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 . . . .

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baked Pumpkin French Toast 

topped with cinnamon streusel and a cream cheese & maple glaze

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Buttermilk Waffles 

with browned butter maple syrup & fresh whipped cream

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Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs

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Chili & Brown Sugar Thick-Cut Bacon

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Fennel & Sage Sausage

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Sweet Potato Hash 

with Caramelized Onions

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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

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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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pumpkins & pansies for our Thanksgiving table . . .

I started planning and prepping for our big Thanksgiving Dinner today!

This year will mark my 5th year hosting Thanksgiving . . . and I couldn't be more excited! 

I thought it would be fun to share this post from last year's Dinner, as I hope that it inspires your table setting. 

I'm in the works of planning this year's table setting . . . and I hope I have enough time to take a few photos next Tuesday, and share them before Thanksgiving. I'm excited about this year's table, as I'm planning to incorporate a little Christmas greenery with the pumpkins and Fall fare, which will be a first for me.

If you're hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year too, then I know you're busy as well!

Wishing you lots of inspiration and smooth planning and preparations!

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Lauren (our youngest) and I ventured South to buy more pansies for our Thanksgiving centerpiece this year.  While selecting our pansy colors, I spotted several rows of kale, purple and white/green . . . and thought that they would look pretty with our pansies, so I bought several heads of white and green kale.

 We bought beautiful Fall colors . . . rich burgundy, orange, and deep purple.

I thought it would be fun to share a small sampling of what our Thanksgiving table will look like this year. 

I took these photos just before potting some of them, so that I could get an idea of which ones needed to be planted in taller pots. I can't wait to see them ALL on our Thanksgiving table with more long-stemmed freckled pumpkins, twinkling tea lights, and formal, white place settings. 

This year's table setting is quite different from years past, as this year's colors are much brighter and cheerier. I'm excited to celebrate this side of Fall on our table.

I plan on planting the pansies and kale in our garden after Thanksgiving, so that we can continue to enjoy them through the holidays. 

How will you be decorating your table this year?

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!

a Fall favorites wrap up . . .

I typically wait until the day after Thanksgiving to listen to holiday music, but I couldn't resist this year.

So . . . I've been happily decorating and Fall baking to the sounds of Christmas tunes.

Sounds lovely, except that it started stirring an excitement to begin decorating for Christmas and holiday baking.

Friends, we're still in November . . . and haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet. So I'm trying hard to enjoy THIS amazing season and all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells that it brings to us this time of year.

Yes, I'm still listening to holiday music . . . it's so hard not to now; but I thought it would be fun to share a few more Fall favorites to keep us on track (wink!). I hope you enjoy!

My dear friends, the Waren's (thank you!), gave me these beautiful persimmons. They're from their backyard. I can only image how breath-taking their tree is this time of year!

So I'm thinking that these will make for the perfect Persimmon White Chocolate Bread Pudding! Stay tuned for photos and recipe!

Have you seen these darling Cinnamon Whisks?  

I found them at Trader Joe's (99 cents! each) a few weeks ago . . . and bought several of them. 

Their cinnamon scent sure smells like the Holidays. I have them hidden in various rooms in our home. 

I bought these two TALL, slender terracotta pots when I visited J. Woeste (read more about this beautiful nursery here) last weekend.

They're going to make the perfect home for these Paper White bulbs! 

And what is Fall without more amazing Fall baking . . . 

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Cinnamon Crumble Cookie Bars

with Pumpkin Spice glaze

petite Pumpkin Cheesecakes

with a sweet sour cream topping

Pumpkin Butter Streusel Cakes

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I bought these 'baseball pumpkins' while visiting Avila Valley Barn on our Annual 'girl's trip' last weekend. I piled them high in a pewter bowl . . . and paired them with one of my bigger lemon cypress. 

And here's a final peak at the theme of this year's Thanksgiving table . . . pumpkins & pansies. 

This year marks my 4th year hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for our family . . . and I couldn't be more excited or thankful!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage,  Chic California, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, Sweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Everyday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with Curls, Made from Pinterest, Simply Gloria

early Fall crushes

There are certain times of year when I discover special and unique seasonal finds at the market and Farmer's Market . . . and Fall is my favorite time of year for discovering seasonal treasures.

I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite finds (crushes) over the last few weeks . . .

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casaba melon

canned Organic Pumpkin has arrived!

woven jute placemats

orange and burnt orange paper straws

long stem freckled pumpkins

Fall lilies

Caramel Apple Pie & Pumpkin Spice K-Cups! 
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Have you ever tried a casaba melon? Oh my heavens, they're delicious . . . juicy . . . and oh so sweet!

I spotted them at the Farmer's Market . . . and thought that their skin was quite unique. 

It wasn't until I sampled a piece that I couldn't buy one fast enough. That's what's so neat about Farmer's Markets . . . FREE samples of fruits, vegetables, and cookies/pastries and honey! 

  

Long stem freckled pumpkins!

There's something so incredibly charming about long stems on pumpkins. Their long, twisted, gnarled stems give them so much character . . . and I love that they look like you just picked them from a pumpkin patch.

Have you ever seen burnt orange lilies?

They're breath-taking, especially when  the sun shines on them.

I buy lots of sunflowers this time of year, but when I saw these . . . I was captivated by them.

I brought them home and paired them with a large bowl of long-stem freckled pumpkins.

Perhaps one of my favorite seasonal finds so far are these braided jute placemats.

I'm a big fan of jute. In fact, all the rugs and carpet runners in our home are made of jute. I think it's natural fibers like this one that add extra warmth to a home (smile). 

I think my new braided placemats cozy-up our dining room table . . . and I love it! 

Have you seen the new Fall seasonal Keurig flavors!?! Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Apple Pie!

Add a few tablespoons of Hazelnut Creamer to both and you have an over-the-top delicious hot drink to keep you warm during these cooler Fall mornings and evenings!

 

And for a little Fall fun . . . extra thick paper straws!

I found these darling straws at a local gift shoppe. I love their pattern and color. They're so festive . . . and go great in a pumpkin or apple pie shake!!

What are your early Fall favorites?

Here are a few more of mine, here.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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