Garlands....

I am s-l-o-w-l-y getting my christmas decor out ~ somehow life this time of year takes on a frenetic pace that I have a hard time keeping up with...if only my waistline benefitted from this racing around, oh dear those christmas cookies are my downfall!
I just discovered Maisy and Alice on Etsy ( yes I do pretty much all of my shopping on Etsy!), and am having this beauty sent to me from lovely Derbyshire, England, to grace my dining area...
I have never "garlanded" before, but think it will be something different and this is so beautiful...
the snowflakes are cut from french books, so poetic!





Some other beauties...

There are also gorgeous felted pieces...
I highly recommend, the customer service has been a joy!
How are your holiday decorations coming along?
I am sorry to be sparse in my visits/comments, but you are all in my thoughts ~
Nathalie

Two Parties in One Week...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends that are like family to us... Dined on my Grandmother's china, crystal and silver... had 7 boys from 2 to 9 running about ....
And ate WAY too much!

Chef Paul's amazing pies...

Some delicious sides...

The turkey was the best this year...Diestel Ranch, my husband brined it and didn't stuff it for the first time ...we all agreed it was better!

My lovely cake for my little knight who turned 7 days before ~
I am tired, and grateful I have a month before my next party!
I hope you had a great holiday, and have been enjoying yourselves shopping...

Cheers,
Nathalie

Thanksgiving



For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

...For love and friends,

For everything

Thy goodness sends.

Amen.



Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
Wishing you all a wonderful day!
 
Nathalie

A Fun Gift...

I came across these on Etsy today, and just had to share! What a unique and fun gift for that someone who has everything, no? Available for only $18, or you can choose 5 for $85...
Check them out at Whimsy and Ink ...

I can't believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving already! Then it will be time to get the shopping going in a big way, christmas cards, the whole enchilada ~

Thanksgiving...



We have made it through our crazy agenda, and are now in the planning stages of one of my favourite holidays...
Counting our blessings...

see these lovely tiles here



Celebrating in our home ...

you may purchase these here

The leaves are full of vibrant shades, even here in the desert...where it is now chilly and Mount Charleston got 6 inches of snow  yesterday ~ Hooray!

see this lovely wreath here

And when it comes down to it, this says it all! We will have some of our dearest friends over for the big feast, and my lovely Grandmother will be celebrating Thanksgiving for her second time ( she was in Canada for theirs). I have my shopping list and am off to fight the crowds...
What will you be doing? A big dinner, or more intimate one?

to buy the lovely sentiment above, stop by here

Where Does the Time Go?

My sweet little angel Lorenzo turns 7 tomorrow ~ A knights and princess party will be thrown by the Queen to celebrate this occasion. Somehow the transition from 6 to 7  is huge, momentous. I feel my little cherub sliding off into "Dude" world like his big brother, who can barely hug or kiss his mom  anymore. I am not the hugest fan of aging for myself, but for this reason alone, of seeing my "baby" grow up, I truly wish I could stop the clock...even just for a little bit!
Things have been crazy of late, school Thanksgiving parties, my wonderful Grandmother arrived from wintry Ontario for the 2 months she stays with us, I have this party to get together in a hurry, and Dolce Dreams is going very strong for the holidays ~ So I apologize for being a bit absent lately to all of you delightful friends out there. Oh and  did I neglect to mention that my computer crashed the other day...talk about a stresser! Sad that I am so dependent on it, and using my son's just wasn't cutting it...all new parts and I am back to business thanks to my ever supportive husband that I love...
I hope that life is not too crazy for you all out there...

Have a wonderful weekend!
Nathalie

An Abundance of Meyer Lemons

Last year we got three lemons from our Meyer Lemon tree ~ this year we have 60 or 70! I gave many away, and decided with the remainders to give my hand a try with the Cured Lemon recipe that I watched Thomas Keller do when I attended his seminar in Aspen at the Food and Wine event in June. It was so easy! My sons helped me, and had alot of fun. Chef Keller recommends serving them as a side accompaniment with seafood dishes, or certain vegetable dishes.

The recipe comes from this cookbook...

So true!

The photo from his book...

