Category: Current House

For the last few weeks, our family has discussed and argued the Thanksgiving meal plan.  Some items are a given, like turkey, but we had one dish we disagree on.  So here it is.

1.  Turkey, of course.

2.  Gravy made from turkey drippings.

3.  Stuffing.

4.  Cranberry sauce with orange zest.

5.  Mashed potatoes with a twist.  Rather than using all Russet or red potatoes, I’m taking a cue from my aunt and mom.  We’re going to use half red potatoes and half sweet potatoes with chopped roasted garlic.  The sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative, but also add tons of flavor.  But the red potatoes keep the sweet potatoes from being too sweet.

6.  Green bean casserole, Ben insists.  This is the dish we disagree on, but we’re going to have it because it is a tradition, right?

7.  Some sort of bread or roll, not sure exactly what yet.  If all else fails, I’ll turn to my good friend, the Crescent Roll.

8.  This is what I’m most excited about: roasted vegetables.  Specifically asparagus, carrots, and cauliflower.  If you know me, you are completely aware I’m not the best about eating veggies, so this is big.  At some point during the roasting process, a unicorn must go in the oven, sprinkle fairy dust on the veggies and make them magical.  Especially cauliflower.  The brown, crispy bits are scrumptious, almost like popcorn.

9.  And for dessert, pumpkin pie (from Costco), cherry pie, strawberry rhubarb pie (from a friend), and cheesecake (a la Ben).

Nothing crazy or completely original, but delicious and almost fool-proof.  Unless we over cook the turkey Griswold style, man I love that movie.  Although, last year I pre cut the potatoes, forgot to add water, turned on the heat and burned the bottom layer.  Now it’s your turn.  Got a favorite Thanksgiving food?  Botched one of the dishes?  Do you test out recipes in advance?  Or just hope for the best?

I’m going to keep this post short so here it goes.

More than usual this year, I’m drawn to orange, red, yellow, and gold for fall decor.  So here’s a round-up of my favorite finds, perfect for accessorizing a living space for fall (and beyond!).

1.  Stone Forest Coasters from Anthropologie:  Petrified wood and so cool.  Definitely usable for fall and the rest of the year.

2.  Family Tree Print from our Etsy shop:  An 11 by 14 inch print customized for your family in any color(s) your heart desires.

3.  Angenam Bowl from Ikea:  A pop of gold inside this textured bowl is so much fun.  Set it out to hold remotes, corral Matchbox cars, whatever.

4.  Gold Lamp Base and Shade from Target:  Gilded perfection in lamp form.  On clearance at our Target, so check out your store.

5.  Lucite Serving Tray from Etsy shop Tilly Maison:  Form and function meet in this tray.  Set on a coffee table with books, accessories, and flowers.  Easily remove everything in one quick swoop, too.

6.  Hakkari Hurricane and Candleholder from Crate and Barrel:  Punched, glowing designs.  Need I say more?

7.  Chevron Crewel Pillow Cover from West Elm:  Chevron meets Ikat meets embroidery on this pretty pillow.

8.  Yellow Peony Pillow Cover from Etsy shop Celine and Kate:  Poppy yellow with a pretty floral design.  Fall isn’t all about leaves, ya know.

9.  Rust Plaid Pillow Cover from Etsy shop Ladybug Lane Creations:  Cozy up with plaid, but keep it fun in a bright color like orange.

10.  Marimekko Pieni Unikko Red Pillow from Crate and Barrel:  Quintessential Scandinavian designs from Marimekko in reds and pink add life to a boring sofa.

11.  Hermine Throw from Ikea:  Warm up on cold days with a plaid blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

Things are kind of quiet around our house lately.  We’re working on plans for projects and doing research.  Ben’s been working in the attic, adding foam board insulation to the eves in preparation for the cellulose he wants to add.  Boooorrring.  But, one of those planned projects included a trip to Habitat for Humanity Restore for supplies. Sadly, I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I did come home with something else I’m excited about.  Here’s a hint, it involves this thrift store light fixture in the breakfast nook.

Actually, the removal of it.  Why?  Because it was better in theory than in practical application.  Ben doesn’t like the look of exposed bulbs.  Also, the downward cast lighting was harsh.  At Restore, I saw a globe light, in all it’s 70’s glory, just sitting on the shelf, waiting for someone to take it home for 20 bucks.  I called Ben to tell him about it, not knowing where I’d put it if I bought it.  He said he didn’t need it.  Just after I hung up, a light bulb moment happened.  Why not take down the harsh $6 thrift store light and put this up.  Didn’t have an exposed bulb, had all parts, and the translucent glass globe should diffuse the light for a soft, warm glow.

Ben liked it, so the next day, he hung it up for me.

I like the simple shape and soft glow.

At night, it lights up the breakfast nook, not just the table.

And, it matches the lights in the pool house.

Call me crazy, but I like the vintage look.  For $20 and a few minutes to install, it was definitely worth it.

This giveaway is closed.  Thank you for entering!

Who’s ready for the weekend?  I know I am after a long week.  Before we get to the weekend, we’ve got a fun way to add a little more color to your home.  Pillows from My Pillow Studio, available in a variety of colors and patterns.  Here are my favorites for fall.

Ikat Gray and Yellow:

Yellow and White:

Coral and White:

Orange and White:

Like what you see?  Good!  Here’s your chance to win.

The Goods: A pair of 18 inch square pillow covers in any fabric from My Pillow Studio.

To Enter:  Leave a comment!

This year, I’m actually ahead of my usual week before holiday decorating schedule.  As in, our front porch is ready for Halloween.  Bring on the trick-or-treaters!  It’s nothing special, just left overs from years past, pumpkins, dollar store birds and skulls, and a DIY project or two.

Because we’re got two little guys, I didn’t want anything bloody, gory, or scary.  Just a little spooky.  I made the black feather wreath a few years ago.  Sure, it’s a little smaller than I’d like, but it does the job.  On the left side of the door, I set a dollar store skeleton in the planter.  Our pumpkins, ready for carving, add nice color.  And a cut paper tree silhouette wrapped around a cheap vase is a fun luminary.

To the right side I added a birdcage Ben found in the garbage at the apartments.

Filled with pine cones, a cheap crow, and a skeleton, it looks more suitable for Halloween.  I’d like to cover the table with something to dress it up, but I don’t know what yet.  Two more pumpkins and a tombstone round out the grouping.

Wanting one more thing, I made the tombstone with supplies I already had at home.  A piece of foam insulation, utility knife, and Martha Stewart Terra Cotta paint I bought at Home Depot on clearance for fifty cents, not knowing what I’d use it on.

For a tombstone look, I cut the top into a half round shape using the utility knife.

Using a pencil, I carved the name Frank N. Stein and dates in the foam.

Then I randomly brushed the paint on.  Sand in the paint gives a nice, gritty texture.

Three coats of paint kind of filled in the text, so I went back over with a thick black Sharpie to high light the text.

Now all we have to do is carve pumpkins and hope the trick-or-treaters are willing to hike up our driveway for candy.

Have you started or finished decorating for Halloween?  Are you planning a Halloween party?  Do you stick to a theme?  Brooklyn Limestone’s Halloween themes are always super fun.