{GHP} Things that delight the senses

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holidays, House and Home, Thanksgiving

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Each season seems to have its own list of treasures from which we derive great pleasure. That list can vary but there are common truths about a season that most are in agreement on. I’m sure that’s why certain seasons appeal to some and not to others.

{This is my first picture collage, the large image on the left is from Greet, Belgian Pearls – this is an exceptional post and if you’ve never visited Belgian Pearls, I think you’ll be hooked. I apologize about the other 2. I was so excited to create the collage I failed to write down the source, but I believe they were from tumblr, Debby at Inspired Design has the best tumblr site [That Inspirational Girl] and I probably captured the pictures from there.}

My perspective is slightly different than say those who experience extreme cold in winter or loss of an otherwise lush landscape in fall because (and trust me, I’m not bragging here) I live in Southern California where a change in season is subtle, to the point of being nearly non-existent.

We locals take the changes where we can find them, cool nights, warm days during the month of October, the drop of leaves on certain trees i.e. liquid amber, sycamore and birch, in November and a medley of other thing’s that delight my senses and confirm fall’s arrival for me.

{Courtenay Hartford}

{Party Resources}

{Better Homes and Gardens}

{source unknown}

…my apologies to Julie at eab designs, I believe I obtained this image from another site other than Julie’s. Visit her site for some lovely ideas.

{eab designs}

Wishing you the best this season has to offer. Hope you are in the midst of turkey day planning.

♥ Karen

{Garden, Home and Party} Happy Thanksgiving 2011

24 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, Misc

≈ 8 Comments

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Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness,
universal to all ages and all faiths.
At whatever straws we must grasp,
there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.
J. Robert Moskin

I am thankful for family, friends and a warm home to share Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones. I wish all of you a day of relaxation, football (if that’s your tradition), yummy food and plenty of time to reflect on the things you are most grateful for.

Richmond Park, London

via Miss Mustard Seed

unknown

sorry, unknown

via Nancy’s Daily Dish

via Party Resources

via tumblr

Happy Thanksgiving, I consider you my blog friends, but friends all the same, just one more thing to be thankful for!

I’m visiting French Country Cottage for her “Feathered Nest Party” on Friday, November 25, stop by for a visit.

{GHP} Preparing for Thanksgiving…Fall installment #4

22 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Family, Food

≈ 4 Comments

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Table Settings, Thanksgiving

Whether you’re here (U.S.A) …

~or~

abroad…

Thanksgiving Day is looming and since we have the good fortune to be celebrating with our future in-laws (for more on this story) in our home, I’m in full turkey day countdown.

I really do enjoy this time of year. Much like those that love the warmer months of summer and seem to get a boost of energy during “their” favorite season, I have to say, I feel my best in these fall months. I’m always motivated to clean the yard, clean out my closet and drawers and do a deep cleaning on the house in anticipation of the holidays.

Getting the opportunity to cook Thanksgiving dinner in our home is a treat. I enjoy entertaining and love the planning process as much as the food prep details. Our table will be set for 8 and I’ve got the centerpiece already in place…

{Note: I will probably not use Redfern, our pheasant, due to his size; don’t want him to accidentally end up with gravy on his tail so he’ll be moved to the side buffet and I’ll feature a low spread of fall leaves and pumpkins down the center of the table}

…so it was just a matter of determining the dishes and linens and menu. I have the table set-up figured out, now I just need to finalize the menu. {Ahem, I’m working on it!}

Meanwhile, I thought I’d post a few pictures of inspiration in case you’re still working on the details of your final menu and table setting.

via Small Stump + Studio Choo

I love Small Stump’s unique floral design style. They always feature fresh arrangements using A-typical flowers. They’re in Northern California, wish they were closer to Irvine.

unknown

If you have the good fortune of great weather, maybe you would want to take the meal outdoors. I’m thankful for nature and this setting would drive that home.

via Stone Gable

Yvonne, of Stone Gable set this table for a high tea…the blue and white in contrast to the orange is staggeringly beautiful to me. I love her creativity with this table setting.

via Flair by Joe Nye, order here

I’m not sure I’d think to put red and orange together for the fall, but when you think about it Mother Nature does it each and every October/November, and she knows what she’s doing.

via Ralph Lauren

The neutral palate of the Ralph Lauren table is appealing. His hammered bowl fits the occasion.

via Toby West via Veranda

This table setting is a long time favorite…but then I’m all about the barley twist candlesticks, horn handled mugs and brown and white transferware!

Something like this would be a fun way to greet guests as they approach the front door, but you could also use an urn with a pumpkin on the table, like this…

~or~

Above 2 images via Vignette Design

I hope you are all enjoying the season and that you aren’t stressing too much about the cooking, planning and cleaning involved if you’re hosting this event. There’s always dessert…

Happy November!

