thanksgiving

Weekend Meanderings-Persimmon Bread and Holiday Gifts

November 26, 2022 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

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!

Persimmon Bread

A delicious and dense and sweet bread to enjoy in fall and winter. Perfect to share as a gift, bring to a gathering, or just with a cup of tea on a wintery afternoon. This recipe uses the smaller Fuyu persimmons, that are all over Northern California in late fall and winter.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dessert

Ingredients

2 C sugar
3 C flour
4 eggs
1 C canola oil
1/2 C water

1 C persimmons pureed (Fuyu)
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground clove
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 C walnuts or other nuts (optional)

Instructions

Chop persimmons into large pieces leaving out hard core bits and tops. Puree persimmons in a blender or food processor until liquidy, with the water.
Mix together sugar, spices and then add in whisked eggs. Add in oil and puree mix. Mix flour, salt and baking soda together then gently mix into wet ingredients. Fold in nuts. Spray two loaf pans, and fill pans 70% full.
Top with more walnuts, or a light sprinkling of sugar.
Bake at 350 F, 50-60 minutes. These also freeze well for later use!

Keyword persimmon bread

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.

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

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

November 18, 2022 By kimwheeler 44 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.

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.

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.

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

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

Linen tablecloth with pears and old silver

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

charming 1936 California home high ceiling

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!

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Ideas for Thanksgiving Tables and Outfits

November 16, 2021 By kimwheeler 19 Comments

While everyone seems to be full stop headed for Christmas, I am still in a Thanksgiving mindset and thought I’d share here some of the cutest finds I’ve seen for your Thanksgiving table. I also found some adorable dresses and tops if you’re looking for something to wear whether you’re hosting or a guest.

Let’s begin with tabletop shall we? This is always my favorite part of Thanksgiving hosting. I came from a mom and grandmother who both loved creating a unique table. My grandmother, (dad’s mom), was very old school in her love of classic tables with china, silver and all the special pieces. My mom was more of a casual elegant type, using a lot of natural materials and plants always in her tablescapes. I appreciate both approaches and love beautiful plates and glasses and also adding in natural elements to give a California vibe to our table.

Below a few of the tables over the years..

I think it’s good to forage through your cabinets and see what you can pull together for your Thanksgiving table a few weeks prior. That way you can see what looks good, what has seen better days and can be pitched, and also what vintage things from family can be mixed in with the newer. I did this one year with silver flatware from my grandmother and modern white plates and glasses. Pears and olive branch clippings were my natural bit that year.

Other times we have just foraged the yard for clippings and water tumblers have often made the best vases like these tortoiseshell ones with yard berries and mums, we used one year.

Another year short clear glasses worked well with small hydrangea clippings.

Another thing you can do is try throws, quilts and fabric remnants as tablecloths. I can’t sew well, but I know how to go to the fabric store and make a piece of cloth work on the table. Many times I’ve just folded the ends or ironed them down and it looks great. The important thing is to get creative and find what inspires you.

The tablecloth below was an old remnant of my grandmother’s. I saved it because she made herself a dress of this same fabric in the 70’s that I remember her wearing. It was a last minute idea for a tablecloth and it worked! Grandma would have loved it.

I love pulling a fresh mix of plates and glasses together each year and usually add one new element of some kind. Last year it was water glasses, which are no longer available, but I am obsessed with these beauties from William-Sonoma. These Vintage Etched Water Goblets come in sets of four and are a very good price. They have four colorways, but I am loving the clear and the pink especially. These would be a gorgeous addition to anyone’s tabletop collection!

I do appreciate good flatware. A few years ago, we finally got a new set after 25 years of living with the wedding service that was looking pretty beat. With boys doing the dishes and spoons going in lunch bags that never made their way home again, it was time. A year later, I bought another set. The cost of a flatware set is pennies if you think about all the days, and years they are used! Currently, I am obsessed with the brand Fortessa which seems to have the perfect weight and feel to their pieces and modern styles. I have had the bamboo looking Royal Pacific set on my radar for a while..

I also love the classically mod Arezzo Pattern in a chic black, a burnished gold, or silver.

Don’t you like the fun way these napkins are tied with the flatware above? Another idea!

If you need a whole lot more flatware- Williams-Sonoma also has this pretty set for 12 with a caddy at a good price.

