high stakes hostess

We're hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year. I'm freaking out a little.  It may seem early to worry, but here's the thing; Thanksgiving comes with a lot of expectations.  We've hosted Christmas morning plenty of times and breezed right through.  The children opening presents, a great breakfast and bloody mary's are all that's required.  But Thanksgiving is another story.  It doesn't come with the automatic, built-in fun of watching children open gifts. I'm worried it will be boring.

So...what to do??  For me, it helps to get planning.  Here are some of the ideas I'm mulling around.

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This family started the most lovely tradition.  At holidays or even Sunday dinner, they sign the tablecloth and then the Grandma later embroiders everything they wrote.  I really love this idea for our family. Such a wonderful heirloom.

Your can read their whole story here.

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Sparkling Rosemary Cocktail

Typically, we don't have a kids' table...but this is really cute.  The 'Thankful Tree' is such a great idea.

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Have a great day!!!

mystery solved

Friends!! Thank you so much for coming back.  I am so sorry that I have been away.  Sometimes, life boggs me down a bit.  I've been thinking about WLS so much and am very happy to be back.  And while I have been away, I've been obsessing a bit.  About fabric...and all the lovely things I'd like to do with it. 

As a result of said obsessing, Peter Dunham has stolen my heart.  It isn't a healthy relationship as it is seriously one-sided.  But its a relationship! The Fig Leaf draperies below, in particular, have really been on my mind.  So not only was this room designed by him, the draperies and sofa cushions use fabrics that are also his design.

All photos via peterdunham.com

Have a great day!!!

outstanding in the field

Almost as we speak, I am booking a flight to Austin.  My dear sister suggested that we try one of the seasonal farm dinners put on by Outstanding in the Field.  They have taken farm to table yet another step by travelling all around the U.S. & Canada, partnering with local chefs and farms...then they do this:

outstanding in the field

The dinner we are attending is being hosted by Erin Flynn & Skip Connett of Green Gate Farms.  They have restored this historic farm in East Austin, "transforming a rundown spot in a once-blighted area into a beautiful place for the community to gather and grow good things." Chef Todd Duplechan of Lenoir in Austin will be preparing dinner. 

Lenoir, Austin

This is how the team from OITF gets around.

Some loot from a farm share at Green Gate

Have a great day!!