{GHP} Fall installment #3 and introducing my pheasant

08 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Drink, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Family, Flowers, Food, Holiday/Seasonal cooking

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

fall, Thanksgiving

So how are we doing? Is everyone happy with the season so far? We’ve survived Halloween and now it’s onward and upward to the best holiday of the year, turkey day, otherwise known as Thanksgiving. I am grateful every day for so much, but I’m especially thankful that there’s a specific day during the year when we can reflect on the people and things in our lives we feel fortunate to enjoy.

via the little book of secrets

via vignette designs

unknown

My friend Carla told me she put pumpkins in her bird bath this year. I’m going to try the same thing (copy cat? why yes, there are only so many original good ideas out there). 🙂

What I love about Thanksgiving is there are no presents to shop for, just ‘splurge on calories’ food. Even if you don’t love turkey (I know folks that feel that way), you have to admit, it’s a holiday that easily adapts to whatever “traditions” in menu selections you and yours decides to embrace. Branch out, try at least one new dish, maybe create a dish that is similar to the annual _________[fill in the blank] …it will make cooking so much more fun.

We’re fortunate enough to be hosting our future daughter-in-law, Sarah (Kevin’s fiancé {he’s the baby of the family}) and her very fun family. Kathy, her mom, Tristan, her brother and Charles, her grandfather are delightful, and we’re thrilled to be able to share Thanksgiving in our home, with soon to be family, for the first time in a few years.

via Ralph Lauren

The past few years have found us at a dear friend’s home and one year was spent in Arizona, which turned out to be my mother’s last Thanksgiving, so I’m so happy we made the trek.

So, let’s get going on the planning, shall we? Oddly, as important as the menu is, and believe me, it is, I think of the table first. This year I’ll have my early Christmas gift from future DIL…“Redfern”, the pheasant, to decorate the room with. I have mentioned to anyone who’ll listen that I’ve always wanted a taxidermy pheasant. (I understand if you’re asking, why?!). Fortunately, my sweet DIL-t0-be surprised me with this in October, assuming (as only a thoughtful person would) that I would want to use him for the fall decorations. Note: he’ll be out year round, he just may move from one piece of furniture to another.

It took me a few days of walking past the dining room table and my new friend to not jump (we have all kinds of critters in our neighborhood and it made me think a giant bird had landed, uninvited, on our dining table!

Redfern, the pheasant

via Party Resource

I happened upon a Pottery Barn sale on their fall linens (the only silver lining to the stores rushing all of the holidays by starting to sell fall items in August, by September they want to usher in Christmas and you can often find some pretty hefty cuts in pricing for the items you want/need for Thanksgiving). I found the table runner in our local store and then a very nice sales person helped me by ordering the 8 napkins to match and having them delivered to my house. They came from Minnesota (I live in California).

I’ve always thought this (above) was a very nice way of using a place card that adds to the seasonal feel of the table. I really like pears, can you tell?

*Turkey plates were purchased years ago through a Ross-Simons catalog for a song.

I’ll use my white chargers and the PB table runner with Churchill’s Thanksgiving plates.

As far as the menu, it’s still in the works. I know I’ll prepare Creamy Mashed Potatoes, I salt the turkey (as opposed to brining) and I’ll prepare stuffing. Kevin has volunteered to prepare a side dish and I’ve given some thought to a gingerbread trifle that my friend, Linda, introduced me to. Beyond that I’m still in the planning stages. I’ll keep you posted.

There’s a truly clever and delicious sounding recipe for a Deconstructed Pear Salad HERE:

Happy fall, I’d love to hear from you regarding some of your favorite sides for the Thanksgiving feast!

I’ve joined Sherry for her Open House at No Minimalist Here…stop by for a visit.

Thanksgiving planning and menu 2010

24 Wednesday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

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recipes, Thanksgiving

Cayley and I met the other night and went over our menu ideas for Thanksgiving Day. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we’ve cooked together on this holiday in years past with great success. Cayley has saved the menu that I usually print on fall paper each year so we used the 2009 menu as a guide.

I like the fresh produce mixed with flowers for a fall table---bountiful!

We will both prepare an appetizer—to be determined. Additionally, Cayley will buy some mixed nuts for munching. I lean towards an appetizer that isn’t too filing for obvious reasons.

I appreciate the mix of silver and pewter and the black furniture piece make the vignette pop.