How’s your plate game? Mine consists of a mix of stoneware and my original English pattern strawberry white that is no longer made. I’ve loved this Glenna Pattern that my stylish friend Cindy Hattersley has and it’s been discontinued until recently when it miraculously showed up again at Anthropologie. It’s in my cart as we speak. It’s simply lovely and has an organic feel and look that I really like.

Anthro also has some nice napkin sets that aren’t crazy expensive.. I like this Crossweave Napkin that comes in sets of four, in rust and this olive green which strikes an elegant, but Boho feel..

This is a pretty jacquard Target offering..

Serena & Lily has some of the nicest linen napkins and the price is good for linen, at about $11 a napkin if you buy in multiples. Love the color choices..

Serena & Lily are having their Tent Sale on now with a lot of good things like linen sheets, my favorite linen pjs, the cute wooden step stools, and so much more good things marked down! its a great time to get a few home items.

Target also has a new Stoneware Glazed Plate in their Magnolia collection..

Are you looking for fun plates? I love this stoneware by Jen Hewett Brown at World Market. You can use them all year and they would be perfect with a natural table look.

These Buffalo Check Napkins at WM would be pretty on a white plate or a black dish. Lot’s of options with it.

I dig a cotton smock and this is perfect for over your nice clothes on cooking day and comes in many colors. I can see customizing this with some trim and gifting it to all those cooking that day.. or for a hostess gift!

While we are talking about World Market, I love this dining chair, so stinking cute and has good reviews too. Sometimes all you need is new chairs to freshen things up, not a whole new dining set.

Another find is this Aldo Napkin with colorful gourds by Pottery Barn and it is on sale now..

The Braided Charger/placemat is also cool and would add texture to your table.

Crate & Barrel has much for Thanksgiving and I really these Mercer Dinner Plates that come in sets of eight. A good buy at $45.

And how about these Grateful Napkin Rings? I’d add a little sprig of some greenery like a cutting from an olive tree or rosemary tucked in with it.

These Forest Walk Plates by Juliska are the thing if you want something fun and fall feeling. I can see layering these with some other plates for an eclectic mix!

And these pheasant salad plates would give a Ralph Lauren look on top of a vintage larger plate…

The Cane Napkin Ring is a good choice for Thanksgiving and all year..

Now let’s talk Thanksgiving day outfits. Some people like a relaxed Thanksgiving, and other dress up..I like something that looks nice and feels comfortable.

I like this Mocha Stripe Dress, which can be dressed up or down and would be cute with boots.

This Tiger Mod Dress is fab and has a retro feel..

This Frances Dress from Tuckernuck is another great one in the olive color!

Hosting at home? This J. Crew Relaxed Sweater Dress is adorable and Iooks so comfortable. That’s my kind of Thanksgiving look. And it’s on sale now with code FRIENDS.

They have this version of a sweater dress too.. Both are highly rated and are a nice choice for casual chic holidays.

Other options.. This tiered mini dress.. It could do double duty as a tunic.

This is a great patchwork maxi dress..

Target also has a version of the sweater dress in cream, grey and this autumn color…

This maxi dress with owls and fall florals is lovely!

A few cute tops that could work on Thanksgiving…

This poncho is so cool and I love how they mixed it here with a lace t shirt.

This Fringe Sweater is a fun one for the season..

I just think this Reindeer knit is adorable.

And lastly this Tinsel cardigan is a fun piece that could be worn many ways- and comes in a dark navy also.

Hope this gave you a few ideas to run with!

I love Thanksgiving. Enjoy November and this season.

Kim

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

P.s. This Burnt Bamboo Flatware, I have had for years and use in the summer and in winter, is on sale now at Horchow at a great price. Another one to consider..

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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.

Thanksgiving and Things I’m Trying to Do

November 24, 2016 By kimwheeler 9 Comments

Hi friends. How are you all holding up? Sorry I haven’t blogged since the election post. Thank you everyone for your words of support and also your opinions and ideas. Love you guys!

I’ve been trying to think about what matters, what to chat about. The world around us is changing and I have some more ideas on how we can make a difference and not let this become the new normal. I’ll include ways we can at the bottom of each post for a while. Please, please add any other good thoughts to share with us all who are feeling the same. I want this to be a safe forum where we can come together to share ideas to be the change.

Today let’s take solace in Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays. That brightens my world a little and the thought of all the small joys that come with this time of year is something to cheer us in these unsettling times.

Some small bouquets I was working on for my home, below. Thanksgiving is a good time to shine everything up and make it festive and there’s nothing like houseguests to motivate.

