A week ago today. We celebrated a beautiful Thanksgiving at our cabin on the island. It was a stellar, sunny weekend and warm enough that we could eat our turkey dinner outside. Well, it might have been a bit cool but no one complained.
There was turkey and stuffing (thanks Cathy!), mashed potatoes and gravy (thanks Peter!) Brussels sprouts with guanciale, carrots with pistachios and mint, kale salad with roasted delicata squash, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, apple cake and a whole lot of whipped cream (thanks Molly, Henry and Max!).
For the second year in a row my friend Cathy and I cooked the celebratory feast for our families together. What a great way to spend a sunny Sunday. This year we decided we would also host an impromptu cocktail hour for a few friends after the annual all-ages football game that happens on the island on the Thanksgiving long weekend. It was also the perfect excuse so that we didn’t actually have to participate in the football game…
Some glasses of wine were enjoyed, a bite or two of good food and lots of laughs. There was a sunset, candlelight and then starlight. Some beautiful family memories were made.
I have two recipes that I want to post from our feast. One for the kale salad with roasted Delicata squash and roasted hazelnuts. The other for the French apple cake. Soon! Hope that you had a magical Thanksgiving…
xo J
Sounds truly lovely – what a perfect day!
Thanks Valerie. It was a perfect day, so wonderful to be able to eat outside in the middle of October. Such a happy and unexpected gift! Our climate is very similar to yours in London so I know you will understand what I mean…
What a view… Gorgeous.
Yes the view. Even though we have had our little cabin for four years the view is brand new. We used to be surrounded by trees with just a sliver of an ocean view. A neighbour built a new cabin and took down a couple of trees. I liked the old view, the feeling of being way up high in a tree house but this new one is pretty fine as well…
Stunning!
Thanks pal. Maybe next year you can join us!
Were you mushrooming?? I see those perfect Chanterelles….!
Hi my dear. I have yet to find someone to take me along on a wild mushroom hunt. Sadly people don’t always feel like sharing their top secret spots where they reliably find elusive, delicious, expensive chanterelles. For me it is off to the farmer’s market. I chat up the mushroom guy each week though, hopeful for an invitation to go mushroom picking one day…
Yes, Jenny tells people she finds them in the woods… Nobody tells! She said she would take you anytime! She got so many last week, she sold a big bunch to the IGA… I was trying to figure out a way to get some to you. You will have to tell me what you did with them….xo
Julie,…Your Thansgiving ‘ spread ‘ and menu look, and sound, worthy of publication in one of the leading food magazines. Special occasion edition of course!
Bess
Thank you Bess. It was nice of Mother Nature to take care of the decorating!
So beautiful! Amazing view…!
Thanks Magda. It turned out to be a beautiful (non-rainy) weekend, which for this time of year was a real gift!
Wow, sounds like the best thanksgiving feast! A perfect day and gorgeous photos. Just lovely.
It was a pretty great Thanksgiving all around. Hope that yours was lovely too!
Beautiful photos of another lovely weekend, thanks for sharing the day with us .
Even Henry took pictures of your stunning table!! C xo
It was a magical day, wasn’t it? I can see us cooking up a storm in your newly built kitchen next year. Fingers crossed!
Gorgeous!
I have 3 delicata squash in my kitchen and my garden is FULL of kale. Bring on the recipe! I even have hazelnuts!
xo
Hi Bonnie. Have a busy week ahead but am hoping to post the kale salad recipe early next week. Lucky you to have a garden filled with kale. I just have a few patches of volunteer plants from when I seeded some years ago. Next year I will do a proper planting. What type is your favourite for backyard growing?
Amazing that you could dine outdoors this year! Such a beautiful feast Julie. Look forward to the recipes.
Thanks Melissa! Recipes are coming soon…
It looked so beautiful…just like you.