Bunny Cakes

Turkey Day 2011

We had a very lovely *Thanksgiving*.  We stayed true to our family traditions and only veered slightly.  We went sans tablecloth (loved it, no last minute ironing) and because I missed out on making sugar cookies for Halloween I had to make some for Thanksgiving.  I added our guests names to turkey cookies and had intended them to be place-markers, but my icing script needs some work so I saved them for the dessert table.  We also made mini turkeys, fall leaves and flowers with the extra cookie dough.  This year's centerpiece was my favorite from last few years.  It consisted of four flower bunches from our local grocery store (salmon colored roses, orange and red berries & greenery) with some red leaves from our yard and peasant feathers added in to complete the look.

Little O had his first meal and year ago last Thanksgiving and he surely enjoyed his Thanksgiving meal again this year!  In this picture he looks so much like my sister as a baby.

-K

Pumpkin Bounty

When it comes to pumpkin picking my philosophy is Pick Early, Pick Often.  So last weekend when the rain finally broke, we put on our boots/high tops and headed out to our favorite local farm, Wegmeyer Farms.  We have never disappointed by the wide variety of pumpkins there and this year was no different.  The boys were instantly won over by a long pink variety called the Pink Banana, while I was intrigued by the Knuckle Head variety, a traditional pumpkin with lots of fun, warty knobs.  Besides picking out pumpkins my other mission while I am at the farm is to take pictures of the boys.  Sadly, each year their tolerance for posing for pictures diminishes, but I still managed to get a few good ones.

Here is a picture of our pumpkin loot piled on our kitchen counter...

 

and the boys at the farm...

-K

A Beautiful Thanksgiving

OK, I am thankful for many things in my life, but on Thanksgiving having a chef for a brother-in-law makes it to the top of my list.  This year Chef M out did himself despite toting Baby O around the kitchen.  Dinner was amazing and the stuffing was my favorite so far--I will have to get him to share the recipe next year.  Since I didn't have to worry about the bird or all the trimmings I got to focus on the stuff I enjoy...the table and desserts.  The table centerpieces were made from three bunches of flowers purchased at Costco + some fall leaves from our yard (that's $27 for 2 decent-sized flower arrangements).  Chargers always make the table look nicer and as a bonus we hid little pictures of turkeys drawn by the boys between the chargers and the plates.  This year we had a few extra guests so the boys were relegated to a 'kids' table.

Here is the table pre-lit, pre-dinner...

Here it is with the turkey ready to be carved...

And the kids' Thanksgiving table set for two...I didn't have a tablecloth, so I just used folded a table runner.  Adding little turkeys and bright gourds keeps the table fun and festive for the kiddies.

And finally, my favorite Thanksgiving tradition--the dessert buffet...

I hope you had a beautiful Thanksgiving!

-K

I almost forgot to mention, Baby O had his first solid food tonight (no, it was not turkey).  He did very well and seemed to enjoy his special Thanksgiving meal.  We also took the cutest pictures of him for A & M's Christmas cards.  I can't wait to share the pictures.

Happy November!

OK, I still have a Halloween hangover, so I am ready for the peace and quiet the beginning of *November* offers before the craziness of the holidays begins.  This time is also nice because its when it really starts to feel like Fall.  Time to get bundled up and cozy with a warm cup of something and watch a football game outdoors or take a nice long walk with the kiddies and check out some fall colors.

November Goodies: a. West Elm Thanksgiving servers;  b. Fortnum & Mason tea bisquits;  c. Sanctuary faux fur Natalie jacket;  d. Pecan Pumpkin Butter from Williams-Sonoma;  e.  Anais Bag from Anthropologie;  f. Get yourself a new dining room table big enough to seat all your guests...the Vintage Farm Tool Rectangular Table from Restoration Hardware;  g.  Argento Silver Two-Tiered Server from Williams-Sonoma Home;  h.  Langford Oxfords from J.Crew;  i. Gray Corduroy baby boy coat from babyGap;  j.  Pumpkin Roll...once you make it, you'll be addicted;  k. Cards from Paper Source;  l. Japanese Lantern flowers...a perfect addition to any Fall bouquet;  m. Silver Handled Bowls from  Williams-Sonoma Home;  n.  November wouldn't be complete without Applie Pie!

