Thanksgiving Archives - French Country Cottage

Romantic Thanksgiving Table Inspiration

Courtney — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 23:55:42 +0000

A Thanksgiving table with simplicity, a little sprinkle of ambiance and romantic charm and a little bit of whimsy. A Thanksgiving table doesn’t have to be traditional rich autumn colors to be beautiful. Today I am sharing a closer look at this table and a few tips for creating a Thanksgiving table centerpiece by shopping the kitchen.

Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece

I have shared this sweet turkey a few times already this season- and I am still in love with him. He brings a bit of whimsy to the table- and elegance with his bronze gold details.

What I love: I love his sweet little face and the details. His big on personality and big size. He definitely brings a smile to my face seeing him on the table.

Where to place a large table centerpiece

I suppose calling a centerpiece a centerpiece makes it seem like that should only be in the ‘center’ of the table. But a favorite way to incorporate a larger centerpiece is to place it off to the side- at the end of the table or to the corner of a square or side of a round table for example. Then you can add lower elements to the ‘center’ as well.

Table Centerpiece Details

I shopped the kitchen for the rest of the details in the centerpiece. I raided the fruit bowl and grabbed some dried oranges, limes and apples that I have on hand since I love to use them all the time. This is mainly grapes with a few plums on repeat because I love the rich color they bring to our Heirloom Rose tablecloth and how they mingle with the bronze turkey. I also grabbed a few dried ferns that were in the yard and tucked them in as well.

Linen Details

If you clicked on over yesterday- you saw that we have finally gotten some of the boxes of our new linens in stock! (it only took almost 8 months folks) And this beautiful Heirloom Rose French Linen Tablecloth is a favorite of mine already. You can Shop the Collection Here.

What I love: The beautiful faded rose color and long loose ruffle adds the perfect romantic touch to the table.

Thanksgiving Table Details

Since this was a simple table for two- I didn’t add too many place setting details for this styling. Just stacked blush plates, pewter flatware and favorite amber glasses.

The Outdoor Setting

I know- depending on where you live- you may not be able to enjoy an outdoor Thanksgiving celebration. We have had a huge amount of rain here the past couple of weeks- and it actually started raining not long after I load up my camera and equipment and put all of these things into the barn. But this weekend? It is supposed to be back up into the 70’s and so- perfect outdoor afternoon dining weather. This winding path is behind the house on the way to the barn. Mostly used by critters as they meander down the path from the top of the property- it is a little bit of a rolling area and a favorite spot to set up high under a wee apple tree.

Shop the Look

Read more about our new linens HERE

What do you think of this table?

Happy Wednesday all.

*contains some affiliate links

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Rustic Rosemary Bread

Courtney — Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:00:00 +0000

There is something about a warm, delicious slice of rustic bread. Add a little bit of garlic butter and a fresh sprig of rosemary and it is rustic rosemary bread perfection.

Rustic Bread

Todays post is all about Thanksgiving sides- and I am going in the simple, easy And delicious direction for this one.

You might recognize this bread from a chapter in my book Inspired Gatherings. I use a rustic bread with a sprig of rosemary and wrapped in paper on the plates of the vineyard harvest shoot. Which was inspired by harvest season in the wine country.

Simple & Easy Rustic Rosemary Bread

There are two ways to make this bread for your guests. The first involves making the bread from scratch. This is a great recipe and from scratch is such a fun thing to do- and there really is nothing like fresh baked bread warm from the over. The second way since you are already making 27 things for Thanksgiving dinner is to keep it easy And delicious.

Go to the Bakery

That is right- go to your local specialty bakery and choose a large loaf of fresh bread- or smaller individual loaves will do too. And then customize it and serve it with a beautiful garnish and presentation. For this bread for this post- I used a rustic sourdough baguette that was sliced into several small ‘loaves’.

Easy right? Here is how to serve this bread either way you do it.

Fresh and Warm

Soft fresh bread is the best. And when it is warmed? Oh my my my… even better. The key to this bread is to warm it up in the over before placing it on the plates. But even better- I like to put the garlic butter on it before warming it.

