MY meal was a success……thanks to one GORGEOUS DAME sitting over in PARIS on HER CHAISE LOUNGE!You see she wrote a COOKBOOK of all her MOTHER’S old family recipe’s………and she has ALS..
If you missed my mention of HER before, you really should high tail it over there AFTER you finish with me here.To a WONDERFUL BLOG called have some decorum.
www.havesomedecorum.blogspot.com
MAKE the PURCHASE………and while your there you might as well BUY the CHRISTMAS BOOK TOO!I have bought THREE……..two lucky people will get as gifts from me!I have an idea who might benefit from this gift ALREADY!
It’s easy…….there is a DOWNLOAD BOOK and then there is the hardback which arrives in the mail.I choose the hardback version!For me there is nothing better then to receive SNAIL MAIL that you canNOT stop looking at.I read it THREE times……as the recipes are FUNNY……..Hotdog buns for stuffing………REALLY?”YES, REALLY!!”Swansons chicken broth………..and green beans you “COOK UNTIL VERY KILLED”.
GO FOR IT…….as some of the proceeds will go to help ALS.Wouldn’t it be GRAND if from these dollars something GOOD could come to those who have been STRUCK by this curse.Every dollar or EURO counts……….if YOU can help DO IT!BUY HER BOOKS………….
Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure………..from my TURKEY DAY!All food items are from Eleanor’s cookbook…….
SURVIVING THANKS~GIVING.By Eleanor O’Connell Decret.
I managed to pull myself together after a DAY and a HALF of cooking………….We always do the CHRISTMAS photo on THANKS ~ GIVING DAY.This year I had a friend visiting who I had not seen in 33 years………..YES, thats RIGHT……….33 years!We met in a DRUG STORE.Both of us were purchasing TRUNKS.Trunks to pack clothing inside for a trip on the S.S.UNIVERSE.We were two lucky girls who were being sent AROUND THE WORLD to study with SEMESTER ~ AT ~ SEA.I asked her ,”By chance are you going on the boat around the world?”And that dear readers is how we met!
Seems we both have a LOVE for JEWELRY………….could that have come from our SRI LANKA education……maybe!As we both have the gems we purchased there at the tender age of 20!
The stuffing from Eleanor’s BOOK……………..HOT DOG BUNS PEOPLE its just the right density and easy to crumble!Loads of butter and celery………….OMG!Too bad for me I couldn’t eat it!That GLUTEN FREE tag has it’s drawbacks…………..especially this time of year!
Cranberry Relish ~ YOLANDA’s FAVORITE………….is the title of this dish.This calls for PAM!I couldn’t believe it PLOPPED out so beautifully!My Son’s thought it looked like raw meat!None of them wanted to take a piece……….I of course, INSISTED THEY DO!Let’s just say THAT PLATE was passed around the table for a second appearance!By the way……..do any of you know of an actress named YOLANDA?Well, I do believe she STARS on a hit TV series which I have NEVER seen…………But this is HER absolute favorite item that Eleanor’s Mother would make!Seems Eleanor has AMAZING friends……….wait until you read her blog about WHO got her into RALPH LAUREN’s for dinner on THANKS~GIVING DAY!!!
Speaking of BEAUTIFUL……..here is my girlfriend from SEMESTER AT SEA and my GORGEOUS ITALIAN HUSBAND!Kim hasNOT changed one bit in 33 years………….we had a lot of catching up to do!
Part of the FAMILY in the car……….READY to roll for the CHRISTMAS CARD SHOOT!
Going from bottom to TOP DOG is ADMIRAL BUTTERS (BABY) Nollie ( Yes those are her teeth sticking out!We call that SNAGGLE TOOTHING!!)Then DUKE our BOXER dog and GOOSE in the rear!They are READY for DINNER TOO!
