This 'n That Thursdays: Are You Ready for Winter?

From Silver Lake Institute

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I am ready to start thinking about all things winter.  Our weather is a lot cooler now, but still not very wintry.  This may be one of those years when we do not get any snow, so I thought I would seek out some images sure to get me in the winter holiday mood:

From Bored Panda

From Memolition

From Get Leashed Magazine

From Canadian Choice Windows

From Wallpapers-Web

From Like Success

From The Tiny Traveller's Top Ten

From Amazing Creatures

From The Photo Argus

From Gardenoholic

From Photobucket

From Pxhere

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By now you are either eagerly anticipating the joy of getting outside on a brisk and invigorating winter day or convinced that it is time to hunker down under a pile of warm blankets in front of a blazing fire.  Whatever your preference, it is time to start preparing for winter.  Let the season begin!

                

Wish List Wednesdays: Talbots Dalmatians Cardigan Sweater

Dalmatians seem to be making a fashion comeback this holiday season.  First Coldwater Creek offered the Darling Dalmatian Sweater that sold out very quickly, and now Talbots has the Dalmatians Cardigan Sweater (on sale for $59.40-$65.40) in a festive green color printed with 56 Dalmatian images, 16 of which sport hand-stitched red ribbon bows!  The cotton blend crewneck cardigan has long sleeves and a button front.  I've already placed my order and plan to wear this festive cardigan on Christmas day.  There are even coordinating Spotted Dog Trouser Socks (on sale for $5.70) and a Dalmatian & Plaid Print Scarf (on sale for $35.70) if you decide you want to up your Dalmatian quotient for the holidays!

           

On the Homefront: Autumnal Colors Thanksgiving Table

Pilgrim the Dalmatian is always ready and willing to express gratitude
for the Thanksgiving feast!

My table setting for Thanksgiving this year was inspired by a salad plate from Pier 1 with a pretty autumnal fox print.  I used ivory, muted orange, and brown hues from the plate as my table colors.  The table is simple and seasonal, just like the menu I prepared this year.

Pumpkin-colored place mat; BHG Amity Ivory Dinner Plate (no longer available); Daisy the Fox Salad/Dessert Plate (from Pier 1 recently); Raymond Waites Ivory Marrakech Napkin (from HomeGoods recently); Il Mulino New York copper-colored flatware (from HomeGoods this year); clear water and wine glasses.

A dark brown ceramic vase filled with red-orange mums, two coppery
brown glass leaf-shaped candle plates with leaf-shaped candles, and
a set of cute hedgehog salt and pepper shakers from Pier 1 adorn the
head of the table.

A shallow brown ceramic bowl with a birch stump votive candleholder
 surounded by Preserved Pumpino Vase Filler from Pier 1 creates a
seasonal centerpiece. 

Ivory-colored serveware on the table will hold (clockwise from top)
mashed sweet potatoes, turkey gravy, roast turkey and stuffing,
and cranberry sauce.

We went with a very traditional, rather retro Thanksgiving menu this year.  I stuffed and roasted a turkey just the way my mother used to make hers.  I don't care what the so-called "experts" say - all my life I have eaten turkey roasted with stuffing inside and never once has anyone gotten sick, nor have we ever had a dry turkey.  We also ate jellied cranberry sauce from a can, which is what we both had when we were kids (does anyone else remember, like I do, those serving dish and slicer sets made and sold specifically for the can-shaped cranberry sauce logs?).

My husband convinced me to make green bean casserole again (his family's tradition but not mine).  And we had pumpkin pie, which we both love, although I did make mine with an almond crust instead of using wheat flour crust.  The mashed sweet potatoes are a compromise.  My husband is a fan of mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving while I am not (so much starchy food in one meal!), but I am willing to serve sweet potatoes as long as I can make them like mashed white potatoes, i.e., with butter and milk but no added sugars or spices (I abhor candied sweet potatoes).  And while I am the world's worst gravy maker, this year my gravy was adequate (a bit too oily, but at least it was not overly salty!).

Autumn Colors Thanksgiving Menu:

Roast Turkey/Turkey Gravy

Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Mom's Sausage Stuffing

Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole

Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust

🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂🍗🍁🍂

I hope everyone had a glorious Thanksgiving - enjoy what's left of the holiday weekend!

Beautiful mums for Thanksgiving!

                

Weekend Wardrobe: Starting with a Five-Piece Basic Black and White Wardrobe

I do have a special fondness for black and white!
(from The Blissful Dog)

To kick off the beginning of my winter holiday cold weather wardrobe posts, today I am going to do something different.  Instead of the usual 4x4 basic wardrobe followed by an accessories post, I will start with a wardrobe of five basic pieces plus five accessories - a sort of 2x5 collection, I guess.  Black and white are as basic as it gets when it comes to fashion colors, and I have not done this combination yet, so let's start there.  Here are the five apparel items I selected:

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Anytime Easy Care Tunic in Black/White; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve V-Neck Super-Soft Shrink-Free Tee in White; Land's End Women's Mid Rise Pull On Skinny Jeans in Black; L.L. Bean Women's Favorite Fit Wrinkle-Free Bayside Pants in Black; Center: J. Crew Everyday Cashmere Cardigan Sweater in Black.