This year we are lucky to have Max’s sister and husband who are traveling from Seattle to be with us. My oldest is home from school and I am so looking forward to some quality time with everyone including a beach day, some long walks, board games, and movies.

I dashed into Crate and Barrel this week as the boys/guest bath has been looking a little faded. I bought a new shower curtain, towels and bath mat. Just small things like that make such a huge difference. I don’t know why I don’t invest in home things more often. It’s so easy for us all to say yes to a new pair of jeans or a top, but how rare it is we spend on the things we use and see everyday? Crazy as they are so worth the money if you think of how many days, hours, years our home things serve us!

I also picked up these wood grain placemats. Something about them felt very me and so I cleaned them out of this pattern and the matching chocolate napkins. We had friends from my husband’s childhood over for a fun dinner the other night and I paired them with white plates and black napkins and flatware. They are still online here and also the brindle brown napkins which are reduced if you buy a set of 8, which I did.

At first I was going to get some other placemats and napkins from the clearance. I didn’t love them as much, but was thinking I could make them work. I have this thing in my head I should always be looking for a bargain. Does anyone else have that issue? Well, actually adding it up, it was about a twenty dollar savings to get the sale set instead of the ones I was first attracted to and really loved. In the long run, that would be not a savings at all since I probably wouldn’t keep them around for long. The old me would do that before getting the full-price set. I am trying hard to retrain myself to stop buying what I call sale stand-ins instead of what I actually want.

The result is a house full of items bought at a bargain, but many you just feel lukewarm about. If I think logically I can better save by buying what I really love- usually a more quality item, not because it’s on sale, but because I need and adore it. If I shop like that I will have a home of things I cherish, and hopefully need less. It’s a quality over quantity mindset which is smart.

Shopping as a pastime can fill your home with stuff, but do you really need it or love it? As much as I like Home Goods and places like that I think in the end I don’t always spend my money so wisely there. When I see what I’m willing to part with when I’m purging, it’s almost always items from such shopping trips. However, when I wait then splurge a little and buy something I really covet, I tend to keep it and love it year after year.

Anyway, this isn’t rocket science, but something I’ve really been reflecting on more lately. This month I’ve tried hard to do this. The result has been the new placemats and napkins, the redone kid’s/guest bathroom items, a pair of Paige jeans, and a new set of winter pjs from Anthropologie which I usually wouldn’t get for myself. In all, this cost surprisingly a lot less than the 2-3 mindless shopping trips I would make each month to one of these discount places.

By the way, the pjs bottoms are super soft, have a darling deer motif and a great idea for holidays gifts if you are thinking of them already.

I also would like to have more time to watch some of these great series everyone is loving. Are you watching The Crown? I am absolutely transfixed by this series. It’s been a wonderful escape from the real world. Love John Lithgow’s Churchill! The characters of King George and Queen Mary are so good, as is Queen Elizabeth. The costumes and the sets are gorgeous. Each episode is an in depth exploration of an event or a character.

That Duke of Windsor, is quite the conundrum. I’m not sure if I love or hate the guy. What a character! I am trying my best to watch just one episode a night. I go to bed and think about it all and not the current state of things in the country. It’s been good for me. I highly recommend it. My guys are history buffs and loving it too. An interesting piece here about the facts and the few fictions of this series.

I’m also trying to read more books, and I’m trying to take a stab at one new recipe a week and to get out of my comfort zone.

In the cooking department, a new recipe I tried last week that met house approval was pumpkin pasta. One of my favorite local Instagramers, Debbscorner, who posts the most fabulous food, shared a this recipe for these from another lovely blog, Wholefully. It’s delicious, easy and it’s even vegan.

Deb’s version of making it…

A little glimpse of Deb’s beautiful Instagram account! You’ll want to follow her.

The recipe is simply pumpkin puree (I used the Whole Foods one with only pure pumpkin), and flour, mixed by hand, turned out and cut into thin strips. You can let them dry a bit and pop them in a pot of boiling, well salted water until they float. There is an accompanying recipe for sage browned butter which is exactly what you want on this plus a little fresh grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano. It’s the perfect fall dinner and total comfort food.

My lower-tech version, without rolling cutter or drying rack…. Still came out wonderful.

Here’s the noodles before cooking. I forgot about the after photo which I’m mad about since the crispy sage makes it a very pretty dish.

