Kelley Nan

Gracious Living

Fall Tablescape with Greenery and the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup

| 59 Comments

I teased my first fall table a little bit in my Fall Home Tour (HERE), but today gave me the perfect opportunity to share since I have joined a few other bloggers to share all things “fall” in a loop for Autumn’s in the Air. If you are joining from lover of all things glam, Summer at She Leaves a Little Sparkle, welcome! I wanted to create something different than the tables I shared last year (HERE and HERE), so I used some of my own advice in yesterday’s tips and focused on those perishable pumpkins that I wouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on/store after the season. The result is one of my favorite tables yet. *You can check out all of my tablescapes HERE.

fall-table-with-green-leaf-garland-in-elegant-dining-room-and-candle-light

I love using a garland of sorts as a table runner. However, I knew what I wanted and was striking out in the fall decor section of Hobby Lobby and Michaels. Before leaving the last store in defeat, I made one last ditch effort and went to the aisle that held regular, non-seasonal garland. They had a ficus leaf variety that I thought more closely resembled magnolia leaves with some of the faded browns and dark greens. It was perfect.

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I had picked up a green pumpkin for the centerpiece, the baby boos, and the green and white squash from a local pumpkin farm. They were able to be nestled into the greenery so perfectly, as though I had my own mini pumpkin patch running down the table. If you caught my Instagram story, you saw me in action, first laying down the golden, twiggy spray I also picked up from Michaels.

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I have seen some gorgeous farmhouse/rustic looks with green/white pumpkins but to stay true to my style, went with gold as my accent for an elegant finish. The gold chargers (similar HERE) brought just the contrast I was looking for. I recently found these sweet little soup bowls (similar HERE) while I was visiting my mom in lower Alabama at Market on Main. (If you are around Daphne, you must stop in!) We are total soup people during the fall and I love to whip it up in huge quantities and freeze batches for easy dinners. I’ve included my FAVORITE, easy soup recipe further in the post 😉

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SHOP THE TABLE

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I recently talked about the beauty in changing a table setting by simply changing your napkin (HERE), so you probably know, I have a lot. More than a lot… haha But, I couldn’t resist these sweet, neutral napkins, woven with golden thread (HERE).

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fall-table-with-cinderella-pumpkin-centerpiece-and-leaf-garland-in-elegant-dining-room

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pumpkin-centerpiece-on-fall-table-with-white-and-greed-gourds-and-silver-candle-holders

From this view, you can peek past my entry into my formal sitting room, all decked out for the season. If you missed it, I’ve included all the details from this room and my entire home in my fall home tour (HERE).

fall-tablescape-with-cinderella-pumpkin-and-gold-accents-and-gourds

If you missed the excitement over my new Asher bar cart, you can that out HERE.

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That soup I mentioned earlier? I just made a fresh batch 😉 My husband requests this more than any other meal I cook.

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chicken-tortilla-soup-on-fall-table

 

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easy-chicken-tortilla-soup-recipe*Note: I do not remember where this recipe originated but I have tweaked it over the last few years. On the first night, I make the chicken mixture and serve chicken tacos/taco salads, etc. The following night, I use the remaining chicken mixture for the chicken tortilla soup. This recipe will feed your family for MANY meals; have containers for the freezer ready. As always, you can cut the recipe in half or adjust as needed. Regardless, I still stick to the same ingredient amounts for the chicken mixture.

Crock Pot Chicken Mixture 
  • 4 Chicken Breasts
  • 1 16 oz. jar salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 diced onion
  • 1/2 dice bell pepper

Place chicken in the bottom of the crock pot; it can be frozen. Dump the rest of the ingredients on top and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Shred chicken once tender and serve.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • 4 cups (or however much is remaining) chicken mixture
  • 2 32 oz. boxes chicken broth
  • 2 cans corn, drained
  • 3 handfuls cilantro, chopped
  • 4 cans Rotel
  • Lime juice (squeezed from two limes)
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 2 cans black beans, drained
  • 6 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 tsp cumin
  • 4 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 tsp chili powder
  • *You can add Mexican rice if you have any on hand. I usually dump whatever we have left from the night before in the pot.

Add all ingredients to a large pot and simmer for 1 hour. The longer the soup simmers, the more flavorful it will be. When serving, you can add cheese, tortilla chips, green onions, a dollop of sour cream, etc.

