celebrating Thanksgiving with a Fall brunch . . .

 

Last year marked my 5th year hosting Thanksgiving Dinner in our home. 

I always felt like it was my biggest culinary accomplishment of the year. I lovingly made every single dish from scratch . . . and always felt it was an honor to prepare such an extravagant meal for my family every year. 

I will be far from home, and my extended family and friends, this year. My heart is saddened that I won't be celebrating my favorite holiday with my mom, oldest son and his fiance, extended family, and our dear friends. 

So . . . to lift my spirits, I thought it would be fun to prepare a fun and festive Fall Brunch for my little crew on Thanksgiving morning . . . and then enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at a restaurant (which I've never done before!). 

For someone like me, it's hard to imagine NOT cooking on Thanksgiving; but because my spirits don't feel up to preparing a traditional meal this year, I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my favorite holiday than by preparing the ultimate Fall brunch for my little crew, and inviting a few new friends to join in on the late morning feast. 

Here's a peak at my Fall brunch menu . . . .

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

baked Pumpkin French Toast 

topped with cinnamon streusel and a cream cheese & maple glaze

.     .     .     .     .     .

Buttermilk Waffles 

with browned butter maple syrup & fresh whipped cream

.     .     .     .     .     .

Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs

.     .     .     .     .     .

Chili & Brown Sugar Thick-Cut Bacon

.     .     .     .     .     .

Fennel & Sage Sausage

.     .     .     .     .     .

Sweet Potato Hash 

with Caramelized Onions

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

I hope this post finds that you're happily planning your Thanksgiving gatherings. I wish each of you a day filled with all the blessings of this beautiful holiday. 

Happy Thanksgiving! xxx

.     .     .     .     .     .     .

Thanksgiving, 2015

"The greatest wealth is health." Virgil

While preparing for Thanksgiving this year I spent much time reflecting on the last year and my blessings. It was poetically therapeutic, and seemed to ease the stress of all the work and effort that goes into hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner.

It was only 6 short months ago that I was diagnosed with high insulin resistance. My health was at its lowest. I had been struggling with headaches and extremely low energy for two years; and with each passing month - my symptoms worsened.

It was on a "hunch" that my doctor ordered a blood test to check my blood sugar and insulin. For me, it was more than a "hunch." After months and months of steadfast prayers, God's tender voice whispered in my doctor's ear . . . and she listened.

The blood tests revealed so much of what was ailing my health. Since receiving the diagnosis in July, working 1:1 with a Nutritionist, and staying 100% committed to a strict diet . . . I've felt the incredible wealth of good health.

Although I am a work in progress, I feel leaps and bounds healthier than I have in last two (plus) years . . . and I am so grateful. My journey has been humbling, to say the least. 

While reflecting on the latter part of my year, I've felt overwhelming gratitude for my amazing mom and loving husband. For without their unwavering support and loving care, this journey towards stronger health would've been more difficult. My sweet mom still calls me daily to see how I'm feeling; and together, we recognize and express gratitude for our Heavenly Father's hand in this journey, too.

I remember expressing concern to my mom several months ago that I might not feel well enough to host Thanksgiving Dinner. Just the thought of it broke my heart. You see, I LOVE hosting Thanksgiving.

It is an incredible honor to prepare such a feast and table for my family and friends. To me, it is a gift . . . an act of pure love.

I hope you remember(ed) to take the time to count your blessings, however big - or small - they might be. "For gratitude makes everything turn into a gift" Fiona Childs.

As we head into a new, beautiful, and meaningful season . . . it is not without an incredibly grateful heart that I smile at the close of a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with those who I love and hold dear.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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. . . a unique and special Thanksgiving

We hosted a formal, intimate dinner for six . . . and then opened our home for a Thanksgiving Open House, of sorts.  

We welcomed friends through the afternoon and evening for dessert and egg nog.  Friends came, and went, bringing their family and friends . . . It was a holiday full of delicious food, family, friends, and laughter. My husband even snuck a nap in after dinner . . . just before friends started stopping by . . . a highlight for him, I'm sure (smile!).

What made THIS Thanksgiving so special was that my 4 1/2 and 3 1/2-year-old daughter and son were so very interested in this holiday. I think we watched "Happy Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown" a dozen times! They learned simple facts about the Mayflower, Pilgrims, and the FIRST Thanksgiving dinner.  Their interest also prompted a desire to help me with Thanksgiving dinner, especially my daughter ~ Charley. 