So how are you celebrating Thanksgiving? Cooking the whole thing with a giant group, ordering out or going to a restaurant, or just taking a turkey sandwich to the beach? It’s all good as long as you do Thanksgiving your own way. I think it’s more about being with those that matter to you.

I love being home during this week when many families are gone and it’s quiet in our town. We can take a few days to catch our breaths a bit before Christmas is upon us. The being together without daily madness of life is the best part. I love the unplanned and spontaneous time.

Hoping you all have a lovely Thanksgiving week. This blog would mean nothing without the heartfelt comments and notes and visits here from all of you and I am truly thankful!

Kim

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Regarding changing our country one person at a time, we can start by informing ourselves. One thing I said to my husband the morning after the election, was that I blame the results on Facebook! While that’s oversimplifying it, it’s one part of why Trump won. The amount of false news stories shared millions of times on Facebook was staggering and sad. Steve Bannon, the new right-hand man and advising the president-elect admitted he plotted to take down Hillary in any means he could two years prior using false news stories and propaganda. This story was on Fresh Air last week and made me sick.

The fact is a whole lot of us are getting our news through Facebook and it’s being skewed for each of us to fit what we click on. If we read one article, then we get shown 10 more similar to it. It really prevents us from seeing other points of view, and other sides. We don’t even know this is happening, we just assume we are getting all the news, when it’s really a very narrowed feed.

One thing we can do is get off the internet or get news from many sources. We have always subscribed to a daily paper. The daily newspapers of this nation have long had reputations for journalism standards and have low amounts of propaganda. Even if you spend ten minutes a day reading it, even if it is at night for ten minutes, you get a more diverse perspective on what’s happening in the world. The longer and more detailed articles are better than the junk food news that is often out there. Even better, there won’t be any click bait crud on the sidebar. We are also all NPR and PBS junkies around here for the great stories more than anything, but it’s also very fair and balanced reporting, not sensationalized at all. We all could use more of that.

Thanksgiving

November 28, 2013 By kimwheeler No Comments

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans reading!

I am looking forward to the quality family time with my family today.

Some are coming from quite far and I’m so happy to be able to host today.

Thanks to my wonderful husband and boys we got most of the labor done yesterday.

Today it’s pretty simple.

I am looking forward to champagne and chatting and eating too much!

Here’s glimpse at the tables.

I really just bought a few flowers. I used succulents and vines and apples and all the little pumpkins still hanging around.

I especially liked the hydrangea leaves I found in my backyard!

They have turned a most gorgeous colors right now.

Ikea glasses worked for little vases. We have a combo of striped, linen and black napkins.

My 96 year old grandma is bringing me her silver flatware today and giving it to me.

She has kept very good care of it and I feel lucky to get to have it.

It would not be Thanksgiving without our turkey from Max’s Kentucky great-grandad.

It holds a place of honor!

A view of our other table which we used a white table covering…

I just want to say how thankful I am am to each and every one of you who pop by here and visit.

I am grateful for you comments, and notes, and just for your presence.

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday wherever you are.

Thanks so much!

Kim

Don’t forget to pop back for my Black Friday post!

Thanksgiving and Holiday Prep Talk

November 24, 2013 By kimwheeler No Comments

Just a fast post while I’m running about this week. I cannot believe it’s already been a week since I was in San Francisco with my blogger besties. Isn’t it funny how time always flies by after a getaway?

Though I wish I could beem myself back to last week and the beautiful Hotel Monaco, I’m scrambling this week to get Thanksgiving for 16 ready and also tick some of those Christmas boxes off before the after Thanksgiving madness!

I want to not stress about the holidays and I am for once #gettingitdoneearly! This is so not my modus operandi, but people can change no? I hit Target the other day and got an amazing amount ticked off and there was much to choose from. That was my problem last year…Things were picked over already quite early. I got most my wrap there. I’m kind of picky about wrap and hate garish stuff. I generally like simple and graphic styles and like to go with 2 shades so all the ribbon easily coordinates. This year I pretty much did Kraft paper brown, black whites, cream and deep red.

Here’s a little hint, check out the dollar section. Last time I went there I didn’t do this. All the good ribbon and labels are there! Thanks Most Lovely Things for the tip! Some pretty high-end bits and bobs. I loved what I got so much I turned my pantry into a wrap station and even cleared out a cabinet for all my goodies..

I find umbrella stands so useful to hold wrap!

