gather round and give thanks...

 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for all of you south of here,

and so a table setting with just the right amount of rustic and sparkle...

I particularly like the idea of wrapping glass cylinder vases with birch bark....

lots of impact, but doable, right?

(found via the ever-fabulous Will of Bright Bazaar,

head over there for more details and a few words from the stylist that created this beauty)

Since I won't be posting tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving, all - 

hope you spend the day surrounded by those you love - x

Saying Thanks..

My Mum always made us stand around the table, holding hands, at Thanksgiving dinner.

The food was served but no one could eat until we'd gone around the circle,

 each of us saying in turn what we were thankful for.

source

I thought it was ridiculous then.

Now, as a Mum, I repeat the tradition

because we don't always stop to appreciate what we have..

and we have a lot.

On the menu - aside from my secret-recipe-butternut-squash-soup,

all the veggies, and ham/roast beef/turkey madness (my husbands family were butchers!)

I have an incredible appetizer to serve..

**warning** this dip is addictive :)

A friend wowed us with this dip a few weeks ago, and I have made a complete bother of myself  since, asking her for the recipe!

Not sure she wanted to share, but she caved out of sheer self-preservation!!

Thanks, Heather - maybe I'll give you the secret ingredients in my squash soup :)

Now I can share it with you...

delicious served with blanched asparagus, and shrimp if you like

Wasabi Mayo Dip

1 cup mayo (hellmans recommended)

1 tsp sugar

2 tsp soy sauce

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp wasabi (from tube)

mix and let sit in refrigerator for an hour if possible, so the sugar dissolves

SO GOOD! we had to make a "trial" today, just to be sure we could do it correctly ;)

Have a great weekend all..

til next time..