The Turkey, which was done by the ITALIAN HUSBAND in his very own PIZZA OVEN.It was as GOOD as it LOOKS here.I just had to SHARE my EXCITEMENT of the DAY with all of YOU my DEAR, DEAR READERS………….there are many of YOU and I so appreciate your comments and emails………………….so, I THANK YOU so much for being a part of MY LIFE.
Do not forget………..hop over to Eleanor’s BLOG……..NOW!BUY her BOOKS…………and do READ about THANKS~GIVING at RALPH LAUREN’s in PARIS!It is MAGICAL PEOPLE……. a good way to start your HOLIDAY emotions……………I think I will be copying the RED ROSES in the CHAMPAGNE BUCKETS……….as I collect those buckets and well at last count I could manage to spare three with OLD RED GLORIOUS ROSES for my viewing pleasure…………….and YOU?Do you get excited for the HOLIDAYS?
Pat says
LOVE the monogrammed silverware!
contessa says
What an EYE you have……..THANK YOU as you know I purchased the silverware in GIVERNEY this past FALL and had the “K” inscribed……..so I could be just a little bit FRENCH!
Thank You for the LIFT to pick them up!Ever so grateful.XX
Loreen Attridge says
Beautiful as always! Thank you for sharing
contessa says
Loreen…….thanks for your comment…….SO APPRECIATE!!
Anita@letshavelunch says
Hello Elizabeth,
Firstly, please tell your Husband that the turkey looks divine and cooked in the pizza oven too which can be a bit tricky controlling the heat…….he’s done that bird proud. Lovely photo of you and your friend. If you have great friends, it doesn’t matter how long it’s been since you caught up because you just take up where you left off!!! Lastly, what would Thanksgiving be without 4 Boxers…..you may well ask. Always love your photos and blog…..so generous. Cheers Mate xx neat
contessa says
NEAT,
Your phone call on THANKS GIVING DAY was the BIGGEST GIFT of all!You are so RIGHT about GREAT FRIENDS………time had stood still for us……..Nothing had changed.It was so ENJOYABLE!
The BOXER BOYS and SWEET NOLLIE the MAMA of ADMIRAL BUTTERS………was a TRUE GIFT TOO!I adore animals………..I could NEVER have too many!
You are a JEWEL………THANK YOU!
XOXOX
kim says
Elizabeth,
Wonderful! I love your table and recipes from Eleanor. I am grateful to have gotten to know her blog through you. Love everything about her. I am also grateful to have gotten to know you this year. I hope we get to do more together in the new year. Enjoy your lovely family and all the cute doggies too.
Also want to hear more about your sailing adventure when you were 20. That must have been something.
You and Kim are so cute!
xo Kim
contessa says
HAPPY you took my advise and POPPED over to have some decorum…………what a GEM she is!
I have us down for lunch on MONDAY???I best get in touch with you!
XX
Stacie says
I have been thinking about you and Thanksgiving. It appears to have turned out beautifully…and you look beautiful! Your menu reminds me of my childhood and home-from-college days in Ky and AL. Your sons’ comments and reactions to the relish are classic! And then they loved it! Anything gelatin is a must on a Southern Thanksgiving table…and now an Orinda, CA table! XO
contessa says
Loved sharing the recipes with YOU!!!!
I will be doing again and again……….XO
Heather in Arles says
Oh hooray! I have been looking forward to this almost as much as I was looking forward to Ellie’s!! And it looks grand, you look stunning and it was clear that a good time was had by all!! 🙂
contessa says
MY PARTNER in CRIME………….thank YOU for your letter to RALPH LAUREN’s in PARIS.THANK YOU for LISTENING to ME and being one of Ellie’s FOLLOWERS and commenters!IT’s a BEAUTIFUL circle we have formed……….love to you and those PUPPERS!XOXO
Karena says
Elizabeth the recipes from Elenor, your longtime friend and your handsome Italian husband! What a grand Thanksgiving and then a photoshoot with all of the pupsters!!