Now for turkey day, I turned my house around. Do you ever do this? My husband hates this with a passion, but I prevailed. I turned our largish and long living room into the dining room. I moved my glass table and dining table…

I love this wing-back chair at the head of the table. My husband had real issues with it as the height of the seat is lower than a regular chair. Men! I told him fine I’d sit there with a pillow!

Please don’t judge my tables yet, as I haven’t figured out my theme, tablecloths, etc yet. I’m not so great at tablescapes, but I like to try and make it look festive.

I then made the dining room, which is small, into a conversation area. I did this by dividing a sectional and adding our other sofa and ottoman. I added a standing lamp too. It’s perfect for a cozy chat pre-dinner. Everyone has a spot for their cocktail and I’ll add bowls of nuts and pretty napkins. I really wanted an area everyone could socialize, but be close to the dinner area. People like my 96 year old grandma can hear what everyone is chatting about in here…

Pictures are a bit odd and off-centered. Haven’t decided on the wall things yet. Naomi, please disregard my messy throws! This is still in laboratory stage!

I don’t know about you, but I love changing spaces up and I think keeping rooms exactly as they are supposed to be is one of the biggest flaws with American decorating. Change your home, change your life! Try to think out of the box! Use all your spaces! Why be boring?

Cats have expressed approval…Isn’t that all that matters?? 😀

Already one of my kids brought a laptop in here and put his feet up. It feels intimate and I may just keep it like this. I like having more space for dinner parties and guests won’t feel cramped to get in their seats. I think it will be a win-win. The only thing is where do I put the Christmas tree now???

Speaking of Christmas, I realized I have almost zero red in my wardrobe. When I was up in San Francisco with Adrienne and Heather, I found a red layered Calvin Klein shell that’s a great basic piece that can be dressed up or down. Adrienne loved it too and also got it. I’m thinking of ways I can wear it for the holidays and also for Adrienne’s next How I Wear My post which is Red! (The leather pants look pretty cute don’t they? Not sure if I could pull that off.)

Calvin Klein top- Macy’s

Well yesterday I ran to TJ Maxx for some Thanksgiving table items and found something I’ve been wanting, but resisted buying, due to the price. It’s a wristlet that is a wallet/phone holder. I’ve seen a few girls out with them and they are so simple for evenings -or just a walk or a bike ride. Perfect for when you don’t want to carry a lot. The Michael Kors’ versions are particularly nice, but run closer to $100. I found this red one for $39 yesterday! Now I have something to pair with my top, and two red items in my wardrobe! (Note..the top is not as blazing as it looks here!)

Have you embraced this new wallet/phone thingy at all? I swear as I get older I want to carry less and less and even a purse feels like baggage at times!

Tomorrow I’m off to get all my veg from the Farmer’s Market in town. I’ve really been enjoying the winter market (well, I guess it’s still fall officially), and all the offerings. With the baked good there and holiday music, it almost feels like the Christmas Markets in Europe. I’d love to be there one Christmastime and have roasted chestnuts!!

This is me at the market last Sunday..My hubs took this. DO not look at the bagels..SO not going with the organic vegetables, but I have teenage boys to keep full!

Have a great weekend and I’ll be back soon with my Thanksgiving set up.

I would love to hear any ideas you have about Thanksgiving or getting ahead on the holiday thing…

Oh and I am not shopping on Black Friday and definitely not Thanksgiving. I plan on enjoying the natural world and get nowhere near a mall! And how about this below? Totally agree. As one smart person said, “How can you be thankful for all you have when you are out scrambling to get more?” That really epitomizes it doesn’t it?

A special black-themed post is in the works though!

xx Kim

P.S. Persimmon tree spotted on one of my morning walks. Two Californians told me this week they never had one! Wha? Seriously good! Persimmon 101…Eat it like an apple! It has a core called a calyx, that you can just avoid by slicing the sides off and eating those. I love slices in a green salad with pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts. It’s a good Thanksgiving salad too!
– Also make sure if you are buying it to eat you get the tomato-shaped ones-fuyu. The other heart-shaped ones are better for baking and more acidic.

Thanksgiving Thoughts..

November 22, 2012 By kimwheeler No Comments

Thanksgiving is very special to me because my family is all together and that doesn’t happen more than once or twice a year. I am so happy to have my parents, brother’s family, aunt & uncle, and my 95 year old grandmother all here! I have to make three separate tables, so I’ve been pulling them together. Here’s two of them.

