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#thanksgivingrecipes

Weekend Meanderings-Thanksgiving Tablescapes, Side Dishes, and Bloomingdale’s Dresses

November 18, 2022 By kimwheeler 47 Comments

On this Weekend Meanderings…Thanksgiving tablescape ideas, and side dishes, Bloomingdale’s dresses and a little celebration for Juliet up in San Francisco.

This week was busy with Thanksgiving prep and all.. I am so excited Griffin will be home Tuesday from college. I’m hoping we get a day with everyone to take a hike or walk. I love the days after Thanksgiving when the work is done and we can all just hang out! Do you not agree those are the best parts about this holiday?

Pillows at the Island

There were rewards for cleaning out the pillow/linen closet last week- I found some sherpa look pillows I had bought last year at Target. I had replaced the inserts with these from Amazon. I like them as they are feather and allergy free, but heavy and chop down like an expensive feather insert- and made in America!

The Balboa counter stools are 25% off now at Serena & Lily. They’ve been great if you are looking, we love them.

Sherpa pillows on Serena & Lily Balboa counter stools in Mist

I like the pillows at the island giving it a little warmth. Of course as soon as the sons descend for Thanksgiving, these will be on the floor or thrown on the couch, but that’s okay.

This same pillow, iis no longer available, but I did find this pillow cover from Pottery Barn very close to mine, and is on sale now. They need inserts and have a zip opening. Remember buy a 22 x 22 inch insert for a 20x 20 pillow for a full look.

off white sherpa pillow

PB Teen also has a jumbo version of the sherpa pillow with a closed insert for a couch or a big chair.. Also I was thinking for our tiny Tahoe cabin.

Jumbo sherpa pillow pottery barn

Thanksgiving Tables

This year we are having my dad, and my sons, and so we are a tight little group. I still haven’t figured the whole tablescscape, but I sort of like doing it on the fly and see what inspires me the day before, from the yard or at the market. My mom was like that. She always made the most creative tables and I miss her so much.

This was mom and I at the first Thanksgiving Max and I hosted in 1999.

My mother and I Thanksgiving 1999

These are some past tables I have done over the years…My favorite was when I went all out for this tablescape for a blog collaboration. I loved the flowers which I bought at our local Bunches. They lasted forever.

Thanksgiving /fall table with straw flowers and persimmons
persimmons on a place setting
black table fall tablescape

Other tables…I’ve used pears with linen and old silver pieces, burlap and hydrangeas and apples..

Linen tablecloth with pears and old silver
hydrangeas and pumpkins tablescape

Another year, I used this runner and white napkins and vintage napkin rings I found at a yard sale..

Black Thanksgiving  table

Last year I used a sheet, as it was the one thing I could find in the yellow color I wanted. I layered it over a white tablecloth and I don’t think anyone could even tell. I used some Satsuma Mandarins, which are just coming ripe here in California in late November and they gave the table some nice pop of orange.

Glenna dinner plates anthropologie on table
Thanksgiving table setting with satsuma mandarins

The Glenna plates are one of my favorite things. They are from Anthropologie and look like Astier de Villette, made in Italy and can go in the dishwasher. I have to give credit to Cindy Hattersley who had them first and used them at one of her beautiful lunches she hosted. They are on sale now 30% off.

orange and yellow Thanksgiving table

My Thanksgiving Menu

Our menu is turkey (thankfully Max is making it on the Traeger), rustic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce with walnuts, sweet potato casserole, rolls, and this persimmon and pecan salad I made last year..

I use a spring mix, fennel slices, toasted pecans, and persimmons with an Autumn Vinaigrette made with walnut oil, apple cider vinegar, a bit of mustard, salt, a squeeze of orange or tangerine, and a bit of maple syrup. The fennel and toasting the nuts really make this salad shine.

Harvest Thanksgiving salad with persimmons, pecans and fennel

I am also doing a twist on Brussels sprouts with the addition of cannellini beans- a recipe from Molly in Maine. You can find it on this post of hers. ( You will adore her home if you aren’t already following.)

