THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS...SETTING THE TABLE

 "I have come to regard November
 as the older, harder man's October.

 I appreciate the early darkness and cooler temperatures.
 It puts my mind in a different place than October.
It is a month for a quieter, slightly more subdued celebration
 of summer's demise as winter tightens its grip."
 ~ Henry Rollins




There was nothing quite like it...
the feeling of an autumn day, the sunset across the lake,
the sounds of the country and steaks on the grill...
a cocktail hour with family and the happiness
from the wedding lingered....in my heart for all times....

Thanksgiving means so much....a time to reflect on the past

and all of the beautiful dinners we have enjoyed with family....
remembering all the long late afternoon walks we took
with Mother and Daddy, late afternoon coffee in the living room...
the hustle and bustle of dinner preparations
while football played on television and the sounds
of the children playing outdoors....

Thanksgiving day is magical...and becomes a special tradition
of GATHERING...

My grandchildren have always loved the tradition of pouring
a cup of Spiced Tea when they arrive...
I love that....

The Divine Miss M makes a most delicious pumpkin pie...
there will be apple pie for the boys....

We are traditionalist...it's what they request each and every year....

CHRISTMAS PLANNING IS IN FULL SWING...COME SEE WHAT'S NEW

 
Do you hear it?
Christmas bells are ringing.....well, not quite yet....but,
the planning of transforming our home from fall to
the Christmas holidays has been in the works since August.....
I always start with an inspiration piece and then decide
on a color story..

this year, we are going with green and ivory....



and the formal living room will have touches of a dusty blue
along with silver and gold!

For the mantel this year, 
this new piece of artwork became the inspiration piece....
I love the vintage look of this 
so Old World Santa will be the theme



Who doesn't love plaid at Christmas?
This is what the farmhouse table will look like
but with my own design and decor pieces....

Appetizers and cocktails will be served with
pieces of my favorite holiday china and a few
beautiful new accent plates...

These will be added to the fireplace mantel or the piano....

I love winter artwork...I am actually going to make a little vignette
on the bookcase

Now this is going to be very different...
I am using paper ornaments for our tree this year

The formal dining room will be a winter table design with lots of
velvet, creamy whites and candlelight

For the outside front entry, I am using lanterns with 
flameless candles and christmas greenery in the big urns...
an elegant look for Christmas.....

I never begin to decorate for Christma before December..
Thanksgiving has always been our favorite holiday of the year,
and we hold on to autumn until the very end.....
There is so much to look forward to....
the lights, the holiday festivities, the foods and the games...
I would love to know that your plans are for the holidays
and what has given you holiday inspiration this year?

THE CHARM OF AN AUTUMN TABLESCAPE AND COMFORT FOOD

 
Welcome to the quiet, peaceful month of November...
let's plan to celebrate and entertain Autumn.....
I will focus on recipes and decorating ideas
for your seasonal gatherings and fall menus....
Today, we will begin at the farmhouse table...
y'all come on in....

There is nothing like the warm glow of candlelight to welcome fall...

Something I have so enjoyed this season
is to bring out most of my favorite decor pieces
that I have loved over the years....
I change out a cozy corner or table setting to incorporate
different pieces for a new look about every two weeks....
I love the casual look and feel of this look for NOVEMBER..
It feels and looks autumnal, casual and yet, a bit special....



I have had this little set of ceramics for so many years now...
I just find it beautiful...and I bring it out every year..

I plan on using this platter for Thanksgiving...
Pioneer Woman is knocking it out of the park....

But for now.....
it was the perfect platter for serving
Monster Cookies dusted with Sea Salt for Halloween...

How lovely is a plate of Honey Crisp apples....
natural beauty 

A warm apple pie with a flaky crust laced with cinnamon and sugar
will bekon your loved ones to enjoy an afternoon treat....

We have been enjoying light lunches these days..
This idea proved to be delicious....
toasted sourdough bread, topped with whipped FETA
and roasted peppers and onions!

Tom Turkey is a member of this little set and he is 
dressed for the season...

He is actually a sugar bowl to match this little creamer....

I fell in love....a little pumpkin cassoulet..
It's thoughtful table decor

Sweet paper napkins add a touch of festivity...

So you see, seasonal details,
can create an enticing spot to
indulge in a leisurely afternoon
which will capture the essence of autumn inside our homes...

OCTOBER ENDS WITH RAIN. WND AND COLD..LET'S STAY HOME

The month of October seems to have gone by
so quickly this year....
I cannot say the weather has felt like
those perfect autumn days, but...
you can actually feel cooler afternoons....
it is such a pleasant sight to see the leaves
begin to fall..... 

I only purchased one pumpkin this year and have

really enjoyed seeing it every day while

spending time by the pool...

And, I have so enjoyed my velvet pumpkins this year....
I think the blue ones are my all time favorites...

Now, this was a rare find....

this darling hand carved Pilgrim couple

which I found on Etsy

Strong storms were moving in on this Friday night,
so it was the perfect time to make Mother's chili...

Perfectly adorned with a dollop of sour cream and cheddar

I love this plate...and, I miss PIER ONE.....
the fact that they no longer exist makes
me treasure the plates I have all the more

A sweet ending of Carrot Cake with a lemon glaze

I am transitioning into Thanksgiving
and these are the linens I will be using

I love this neutral look as a compliment to my
woodland Thanksgiving china

I plan to treasure the days of November....

We will be hosting the Atlanta family this year and am so
looking forward to this...

These have been wonderful days,,,
Autumn is such a short season and
how wonderful to reflect and remember

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN

Good Morning Kindred Spirits.... 

This was the view from my window this early morning in October...
how glorious and simply magical.....

I like to begin the morning with a cup of coffee and candlelight...
along with quiet meditation

These are the days of the autumn season...
there is nothing that so beautifully graces the table
than fresh pears...a statement of fall.....

I made stewed apples in the crockpot which
were laced with butter and cinnamon....

Are your thoughts swirling with ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
I know mine are.....picked up just a few lovely items from Walmart......

Now, these are always a sign we have entered the holiday season....

Lusy is on patrol...watching squirrels and birds..she is so beautiful......

Sunday afternoons are meant for football....
Cowboys win over Washington....fantastic!
Sunday night dinner was Salmon with wild rice, a fresh salad AND hot french bread....

The first fire of the season with temps dipping into the 50's..
it was a golden day in October.....