I found these mums and I thought they looked great in these tortoiseshell glasses, I used burlaps and will add more twigs and leaves tomorrow.. Our white table has walnuts, our rustic turkey and little dried corns, and apples. Still getting these just so…

Thanksgiving this year has been somewhat bittersweet for me. I am so thankful to have all my family with me and at my home, but also been a little sad since someone in my family has been unwell. This person has been through a lot and I am an optimist, but still I get sad knowing all they must endure. It’s always on the forefront of my mind.

Yesterday I was beginning to work on my Thanksgiving tables for 14 and just feeling a bit low. I just can’t get as excited as I usually do about it this year. I took a break to go out and grab the mail and this was on my porch:

I just couldn’t believe it. This adorable sign is just like one I love at William-Sonoma, only this one was made by my friend Sue. She even included a little twine and chalk attached. I am so impressed she made this! It’s even cuter than the WS one. I think she knew I’ve been sad lately and how sweet was this? I just felt like this was a message from the universe to be happy and thankful. Sue, if you are reading this, I am so thankful for you. I am blessed to have so many dear friends that have been in my life for so long. I am truly thankful for all of them. And sometimes it’s the little efforts that friends do that make all the difference…

I am also thankful for all of you dear readers and my fellow bloggers who are so wonderfully supportive. I thank you for all the comments and feedback! I know some of you stop by and don’t or can’t comment, but I know you are out there. Your faithfulness to this blog is unbelievable to me.

I am truly thankful for you all! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving wherever you are in this world.

Kim

Hunter Gatherer Decorating

November 29, 2011 By kimwheeler No Comments

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did. Besides our family dinner on Thursday, we were almost all alone on our little court for 5 days. In fact, the whole town, seemed to go away for the holiday. It was nice to be here. We saw a Arthur’s Christmas with the kids, (super), and had a date night movie too. We saw George Clooney in the Descendants – great movie and George is… (husbands look away), a total fox! We ate lots of leftovers, walked the dogs we were sitting through the leaf-filled park, and got together with good friends. We even hit a farmer’s market on Sunday. The best part is the pace of these kind of holidays and the quality time together. Being with all my family on Thursday was really special.

My youngest walking Ruby, one of our charges this weekend.

When my favorite neighbor and good pal Kim returned from her holiday, we brain-stormed some pre-tree holiday fluff for the home. Recently she had snagged a faux mercury glass vase at Homegoods and was wondering how to display it for xmas. Our phone rings and she asks, “Hey, will your husband mind if I clip a few berries for my vase?”

Some of the lovely foliage on our court.

“Are you kidding?, ” I said, “He probably wouldn’t know if the tree got taken down! I’ll meet you outside with the hackers!” From then on, we had a jolly time clipping away at this and that in the hood. I’ll say it worked out for the best that most people were away. Anyhow, we used berries from Pistachio trees, Juniper branches- the ones’ with white berries look best, and some Sequoia sprigs (thanks to the beast in my front yard.)

Kim’s vase with her creation.

Kim’s creation came out lovely and partnered with her new runner and glass bulbs acquired on the Homegoods run, her home looks darling. This inspired me to begin a new regular feature I will call, CHECK OUT HER HOUSE! Coming later this week, the first edition and more on the stylish Kim, a French teacher, and her Gallic-inspired home! Here’s a preview.

Her holiday runner and pretty bulbs. Don’t they look festive? She added a topiary she had from Restoration Hardware.

My arrangement on the mantle for now. The berries are quite heavy, so they will tend to hang.

Another view of what I used.

Pomegranates and Persimmons make wonderful winter centerpieces. These are from the Campbell Farmer’s Market. Love the colors mixed with apples and Asian Pears.

If you don’t have berries, any conifer tree branches will work. Add in pine cones and a bright ribbon or colored vase and you have a show-stopper for your entry, table or mantle. Anything natural is much more beautiful and smells better than any fake store-bought greenery. A bowl piled with Pomegranates or walnuts with a nutcracker, bring in the natural and add richness to your home. You can even use pieces from your Christmas tree if you already have it. You’ll get that holiday feeling without going all Kris Kringle on your home yet. And don’t forget to check out your neighbor’s yard. 😉

Kim

Thanksgiving Musings…

November 24, 2011 By kimwheeler No Comments

This is my Thanksgiving table. I used olive napkins and aubergine zebra plates. I kinda like the contrast.