-K

Caramel Apples

The boys love caramel.  They would pick caramel over chocolate any day.  So as a treat to ourselves (I am also a caramel fan) we made *Caramel Apples* last weekend.  I forgot how good they are!  The sweetness of the caramel goes perfect with the crispness of the apple.  I was planning on melting down store-bought caramels, but when I saw how easy Martha's recipe was I decided to make the caramel from scratch.  The only ingredients needed are sugar and heavy cream.  Once the caramel cooled slightly I did the first apple and the boys did the rest (we used petite apples, which made them a lot  more manageable).  We decided three quick caramel coats worked best.  Work fast because after a while our caramel turned a little grainy (I don't think I cooked the sugar long enough).  Overall this was an easy and delicious Fall project.  I can't wait to make them again next year.

-K

Sources: Scalloped Cake Stand from Williams-Sonoma; Halloween Drink Tray from the 2009(?) Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's.

Purple and Orange - Fall Planting

The weather has been so beautiful lately if you discount the periodic rainy days.  Perfect outdoor weather and perfect for *Fall Planting*.  This year I didn't stray too far from my typical decorative kale and mix of purple and pale yellow pansies, but I did add some pumpkins.  I love how the purple and orange colors of the plants and pumpkins really stand out against each other, it makes the perfect weather that much more enjoyable.

-K

Pumpkin Picking 2010

My favorite pre-Halloween activity is *Pumpkin Picking with the Boys*.  Of course, location is everything.  Our favorite pumpkin farm, Wegmeyer Farms, is picturesque and full of amazing pumpkins.  I honestly could spend all day there.  Of course I would have to come home with a truck full of pumpkins, because I can't resist them.  The boys totally dig it too and show their attachment by referring to it as 'our' Pumpkin Farm. The owners couldn't be nicer, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.  We capped off our day by picking up a Pumpkin Pie on the way home.  The boys looked at me with true love when I announced the new Pumpkin-Pie-on-Pumpkin-Picking-Day tradition.  Its the little things.  I am secretly plotting a return trip before Halloween.  I am sure I will get no complaints from the boys.  Here are some snaps from 'our' Pumpkin Farm...

-K

Happy October!

*October* is finally here.  Time to welcome pumpkins of all sizes and skeletons into your home.  Hang up those spider webs and get ready for Halloween.  I couldn't wait and put out our Halloween decorations last weekend (oops!). 

Sources:  A. Yes, I know skulls were so 2008, but I think these socks from J.Crew are awesome;  B. Knit skull onsie from BabyGap;  C. Halloween Cookie Cutters from Williams Sonoma;  D. Stop by your favorite farm to pick your own pumpkins;  E. Crystal Pebble Bracelet from J.Crew;  F. Clinton Trench from Anthropologie;  G. Black Glass Goblets from Juliska;  H. Pumpkin Treat from Williams Sonoma;  I. The perfect Halloween Cards from the talented Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co.

-K

Bright & Cheery Thanksgiving Table

This year for Thanksgiving we went with a fuschia colored table cloth and a muted cream table runner.  The bright centerpiece made with fuschia roses, mini pumpkins and fall leaves (from our yard) complemented up on the cheery table cloth.  We weren't sure if the mini pumpkins were going to work, but they turned out to fit in nicely and I was happy to have one final use for the pumpkins before they got tossed.  We just used wooden skewers to hold the pumpkins in place.  Check out the results below:

The boys wore turkey headdresses from Joann's to help celebrate the day....

 

And it turned out that I didn't need to worry about the pumpkin shortage, but instead faced a toffee bit shortage.  It seemed that everyone and their grandmother had planned on trying out Martha's Blue Ribbon Pie recipe and I couldn't find any toffee bits anywhere.  Luckily Hubby picked up some mini Heath bars that were easy enough to chop up so I could still make the pie.  It turned out OK, but I am sure my version would not have won any ribbons.

 

 -K

Happy Turkey Day

 

{Drawing by Jax}

Jax's turkey above was inspired by the Joy of Cooking.  The boys and I hid their turkey drawings under everyone's plate so they got a nice surprise when it was time for dessert.

-K