Remembering Thanksgiving, planning for Christmas.

These hot air balloons were hovering over our house, hoping to see what I was making for Thanksgiving.

Close up of one of the balloons.

I'm already remembering Thanksgiving. It's not that it was just this past Thursday, but more like it began two weeks ago. The planning, the shopping, the cooking, the tasting and the eating. The fun is all of the above. It's more than just one day.
As I look back I can honestly say I made sure that I enjoyed every part of it, all two weeks.

 I like to set the table a day ahead, sometimes days ahead. I add and change along the way until it looks finished and I'm happy.

I revisit past Thanksgiving in my journals, choosing recipes, trying new ones and going back to the first ones I ever made.  I start shopping a week ahead.  

I enjoy the cooking and the prepping for the Thanksgiving feast. Turn on your favorite music and the chores become very easy. While trimming beans, or preparing mushroom caps, I imagine I'm at Le Cordon Bleu, practicing technique. 

Trimming the beans.

Pureeing the sweet potatoes in the food mill.

The tools I use for preparing the mushroom caps, before stuffing: a small mushroom cleaning brush, serrated grapefruit knife, and a 1/4 measure teaspoon for scooping out the center.

I definitely simplified my Thanksgiving this year. (Well for me).

I did not have my ubiquitious pumpkin soup, I didn't make two different dressings.

I did not make pies either. I simplified. And I still have enough turkey leftovers to prolong Thanksgiving a few days more.

Below is my Thanksgiving table set:

The theme of the table, Fall flowers and Fall leaf colors and patterns. The chrysanthemum on the center of the salad plate mimics the real chrysanthemum in the arrangements.

The mixed Fall salad with candied walnuts, blue cheese and pears.

Part of the centerpiece- twigs, branches, birds nests mingle with flowers.

Gourds, mini pumpkins and flowers on the table.

Now I can’t wait to start on the Christmas holiday planning. ( As much ahead of time as possible).

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!
As Always,
xxoo Sheila