Thanksgiving '22
Just a few days ago, I hosted my first ever holiday gathering! It feels like a rite of passage — does this make me a real adult? It was so fun, but strange, to see our families arriving to our humble abode… and to look down the dinner table to see R sitting at the other end.
There were only six of us total and we kept things simple and non-traditional, just how I like them! Below you’ll find my favorite alternative (to turkey) recipes that I’ll definitely be bringing back next year, and a few tips for a beautiful yet easy to throw together tablescape.
I’m so thankful to be able to gather with family and friends and for the opportunity to remember the good things in life.
I’ve always been a less-is-more kind of person. I find that most of my design choices reflect this mentality naturally — I gravitate towards neutral pieces that can be easily thrown together and forever interchangeable with colors of the seasons. Now that we have a dining table (which deserves its own post soon!) I felt it was time to invest in quality linens that I can reach for every time I host. Thanksgiving was a good excuse to finally make the purchase! I’d been eyeing April Notes for quite some time (handmade goods, sustainable, and woman-owned? Yes please) and decided on a white linen table runner and set of white linen napkins. The tag assures me linen is actually easy to wash… will report back on this once I give it a go!
TABLE LIST
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White linens
Ribbed pillar candles (in varying heights)
Bayberry tapers
Mix of neutral candle holders
Ceramic candle plates
Fresh seasonal produce and herbs
Wine glasses
Water glasses
Dinner plates
Salad plates
Appetizer plates
Silverware
A personal touch
I wanted to write a little bit about not waiting to host until things are perfect. As I was taking these photos I found myself a little annoyed that I don’t yet have dining chairs to go with our new table (we’re still working with folding chairs) and wishing that I had a rug to cover up the carpet and define the space. But then I reminded myself that we don’t need to spend crazy amounts of money or have it all in order to create a welcoming environment that fosters intentional conversation. What really matters is simply being together.
That’s why it’s important to me to always include some sort of personal touch that lets my guests know how much I care about them. For this table, I decided to do a twist on place cards by using mini envelopes to write tiny notes to each person explaining why I’m grateful for them!
I love how the contrast against the black plates turned out, and the fresh herbs at each setting tied in the green of the candles. Using real produce is a great option because you can eat it as a snack the day after your event, and I already had plenty of herbs because I was cooking with them anyways.
Ok enough decor chat — on to the delicious part! I started with a festive cheese board that’s easier to throw together than it looks. I found these perfect little bowls in varying heights on our trip to Spain this summer (side note, can’t wait to attempt to throw little bowls like these in pottery)! I simply filled them with sweet and savory elements, tucked in some fresh herbs around the bowls and cheese, and voila! My go-tos are Jeff’s Garden castelventrano olives, herby boursin cheese, and rosemary marcona almonds, all of which you can see here. Two special additions to this board were cranberry orange jam and unexpected cheddar cheese spread (both new at Trader Joe’s and oh so fantastic).
THE MENU
To Start
Cheese plate
To Drink
Tolosa pinot noir
Main
Shaved brussels sprout salad
Honey roasted carrots
Coq au vin over mashed potatoes
For Dessert
Pumpkin bars
Cheesecake
Macarons
My oh my — coq au vin is one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. I think it’s the perfect swap for turkey or ham. It’s just as labor intensive but infinitely more tasty. I first encountered coq au vin at a Christmas party in the bay area hosted by a couple who had spent a lot of time abroad, and fell in love with this dish in France. No, don’t ask me to pronounce it out loud because I’m probably saying it wrong. It’s essentially chicken marinated and then slow cooked in red wine until it’s supremely rich and juicy…need I go on? We served it over herby, buttery mashed potatoes alongside sweet honey glazed carrots and a crunchy fall salad.
We finished the night with more of my favorite pinot from Tolosa vineyards and a selection of desserts made by our guests. We ate the cheesecake and the pumpkin bars too fast to take photos, but I snapped the always-photogenic macarons by my amazing friend Maggie, who made fall inspired flavors (maple and apple cider!)