Fresh Minced Garlic Butter

Mince a few cloves of fresh garlic and blend it with softened butter and a little sprinkle of pepper and salt and chopped fresh rosemary if desired. Note: You can sautée the garlic just a bit to take the zing out if you want to. I am all about fresh- and I love loads of fresh garlic on bread so I just serve it fresh.

Slice the bread lengthwise and spread the garlic butter on each side- and then place them back together. Place the bread on a baking sheet and warm in the oven until the butter melts.

Tip: Add chopped fresh rosemary for even more flavor.

Wrap and tie with twine

I should note that if you are using a baking paper and baking twine for this- you can wrap ahead of time before you warm up the bread. If not- simply wrap it afterwards. I just place the bread on the paper, add a sprig of rosemary and then ‘roll’ and wrap it in the paper to look pretty and then tie it with twine.

Tip: You can either wrap the entire bread like below- or simply wrap it with a smaller piece of paper and then tie with twine for a similar look.

Serve and Enjoy

For a more formal presentation- you can simply set each bread on a guests plate. Or place in a basket or on a bread board and let them take one if they want to.

TIP: Make several size breads- some longer and some shorter- so that guests can enjoy a piece in whatever size they would like.

Shop the look:

Inspired Gatherings Book | Crystal Glasses | Baking Paper| Cooking Twine |

Don’t miss what my friends are sharing today too.

Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes by Ella Claire & Co. | Spiced Orange Cranberry Sauce by Zevy Joy | Green Bean Casserole (from scratch) by Freutcake

Old Fashioned Candied Yams by Handmade Farmhouse | Rustic Rosemary Bread by French Country Cottage | Mashed Butternut Squash by Inspired by Charm

*Some affiliate links

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Vintage ornaments, books & other randomness

Courtney — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:00:00 +0000

I realized the other day

that I have not done a Random Saturday post in a few weeks

So you know what that means.

It is time for a quick mish mash of randomness catch up.

This week, it is all about things like trees, books, leaves, ornaments

tables and much more.

1. Tree Lot

A couple weekends ago, I was over in Burlingame, CA at the Balsam Hill tree lot.

Which is like a warehouse filled with every kind of Balsam Hill Christmas tree, stocking, tree skirt, ornament and much more.

There was a fun blogger event where I was able to meet some of the local bloggers who came over
and joined a wreath decorating contest &
a customer event the next day where I shared a

bing, bang, boom 5 minute garland customization.
So simple.

I also met so many of the Balsam Hill folks that I have had the pleasure of working with the past several months and I might have done a little shopping and bought a few goodies to bring home with me. Can’t help myself. Obsessed with Christmas.

2. Work environment

Yesterday, I stood in a pile of colorful leaves with a handful of peonies, wearing my favorite boots and breathing in the fresh air all around.
Not a bad work environment.

Working outside this time of year is always a favorite thing- and I am working up a storm with a Christmas table setting coming your way, along with an outdoor inspiration post.
And on a side note- time to rake.

3. Gift ideas- top 3 books

Because, #1?

Books.

Yes, yes, yes.

Talking design and diy books- and I know I have shared these 3 before on here-

but really, they are top of my gift giving ideas list this year-(put them down as a gift for yourself too) and are all from bloggers- which is just amazing, right?

Eddie Ross Modern Mix

Sharon Santoni- My Stylish French Girlfriends

Laura Putnam – Rustic Modern Metal Crafts

#4. FIVE EASY & Elegant ideas for your table

Elegant AND easy? Yes, please.

Sharing a few tips over at the HomeGoods Design Happy Blog this week

#5. And one for the road

I am obsessing with vintage simplicity recently.

Things like old glass baubles in vintage crates.

Antique doors with garland and ticking stripe pillows.

Here is a peek at something I worked on yesterday that is coming your way

next week.

Hope your Saturday is off to a great start

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French Country Cottage Christmas Home Tour

Courtney — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:00:00 +0000

I am so excited to share a peek at our home dressed for Christmas this year.
I feel like I loaded 347 photos already this morning to this post.

