Bunny Cakes

Our Foxy & Fresh Thanksgiving

Here's a look at our Thanksgiving starting with the kiddie table.  This year we featured paper foxes made by the boys and I (from a Paper Source kit) with pastel pumpkins and gourds piled high on our kid's table.  Our kiddie table used to be non-existent, but thanks to Oliver & little Brooks we have some new inspiration.  The paper table cloth is from Mari Mi (available at Target) and is a remnant piece I just never threw away--I love the sweet little polka dots.  The gold utensils (West Elm) and gold leaves give the kiddie table a touch of sophistication, which is good because my sister sat there for most of the meal.

 I initially created the centerpiece below for our main Thanksgivng table but I ended up using it on the dessert table.

Instead I went with the bright and fresh clippings from our camellia plant which just happened to be blooming.  I can never predict when it will bloom, but when it does it is always a treat because it is usually long after summer has past.  The camellia blooms were tucked amongst orange, yellow and green variegated gourds.  I opted to go without a tablecloth and instead only used cloth green and white toile napkins.

Our Thanksgiving post wouldn't be complete without a picture of the beautiful and tasty turkey prepared by Chef Miles.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

-K

Fuschia Thanksgiving Table

This year I went with a fuschia color scheme with orange and blue accents for our Thanksgiving table.  As always the color scheme was inspired by the flower centerpiece.  Since I usually wait until the day before Thanksgiving to get the flowers I never really get to plan out what the table will look like.  On the day of Thanksgiving the first thing I do is put together the flower arrangement and then go from there.  Since I don't have to do the cooking (thank you Chef M!!!!!) I am afforded the luxury of time to focus on the fun stuff.  I even had some extra time to decorate the kiddie table.

The napkins are a Liberty print I picked up in London...just kidding,they are actually from World Market.  They have pretty tiny pink, orange and blue flowers on them.  And because of the blue on the napkins I decided to introduce the blue glasses.  I only wish I had some fab gold flatware to set out as well.

For the kiddie table I started with a kraft paper base and then layered on gourds, turkeys, decorative corn and fall-colored jewels.  The table was fun enough to keep little O occupied for a while.  The turkey clip art is from Darcy Miller.  If you tape the turkeys to skewers then you can almost add them to anything!

-K

Thanksgiving Kids Tables

If you are looking for some fun ideas for Thanksgiving Tables for the kiddies check out below.  All you need to dress up a table for the kids are some craft paper (love the fringed edge idea) and some turkeys or boats.  Add some leftover Halloween gourds, some crayons and munchies and you're good to go.  For more Thanksgiving ideas check out our Thanksgiving Pinterest Board.

-K

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