#persimmonbread

On this Weekend Meanderings- a fantastic persimmon bread to make for family or gifts, my Thanksgiving table, and gifts to grab now.

How was your Thanksgiving? We had a cozy low-key one with my sons and dad and we had a nice walk after the dinner. After three days of cooking, Max and I came to the conclusion that next year we are doing something else.

It’s about the 24th year we hosted, and except for my dad, we realized the kids aren’t crazy about Thanksgiving food. We really do it for ourselves and we started thinking, maybe we don’t need to! Next year we will either go someplace for a few days with all of us, or order some dishes to bring in. Have you changed your Thanksgiving traditions or is your family still keen on it all?

The best part to me is Friday and the weekend after! We were blessed with some gorgeous weather and did this hike at Aptos I wrote about here, in June, and grabbed sandwiches. I love having us all back together in one spot and I try to enjoy every second with the guys. Griffin goes back to school in Utah on Sunday.

Look what a beautiful day it was at the coast in November. It was in the 70’s.. We took a few snaps I hope I can use for my holiday cards.

Persimmon bread

I know I’ve written about persimmons a lot and I swear I am not being paid by the persimmon board!

I just love the look and taste of these very seasonal gems, so I was excited when a friend recently brought a loaf of persimmon bread to a tennis gathering.

This recipe surprisingly uses the Fuyu varietal, the most common persimmon I see around here which is pumpkin shape and kind of squat. It is also firmer and better tasting. This is my friend Adriana’s recipe… I changed it slightly with a bit less sugar.

Adriana is one of those cool people who had a very international upbringing growing up in Mexico City and attended the German school there before coming to America for college and Silicon Valley for work. She has baking talent. One thing I like about the tennis group at our humble club, is the chance to meet people I otherwise wouldn’t. It’s wonderful to make new friends at this stage of life. I adore our group of women!

My Thanksgiving Table

I’m a bit of an impromptu person when it comes to holiday tables. I like to see what inspires me in nature and what is available in the grocery and such. I went to a local home store, Home by Ling Interiors, in Los Gatos, and found a cute dark green striped tablecloth that looked just like my kind of thing. I took it home and stopped by Bunches florist, also in town, and saw these pretty straw flowers and eucalyptus, and thought bingo those will pull my table together.. with my yellow napkins and candlesticks from Juliet..

I ended up using the big arrangement later on the sideboard with the pies and making small bouquets in my Glassybaby votives for the actual table intermingled with clear votives with tea lights.

The pies were my favorite part and Jackson and his girlfriend Kristin made an apple pie that was as pretty as it was delicious! Max made a pumpkin and I made a pecan pie with satsuma tangerine in it…

Gift Ideas

I know the holidays are upon us so I will post gift ideas every weekend post in December. I always need ideas for female friends and relatives. Below, a few things that caught my eye and I will add more as I see them..

These Ugg Shearling Slides are on my own wish list.

Cute flannel pjs here and here.

Some modern cool small X demi-fine earrings in gold or silver for your younger, hip relatives or friends.

Anthropologie has the most darling mug and plate collection called Holiday in the City Paris, San Francisco, New York, and London are some of the cities. They also have dish towels and candles, wrap and puzzles in this theme. The little mugs each say something, the San Francisco one says ‘Peace, Joy & San Francisco’

By Terry Rose Lip Balm, is a treat and a nice gift for a friend or relative in these winter months!

Deeda Blair’s book Food, Flowers, and Fantasy is on my list and people say it’s a great. Deeda Blair shows how she lives simply, despite having an extraordinary life- and some great recipes.

This Week’s Home for Sale..

I noticed this pretty house when I was looking a few weeks ago, and honestly can’t believe it’s still listed. It’s a late 40’s charmer in the heart of Willow Glen. I adore the big windows, and how the home is situated – taking up a large corner ( 1/4 acre) lot, and is wrapped around a yard. It just needs a new kitchen, baths, and a few updates, but has location and curb appeal in spades..

Holiday Blog Posts..

This Wednesday I’ll have a special post joining some new blog friends on a holiday home tour… If you subscribe, you’ll also get a special holiday outfits edition of our Signature Style, and a hometown holiday traditions post -in addition to the regular posts in December! Kind of fun. If you haven’t yet subscribed to the blog, and would like to, you can sign up here.

And that is my weekend meanderings for this week. Please stop over at Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what fun they are sharing…and have a lovely weekend!

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

Kim

Last weekend’s post was Thanksgiving tablescape ideas, and side dishes, Bloomingdale’s dresses and a little celebration for Juliet up in San Francisco. 

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