Thanksgiving countdown

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Autumn, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

With only 18 days until Thanksgiving I thought I’d share some wonderful table setting ideas, compliments of talented folks online, along with a rough draft of our menu for the upcoming long holiday weekend. Williams Sonoma taste has so many great ideas for making this food-intensive holiday easy and delicious.

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This year we’re lucky enough to be celebrating Thanksgiving with the entire Bunch clan (our Austin family will be here as well as our California kids). We’re celebrating Olivia’s 5th birthday at Disneyland early in the week. Then the meal planning will begin, a collaborative effort. The fact that our kids like to cook is a great source of joy for me.

This is my favorite season and while I’m thankful for family year round, the Thanksgiving holiday shines a spotlight on family (and friends) and fortunately, we all get along and enjoy each other’s company. Some of the movies they’ve produced on dysfunctional family life brought to light during Thanksgiving are funny, thankfully they don’t apply! 🙂

Layla of The Lettered Cottage shared this simple centerpiece some time ago. It’s a reminder that setting the table can be lovely whether simple or elaborate.

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I’m loving the rustic feel of this elegant table. There are flowers but the pussy willow and nest give it a natural, rustic feel.

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Have you seen these placemats with space to write down what you are thankful for? I love this idea. A reminder that we all have something to be thankful for. I like the dried maple leaf as a placecard.

Figs, eucalyptus and candles, brilliant! Less is more. For oakleaf name cards…

this lovely free printable can be found HERE. If you’ve never visited EAB Designs, prepare to be amazed at the creative forces at work here.

This is another pretty free printable for place cards if you’re interested.

Our Thanksgiving table sans dinnerware…since I’m posting this early, I don’t have plates and such on the table. Redfern, our beloved pheasant, presides over the feast.

Here are dishes that I often use in the autumn, but this year I think I’ll use my white dishes…food looks good on white (or so I’ve been told).

Traditional, with updates, I love this centerpiece in a planter box. You can never have too many candles.

Our menu will be some version of the following:

I’ll be taking some time off. I know it seems that has become a habit! Family will be arriving and I want to unplug for awhile. I’ll be back with some Christmas cheer. I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and good food. I’m very thankful for my friends here at GHP.

xo, Karen

Equine influences

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 30 Comments

I have loved horses as for long as I can remember. Maybe most little girls go through an infatuation with horses. I attribute my interest to a great book and a sweet aunt. I read Black Beauty when I was 9 years old. After reading that book I dedicated my search at our public library to all stories that revolved around horses. When I was 12, my Aunt Gail came to live with us in California, moving here from Ohio. She only stayed with us about a year, long enough to get a job and save enough money to rent her own apartment. She was an avid horse enthusiast and rider, and later saved to buy her own horse, which I was privileged to ride most weekends in my early teens.

{This is my youngest granddaughter, Fae, on an “unicorn” for her first birthday, maybe this ride will plant the seed and she’ll love horses too! —the pretty blonde girl is Fae’s mommy, my sweet daughter-in-law, and the redhead is moi}

I never lost my enthusiasm for horses and after visiting England for the first time, equine influences were stronger than ever. That’s when I started decorating our home to reflect my perception of a English country home.

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It’s no surprise that I am always drawn to a bit of a lodge-look style, with the hunt scene pictures, antlers and a few accessories to carry the feeling of country living in England. 🙂

{Elle Decor ~ photo by Roger Davies}

I must have lived in England in a former life.

{Antony Childs Country House ~ House & Garden; 1992 ~ photo William Waldron}

One of my favorite blog sites is The Polohouse. The talented Alison has decorated her home in a style that I ~~copy~~ am inspired by. If you have any interest in traditional decor, coupled with lovely, often antique, accessories, be sure to visit her.

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Many rooms that capture my attention have a country feel to them. Often the rooms are those of a manor house someplace. Since I don’t see a manor house in my immediate future {read: ever}, I search out rooms that anyone would love, no horse riding or butler necessary.

An example is this beautiful room designed by Suzanne Rheinstein for a Virginia homeowner. The paintings are the only nod to possible interest in horses. The room is simple and elegant, while still inviting. Virginia’s Hunt Country homes, when featured in magazines or online, seem to be a great source [this side of the pond] for all things equine.

{House Beautiful}

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xxx

{photo Pieter Estersohn}

The room below is a favorite. It’s neutral palate appeals to me and there’s enough of a modern feel to the light infused room that I can visualize this room as a happy place to be whether in a California home or an English country house.

{Elle Decor ~ designer Kerry Joyce ~ photo Roger Davies}

This is the Salt House Inn in Cape Cod. Don’t you love the painting? I do! 🙂

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This warm, inviting room is from a designer Joni at Cote de Texas featured. I would love wood paneling like this in a library. Los Angeles designer, Schuyler Samperton.

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Here is my main equine related painting. Not the best photograph, but I do love the painting. I found it in an antique store in San Juan Capistrano. There are other small items that remind me of my love of horses. {sofa is on the list to be reupholstered in the new year}