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
contessa says
TRA …LA…….. KARENA……………it was INDEEDY a BEAUTIFUL DAY…………
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to YOU and your FAMILY!
XO
D. A. Wolf says
You look fabulous – and the pictures are so much fun to see. Your place setting is soooo elegant. What a delight it must be to sit and feast at your table with style and conversation and laughter and that gorgeous turkey!
Now as for the holiday shopping… It’s cold but sunny in my little corner of the US of A, but I’ve been up and reading since 5 (snuggled in a thick sweater and furry slippers but wearing a leopard foulard)… I just can’t bear the idea of leaving my books for the traffic and the stores!
contessa says
A LEOPARD FOULARD………in BED………..OF COURSE!I can see it NOW!
Do you know I do not own one piece of LEOPARD!!!!WE must change that up right NOW!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS………….happy to hear your NOT banging away on your keyboard!Honestly,your out put of INFO is AMAZING!I cannot keep up!XOXO
Catherine says
You look amazing Contessa…I love your pearls and as for the beautiful boxers…they are wonderful…great christmas card shot 😉
Happy Thanksgiving xx
contessa says
HAPPY HOLIDAYS……CATHERINE!!!WAY over there in ENGLAND!
XX
FIFI says
You look every inch la Contessa!! I wish I could have shared some of that turkey and also played with the doggies. Happy holidays to all. xoxoxo
contessa says
ME TOO!!!!!!
NEXT YEAR???
XO
Anita Rivera says
I just kept saying, “WOW. WOW. WOW” as I scrolled down to see every inch of your fabulous celebration, but YOU! Those pearls and your hairdo….you are one stunning woman, Contessa my dear!!!!! I love your zest for life and your joie de vivre. Oh how I wish I could meet you! I had a fabulous day cruising around our fantastic vintage and antique shops in the neighborhoods with tudor homes and lakes, snow, and brave city dwellers who go out no matter how cold it is!
Greetings to you dear and gorgeous woman! Anita
contessa says
WE WILL MEET ANITA………WE WILL MEET!I have no doubts on that!
I wish I could have strolled the “FANTASTIC VINTAGE and ANTIQUE SHOPS” with YOU!
Tis DECEMBER……..in a few hours………….may the HOLIDAY SEASON be UPON YOU and SEIZE YOU!!
XOXO
Sandra Sallin says
Love your style and love your gracsiouness. Just purchased The Thanksgiving Book from Have a little decorum. Carry on!
contessa says
SANDRA………….THANK YOU for your lovely compliments!YOU MADE my EVENING…..I ran to the garage and told my husband what you said!Please send me an email once you have read the book!I hope your as delighted by it as I AM!
I SHALL CARRY ON!!!!
XO
Susan Williams says
Your Thanksgiving looks great. Very festive! Turkey looks supreme.
Table setting and decor devine.
And the dogs, what can I say…I am a dog lover. The fur-kids are well loved and Christmas photo-ready. I hope they enjoyed each a bit of turkey dinner. My Bernese Mt. dog (Sophie) thoroughly enjoyed her turkey dinner with all the sides.
With Christmas coming fast, I will start the outdoor and inside decor next week. We have 4 inches of snow on the ground, so Thanksgiving looked like Christmas outside.
Susan
contessa says
A BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG!!!!
THAT is MY DREAM DOG!!!!!!I have taken care of TWO of them in my LIFE TIME!Once as a young girl……another about 12 years ago!I would ADORE to own one………maybe I shall ask SANTA………….MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
XX
Jenny says
The pearls are to die for. So you. Every inch. Have done those green beans before. Delicious and actually Italian. Whole meal looks divine.
contessa says
IT WAS………IT WAS!!!!!
I am ready to do it all over again!WITH YOU!
XO
Sarah says
All looks and sounds like a truly delicious celebration Elizabeth. Beautiful photos of it all too. Happy Thanksgiving!!! The festive season is fast approaching down under . The calendar rolls over to December 1st tomorrow officially marking the first day of summer and with 7 weeks of holidays approaching its hard not to be feeling just a tiny bit excited!!!!