I already did a test run and we loved it. I could eat this just as a meal itself.

Brussels sprouts with cannelini beans Thanksgiving side dish

I also want us to try Juliet’s Apple Cider Aperol Spritz, which sounds like a perfect cocktail to have with some spiced nuts while everyone pitches in and helps with dinner. .. Isn’t it pretty?

Apple cider Aperol spritz

It’s Juliet’s Birthday!!

Speaking of Juliet, It is her birthday today! Yesterday our friend Elizabeth, aka La Contessa corralled us together to celebrate at a tea at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. It’s in the historic Garden Court and such a treat. Another friend -Laurie joined us, and we had a blast chatting and indulging in the scones and tea, and beautiful confections. Laurie sweetly made us all the prettiest bouquets! The architecture in this building is stunning…

The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco

The Palace was bustling with the holidays and I have never seen so many people out having fun in the city since the pandemic. This place is a San Francisco treasure and I would recommend it for a holiday tea, or anytime if you get the chance. I also wrote about it here.

afternoon tea at The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco

Lovely Juliet defies aging, is super kind, and is always making me laugh. I knew we would be friends when I found out she starts her day with cinnamon toast and hot chocolate!

pumpkins at The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco
Celebrating a birthday at The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco
florals in the entry The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco

I was wearing this blouse from Anthro with a black pleated skirt I own.

Thanksgiving Dresses at Bloomingdales

I was at Bloomingdales the other day and passing through the dress department they had several pretty options by their in-house brand Aqua. I need something to wear to a lunch and an upcoming holiday gathering, so I tried a few on.

They are all good prices and were on additional sale. This pink and floral dot was what first caught my eye with it’s pretty color and styling. For $69 ( I think the sale is until the 21st), it’s very nice.

Bloomingdale's Aqua brand violet floral dress
Bloomingdale's Aqua brand  long fall dress

I liked this longer dress with smocked top for Thanksgiving too.

Then there was this option. I like the higher neckline and long sleeves, however this is a bit shorter. I wouldn’t be wearing these loafers, but likely boots or booties with these dresses.

Bloomingdale's Aqua brand purple floral fall dress.

I took the two shorter dresses home to try with boots and see if one might work. Bloomingdales dresses tend to run small, so I bought a medium in one and a large in the other. These have a ruching on the waist, which is easy to adjust, and comfortable to wear.

House of the week

I had to share this original California orchard farmhouse in the little village of Monte Sereno, which is adjacent to our town of Los Gatos. It was built in 1936 and has log cabin style, but instead of being dark it’s got lovely raised ceilings and big windows.

Farmhouse for sale monte sereno

I love the picket fence and citrus tree giving it so much retro California charm. I can imagine someone strolling down this street in the 30’s to this house just as it is..Love the decor too. I don’t know if this is staged or the owners, but it’s cute! Oh and the stone fireplace.

California farmhouse  stone fireplace
Home for sale Monte Sereno
charming  1936  California home high ceiling
charming  1936  California home

And if you can’t get enough of charmers like me, check out this property called Crooked Pines in Carmel, that has some beautiful windows and spaces…

Annie is in Better Homes and Gardens!

If you missed it, our dear friend Annie, the brilliant creator behind the Most Lovely Things blog was featured in a big spread of the December Better Homes and Gardens or BHG. It’s a well-deserved and great piece about Annie’s craft ideas for a natural Christmas and more of her pretty home. She shares the charming crafts on this post, and I can’t wait to try them with some of the collected bits from our yard..

Two sales of note, Anthropologie is having 30% off most home and decor and gifts and is reflected on checkout until Nov 21. And Serena & Lily has their biggest sale of the year, 25% off everything use code GRATITUDE until Nov 30th. if you have been waiting on a special piece for the home.

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As it’s is Thanksgiving, I want to thank you for reading and opening my posts every week. When I started doing this weekly series with Juliet and Elizabeth, I wasn’t sure I’d have enough to write about or any readers. So far it has exceeded my expectations and been a joy to do. The best part of blogging though, is interacting with you all, and getting to know so many kind people from Northern California -and all over the world! Thank you for being here. I am truly thankful for you all!