Our version... as we speak they are "curing" for 2 weeks or longer ~ they should last several months according to the Chef. I had wanted to perhaps make them as christmas gifts, but didn't have the correct "jars"...perhaps after they are cured.

Cured Lemons

8 lemons, scrubbed
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
Cut one half inch off of each end of the lemons so that you are left with the nicest round part, and slice them into 1/8 inch slices. Remove the seeds as you go. Combine the sugar and salt in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 inch of the sugar/salt mixture in the bottom of a square 6 by 6 storage container. Arrange a row of slightly overlapping slices and top with a 1/2 inch layer of the sugar/salt mixture to cover. It is better to use to much than not enough of the sugar/salt mixture to make sure all of the lemons are covered, so that exposed lemon will not mold. Keep layering until the slices are used up, and top with the sugar salt mixture. Cover tightly, and then wrap in plastic very well. Refrigerate for at least 2 weeks, or up to one month.

Have Fun!

pictures and recipe from Ad Hoc by Thomas Keller

My Lucky Day!

This is me today! How thrilled I am to have found out that not only did I win a copy of Vicki Archer's "French Essence" in her giveaway, but I ALSO am so very lucky to have won Ingrid Mida of Fashion is My Muse's giveaway ~ notecards from her Red Dress series illustrations! I am so excited :) and think I shall take her advice and run off to buy a lottery ticket!
I can't wait to receive them and share ~
I hope your week is starting off just as well!

Where is Your Heart?

Is your heart in the City of Lights, or are you a Big Apple lover? Artist Vahram Muratyan has come up with some delightful comparisons of  the two, and adds more on his blog,
Paris vs. NYC
I love them both, but would have to say that my heart is in Paris...after all, I got engaged there, on the Tour Eiffel ~

Love this one!

Oh, those french baguettes...I could eat two right now!

Love the simplicity of this...

Have a great weekend,
Nathalie

all photos via paris vs. nyc

I'm Wearing My Poppy

In Remembrance of all of the Veterans ~ I am wearing my Grandmother's poppy today.
Thank You Vets for all you do for us!
I do wish I had "The Poppy!" above, by Emerson Made....it is gorgeous! I came across their site on Beach Bungalow 8 the other day, it is filled with want list items.
For next year...

Mirror Mirror on the Bath...

Isn't this custom antiqued mirror tub to die for ? I adore mirrors, especially the antiqued aged ones, so for me this would be the ultimate coup d'etat for my girlie room. Add in a matching dressing room/ closet, and I would never come out ~ unless to visit the kitchen, my other favorite room! to see more of this Grand Residence in London, peruse the Nov/Dec issue of Veranda.

The vanity is also custom designed to go with the tub.
I hope your week is starting off with a blast! I have been on a treadmill at full speed, with no time  to visit, but I will be out soon visiting! Miss you all,
Nathalie

photos by Simon Upton in Veranda

You Don't Want to Miss These Giveaways...

I am sure that most of you lovely bloggers out there are familiar with Vicki Archer's blog, French Essence...this week she will be doing a giveaway of her latest book with Carla Coulson, which arrives here in the States November 11. If you haven't made it over to enter yet, you still have time!

And if you would like to have a backup....the ever lovely and talented Ingrid Mida of Fashion is My Muse is also doing a giveaway of French Essence ~ and a Coco dvd! You have time to visit and enter there also.

I am doing a giveaway of one of my baby quilts ~ I would love for someone I "know" to win... Scarlet at Moms Wear Your Tees  is hosting the giveaway. It is open until November 24...

And lastly...
Have a fantastic weekend!
Nathalie

Celestial Gift Guide from Luxury Las Vegas

I couldn't resist sharing this Gift Guide from a local magazine, Luxury Las Vegas....
I think it is one of the most beautiful and brilliant collections I have seen, filled with delicious items that are available at the overflow of shops here on the Strip...
Aren't the illustrations divine?
Enjoy!

Wasn't that some fun window shopping!
Good luck with your holiday lists, and have a great week ~
Nathalie

Guide by DJ Rupp and Beth Schwartz
Illustrations by Rowena Sioson