Thanksgiving Fall Wreath

It's here! It's here! Our favorite holiday of the year! Well, ok, one of them - but it's that most wonderful time of the year, right?  When Fall hits and every month is full of festivities, decorating, cooking, and celebrating.  Thanksgiving is such a great holiday - no pressure, just getting together with family and friends to celebrate all that we are thankful for.

We are all cozied up in Denver, Colorado currently...busily getting ready for Thursday.  We'll have about 20 people gathered around our table this year, so configuring the seating arrangements is challenging - but we're up for it!  A week or 2 ago, Kacey and I made a fun wreath for the door...

Indian Corn Thanksgiving Wreath

you'll need:

*Wreath frame (12 - 14" depending on how big you want 

the wreath to be; we used a cardboard frame)

*burlap ribbon

*approximately 30 small indian corns

*hot glue and gun

1.  Wrap burlap ribbon around wreath frame to hide cardboard. Hot glue ends to frame.

2.  Position corn around wreath first - don't glue yet.

3.  Slowly hot glue the corn to wreath, trying to keep the opening circle in the center as perfectly round as possible.

4.  Hang your wreath!  Once it's up, you can judge if any of the corn needs to be repositioned to make the center circle more perfectly round.  It's very simple to pop off the corn, reposition, and re-glue.

This also makes a gorgeous centerpiece for a table...just lay flat and position candles and food around it!

I'm off to Hobby Lobby - thanksgiving table decor here we come!

xo,

Kate

Weather and Banana Bread

The past week and a half has been really difficult on our beautiful Colorado and its residents.  Unless you have been somewhere without television or internet, you know that we have had historic flooding, thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes and tragically human lives have been lost.  As always, the people of Colorado will rise above, lend a helping hand and rebuild stronger and better than ever.  But it has been hard for so many, and I feel so fortunate that our home stayed dry and didn't have any damage or loss. 

 While it rained here for days, I decided to do a little baking.  I am not sure why, but baking/cooking always calms my nerves and anxiety.  I think it must be because I am doing something I love and putting that love into everything I make.  It was the perfect fall weather-cool and cloudy with that crisp feeling in the air.....perfect for an afternoon of baking.  I had some really ripe bananas leftover from our two weeks of smoothie fun, so instead of tossing them out I decided to make Banana Bread.  I wanted to make a bread that was a little healthier than the ones in my cookbooks, so a few substitutions were made to my Betty Crocker recipe to achieve just that.

Banana Bread Recipe 

adapted from Betty Crocker's New Cookbook

1 1/4 Cup sugar

1/2 Cup butter-softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 Cups mashed ripe bananas-about 3-4 medium bananas

1/2 Cup skim or 1% milk (substitution-original recipe called for buttermilk)

2 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour (subsitution-original reciped called for white flour)

1 Teaspoon baking soda

1 Teaspoon vanilla

1 Teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350° and spray 1 loaf pan (9x5x3 in) with cooking spray.  Make sure to place cooking rack in lower position in the oven. 

2. Mix sugar and butter together in your large bowl.  Add eggs and blend. Add bananas, milk and vanilla and mix thoroughly until smooth.  Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until moistened.  

3. Pour into pan and bake bread for about an hour and 15 minutes.

4. Let the bread cool for five minutes or so and then remove from pan.....The recipe suggests waiting until bread is cool to slice.......I just couldn't wait that long.  :)

This bread is delicious for breakfast with a cup of coffee, or for a little sweet treat after lunch or dinner. If you are like my hubby, you prefer the bread warm with a little butter on top.....oh the calories!

Enjoy~
xo,
Kara

Thanksgiving Table: Quotes of Gratitude

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was,

"thank you," 

that would suffice.  

~Meister Eckhart

Thanksgiving.  A day to reflect on all the blessings we have in our lives and be grateful to God who makes it all possible.  It really is such a beautiful holiday - one I wish I lived more consciously every day.