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 Thanksgiving if you are celebrating.

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

Kim

On the last Weekend Meanderings savoring November, Thanksgiving outfits, a Pennsylvania mom and her farm, a Seacliff Beach home for sale, and a moisturizer you need!

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Filed Under: thanksgiving Tagged With: #thanksgivingrecipes, #thanksgivingtable

Thanksgiving Thankful

November 25, 2020 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

How is your Thanksgiving going today? I saw this pillow above and I had to get it for my entry as this is our year in a nutshell isn’t it? Making the best of it right? I didn’t know what to write about at the beginning of this pandemic. I never thought we could still be living with Covid at the end of the year, but November has finally brought us some happy news. The vaccines coming are hugely effective. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel we’ve been living in all year! I am feeling especially thankful right now for that and the election and frankly 2020 being almost over.

We were so busy this week getting things ready for Thanksgiving and having Griffin home now for two months (yay) from University. I have just finished The Queen’s Gambit which was fantastic acting and of course I loved the clothes and the sets. I loved the vintage Kentucky home the main character lived in. I’m now into The Crown, also a good diversion, but being a hard core Diana fan, not sure how much I like some of the acting and Charles and Camilla are getting me angry all over again. I have come around to liking Charles again the last decade, but boy did he mess things up. I know the family (or the firm as they say in England), had some hand in that too.

One other show Americans may not have watched, but I am now recording on PBS is Escape to the Chateau. I man obsessed. An English couple sell their two bedroom flat in Essex and buy a 19th century French chateau that they renovate and fix with a limited budget, but a loads of talent and creativity. Dick the husband is a Lt. Col. and handy with everything and Angel is just the most creative designer whether it’s interiors or events that they host. I love their darling children and the last episode I watched Angel had created the most beautiful Christmas table I have ever seen. A fun an inspiring show with just lovely people!! Any other good recommendations for shows you all are watching?

Are you celebrating Thanksgiving with family? Are you doing small? A young guy who helped me at the store told me he ordered his own Safeway dinner because he didn’t want to endanger his mom, as he works with the public. I thought what a loving son. So many are doing the right thing this year and it seems easier now knowing this might be over sooner than we thought. Last year we had thirteen people for dinner, but this year just five, us plus my dad. This will be the year we did what we all had to. It’s not going to be much longer friends. WE CAN DO THIS!

I made a quick trip to Crate & Barrel on Monday to check things out and get some table ideas. I am always inspired by their beautiful store and how they have Thanksgiving and the holidays set out. I came home with this runner and this long wooden centerpiece bowl.

I foraged in the yard for olive branches and leaves and added my small pumpkins from Halloween. These vintage napkins rings from an estate sale, kind of work with this mod runner, the black plates and white napkins. I will add some votives to the table and blankets to everyone’s chair as we will be outdoors.It’s going to be a little chilly, but we will make it fun I hope!

Max and I did a lot of prep today…

We made ahead the sweet potato casserole, the cranberry sauce, the pies (one pumpkin and one pecan), a new recipe of California inspired Artichoke Parmesan Sourdough Stuffing from Sunset magazine, and Ina Garten’s version of Chez Panisse’s spiced nuts for the appetizer. Tomorrow we will do the mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and the bird on the grill. The challenge is figuring how to get it all heated and cooked at the same time isn’t it??

I’m so glad Max like doing the pies and is a great help in the kitchen! I could not do this without his help.

I hope you all are hanging in there this year. It hasn’t been an easy one for so many. I am thankful to all of you for your kind and thoughtful comments all year…

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Kim

P.S. I’ll be back this weekend with some Black Friday deals and ideas to help with your holiday shopping.

Filed Under: thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Menu and Planning, Uncategorized Tagged With: #2020thanksgiving, #crateandbarrel, #cratestyle, #escapetothechateau, #thanksgiving, #thanksgivingrecipes, #thanksgivingtable

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