Christmas House Tour/Thanksgiving Recap

 

How was your Thanksgiving?  Did you overspend on Black Friday?  Our Thanksgiving was fabulous, and I definitely over ate.  At least, that's what my jeans are telling me.  

I am proud to say I did not overspend on gifts on Black Friday.  Whether I overdid it on purchases for myself is another story.  I come from a long-standing family tradition of one for them -  two for me. 

Today's post centers around Thanksgiving Day and a mini-Christmas tour.  

And the best part of all... 

I won't try to sell you one thing. 

 

I have two jobs when we entertain: setting the table and buying and arranging the flowers.

The Mister does everything else.

Obviously, I get the raw end of the deal.

Oh, how I love blue, white, and a pop of orange!

The best part of downsizing is that you have limited space to decorate.

As you can see from our decor,  I never met a check I didn't like.  

By the way, I'm going to do a before/after post on my kitchen mini reno within the next couple of weeks.  If you are a regular here, you probably see a change with the bar stools.  

The Mister thinks I'm having an affair with the upholstery guy.  I keep coming up with new projects for him.

I don't mind keeping the Mister on his toes. 

We had a challenging time figuring out where to put the tree.

This is our first Christmas at home in this house.

Last year we went to Mexico.

Midway through our decorating debacle, I tried to convince the Mister that we should ditch the tree and head back to Mexico. 

He pretended that he didn't hear me.

I received this darling limited edition print from my design crush, Edith Anne Duncan.  She was my first (and only so far)  Designer of the Day.  Edith Anne collaborated with a very talented artist, Kelly Pelfreyart, to create this Chinoiserie Santa, which depicts some ornaments and ribbons from EAD's home.

I bought these trees and the red ones behind the couch at Target about twelve years ago.  They are no worse for wear after four moves. 

Wish I could say the same for myself.

On to Thanksgiving Day.

  

Ought-oh... company is due in minutes, and there is no sign of the chef!

We hosted Adorable Jonathon's family, who also happened to be our dear friends.

Whew... that was close.

Good news:  he didn't leave me. 

My #1 and Adorable Jonathon brought the beautiful flower arrangement from The T Shop, my favorite florist and gift shop.

Adorable Jonathon's twin, Adorable Michael, and my #2. 

I know what you're thinking.

Unfortunately for us, they are not dating, just good friends.

The two Mrs. A's

The Adorables!

Mr. Adorable & AJ

Chowdah is spending the day at home at #2's pad. Meanwhile, Miss Millie's nose was out of joint because no one had mentioned her new dress.  She pitched a fit until I took it off of her.

In dog years, she is a preteen.

Can you tell that she is still pouting?

Btw... that necklace she is featuring is a reminder collar not to jump on people. We only use the beep button, never the one that shocks her.

This was two seconds after Millie almost knocked the glass of wine out of Mrs. Adorable's hand.

There is nothing sexier than a man with a torch!

 If you think that this is our dessert, you are sadly mistaken.

It's actually my favorite side dish of all time.

The recipe is at the end of the post.

Question of the day: mushrooms or potatoes?

Spoiler alert:

Our family goes rogue on Thanksgiving.

Instead of having turkey, we used to let the girls decide on what we would have for dinner.

The key was to begin the debate months in advance because they couldn't agree on anything.

FYI: you can see the menu at the end of this post.

Another question of the day...

Which twin is the mischief-maker?

Adorable Jonathon looks on with pride in his eyes as his bride works her fingers to the bone keeping the family hydrated.

 

The Mister's Mantra:

If it's not at least 5000 calories, it's not worth his time.

Happy kids

Happy Mamas

And one moody preteen.

Need some hostess gift inspo?

Click here and here.

Gifts for the cook?

Click here.

Menu

Goat Cheese Butter Board

Cranberries, butternut, pumpkin, sage, And hot honey

Grilled Sausage

Maple mustard

Shrimp Cocktail

Lemons and cocktail sauce

Sous vide filet mignon

Mustard and Horseradish Beurre Blanc

Pumpkin puree

Mushroom new potatoes

Mexican corn brullee’

Grilled asparagus

Pecan Apple cobbler

Mexican Corn Brûlée

8 Servings

4 packages of frozen niblet corn

3 shallots minced

2 tbs butter

White wine 4 oz

1 pt Heavy Cream

1 tb cornstarch

 ½ tsp Cumin

TT Tajin

TT S/P

6 oz Cojita crumbled

2 tbs mayonnaise

Brown or Turbinado Sugar

******

 Saute shallots in butter until transparent add 1 pkg of the corn and white wine and reduce wine by ½

 

Add heavy cream and reduce by ½

 

  Blend with an immersion blender until smooth

 

      Mix corn starch with 4 tbs water and mix smooth; add to cream/corn mix and bring to simmer, and remove from heat.

 

  Add Cojita cheese, mayonnaise, and spices to taste.

 

    Place in casserole dish and heat in the oven for service

    Finish with Bown Sugar or Turbinado sugar and Brulle' with a torch for service

Linking up with:

I do DeClaire
Inspire Me Tuesday

The Happy Now Blog 

Lou Lou Girls