And that doesn’t include about 3 dozen others that aren’t yet edited.

Or the rooms I haven’t even finished photographing yet.

I am not ashamed to admit that I might be a little obsessed

with decking the halls and all things Christmas.

I have been fluffing and decorating and having so much fun getting ready for the holidays over here

and I am excited to be joining my friend Jennifer Rizzo for her

Holiday Housewalk again this year!

And this year- we are also being joined by Joss & Main

and by Good Housekeeping.

If you are coming over from City Farmhouse– welcome!

And if you are new here~

welcome to French Country Cottage!

I am going to jump right in- because there is a lot to share

and I will be sharing each room in much more detail in separate posts as well.

I am a huge fan of all things natural for decorating

all year long- but especially at Christmas.

You will find fresh garlands mingling with fresh fruit and nuts

and bits of flowers mixed in.

I love fresh cedar garland on the door

and these gorgeous lanterns from Balsam Hill say ‘welcome’ perfectly.

A little about our house:

Our home is a vintage 1940 cottage in the California countryside

that was built as a vacation house

and was never lived in full time.

That meant it was full of projects and long to do lists…and also

full of hardwood floors wearing old patina

and original wood plank walls

and tons of character that hadn’t been touched.

It has been a big process to take this cottage from run down neglected house to home

but I knew the minute I stepped inside that this house perfect.

One of my favorite things about the house

is this huge fireplace in the living room.

It is over 8′ long and is definitely the focal point of this room.

Over the years, we added french doors on both sides of it

as well as the beaded board and beam ceiling.

On the mantel- this styling is simple and sweet

with fresh greens and blush roses dotted with ornaments.

and these French blue stockings from Balsam Hill might be some of my favorites

Did you know that I tend to decorate this tree several times?

I shared a first peek at it a couple days ago

And my daughter loves this beaded garland on it

and I actually love it wearing just twinkle lights…

which you might see soon.

Truth be told… since I work with print for magazines

I am usually decorating for Christmas

starting in July.

And my family has given up on shaking their heads when I start putting up

trees and clipping fresh greens when it is 100 degrees out.

So I tend to decorate several ways each season and

right now, this Noble Fir from Balsam Hill is decorated in

just whites and sugar sprinkled clear ornaments

with just a few soft faded french blues to mingle.

(you can see more in my post here)

In our dining room- more fresh greens

and simple style.

A fraser fir & eucalyptus garland as a centerpiece dotted with pears

and those gorgeous dishes from Wayfair that I shared in my Thanksgiving

table setting post recently

Obsessed, I tell you.

In the kitchen- a touch of red courtesy of pomegranates

in the antique cupboard

a coconut cake and gold lettered glasses from HomeGoods

and a simple wreath in the window

along with a few of my favorites

peonies.
And loving these gold glasses from Joss & Main-
they are stunning in person.

My bedroom got a bit of sprinkling of gold this year

and I am loving it.

Whites and golds on a frosted tree? Pretty perfect.

On the antique settee and bed,

I am crushing big time on these red toile pillows

from Joss & Main.

and on the mantel

eucalyptus mingling with hydrangeas and green velvet stockings

My office might be one of my favorites this year…

This gorgeous white tree…

decorated with my favorite blush ornaments, crystal drops

and beaded garlands…

sigh… in love.

Much more coming soon.

In our newly renovated bathroom

(which I have completely taken over as my own

a sprinkling of Christmas cheer.

I am loving these gold glasses from Joss & Main- so perfect

to use as a vase

for a sweet little bouquet.

And a quick jump back outdoors…

I will be sharing our rock fireplace area in a separate post

but here is a peek at the sitting area in the orchard.

I love the outdoor Christmas tree

twinkling in the background

Phew!!

And guess what?

I have so.much.more to share.

Like closer looks at each room,

the guest cottage wearing its holiday dress

and so many Christmas vignettes.

and up next- please click on over to see the gorgeous decor

at Lilypad Cottage- always one of my favorites!