Our Thanksgiving table has always been a fun project that my whole family creates together.  Each year we try to top the year before, or at least come up with something completely different.  But candles and colors aside, it's important to remember why we all come together on Thanksgiving.  Last year we tied quotes of gratitude and thankfulness onto sprigs of rosemary and stems of pears and set one on each plate.  Every quote was different - some funny, some serious, some famous, some unknown.   Each person read their quote out loud during dinner.  It was a lovely way to celebrate the season and be ever mindful of the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Gratitude Quotes

Google "thankfulness quotes", "thanksgiving quotes", 

"Gratitude quotes" or any combination of the above and pick out your favorites. 

Hand write or print out the quotes (in small text) on paper.

Roll up quote in a scroll-like fashion.

Tie scroll onto a sprig of rosemary or a stem of a piece of fruit with colorful ribbon.

"Turkey" Veggie Tray

Are you still looking for something you can make to contribute to all the Thanksgiving events this week? Try this Turkey Veggie Tray.  It is fun and festive - a great project to enlist some little ones to help assemble as well!

Lay out butter leaf lettuce on the bottom of a large plate.  Then add your veggies: A row of carrots, broccoli florets, thinly sliced red and yellow bell peppers, and zucchini.  Save the top of the red bell pepper to make the turkey's face, and slice up some zucchini to make the legs.  Add 2 little eyes (from some cauliflower) and you're done!  Pair with homemade hummus or your favorite dips.

And be sure to let people know it's ok to "ruin" the turkey - it's almost too pretty to eat!

xo,

Kara, Kate, and Kacey

DIY Shimmery Fall Wreath

What is your go-to front door decor for the Fall season?  Mine is this DIY Shimmery Fall Wreath I made a couple of years ago.  This will be the 3rd year I've decorated with this wreath, and she's still holding up.  It's an easy and fun project - now is just the time to make one for your front door!

DIY Shimmery Fall Wreath
1 grapevine wreath
fake fall foliage - berries, leaves, twigs, pumpkins
hot glue and gun
spray paint in a variety of fall colors - golds, browns, shimmery coppers
Optional: wood letter and twine

1.)  Using scissors, cut off all the leaves and berries from the sticks and garlands they came on.

2.)  Divide up the foliage and spray each group a different fall color.  Flip over when dry and spray the other side.  Spray some leaves with full coverage and others with a light misting to let the original coppers and reds show through.

3.)  Begin tucking berries and leaves randomly into the grapevine wreath. Some leaves will stay without using hot glue, others you might want to secure with a dot of glue.

4.)  Optional final touch:  Spray paint a wooden (or cardboard, or chipboard) letter a deep chocolate brown.  Tie onto wreath with rustic twine for a more personal expression.

Below: wreath without letter

I personally like the wreath with the letter.  It fills up some empty space and makes it feel more personal and homey - just what Fall should feel like!

What do you have adorning your front door this year?

xo,

Kate

Linked to: Top This Top That
 and

Salmon with Tomato and White Bean Ragu

Every magazine, tv show, and healthy living website tells us how great salmon is for you.  I'm a big fan, and thankfully so is Billy.  Nothing like cooking up a big fillet o' fish in a household that doesn't support...well, mostly the smell!  Oh just light a sweet candle and open a window, haters :>)

Normally I make a super easy salmon dish - I sprinkle Molly McButter and Lemon Pepper over a freshly rinsed fillet of wild caught Alaskan salmon and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.   However, in an effort to branch out and try new things, I decided to make a new salmon recipe - verdict? Success!