And now for the five accessory pieces:

Clockwise from top left: Stella McCartney Women's Printed Silk Scarf in Black; Tory Burch Block T Leather Crossbody Bag in Black; Chico's Remi Silver-Tone Link Necklace; Madewell Leather Elinor Loafer in True Black; Center: H&M Leather Belt in Black/Silver.

This is going to be a picture-heavy post because I am going to go through all of the apparel combinations possible with just the five pieces shown in the wardrobe image, so let's get started!

The shoes, purse, and belt will go with all twelve apparel combinations.  Even more combinations are possible when the scarf or necklace is included (I would not wear both together because I think it would be too much, but that's just me!).  The necklace can be added to any of the twelve outfits.  While I would only add the scarf to the outfits that do not include the print shirt, others may be inclined to combine the different prints, which would expand the possibilities even more.  That's a lot of mileage out of just five clothing and five accessories items!

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Next week I will take the five apparel items and expand the collection to create a 4x4 basic wardrobe, and of course an expanded accessories collection will follow the week after.  I also intend to stick with this basic black and white theme for the holidays, where I can finally add some color (and maybe even some Dalmatian-themed apparel as well?).

From PortForLio

             
             

Foodie Fridays: Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - I know we did!  Our menu was very traditional this year, albeit with a few twists, like this relatively low-carb Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust.  It is based on a recipe from Elena's Pantry, but with a few modifications.  I had a bit of pumpkin mixture left over after filling the crust, so I poured it into a ramekin and baked it as a custard.  I think I actually like it even better that way.  Enjoy all of your Thanksgiving leftovers and get ready to dive into the holiday shopping spree today, if you are so inclined!

Pumpkin Pie with Almond Crust

Almond Crust:
2 C. almond flour
2 T. melted coconut oil or butter
1/8 tsp. salt
1 egg, lightly beaten

Pumpkin Filling:
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin purée
1/2 C. heavy cream (or full fat coconut milk)
6-8 T. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt

Stir the crust ingredients together in a large bowl.  Mix with your hands until the mixture comes together.  Form into a disk and place the disk in a 9-inch pie plate.  Push the dough with your fingers to spread evenly over the bottom and up the sides.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat together the filling ingredients.  Pour into the crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes*, or until the center is set (a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean).  Cool to room temperature.  Chill for two hours before serving.  Serves 6-8.

*Mine took closer to 90 minutes for the center to set!  Be sure to cover the crust edge with foil or a silicone pie shield if it is getting too brown.
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Giving Thanks Thanksgiving Décor

From BannerCheerJR on Etsy

Happy Thanksgiving!  For most people this holiday is all about the food (and for many it's about football as well!), but let's also remember the original meaning of Thanksgiving.  Below is a roundup of holiday décor images reminding us of the real reason for the season:

From Look Local Magazine

From Jarful House

From Sortra

From Domestic Charm

From Architecture Art Design

From SwankyBurlap on Etsy

From Sortra

Even when our nation is not at its best we still have a lot for which to be thankful.  Our founding fathers did a remarkable job ensuring that our country can weather even the hardest times and still come back to the founding principles, as long as that is what we the people truly want.  This Thanksgiving, in between enjoying family, friends, feasting and fun, take a little time to reflect on all that you have and offer up some thanks for living in a nation that values freedom and human rights so highly.  Best holiday wishes to you all!

From The American Genius

                

Wish List Wednesdays: Hot Beverage Cups and Mugs Holiday Gift Ideas

From Desktop Nexus

This is the time of year when the idea of a hot beverage in front of a crackling fireplace is very appealing, so why not consider mugs and cups as a gift idea for the holidays?  Here are a few I found that would make a great present for anyone who loves hot coffee, tea, chocolate, and/or cider:

1) Heart-Shaped Teacups and Saucers - these rainbow-colored porcelain cups and saucer are available as a boxed set of six from Brylane Home for $79.99 and would be perfect for tea lovers.  Details like the gold-toned cup handles and a satin-lined storage box make this set an extra special gift.

From ModCloth

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2) Espresso Cups and Saucers - also available from Brylane Home in a boxed set of six at $59.00 are these porcelain espresso cups and saucers.  I have to admit that even though I am a tea drinker, I prefer the rich earthy hues of this set!

From ModCloth

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3) Harry & David Holiday Tea and Mug Gift Set - two rustic ceramic mugs and a decorative tin filled with six different flavors of holiday teas (10 bags of each) for $39.99 would satisfy any tea-drinking couple.  I want this one for myself!

I think it's time for me to get cozy with a mug of hot tea and start browsing more sites for Christmas gifts!