And you can start the tour from start to finish

at Jennifer Rizzo

Sources:

Joss & Main/ Wayfair

Red Toile Pillows

Small Moravian gold star

Gold Glasses

Arte Italica Plates

Hobnail glasses

Balsam Hill

Noble Fir Tree

White Tree

Frosted Fraser Fir Tree

Gold ornaments

White Ornaments

Stag pillow cover

Lanterns

Crystal ornaments

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Thanksgiving wishes & recipe

Courtney — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:43:00 +0000

Yesterday was all about setting and styling a

romantic Thanksgiving table.

And today,

it is all about the food.

I have said before how much I love to do all the ambiance work.

Like finding the perfect candles. The right fabrics. Elegant dishes.

Sting lighting above the table

and maybe those wine stems that are that amazing plum color that would

mingle perfectly with gold flatware.

And of course, the centerpiece.

The flowers are always at the top of the list of what

I think of when styling a table.

But then there is that little detail.

That thing that guests come over for and have starved themselves all day long for.

The food.

For Thanksgiving- that means your diet gets a day off.

Those green beans with mushrooms and onions? On the plate.

Pumpkin, apple & pecan pie? You know it.

And Grammy’s mashed potato casserole all by itself or topped with mushroom gravy?

It is happening.

And there will be seconds.

Possibly thirds a couple hours later.

Seriously, though- it could be worse.

It could be the fudge that calls your name for seconds. And thirds.

Potatoes blended with cream cheese and sour cream and loads of garlic aren’t that terrible for you… they are practically a health food.

Think of all the calcium… and vitamin…something.

I promised you the recipe for Grammy’s potatoes and though I have shared them before- sharing again just in case you want to run around like wild today and whip some up for tomorrow.

And if you want to pull a teenage Chef Courtney –

doubling of those ingredients is up to you.

Grammy’s Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

5 lbs of potatos

8 oz of cream cheese

1 cup of sour cream

2 tsp of garlic salt

Peel the potatoes, cut into chunks and boil them until they are tender.

Drain and place into mixing bowl and blend/mash

(I used a kitchenaid mixer- but you can use a traditional potato masher too)

Add the cream cheese and sour cream a little bit at a time
and continue to blend

Once the cream cheese and sour cream are all mixed in and the potatoes are

creamy – add your garlic salt and blend again.

( Disclaimer: We are garlic junkies over here- so we actually add more garlic than the recipe

so add garlic salt or garlic powder with a little salt to your taste)

Butter a baking dish- 9×12 ish- see how technical I am?

And spoon the potatoes into dish.

Dot with a few small slices of butter and sprinkle with paprika or pepper (or both!)

If baking right away- bake at 400 for about 30 minutes or until the top is browned

If refrigerating- cover and then bake at 400 for 1 hour or until heated through.

Then prepare to be wowed and enjoy.

And then put on your stretchy pants so you can enjoy again.

That’s it.

Of course,

Thanksgiving isn’t about the the food or a beautifully set table.

Those are just small elements that are fun to play with and indulge in.

Thanksgiving is about gratitude and giving thanks for all the blessings in our lives.

and for spending time with those who make your world a better place.

Wishing everyone a blessed and joy filled Thanksgiving!

(You can see all the table setting details

in my post here if you missed it.)

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Glistening gold, sage velvet &…tinsel

Courtney — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:16:00 +0000

Did you know that
I started decorating for Christmas in September this year?

Sometimes, it feels like I am covered in tinsel and faux snow

and all things ‘Merry’ for months.

And, truth be told- I am.

And I love it.

And every year, while decorating the trees

and adding a few more ornaments

I think about the ‘Great tinsel debacle’.

It was the first Christmas that

I spent with the guy who would later become my husband.

We were young and in love and had been dating for awhile

but we hadn’t spent a Christmas together yet.

And you know,

your Christmas decorating style is a definite marker of your compatibility.

Right?

It’s a proven fact.

Pretty sure there are several studies out there…

So my guy and I went out one snowy weekend on a date

to find THE perfect Christmas trees for each of our apartments.

And as I wandered around in search of the spindliest little

most charming and adorable Charlie Brown tree for my place-

he found this huge, chunky, branches reaching 8′ across

how in the world are you going to get that in the car tree.