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I have a Halloween table coming soon and a couple Thanksgiving tables just on the horizon, so stay tuned 😉

fall-table-with-leaf-garland-and-green-and-white-pumpkins

SHOP THE ROOM

For more fall ideas, you won’t want to miss Janet over at Shabby Fufu where she is sharing how she decorates her fall mantel. If you love romantic/vintage/french county, you are in for a treat! Below, I’ve listed the other bloggers on today’s hop so you won’t miss any stops! 😉

THE LINEUP:
THE SOURCES
*affiliate links used*

Napkins | Chargers- (SIMILAR) | Chairs – Linen | Bar Cart | 12-Light Chandelier | Candle Holders | Mirror: Homegoods – (SIMILAR) | Dining Table:  (84″ in Salvaged Brown) | Buffet: (72″ in Distressed White) | Curtain Panels: (98″ in White) | Rug: HomeGoods- Calvin Klein wool (SIMILAR) | Lamps: HomeGoods – (SIMILAR) | Silver Tea Service: Family Heirloom – (SIMILAR) | Garland- (SIMILAR) |Table Runners |  Waterford Padova China | Waterford Bassano China | Pillows: HomeGoods | Soup Bowls- (SIMILAR) | Church Painting | Water Lillies Art | Paint: Lauren’s Surprise by Sherwin Williams | Flooring: Nottaway Hickory in Weathered Saddle

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Comments

  1. Becca says

    September 28, 2016 at 7:26 am

    Stunning! You have a gift for creating such gorgeous tablescapes! I love the garland you chose … it’s the perfect backdrop for your fabulous “mini pumpkin patch!” Your chargers and plates add such elegance, and I’d love to enjoy a bowl of your yummy soup! Glad to be part of the Fall blog hop with you and look forward to seeing more of your seasonal home!

    Reply

  3. Summer says

    September 28, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Oh Kelley! I just love your mini pumpkin patch Ha! I am with you… Such a great idea for a table runner. I absolutely love the way you add elegance to your table and love every detail. Those little soup bowls are precious… I’ve got to find some of those one of these days! And that soup is one of my favorites as well. Combining my two favorite loves…soup and Mexican food ??. This is so gorgeous, as usual my friend!

    Reply

  5. Rachel Woytek says

    September 28, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Beautiful as always! I see the candlestick holders you tagged from pottery barn, but would you mind sharing where the silver candlestick holders are from? The ones that almost look like tree branches. Thank you!

    Reply

  7. Jennifer says

    September 28, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    Kelley! Your tablescapes get me EVERY TIME! This is STUNNING, girl! You are seriously the queen of elegant tablescapes. That soup looks amazing too! I’m going to have to try it out! Gorgeous tour, sweet friend!

    Reply

  8. Lacey says

    September 28, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Can I just say WOW! Every detail is just on point Kelley!! You have a serious gift! Really love your styling and how you incorporated a recipe with a tablescape! Brilliant! So glad to have done this amazing blog hop with you! You are a true talent!

    XO

    Lacey

    Reply

  9. Bree says

    September 28, 2016 at 6:13 pm

    Kelley! You never disappoint with your fabulous table scapes but you may have just outdone yourself this time!! Can’t get over those pumpkin soup bowls and I love that you got them in our LA;). Absolutely gorgeous tour sweet friend!!

    Reply

  12. Kim Hazel says

    September 28, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    Kelley! I always love your table settings and this one is just so gorgeous! I love how you used real pumpkins mixed with faux foliage and how you made it look classic and elegant! I too am a soup lover and I will have to try this recipe it looks so delicious! (everyone around here is vegetarian so I will need to adjust for that but should be easy to do) Thank you so much for being a part of this tour, it is such a pleasure to team up with you and hope we can do it again!

    xoxo,
    Kim

    Reply

  13. Sheila Irwin says

    September 29, 2016 at 12:43 am

    Kelley,

    As usual, your table is a-ma-zing! No one can do a tablescape like you my dear! Love the use of real pumpkins, and the garland is wonderful! I think that was a great find:)

    And I will have to try your recipe! I ,too, love to cook and soup is on regular rotation here in the fall and winter months!

    Thanks so much for being a part of our tour! So, so glad that you could do it and hope to team up again in the future!

    Sheila
    xo

    Reply

  14. Shannon says

    September 29, 2016 at 4:20 am

    Kelly your table is exquisite . You take setting a table to new levels. I can’t even express how pretty it is and how enchanting your photography is as well!!

    Reply

    • Kelley Nan says

      September 30, 2016 at 10:55 am

      Lauren, thank you so much! It was one of those things that was like “I don’t have enough eucalyptus but hay/straw may be too rustic. This gold twiggy stuff may do the trick” haha!

      Reply

  18. Tamara says

    October 4, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I love this post so much! This may be my favorite table of your! But I don’t know, you have so many! But you are such an inspiration! Come and help me here! xoxo

    Reply

  19. Dawn ferster says

    October 5, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    Hi kelley!

    I am trying to make your soup. It sounds delicious!!
    I do have a slight problem, i dont know what rotel is?
    Maybe we call it something different here??
    If you could help I would be so happy!
    Thank you,
    Dawn

    Reply

  20. Christina Belcher says

    October 12, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    I always love looking through your beautiful photos Kelley!! And I am definitely going to add that soup to my meal plan for next week!!!

    Reply

  21. Hillary Elliott says

    September 11, 2017 at 2:35 pm

    Just put the chicken in the crockpot and have the soup part simmering. My house smells so good! Thanks for sharing. Perfect for this cold, dreary day!

    Reply

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