In the years we are fortunate enough to have the pleasure of hosting dear friends at our annual Thanksgiving celebratory 'dinner for waifs and strays', I derive much pleasure in not only the details of preparing the menu and cooking the food, but also in the decoration of the dining room.
I was up early today, in the garden clipping from the bountiful Pittosporum shrub that looks more like a tree nowadays. Somehow, it survived the punishing drought we've endured these past few years and has held on to give generously of its orange-hued berries.
It was with some irony that as I stood beneath the Pittosporum canopy clipping away and filling my trug this morning - Thanksgiving day - the heavens opened and down came much needed rain, fast and heavy. For this I was thankful. Very thankful. We have not seen a drop of precipitation around these parts since the end of last winter.
Dashing back inside the house, I managed to fill four Regency-era syllabub glasses with the berries which I then used as a centerpiece on the Thanksgiving table. For this too I was thankful for I had made the fatal error of buying some natural plant material this past weekend in hopes it would last through today. Needless to say, it did not!
As I placed the little arrangements on the dining table, the sun broke through the rain clouds and just for a few minutes, the room glowed with sunlight. What joy!
What are your plans today? Will you be at home preparing a special meal to share with your family and friends, or are you one of the millions of Americans who have traveled far from home?
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I was up early today, in the garden clipping from the bountiful Pittosporum shrub that looks more like a tree nowadays. Somehow, it survived the punishing drought we've endured these past few years and has held on to give generously of its orange-hued berries.
Photo: Chronica Domus
It was with some irony that as I stood beneath the Pittosporum canopy clipping away and filling my trug this morning - Thanksgiving day - the heavens opened and down came much needed rain, fast and heavy. For this I was thankful. Very thankful. We have not seen a drop of precipitation around these parts since the end of last winter.
Dashing back inside the house, I managed to fill four Regency-era syllabub glasses with the berries which I then used as a centerpiece on the Thanksgiving table. For this too I was thankful for I had made the fatal error of buying some natural plant material this past weekend in hopes it would last through today. Needless to say, it did not!
Syllabub glasses make excellent vases in a pinch!
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
As I placed the little arrangements on the dining table, the sun broke through the rain clouds and just for a few minutes, the room glowed with sunlight. What joy!
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
I am looking forward to giving thanks and gratitude for so much more throughout the day. Friends we have not seen in many years will be here within the hour and there is still so much to do in the kitchen.
What are your plans today? Will you be at home preparing a special meal to share with your family and friends, or are you one of the millions of Americans who have traveled far from home?
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Your table looks both stylish and inviting; I love your autumnal touches, very beautifully done! I'm sure you had a wonderful 'waifs and strays' celebration. Hosting is always so much fun! How lucky you were to get a bit of much-needed rain, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, CD, to you and your family!
Hello Pipi, and thank you. We all had a marvelous time of it and I ended up toddling off to bed around 2.30 pm when all the washing up was finally done. Needless to say, I paid deary for it the following morning not wanting to get out of bed until very late!
DeleteI'm also happy to report the rain continued until the following day, on and off. Everything suddenly looks much healthier and refreshed. I wish I could say the same for me. Still yawning two days later. Late nights are becoming more of a challenge as one creeps slowly towards old age!
Hello CD, It has been so long since I have had a real Thanksgiving that it is becoming a dim memory, although your beautiful photos remind me of how much fun it is to use all your good things, in addition to the excitement of inviting family and friends. Those berries are exactly the perfect Fall color.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim,
DeleteYou'll need to plan a trip back home to coincide with Thanksgiving one of these years. It has now become my favorite adopted holiday. Every country should consider setting aside such a day dedicated to gratitude and thanks.
Happy (post) Thanksgiving to you Jim!
Beautiful table! Love the china and the perfect fall colors. I also pulled from the garden to supplement our decorations - rose hips in this case. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you dear Stephanie. I hope the table lived up to yourexpectations.
DeleteI adore rose hips but my roses never seem to "get there'!
Wishing you a happy (post) Thanksgiving.
Belated Thanksgiving greetings to you too CD. Do I spy that new set of china you recently acquired at auction gracing your table? We still have snow and ice covering the in MA so alas, I could not forage for centerpiece material.
ReplyDeleteWe had a smaller number at our table(6) than usual but the gathering was no less festive. One of our guests doesn't eat meat or diary which meant more veggies and no cheesy gratins. I discovered the joys of store bought puff pastry (thank you Trader Joes) which made the tarte tatin dessert a cinch.
Hanukkah and Christmas are not far away.
Best,
KL Gaylin
A belated happy Thanksgiving to you too, Karen!
DeleteYou are indeed correct. I did end up using the newly acquired creamware as the colors coordinated well with the other autumnal bits and bobs on the table. Can't beat a good winter squash for inspiration!
I'm sure your guests felt very pampered with the attention you gave to your menu. Here's a delicious recipe I've made (and adapted by substituting a grain such as farro for the pasta and also skipping the cheese) that is suitably autumn-like and just right for your vegan Thanksgiving guests:
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012888-pasta-with-kale-pesto-and-roasted-butternut-squash
Tarte tatin sounds delish (did you save me a piece?).
Thank you for the recipe link-we love kale and squash.
DeleteHere is the link for the puff pastry apple tart:
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/quick-apple-tart-109284
Trader Joe's puff pastry is made with butter and tastes so much better. However, they only stock it during the holiday season so I buy and store them in the freezer.
Thank you Karen. I made an apple crostata as part of the Thanksgiving dessert menu (along with the obligatory pumpkin pie and also a spiced pumpkin cheesecake). I adore puff pastry so will give this recipe a go.
Delete