In the spirit of the holiday here’s a bit of all my thoughts and photos that were meant for several posts, but never got written. It’s been so darn busy the past week! I cobbled it all together, so I could get it out before everything turns Christmas. Hope you can cope with my haphazard style on this…

I love Thanksgiving. I just hate ironing. Right now, I’m ironing when I could be one with couch and watching the Dancing with the Stars finale! I swear there is no such thing as, “permanent press” tablecloths! Just sayin’ Ralph Lauren.

Flowers I bunched together. I’m not good with flowers. I may make this into a bunch of low small arrangements. I really liked the colors though.

Check out these glasses. $2.99 at Homegoods. I know. They made the tables!

Anyway, as much as I despise all the grunt work involved with a big family gathering, it’s what we do. I want to have my boys grow up appreciating family celebrations and the rituals that go along. Yes, they have to wear sweaters or nice shirts, use their best manners, chat with grandparents, deliver drinks, help serve and clean-up. I did it too when I was little. They feel like hosts when I ask what music we should play and which napkin looks best. I hope they will one day do the same in their own homes.

My other tables.

My mantle now. I’ll add candles on Thanksgiving day.

My boys last year.

The decorating and entertaining part is fun to me. The cooking itself, not so much. I don’t know why, but as a forty-something woman, I still haven’t become comfortable with making turkeys. Maybe that’s because my Mom has done it for so long, and well. why mess with a good thing? The last time I made the turkey I left that bag of stuff, (yucky- gizzards and whatnot), in the turkey. Everyone was grossed out! From then on, I became the side-dish chef and head of table decor, which was fine by me!

My Mom and I at my first Thanksgiving as hostess, 1999. Love my Mom.

I do like making sides like parmesan brussel sprouts, gourmet mashed potatoes, harvest salad with apples, cranberries and walnuts, green beans with almonds, sweet potato casserole, and rolls. My Mom will bring her yummy stuffing and gravy. My Dad is making the turkey with a new recipe! (Hmm, we’ll see about that, Dad. We like to encourage him though 🙂

Grandma with my sons about a year ago.

My 94 year-old Grandma will bring her cranberry jello with mini marshmallows that the kids love and all her pumpkin pies made by scratch. Yep, she still is making them all and they are delicious. We are so blessed to have her. My brother Peter’s family of five will join us from El Dorado Hills. I can’t wait to see my sweet niece and nephews and my sister-in-law, Line. This year we also have my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Tom from Discovery Bay. They will be bringing the wine and they know what is good. Lucky us!

I am fortunate to have a husband who is more than helpful. He’s my sous chef, my bartender, my dish-washer, and handsome co-host. I couldn’t do it without his help! He is patient with me when I start to freak about 15 minutes before everyone arrives! I can’t help it, it’s just how I am…He usually gets me a glass of champagne then.

Look at this cute pumpkin from my friend Ann, love it!

My house is a bit on small side, so I will be piling all the tables into the living and dining together. I really want us all to be in one room, including the five kids, (now all teens and pre-teens.) No, I don’t agree with the kids table in Siberia thing. I want to chat with them too. So, I’ve moved some furniture and have three tables. I’m hoping I can make it all look pulled-together, get the fire going and have it cozy.

This is my friend Jen’s house- don’t you love her mantle? Super cute with the books and pumpkins.

In the past, I’ve also moved the house all around. My husband absolutely hates that. Here’s a picture of the first Thanksgiving we hosted. We had no dining room, so we turned the family room into one giant dining space using the yard table too. I think it looks cute, considering we were young and had no clue. My 13 year-old was just one! I’ve always gone for the natural look and used gourds, pumpkins and leaves to decorate. It didn’t cost me hardly anything then either.

Us 12 years ago. What were those red things? I don’t remember, maybe pomegranates.

We try to include my two boys in the production. I get them making place cards and arranging the tables. We start by foraging around the neighborhood for acorns, or pretty leaves. They always come out so cute, I’ve saved a few for keepsakes. Those are sweet to me and the grandparents always love it too.

From two years ago and below a bit longer. My littlest wrote, “cookie grandma, ” which is what they call their Great-Grandmother, who makes them cookies all the time.

Another year when my smaller guy and I made a candy corn cake. This year we made acorns with dark kisses.

I have to always include these chickens and turkey hand whittled by my husband’s Great-Grandad from Kentucky. Aren’t they amazing? They look very primitive. Usually put ’em on the kids table.