Salmon with Tomato and White Bean Ragu
1 lb wild caught Alaskan Salmon
(I get about 1/2 lb salmon per person..we have some leftover then)
Molly McButter
Lemon Pepper
1 large zucchini
1 large carrot
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 shallot

1 15.5 oz can white beans - drained and rinsed

4 cups low sodium chicken broth
Basil sliced in ribbons

Salt and Pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

1.)  Rinse and dry salmon.  Sprinkle generously with Molly McButter and Lemon Pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
2.)  Heat oil at med-hi in a skillet.  Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3.)  Add the carrots, zucchini, and garlic and saute for about 7 minutes.
4.) Pour in tomatoes, beans, and chicken broth and stir together.  Reduce heat to med-low and cook covered until sauce thickens a little - about 15 minutes.
5.) Add basil (leaving a little left over for garnish) and salt and pepper to taste.  Cover to keep warm until salmon is done.
6.) Peel skin off salmon.  Serve ragu in a shallow bowl with the salmon on top. Garnish with more basil.

This was so hearty and delicious.  A perfect meal for a cool evening.  Serve with thick, crusty Italian bread...yum!

xo,
Kate

**The next day for lunch I warmed up the left over tomato and white bean ragu which had thickened even more overnight - it made a great soup!

Fall and Winter Uniform

Sooooo I do realize Fall officially started over a month ago.  In my defense, it's been 90 degrees in LA since we moved out here in August!  I'm a little (lot) late on the fall fashion bandwagon.  But I think I've finally "pinned" down my go-to uniforms to get me through this fall and winter season.  In the spirit of trying to Spend Less/Save More (SLSM), all of these looks are mostly made up of pieces I already own....:>)

                                                   1.                                                         2.                                                        

                                                 3.                                                          4.

Look 1 - California Breezy

Components: grey skinnies, long white tank/tee, large patterned scarf, oversize gold watch

This will be perfect for those in between days we have here in Cali - cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon, back to cool at night.  SLSM: I already own grey leggings AND grey skinny jeans, a long white tee, a few patterned scarves, and a gold watch - thanks to Christmas from Billy last year!

Look 2 - Cozy Chic

Components: oversize global patterned wrap sweater, black leggings, booties

I love me a great oversized sweater - oh the christmas cookies you can hide behind that :>)  This looks comfortable but still stylish.  SLSM: leggings (obvi), oversize black and white sweater, booties.

Look 3 - Uptown, Downtown, Anytown!

Components: carmel tall boots, black or grey tights, blush skirt, blazer

I'm seriously obsessed with this one.  I LOVE that skirt.  How comfortable, yet feminine, but still tough with the boots and tights? Eeeee! SLSM: carmel boots, tights, short blush skirt.  NEED: I would love to find a longer skirt like this one, I don't have a light colored blazer...but another blazer could work, or even a chunky sweater.

Look 4 - Casual Winter Whites

Components: chunky cream knit sweater, long white tank, jeans

I love the winter white look.  Have yet to try it this year, though.  It feels so fresh and light....great for mild California seasons.  SLSM: long white tank, jeans. NEED:  Chunky, longer cream sweater. I have several sweaters in darker colors, but if I'm trying to pull off the white look, I definitely need to invest in  the above sweater.  Its Free People - but sold out.  Guess I'm on the hunt!

 

What is your fall uniform?  I'd love to hear (steal!) your ideas!!

xo,
Kate

Pumpkin Carving Party

Last week I made a "Fall To-Do List".  In trying to cross a few to-do's off my list, I threw a last minute Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party!  Why not have one yourself?  Invite a few friends over tonight or tomorrow...it's a great way to celebrate Halloween low-key style.  This party is easy and quick to put together....the main ingredients? Pumpkins, a signature cocktail, and some warm, feel-good Fall food!

On The Menu For The Evening:

DRINK: Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktails

SNACK: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

EAT: Homemade Meatball Paninis

DO: Pumpkin Carving Kit

LISTEN: New Fall Itunes playlist

DECOR: Finished pumpkins! Scary, funny, classy - the world is yours to carve :>)

DRINK

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktails

2 parts fresh Apple Cider

2 parts Ginger Ale

1 part Bourbon

Apple Slices

*Stir all ingredients together on the rocks.