Think Clark Griswold and ‘Christmas Vacation’ folks.

We brought those trees home and

I carried mine up 3 flights of stairs in one hand

and he lugged his beast into his house

and by the time I drove over to his house that night for dinner

I walked in

and there was his tree taking up half of the living room

fully and completely decorated.

With 10,000 colorful lights that blinked on and off like a light show

5 dozen boxes of silver tinsel

and chunks of Angel Hair draped on

every.single.branch.

It was like you knew there was a tree there somewhere

but you didn’t see it.

But he was so excited about his tree

and he asked what I thought of it

as he bent down to pick up a stray piece of tinsel and put it back on.

And admittedly, I laughed inside.

And then put my arms around him and gave him a kiss

and stood there and admired his tree along with him and fell in love a bit more.

We have laughed many times about that Christmas

and how our styles were so different.

Me and my sad little Charlie Brown tree that wore just a few clear lights and a tiny star

and his tree that was for lack of better words

like Vegas.

On mega steroids.

Do you wonder how we have been married for so long?

He is okay with me doing the decorating now

but you know what,

his tinsel covered, blinking obnoxiously Vegas tree was as awesome as it was wild

and it is a great memory that brings smiles and laughs every time you think of it.

When it comes to decorating your home, your room, your Christmas tree-

nothing is wrong.

Whatever makes you happy is what you should do.

A designer theme, family portraits, childhood ornaments if you have them, all one color
25 colors, just lights, colorful lights or clear lights, etc.

Really- your tree is about you and your style and it should make you smile

when you walk in the room.

And if that means buying every last box of tinsel on the shelves to cover it with

I say GO for it.

Sometimes you need a little tinsel in your life.

Or maybe a frosted tree dotted with glistening gold

that is sprinkled with white and sugar coated clear glass baubles will do.

Simple elegance is kind of perfection for me-
it is my tinsel and blinking colorful lights
and this tree absolutely glows as it twinkles away in simplicity.

I love soft and subtle and quite elegance and especially in the bedroom

where I want Christmas to feel serene.

So I tend to keep it mingling just right along with quite colors in the room.

I continued the soft sage green and gold colors on the mantel.

Antique gold ornaments and green velvet stockings

mingle with covering of fresh eucalyptus and hydrangeas.

It might be one of my favorite combinations.
(Though, truthfully, it may have had 2 different looks this season already.)

I will share a closer look at the mantel and tree wearing this look-

as well as the rest of my bedroom decked for Christmas

in my Holiday Housewalk home tour coming your way next week.

For now, I am off to play with a Thanksgiving table setting

that will be coming your way tomorrow

and to see if we have any tinsel stored away in the basement.

Thinking something fun and a little Vegas, baby…

Sources:

Frosted tree

Clear Ornaments

Silver and Gold Ornament set

Velvet stockings

Eucalyptus- Whole Foods Market

Note:

I am working with Balsam Hill as their blogger and love them-

but this isn’t sponsored just sharing the look

Hope your Thanksgiving week is off to a great start!

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5 favorite simple & easy holiday place setting ideas

Courtney — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 21:26:00 +0000

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?

As in…

next. week.

How did that happen already?

Thanksgiving is all about family and friends

and giving thanks

and the food and pretty tables to linger at while you enjoy play a part.

And it is also one of those times when it is busy busy busy.

So today, I am going through the archives and

sharing a few of my favorite super simple

AND

super quick to put together ideas for place setting holders

because, when you are already running around like crazy trying to get things done-

you just don’t need a big project in order to make your table pretty.

You need charming AND simple.

#1. Place setting bouquets

A pretty glass filled with pretty flowers is a simple, elegant and easy idea.

To personalize this- just tuck a name holder into the bouquet

or tie it with a piece of jute to one of the flower stems.

More about this table here

#2. Chalkboard Reindeer

Such a simple fun way to add a little charm to your table.

These reindeer ornaments were the perfect style and size for a coat of chalkboard paint.

Just look for something similar- and make your own.

Find the DIY here

#3. Burlap framed numbers or names

Those little frames found at the dollar store?

