Since your comments make my day, leave me a comment and let me know what your dining alfresco style is!
Until next time….
*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you click an affiliate link, like what you see and make a purchase I will receive a small commission with no additional cost to you.
Thank you to Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate and Decorate for putting this Blog Hop together!
Wednesday
Red Cottage Chronicles | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Ramblings of a Southern Girl
CoziNest | Love of Home
Thursday
Panoply| Flourish & Knot | The Painted Apron | Dining Delight |
Celebrate & Decorate
Friday
B. Lovely Events | Lolly Jane | A Toile Tale | Bluesky Kitchen | Rattlebridge Farm
Very inviting and charming tablescape! The little wood cutting boards are just perfect for the individual breads, great touch! I can only imagine how your friends must love unwinding and fellowshipping in the beautiful space! ~Rhonda
Thank you Rhonda! It is by far my favourite thing about summer. Winter comes too soon and everyone seems to go back into hibernation mode!
Maureen, I don’t know where to start with all that I love about this tablescape! The edible centerpiece, the dish towels as napkins and lavender to keep the bugs away! But, oh my goodness, the miniature cutting boards with fresh baked bread?! Where is your little red cottage? I’m on my way!
Thanks so much Kim! It really is such a simple table to put together, and add an extra place setting or two when the guest list grows;)
Oh my goodness, Maureen! This table looks like it stepped out of a magazine!! You’ve outdone yourself!
Aww! Thanks Heather 🙂 The invitation is always open for you to join us one evening!
Maureen, your table is calling my name! The presentation is beyond fabulous! It has the feel of an afternoon in Tuscancy or Provence! Who would not love to sit down and enjoy the bounty? Just stunning! Pam @ Everyday Living
Thanks so much Pam!
Maureen, truly an Alfresco table to adore and enjoy. So very Tuscan inspired with the lavender, fresh breads, cheese plate and more. A beautiful setting for your guests to enjoy. I would be happy to be one of your guests.
Thank you Linda! There is always room for one more 🙂
What a beautiful table. This is exactly where I would want to sit down and spend an evening with friends. I love the casual easygoing feel of your table. Your alfresco table and wonderful food is just dreamy! Thank you so much for being party of the Alfresco Summer Tablescape Blog Hop.
Thanks so much Chloe, for your kind comment and for putting this blog hop together. I have had such fun and found such inspiration from all these talented bloggers 🙂
Maureen, yours is the exact way I would want to most comfortably dine alfresco, whether I’m the host or guest. I love your casual style, and that overhead photo of dessert and lemonade literally made my mouth water. Love the string of lights and how it elevates the cozy factor. Lights anytime, anywhere are festive!
Rita C at Panoply
Thank you Rita! Lately it has been so darn hot that I have been all about fresh made Lemonade!
What a fabulous gathering. I’m so inspired. Love all the little details and the easy cutting boards. I need.to hire your husband. Lovely!!
Thanks Leilani! If you ever come to Canada you know you have a place to come to 🙂
I love what you did! So inviting. I would love to sit down at your table!
Thank you Susan!
Now this is summer living at its best! I can totally picture the type of gathering you would have around this fabulous table – casual, relaxed…and delicious! I so enjoyed seeing all the details in how you presented the “food centrepiece” and added pretty accents to the table. It is funny but this is the way we do “winter living” here as the bread, meats and cheeses are our go-to for après ski gatherings…though they are inside in front of our fireplace and definitely not alfresco 🙂 I’m so enjoying this Alfresco Tablescape Blog Hop and the different takes on dining outside – yours is so inspiring!
Thank you Lori! I might have to steal that idea for a scaled down gathering in front of our fireplace this winter!
Oh this looks like such fun! I love the individual boards and breads 🙂 What a perfect way to have a gathering, a bountiful beautiful table of fresh foods and friends alfresco! Your husband is so talented, the table is gorgeous!
Thank you Jenna! I will pass your comment along to my husband. It will make his day 🙂
Your table and setting are just wonderful. What a relaxing spot for friends and a party!
Thank you Sheila! We are a pretty casual bunch around here!
Maureen, your table is just gorgeous. As a cooking instructor, I just love your antipasti platter and all the beautiful food arrangements. So appetizing. Would love to join you at your table.
Thank you Carol! I would love to have a cooking instructor join me for dinner. Although I think you would be tired of my questions by the end of the evening 🙂
Your table and food are gorgeous…I’m ready to come over and feast on your gorgeous cheeses. Thanks so much for sharing in the blog hop- I’m so glad to have discovered your blog!
Thank you Kristy. This has been my first blog hop and I have come away so inspired by all the gorgeous tables!
Omg, what an amazing spread!! Lovely photos too… 🙂 I’m sure anyone would love to be agues at your table!
Thanks so much Lory! The more the merrier!
OH MY! What a beautiful and scrumptious table! You have combined everything beautifully. It looks like it was a beautiful day for you as well. So nice to meet you.
Maria
Thank you Maria! While it threatened rain all day, the clouds parted so we could enjoy the evening 🙂
Maureen, I love your table! Your husband did a great job on the table and bread boards. Everything looks so inviting. I can taste the blue cheese with honey and the fresh baked bread! Great presentation of the food and table settings. Such a nice ambience.
Your cake and lemonade look fabulous. It has been enjoyable reading your blog post.
It has been fun visiting around with the blog hop!
Thank you Bonnie! I have gleaned so many great ideas from my fellow blog hop participants and am so inspired by their creativity 🙂
Oh my…..how inviting. I love the setting and I love the fact you included such wonderful delicious food in your tablescape. My tummy started growling after I seen the wonderful bread and cheeses. And the gorgeous sweet bread. Your use of plants and outdoor lighting really is so warm and inviting. It makes me want to sit right down and enjoy! It is a table guests will want to sit and stay for hours.
Thank you Marsha! My goal when entertaining is to make everyone feel at home and welcome to linger for as long as they like!
Maureen, I have been enjoying your blog for a while, but this post really caught my eye. Nice to see young people enjoying entertaining outside. Living in NE Pa, we spend every eveniñg possible dining outside. Your post inspired me to make smaller loafs of crusty bread in my pizza oven this weekend and have elderly family for dinner this weekend. I enjoy your posts and will look to you and your friends for great ideas. Keep up the great work! Enjoy your summer 😉 Kim
Thank you so very much Kim! You have made my day!!
This is exactly what is wonderful about alfresco dining! I would just love to insert myself into this evening. Your blog is new to me and I’m so glad to find you.
Thank you Linda! So happy you stopped by 🙂
So pretty, Maureen!
Thank you!
A gorgeous, inviting, inspirational table. Your setting is enchanting, and your tabletop looks like a magazine cover. So beautiful!
Thank you! This makes my day 🙂
Your table looks so inviting! You are so lucky to have so many months to enjoy al fresco dining.
Thanks Ellen! It has been an extremely hot summer, so dining out in the evening when it cools down a bit is ideal!
Wine and cheese is perfect for a alfresco tablescape! I love the fresh herbs and bread on the table too. So adorable!
Thank you Emily!
What an inviting table and gathering! I love so many of your ideas – the tea towels as napkins, the personal bread boards, the lavender- love all of it!! So fun hopping with this week!
Thank you Kim! I certainly was a fun week – full of inspiration 🙂
Oh my goodness! That looks positively delicious – and so beautiful presented! I’ll be there in a couple of hours, ok? Yum!
Thank you Sarah! Our motto really is….there is always room for one more 🙂