Last year at this time, we were breaking ground. It feels so good to be settled into our house, and I’ve been looking forward to Fall here since we first stepped foot on our lot. It’s even better than I dreamed of, especially because we’re blessed with the best neighbors. A few weekends ago, it was cold enough to sit outside by the fire, so I made a fun fall-inspired charcuterie board to bring over for the evening. 
Charcuterie boards are so easy and quick to put together. It’s fun to pick out snacks for the board, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that there’s a right and wrong way to do a charcuterie board. Some people may fall over after eyeing candy corn next to cheese and meats, but I absolutely love it. And Milk Duds? A fall must! The main rule is to have fun with it! Pick out foods that you love, seasonal selections, and leave out the ones you won’t eat. You’ll never see an olive or mushroom on my charcuterie board 😆
I also made sangria-inspired spiced wine for the evening. I say “sangria-inspired” because I left out the added sugar and brandy that you would typically add to a sangria recipe. We didn’t want to get too turnt up during a relaxing night by the fire. 
Kyle and I had lunch at Reid’s Fine Foods earlier that afternoon, so I picked up some specialty items in their market on the way out. Reids has a counter dedicated just to make the perfect charcuterie board. I quickly got overwhelmed by watching people order things like “seafood salad” and types of meats and cheeses I’d never be able to pronounce correctly. And the seafood salad wasn’t what I was expecting. It looked like mini octopuses and naked calamari. Although I’m sure it tasted amazing and made the charcuterie board more sophisticated, I went with the candy corn route instead.
While I was there, I picked up some crackers, dried okra (yum!), pepper jack and habanero cheese, cheddar, salami, prosciutto, dry coppa, sweet soppressata, milk duds, date and nut goat cheese, fig jam, and a French baguette. I added dried and candied orange slices and pumpkin seeds from Trader Joes. I candied the walnuts with butter, maple syrup, and pumpkin spice. And for the candy corn trail mix, I added a bag of candy corn to cashews, almonds, cranberries, and pecans.
In two large bottles (from IKEA), I added two cinnamon sticks, apple slices, and orange slices to the bottom. In one, I poured Chardonnay, and in the other, I poured Pinot Noir. It’s delicious when you let the wine chill overnight with the fruits. The flavors were so good, and the hint of spice from the cinnamon was perfect for Fall. 
My cute little cheese knives and gingham leaf plate are from Hobby Lobby. The candles are also a fun touch for a charcuterie board! 
The best part is that it only took about fifteen minutes to set-up! It’s perfect for any last-minute party, and the leftovers (if there are any) are always just as good the next day. 
The coziest night with neighbors! ♥️ 🍂 Can’t wait to make another board and watch Hocus Pocus (yes, again) by the fire!
.Questions for you!
- What do you put on your charcuterie board?
- Are your leaves starting to change where you live?
I LOOVEEE charcuterie boards!! They’re so much fun to change up with the seasons. Our grocery store has a topping that I love putting on a baked Brie. It has caramel, apple, pecans and cranberries in. It’s delicious!
I live in upstate NY in the finger lake region and the leaves are turning colors already. Fall in my area is gorgeous! Perfect weather for fires, charcuterie and wine☺️
I agree 😊
Ohhh that sounds like an amazing addition to baked brie!
Ohhhh Upstate is gorgeous in the fall! That’s where my dad is from and his side of the family lives. SO beautiful!
I wish our leaves were changing, but it was 90 degrees here today! Love the charcuterie board you did! Fall is my favorite time of the year, and I’m totally gonna recreate this for a Scary movie night with friends. I love adding fruit to my board, raspberries are a must, and I love a good sharp cheddar like the unexpected one from Trader Joes.
Hi, Ashton!
Feels good to not be in 90-degree! Trader Joe’s is always a great place to pick of items for a charcuterie! 😊 Hope you get some fall temps soon!
Oh my, this spread looks incredible! All the fall feels! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks, Charmaine! ♥️
Your charcuterie board is pretty amazing and I like how you made it your own (no olives for me, either!) I am still thinking of the excellent ones I had in Montreal several years ago.
Would you please explain “tunt up” to me. Not sure what that means!
Hi, Suze!
Thank you 😊
It’s just slang 😂 It’s what people say when they’re about to “bring down the house” or “get wild”
This looks so yuuuuuum! I’m really looking forward to the fall and winter season this year. I don’t know why…
By the way… I’m from Germany and I looooove your blog. I follow you since approx. 3 years. You are a real sweetheart, authentic and so much fun!
Actually my hubby and I should be in the Maine area right now (on honeymoon – we wanted to make a small Indian Summer road trip through the East coast), we wanted to try out some of your travel recommendations for some areas and I really wanted to buy “all but the bagel seasoning” soooo bad, as we don’t have it here in Germany and to order it is pretty expensive, but unfortunately Corona thwarted our plans :-(.
Whatever, I just wanted to say “Hi from Germany”, I really love following your blog and you do a fantastic job!
Bye, Alexandra
Hi, Alexandra!
Thanks so much 😊
I hope to visit Germany one day! (I went for an afternoon once while exploring Strasbourg) Kyle goes for work and LOVES it.
I’m hoping you all can visit soon and when you do, let me know so I can recommend some things!
Thank you for your sweet words! You have made my day 😊
I remember a holiday in Italy years ago ordering the seafood salad and not at all expecting it to be lots of tiny octupus! I felt really embarrassed that I got it wrong and had to struggle through the whole thing!
I love sundried tomatoes on a charcuterie board, and I like to add some grapes too. The cheese is the best bit though. The walnuts you made sound delicious!
Yes- the trees are starting to look gorgeous in the UK, and we’ve had a lot of rainbows this week- so beautiful!
😆 ohhh nooooo. That kind of happened to me in France when I ordered something that looked like calamari on the menu and it was literally a HUGE octopus tentacle in curry sauce. I was starving that night 😂
Enjoy that fall weather!!