Charley excitedly helped me bake bread & Pie Crust Sugar Cookie TURKEYS . . . and decorate our Thanksgiving dinner table. She so sweetly placed petite pears and apples, eggplants, and pomegranates on our table . . . and eagerly learned about proper place settings. I loved her interest and help that day! It sure made this wonderful holiday extra special!

Although I did not grow up celebrating Thanksgiving over formal dinners, my husband and I  appreciate that we celebrate OURS over a formal dinner with family and friends. Much time, energy, and love goes into the menu and table setting . . . and our meal always begins with a beautiful prayer of gratitude.  This year's Thanksgiving was unique and special . . . leaving me with happy thoughts about what next Thanksgiving might bring our family. 

Thanksgiving,

to be truly Thanksgiving,

is first Thanks, 

then giving . . . 

A peak into our Thanksgiving dinner . . .

~ Our menu ~

 

~ Centerpiece of bright sunflowers and bupleurum in a white Cinderella pumpkin ~

 

~ Fall Jacquard Tablecloth ~

~ White dishes, white linens, and silver ~

~ Food is more vibrant and attractive on a white palette ~

 

   

~ Pomegranate Seeds dance in bubbly beverages ~

~ So pretty and festive ~

~ I LOVE these petite bottles of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider ~

~ Apricot Ginger Cranberry Sauce ~

~ Sweet & Savory toppings ~

~ Sliced butter for honey whole-wheat rolls ~

~ home-made honey whole-wheat rolls ~

~ a family tradition ~

~ Classic Butter Roasted Turkey ~

~ Sage leaves add a warm Fall flavor ~

~ I snapped a quick photo of my dinner plate ~

~ Dark Chocolate After Dinner Mints ~

~ A light after dinner treat ~

~ Dessert Menu ~

home-made Ginger Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie

with warm Caramel sauce

Cocoa Truffles

TURKEY and PUMPKIN-shape Pie Crust Sugar Cookies

with Vanilla Bean ice cream

~ I trimmed the pie with maple leaf cut-outs and acorns ~

I dressed up the acorns with orange & yellow sanding sugar before baking.  

This pie was a pretty compliment to the the Turkey & Pumpkin Pie Crust Sugar Cookies.

~ Cocoa Truffles  ~

~ My favorite dessert of the evening ~

~ TURKEY Pie Crust Sugar Cookie perched atop ice cream ~

~ These cookies were a HIT with the kids and adults! ~

~ This beautiful scalloped, gold-leaf platter was made by my late grandma ~

~ I used it to serve the Apricot Ginger Cranberry Sauce and toppings ~

~ Elegant and beautiful, I love that it is a family heirloom ~

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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Rain on a Tin Roof, A Stroll Thru Life, CedarHill Ranch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Mod Vintage Life, Savvy Southern Style, City Farm House, Elizabeth and Co, Chef in Training, The Recipe Critic, Our Home Away From Home, Finding Fabulous, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, The Style Sisters, Fluster Buster, Lamberts Lately, StoneGable, Katherine's Corner, Live Laugh Rowe, Jann Olson, From My Front Porch to Yours, The Newleywed Pilgrimage, Pink Recipe Box, French Country Cottage, Posed Perfection, Becoming Martha, The Cottage Market, 504 Main, House of Rose, Tater Tots and Jello, Chic on a Shoestring, Designs by Gollum, Brambleberry Cottage, A Delightsome Life, Jennifer Rizzo, Cooking with Curls, Your Homebased Mom, A Little Claireification, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Suburbs Mama, Serenity Now, 52 Mantels, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Tablescaper, Lady Behind the Curtain,  Sunflower Supper Club, Sensational Creations, The Velvet Moon Baker, With a Blast, Living Better Together, Simply Dream and Create, Tumbleweed Contessa, Tater Tots and Jello, Made from Pinterest, Boogieboard Cottage, Too Much Time, Simply Gloria, Twigg Studios,Flamingo Toes, Carrie This Home, Sweet Sav, The Heart of Your Home, Creatively Living, Our Home Away from Home, Common Ground, Craft Dictator, Its Overflowing, A Stylish Interior, Twelve O Eight, Home Coming, Angels Homestead, Finding Silver Pennies, My Heart Lives Here

Thanksgiving dinner 2011 'at home'

I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for the first time last year.