We’ll salt the turkey per the Los Angeles Times Food feature of November 19, 2008. This, for scientific reasons I don’t fully understand, works better than brining, see recipe HERE. We tried the method in 2009 and the bird was moist and delicious. I’ll be responsible for make-ahead Creamy Mashed Potatoes and I’ll use Pioneer Woman’s recipe HERE. I’ll also prepare Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes (recipe HERE). We’ll buy Costco’s pre-made gravy—don’t judge, it just keeps stress out of the kitchen on a food/recipe intensive day! I’ll also prepare a recipe for Gulliver’s Cream Corn (I promise to post this recipe before Christmas because it’s a favorite and pretty easy).

I'm loving the white with natural accents, its great that pumpkins come in so many colors!

{the above picture via Slim Paley’s recent post, “Forget the Turkey, What about the Table?” HERE}

Dessert will consist of pecan pie (thanks to Cayley) and *pumpkin pie and Dreamy Apple Pie, recipe HERE with Hard Sauce from Pioneer Woman HERE.

Another great example of a fall table setting sans orange.

{the above image via French Kissed. There are lots of ideas for setting a beautiful Thanksgiving table in her post, “Imperfect Perfection”

*I use the Libby pumpkin pie recipe off the can—family traditions die hard. I found the recipe at All Recipes.com HERE.

Pumpkin soup, anyone?

Cayley is preparing (in addition to her appetizer) the turkey, stuffing, green salad, green beans, cranberries and pecan pie…oh, AND all the other work and shopping involved in having a dinner for 10-12 guests! I’m sure she will share the recipes with me and I’ll post links as I find them.

This post is making me hungry.

Have a Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude and lots and lots of good food and football!

Busy turkey-day planning…easy recipe

12 Friday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Food, Party Planning, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

planning, recipe, Thanksgiving

Summer in Southern California was unusually cool this year and we’re now in our typical fall mode…days of rain have been followed by a Santa Ana condition (dry, windy, warm).

This image sums up the season nicely.

{Image via Censational Girl}

Pioneer Woman has been busy in her kitchen for some time now perfecting recipes for Thanksgiving dinner. When I read that I thought, Thanksgiving is ages away—then I realized that there is only about 2 weeks until the great turkey (or whatever you enjoy for that special day of thanks) feast!

Image via Martha Stewart

Tasks that are currently on my list in anticipation of Thanksgiving:

Doesn't this look delicious, presentation is important. We eat with our eyes first.

{Image via Country Living}

Start searching food sites and magazines for new possibilities for the feast. As I mentioned last week, we are going to our good friend’s house and we will share the planning and cooking duty.

I love the natural decorations that represent the fall season so well.

Image via the talented Jermaine, host of French Kissed. She has beautiful ideas for every season!

So, in light of the planning, racing around and probably even looking towards the gift-buying time of year I thought I’d leave you with this super easy, very delicious recipe from Trader Joe’s.

Easy and yummy. Perfect for the hectic days of holiday racing around.

Trader Joe’s Tortilla Soup

———————————————————————————————————————

Ingredients

1 12-ounce jar fire roasted chili salsa
1 pint heavy cream (or for less calories, half and half) I’ve not tried this with low fat milk.
2 tablespoons butter
1 zucchini, chopped
1 onion, chopped
½ package frozen corn
1 32-ounce chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese, grated (for top)
Tortilla chips, crushed (for top)

Preparation Instructions

Sauté onion in butter until soft; add zucchini to cook al dente. Add salsa, chicken broth, and frozen corn and allow to heat through. Stir in cream and serve topped with grated cheese and tortilla chips.

Serves 4-6

Gearing up for Thanksgiving

03 Wednesday Nov 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Food, Party Planning

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Table Settings, Thanksgiving

Ahhh, Norman Rockwell...he set the bar pretty high!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fact that it’s all about the food, oh, and the giving thanks part. I’m pretty thankful almost daily for a whole host of things so I guess that part fell behind the good food part! Sorry. No gift buying, no costumes, just great food and football (and gratitude).

Mention Thanksgiving and I’m sure a good third of the population cringe at the idea of getting the family together. After all, not every family is a cohesive Norman Rockwell family! As an only child I dreamt of what it would be like to have siblings. When I married my hubby I realized that since he too was an only child we’d be a small family. This Thanksgiving was doomed to be even smaller since Son#1 and his lovely wife are living in Austin, Texas and Grand baby #1 is due the day before Thanksgiving.

I guess if you don't like turkey this image doesn't make your mouth water!

{Image courtesy of Martha Stewart}

So, Son #2, hubby and I were thrilled to be invited to our good friends home. Cayley and I have shared a passion for entertaining and cooking for years.

Isn't this simple but pretty? Centerpieces are so much fun.

{Our families history goes back to our oldest son and their oldest son being in grade school together and ultimately the same fraternity at the same college} Cayley and I will collaborate on menu and cooking duties. I’ll post the menu once it’s in place.