Soup's On!

After a romp around the ranch, Country Living Contributor Lela Rose invites guests inside the barn to warm up with her menu of wintry day mainstays.

- LYDA BURNETTE

"THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE coming in from the cold to a big hearty bowl-or mug!-of soup," says designer Lela Rose (lelarose .com). And after a day spent frolicking in the snow of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the hunger factor is guaranteed to be high. That's why Lela looks to hearty soups to satiate fellow frolickers, served alongside crispy toppings-"I love a little crunch in my dishes," she says and assorted flavors of grissini (aka Italian-style breadsticks). To keep the whole high-altitude affair feeling appropriately elevated, Lela doesn't skimp on refined, festive details like copper serving pots, stoneware mugs, and glazed French wine jugs. And should guests still feel peckish post-pozole, they'll find even more cold-weather comfort in freshly baked whisper-thin chocolate chip cookies as crisp as the temperatures outside.

Grab the Ladle

LELA'S ADVICE FOR ONE SOUP-ERB WINTER SOIREE

Embrace Warm Metallics.

Brass and copper finishes reiterate the warm, come-in-from-the cold feeling. An antique brass bucket (bottom far left) houses a loose assortment of butterfly ranunculus, Astrantia, yarrow, and thistle, while copper cookware brings pretty patina to the buffet. Take note: Lela's favorite source for new copper cookware is Parisian kitchenwares shop E. Dehillerin (edehillerin.fr). "They have every shape imaginable," she says.

Create Serve-Yourself Stations.

A vintage French bottle drying rack (adamsantiquesandthepotager.com) is the perfect vessel for grab-and-go soup mugs. House red and white wines decanted into French glazed wine jugs (lolofrenchantiques.com) invite guests to help themselves.

Offer Something for Everyone.