Countdown to Thanksgiving -- Bring Up the China!

Thanksgiving is almost here. The real kick-off to the holiday season.

I have posted part two of my series on grieving on Chopsticks and String. This one is about getting through the holidays and includes timely suggestions for coping with the holidays while grieving a loved one -- or helping others in your circle do the same.

It's funny -- I don't have lots of Thanksgiving memories from childhood. I remember watching the parades, but I really don't remember anything else -- no dinner, where we ate. Probably with my grandparents...

It wasn't till Mom died, and her sister seven months later, that Dad and I started celebrating Thanksgiving with the Cleveland cousins. That stopped after Dad started having travel challenges.

But I've really enjoyed the holiday in the past decade or so, enjoying it as an adult and with Rick and on occasion the kids. Sometimes friends join us -- like my friend Richard. It's a good food holiday.

This year no kids -- maybe for dessert or later. So, again we'll grill a turkey breast and eat at Rick's.

Do you watch "Barefoot Contessa"? Ina Garten has a friend, Miguel, whom she often asks to decorate her table. So lately, I've been "Miguel," bringing my turkey china to his house, along with the centerpiece and other table things! (Two versions of Thanksgiving at Rick's below!)

(I also bring stuffing, dessert and wine -- this year it's that Gewurztraminer I wrote about a couple of weeks ago! Highly recommended; $12.99)

So, I've been bringing up my Johnson Brothers turkey china from the basement. I remember driving to Canada with Mom and Dad to get this when I was maybe eight or so.

Continuing my gratitude attitude, I have to say I am so grateful to have Rick and the kids in my life -- the past 13 years have been ever so much richer for their part in it. They are my joy and happiness.

And I'm grateful for my sweet little Gypsy Rose, ace cat, blog inspiration and play pal. His purr, his playfulness, and his loving personality is truly a gift.

And, I'm grateful to my blog pals who visit, comment and offer support and inspiration. I'm coming up on my blogaversary next month (watch The Gypsy for a giveaway in December!). I'm especially grateful to Beth, Shelley and Rosemary whose blogs I visited long before I had my own and encouraged me to take that leap and fly.

I've made new friends from around the world -- and some just across the state! One day I hope to meet my blog pals in person. Till then, I remain grateful and happy that you are part of my life.

So, one more day! What's on your menu?

If Wishes Were Dishes!

I have this "dish" thing. I think it's genetic. My mom collected china patterns like they were postage stamps. When she died, I inherited all the collector plates, Christmas china, Thanksgiving china, autumn china and pretty little teacups.

Well, the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

I think in the last post, I showed you the Fiesta that my friend Nancy's mom was so gracious to share with me.

Isn't it pretty on a table (with my quarter-a-piece drinking glasses and a vintage tablecloth I got for a steal at a shop closing for the summer a couple of years ago)?

And I may have posted this photo that shows the additional pieces I have for both my Hall Tulip and Crocus dishes -- I also have plates, bowls, dessert dishes, and even cooking bowls for both of these patterns.
While I was up at the lake, I did an archaeological dig in my garage (if you saw my garage, you'd know I don't exaggerate) and found my grandmother's old china.

I can only have three people to dinner and dessert (but have tons of saucers, bread plates). Only one cup, though. Isn't the pattern pretty?

But then the other night when my friend Jane came to visit (pictured with her friend Kevin and Rick below, she brought me a grand surprise!

Her neighbor had these gorgeous dishes and wanted someone who would give them a good home! They are by Taylor ---(I'll update this after checking the back)---- and have a different tulip pattern from my other.

It's very similar to the crocus pattern I have, but also very unique. There is great detail with the pattern flowers inside the cup and on the edges.

There were even serving bowls!

Well, dishes make me happy!

Oh -- and just what did I serve for dinner?

Jeanie Crostini

Panzanella

Sauteed sweet potatoes with red onion, fennel and herbs...

And steamed salmon with spicy peach/corn/onion and avacado relish.

And blueberry crumble pie!

Here's how my friend Kate told me to prepare the salmon so that it comes out perfectly -- and it's an ideal meal for guests or a busy day, because you just pop it in and let it go:

Kate's Salmon

Spread out your salmon on a rack over a baking sheet or pan.
Salt, pepper (or whatever other seasoning you like -- I like lemon pepper and sometimes Cajun spices)
Bake at 200 (not a typo) for an hour.
(If it's extra thick -- or thin -- you might need a little more or less time).

I had dinner the night before with friends and our food came with little orchids. Might I add my thanks to my dinner companions for giving me their orchids after dinner to dress up my food!

Well, thanks for walking through my kitchen with me! Enjoy!

Mail Call!

The other day I had GREAT mail call!

Years ago, my friend Nancy's mom sent me what I thought was her entire Fiesta collection, knowing I had a small collection started from antique shops and shows.

The other day, a rather LARGE box was on my porch with these beautiful pieces.


Two platters and two serving bowls! WOW! I love it! (I use Fiesta pretty much as my everyday dishes during this time of year, so it was extra super!) More on china in a post later this weekend...

Then there was a fabulous purple box, long and tall! It was from Beth D., who is in my ATC group!

Included was an embarrassment of riches including this gorgeous ATC holder she made using a collaged wooden block with twisted wire "holders." Here's a close-up of the base (but it was collaged on all sides).


Here's a better overview.
See the big card? That was my belated birthday card! (I'd wait for this with JOY!)


In and of itself, this was lovely and generous, but Beth also included some other items -- this necklace she made...

(and up close)...

And this enchanting bird! I am in the process of taking a lesson from Beth L. and Karla (you'll need to dig down a post or two to see how they redid Beth's studio). They hung a large birdcage as sort of a "bulletin" board or inspiration board. The bird will be going on mine, as soon as it is hung up this weekend!

It's been a fun week or two, but also a stressful one, work-wise and health-wise, so these were extra special and lovely! Thank you both!

Thoughts

There are hundreds of thousands of stems

LINKING us to everything in the cosmos.
SUPPORTING us and making it possible
For us to be.

Do you SEE
The link between
You and me?

If you
Are not THERE.
I am not HERE.

Thich Nhat Hanh

This is the quote on the “June” page of my calendar. My friend Richard gave me the calendar for Christmas – it’s filled with wonderful quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh.

This, however, resonated in multiple ways.

I see the hundreds of thousands of stems linking us and supporting us as those wonderful links we make as bloggers. The support we share is inspiring. The things we learn are exciting and expansive. The friendships we make are warm and delightful.

We are there for one another's sorrows -- and we've never met face to face.

As bloggers we share our art, ideas, photos, recipes, family stories, and our creativity.

We let others into our homes to share our treasures and interests...

We offer drawings and prizes.

We enter swaps, contests and online parties.

We travel the world through the images posted from travels.

We learn new skills, share the ones we have, and celebrate others’ joys.

Thank you all!

As we speak of links, please be sure to click on one of those off to the right that you haven't visited before. Maybe it'll be just your thing. Maybe not -- but you never know!