Sarah xx
contessa says
SARAH…….this has been the fastest year of MY LIFE.I cannot believe its DEC. FIRST TOMORROW.TODAY for you folks DOWN UNDER!HAPPY SPRING………..MERRY CHRISTMAS………….and ENJOY your VACATION!!!!I have wrapping paper and boxes strewed about the wrapping table…………OFF I GO!
HUG to MY GIRLFRIEND DIVINE……YOUR sister!
XOXO
cherie james says
Elizabeth, where did you get that monogrammed silverware?? Really to die for!! I love old silver especially when it is monogrammed. The photos of your home are so beautiful, I love that your home looks so loved and lived in, and done with such exquisite taste. Love your overstuffed couch, your chartreuse walls and pillows, your pearls, your candelabras,your collection of crystal stemware, your piles of books under your coffee table, your dogs (how many again do you have? and boxers?- one of my favorite types of dogs. I grew up with Boston Terriers (sort of the same face as Boxers). I could go on and on noticing every corner and crook of your home. It is all so warm and welcoming. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to school? I had a very good friend who also went on Semester at Sea.
xo, cherie
contessa says
I do think WE are TWO of a KIND………………to answer your questions I purchased the silverware this FALL in FRANCE!The CHATEAU we stayed at had monogramed silverware and I loved how they turned it upside down to show off the initials!I searched and searched………..almost gave up and then……spied this set that had a nice weight to it but no initial.I decided I could do that part MYSELF!It was the first time we used it so THANKS for noticing!!
I grew up in CALIFORNIA…….a small town called MILL VALLEY.
I went to college in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA……….
SEMESTER AT SEA I was onboard SPRING of 1981……………tell me your friend was on the same semester and I will just crack up!
You noticed my mess of books and magazines but I will be honest it never gets too clean in that corner of my kitchen as I adore the books and always get behind in reading the magazines as I spend too much time on THE COMPUTER!!!!
THANK YOU for finding ME!
OH, ONE BOXER………ONE CARDIGAN CORGI…….the other BOXERS are MY SONS………MY GRAND DOGS at the moment!!
XOXO
Donna~Faded Velvet says
Elizabeth~
As always, your dinner, settings and outfit are elegance personified! When I visit I want to try on those LOOOOONG strands of pearls. We both know they will be brushing the tips of my TOES!!!
The turkey looks so delicious – the Italian husband outdid himself. We could have surely used a fully cooked turkey at our table this year……:(
Those dogs all along for the ride to the photo shoot! I wish I could have been there to see that!
Of to read Have Some Decorum’s blog…
xoxox
Donna~Faded
contessa says
I’m afraid you will need to go back a POST on ELEANOR’s blog now…………to see HER THANKS GIVING but do go back and view.I haven’t read todays POST as I was given a heads up and need to be alone for this READ………….Neverless,you will get a good picture of OUR ELEANOR.
I will send YOU a strand of those pearls in YOUR christmas BOX!Now are you the type who cannot wait………..can I send early or will YOU OPEN THE BOX??
BE HONEST!
XO
Tamera Beardsley says
What a beautiful Thanksgiving my dear! I am so in awe of your mastery in the kitchen! So very well done!
I am so impressed with your semester at sea! It was always on my wish list to do … but opted to move to NYC for NYU instead! I am always so enthralled to learn more about your beautiful life!