Although I've hosted many gatherings and parties over the years, I still feel that my first Thanksgiving dinner is my greatest culinary accomplishment. 

The menu was inspired by countless hours of research and sampling . . . and every dish was made from scratch, all the way down to the Apricot-Ginger Cranberry Sauce and the cornbread in the stuffing. My sister-in-law and mother-in-law brought an array of beautiful home-made pies for dessert. 

~ Our dinner menu ~

Fall Flora Jacquard tablecloth

I bought this beautiful table cloth while visiting family in Kansas last September. I fell in love with its deep, rich colors; and for me, it served as a reminder of my dad, since I bought it in his hometown of Parsons, Kansas.  I still smile when I see it. My hope is to always dress my Thanksgiving table with this linen cloth . . . and make it our tradition.

Because I prefer natural and "real" table centerpieces, I flanked the 10-foot long table with  two white pumpkin towers, and laid long bare wood branches down the center. Fall fruits and vegetables were also nestled among the branches . . . beautiful Bosch pears, small Italian eggplants, as well as several glass candle votives.  

One of my favorite memories of our Thanksgiving dinner was watching our family visiting with one another at the table and enjoying dessert in the sparkling candle lights, along with a fire in the background. It felt like I was in a magazine for a brief moment. 

I highly recommend adding candles to your Thanksgiving dinner table. When the sun goes down, something magical happens as they twinkle like stars along your table. It's quite beautiful.

Each guest's place setting had two goblets . . . one for water, and one for their very own petite bottle of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider. To make their drinks festive, I added a few pomegranate seeds to the glasses. The seeds danced in the Sparkling Cider bubbles . . . It was so pretty.

A printed menu was tucked into each linen napkin, and a petite apple sat atop.

A foil turkey sat perched atop the kids' place settings. I found them at Powell's Candy Shoppe.

Although we sat for a formal dinner, our meal was served from ~ and kept warm in ~ chafing dishes that sat atop a buffet table. Chafing dishes are a wonderful way to keep your Thanksgiving meal warm for your guests.

Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving dinner without my mom's home-made Honey Bread recipe. I made petite rolls . . . half were honey white . . . and the other half were honey whole wheat.

Although our Thanksgiving dinner was A LOT of hard work and preparation, I have such happy and fond memories of that day. I look forward to hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year for our family and friends.  

Thanksgiving,

to be truly Thanksgiving,

is first Thanks,

then giving . . . 

Sharing with . . .

Rain on a Tin Roof, A Stroll Thru Life, CedarHill Ranch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Mod Vintage Life, Savvy Southern Style, City Farm House, Elizabeth and Co, Chef in Training, The Recipe Critic, Our Home Away From Home, Finding Fabulous, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, The Style Sisters, Fluster Buster, Lamberts Lately, StoneGable, Katherine's Corner, Live Laugh Rowe, Jann Olson, From My Front Porch to Yours, The Newleywed Pilgrimage, Pink Recipe Box, French Country Cottage, Posed Perfection, Becoming Martha, The Cottage Market, 504 Main, House of Rose, Tater Tots and Jello, Chic on a Shoestring, Designs by Gollum, Brambleberry Cottage, A Delightsome Life, Jennifer Rizzo, Cooking with Curls, Your Homebased Mom, A Little Claireification, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Suburbs Mama, Serenity Now, 52 Mantels, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Tablescaper, Lady Behind the Curtain,  Sunflower Supper Club, Sensational Creations, The Velvet Moon Baker, With a Blast, Living Better Together, Simply Dream and Create, Tumbleweed Contessa, Tater Tots and Jello, Made from Pinterest, Boogieboard Cottage, Too Much Time, Simply Gloria, Twigg Studios,Flamingo Toes, Carrie This Home, Sweet Sav, The Heart of Your Home, Creatively Living, Our Home Away from Home, Common Ground, Craft Dictator, Its Overflowing, A Stylish Interior, Twelve O Eight, Home Coming, Angels Homestead, Finding Silver Pennies, My Heart Lives Here