*Garnish with a slice of apple

SNACK

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

1.)  Save the seeds you dig out of your carving pumpkins.

2.)  Rinse seeds well with water.  Then lay seeds out to dry on a paper towel.

3.)  In a saute pan, heat a little olive oil.  Saute seeds in oil and salt.

4.) Meanwhile, pre-heat your oven to 350 Degrees.

5.)  After about 10 minutes, remove seeds from stove, and spread them evenly on a cookie sheet (or 2!)

6.)  Sprinkle seeds with desired flavoring.  I chose 4 different flavors:  Plain, Lowry's seasoning, Garlic Salt, and Molly McButter (all seasonings found in the baking aisle at your grocery store).

7.)  Bake seeds for 15-20 minutes, until slightly golden in color and crunchy to the bite.

EAT

Meatball Paninis - makes 6 paninis

Italian bread

tomato sauce

meatballs

red onion

sliced prosciutto

arugula

sliced provolone cheese

red pepper flakes

Meatballs:

1 lb ground pork

1 egg

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp dried basil

3 tbsp garlic powder

garlic salt - a few shakes

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

salt and pepper

1.)  Mix all ingredients together with your hands in a mixing bowl

2.)  Roll mixture into balls roughly 2 inches in diameter.

3.)  Place meatballs on greased cookie sheet.  Gently press into each, flatting them slightly  This makes it easier to fit in the sandwich.

3.)  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, turning meatballs once.

***Either make your own tomato sauce (great recipe here) or use a store bought version.

Paninis

1.)  Using a good crunchy Italian bread or ciabatta, cut into panini size.  

2.)  Spread tomato sauce generously on both sides of sandwich.

3.) Slice a meatballs in half and layer on one side.

4.)  Add sliced red onion, prosciutto, provolone cheese, arugula, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on other side of bread.  Put panini together.

5.)  Using panini press, heat sandwich until warmed through.

6.)  Serve immediately with fresh green salad.

The decorations and activity for this party take care of themselves.  I simply lit a few candles and prepared the table for carving (garbage bags, newspapers).  

LISTEN

Fall Playlist

Ellie Goulding "Anything Could Happen"

The Black Keys "Gold On the Ceiling"

Imagine Dragons "It's Time"

Mumford & Sons "Below My Feet"

Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait"

Fun "Some Nights"

Phillip Phillips "Home"

The Lumineers "Ho Hey"

Van Morrison "Into the Mystic"

NeedtoBreathe "Stones Under Rushing Water"

Mumford & Sons "Awake My Soul"

The Black Keys "Chop and Change"

Of Monsters and Men "Little Talks"

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros "Home"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Xo,

Kate

linked to: The Girl Creative, The Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A2Z,

Bringin' the Fall Back

source

I can remember when I moved from Los Angeles to Nashville 6 years ago I was completely enamored with Fall again.  You really do forget how refreshing it is to walk out your front door into the crisp, cool air.  How vibrant and inspiring the colors of the changing trees can be.  How curling up on the sofa in front of a fire sipping apple cider is simply good for the soul.  Now that I moved back to LA,  I realize I have to fully embrace what Fall is here - it's my favorite season!  Why not make a list of all the "fall" activities I'd like to accomplish before Thanksgiving you ask? Don't mind if I do!

1.)  Visit the pumpkin patch on the corner.

2.)  Watch a scary movie and carve said pumpkins with friends :>)

3.)  Create a new apple cider cocktail.

4.)  Come up with a creative Halloween Costume.

5.)  Discover some delicious new soups to make this throughout the fall and winter.

6.) Start a gratitude journal.

7.) Take knitting class with a dear friend.

8.)  Design the Thanksgiving decor concept for my family's table (even though I won't be there this year - e design anyone?).

9.) Bake pumpkin seeds!

10.) Make a pumpkin pie from scratch - I'm talking from an actual pumpkin people :>)

xo,
Kate