xoxo
Tamera
contessa says
VIA EMAIL:
I love, love, looking and reading about you, your friends and so many adventures. By the way, you look so glamorous in your attire….clothes, jewelry and your striking red lips. You must tell your lipstick secret. A must…. your own line of jewelry. If I hadn’t married my wonderful husband, perhaps an Italian would have been a good match at least I’m beginning to think so after reading about you and your man. Can’t wait to hear from you soon. Hugs Susan
Eleanor says
Oh my God, Elizabeth! Your Thanksgiving looks perfect! I had to look at all of the photos for like five minutes each so I could see everything at your house! I just want to be at your house surrounded by everything that you have and by you! By the way, your husband’s a babe. I’m so happy your handsome boys liked the cranberry relish. Your house is exactly the type of house that I’d love… Cozy and filled with treasure. You are the actual treasure though. Thank you so much for all of your support. You are definitely a gift to me. I wish you lived in Paris and we could hang out every day. I know I’ve only known you a little bit but I truly love you. XOXO Eleanor
contessa says
Ditto………….your comment made me weep!
XOXO
French Basketeer says
Looks like a fantastic success!! You know who is looking over my shoulder as I read, and the Mama sends you her love. And says to tell you that you look fabulous! I’m off to visit Eleanor this morning! xxoo~A
contessa says
I just received HER Christmas book in the mail………….
Can’t wait to sit and ABSORB………….she lived on LIDO ISLE!!!!!
SMALL WORLD INDEED!
XO
Tone on Tone Loi Thai says
I love the story of how you and your girlfriend met! You all look gorgeous!! And it looks like your Thanksgiving was filled with warmth, hearty food and lots of loved ones – two and four legged ones 🙂
Cheers
contessa says
MERCI……….LOI!!!!
I loved that you pop in!LOTS of four-legged BEASTIES!!!I wouldn’t have it any other way!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to YOU!
cindy hattersley says
You looked gorgeous to my dear! I bet Thanksgiving at your house is the best! I am heading over to check out the book!!
contessa says
THIS YEAR IT WAS CINDY…….the BEST as far as the FOOD was concerned and the people and dogs were PRETTY SPECIAL TOO!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!
Anita Rivera says
DARLING DARLING CONTESSA!!!!!!
I just had a chance to read your fabulous and friendly comment! How delighted I am that you came to my theatre post and GOT IT…YOU SEE the magic!
There is so much to be said here. We both love Paris, we both love the lush gold and opulence and wonder of the past. You asked about the little gold clawed “thing.” A dear friend gifted me with oodles of gold goodies and I really have no idea what it is, other than maybe a little dish upon which a glass bowl sat. Maybe for jewelry or soap?
AND YOU MENTIONED some golden thread? YES PLEASE MADAME! I will email you, and give you my address!
Many hugs to you dear and glorious Contessa! Anita
contessa says
WRAPPED and in the mail TOMORROW…………….XOXOX
COCO says
Sooooooooooooo pretty every single detail! You look extra lovely!
contessa says
You are soooooo SWEET!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Mary Jo says
I realize I am very very late to wish you a happy Thanksgiving, not to mention the photos are making me so hungry! I love that you support Eleanor’s book and it’s a cause quite dear to my heart. Every penny counts…so I tried to call you just now but don’t have your # in my phone and couldn’t find it via my emails. Please call when you have a chance or text and we will connect!
xoxo Mary Jo
Loree says
Dear Contessa, you are looking gorgeous in your pearls. Our Thanksgiving was a quiet affair this year as I have been busy studying. Ten more days and it will all be over. I can’t wait. Hope to hear more from you before Christmas.
pippa says
I found you via Style Nudge and I know if she thinks you are awesome, then I would also love you! I just spent an hour reading a few articles and I can’t wait to spend some more time in your blog, after I go do the laundery, dishes, drive the kids around … you know, the stuff I HAVE to do 🙂 pippa
contessa says
I SO GET IT!Enjoy that time…….driving them around, the laundry,etc……..it all ends SO FAST!I know you cannot possibly understand what I am saying now BUT YOU WILL MISS IT ALL!!!!!!!!TRUST ME!
Comment when you can……as I so love to hear from YOU!
I hope I can put a smile on your face from time to time!
XX
Ps.If you know that STYLE NUDGE DAME I LIKE YOU ALREADY!!!!