Add burlap and paint or stamp a number or name on them

and call it gorgeously good.

Find more HERE

#4. Gilded Reindeer

This was a favorite project of mine last year-

and it is so easy to do.

I bought these little reindeer ornaments- and painted their antlers gold for a glam touch.

Then simply add a name tag to their antlers and voila.

More here

#5. Place setting pinecones

One of my favorites- and so simple to do if you want something at the last minute.

See more on how to get the look

That is about it for now- but stay tuned

for the first post in a new series all about

table settings and inspirations

for your holiday parties and get togethers.

If you have any specific idea requests

let me know and I will see what I can do with them.

See you tomorrow for Feathered Nest Friday

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A frosted tree & a tale

Courtney — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 15:54:00 +0000

Do you remember when I told you about that day in Carmel when I was

strolling along on the sidewalk when something happened?

And how I had an ankle with an agenda?

One that I swear you could hear snickering sometimes.
When I was growing up-
I had an ankle that always seemed to be the weak link
when I was doing something like… walking.
It had a mind of its own.

I actually once rolled to the car courtesy of that ankle.
When I say rolled, I mean rolled as in tuck and roll
like a little roly poly bug.

Only, I didn’t look cute like a roly poly.

I walked out the front door and took a step off the porch
and that ankle of mine
decided right then
was the perfect time to be a show off.

It rolled to the side throwing me off balance
and the roll began.
Almost like an unintentional stunt maneuver.

And my step dad who was walking next to me
reached out in slow motion to catch me…
as he laughed out loud.
(yes, we are that type of family.)
When I got up off the ground, he didn’t ask what I was doing.
He didn’t ask why I decided that rolling to the car
instead of just walking to the car was a good idea.
You see,
my ankle giving out was not an unusual thing.

It happened that time I was walking on the sidewalk in Carmel
with that dreamy boy whose last name sounded perfect with mine.

It happened on the sidewalk in Santa Cruz right after I got a cup of hot yumminess
with my sister ( I hurt my shoulder but saved the treat)
and
it even happened in the grocery store one time.

The reason they don’t stack those 40 boxes tall and wide soda displays from

floor to ceiling like they used to?

It might be because of me.

My mom about had a heart attack as she watched as
my ankle got a wild hair
and I stumbled
and tripped over my other foot
trying to catch myself
and my body fell forward in slow motion
arms flailing trying to get some kind of balance
as I was heading quickly
right towards the towering stack of box after box of soda boxes
at the end of the baking aisle.

It could have been disastrous.
Diet Coke everywhere bubbling on the floor, cans rolling all around
and me completely covered soda.

But I caught myself at the very last second before the big kaboom
and stood up straight like nothing happened.
I smoothed my hair
straightened my shirt and started walking away
mumbling something like…
‘Yep, here all week’
while my mother and I laughed hysterically.

It has been awhile (and a lot of strengthening work)
since my ankle decided to make a big statement
but do I trust it now?
Uh no.

And I bet you are wondering just how a story about
a rogue ankle
and a soda display
has anything to do with a frosted tree
decorated with soft shabby elegant ornaments
and a Christmas wedding table inspiration?

It doesn’t really.
But photos of me on the floor covered in soda
after my ankle got a wild hair again
would not be a pretty thing.
Funny yes, pretty no.

And this soft frosted tree with faux snow sprinkled branches
covered in shabby colored ornaments
definitely is pretty.

This was a fun styling that I worked on over the summer for the Balsam Hill blog.
Inspiration for a simple wedding table
with a gorgeous frosted twinkling Christmas tree
in the background.

On the table
white dishes, gold flatware and napkins tied with beaded garland
and a sprig of fresh greenery and baby’s breath lend a casual elegant feeling.

And the tree is decorated is nothing but twinkly lights
and gorgeous shades of pale aqua, blush, and gold glass ornaments.

I might have played Christmas music in July
and twirled around just a bit placing each one on the tree.

And there were no ankles giving out
or soda displays involved.

You can find the Frosted Fraser Fir
and ornaments here.

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