DecorBook Classic : An Unexpected November

Happy December! Before we get into December fun next week, I'd like to share my November. None of what happened was planned but it was such fun. I wasn't going to do much fall decorating but it turns out, I couldn't resist. Last spring, I brought my blue&white collection up from the basement and by November, I had no inclination to haul it back down. Turns out, all I needed was my bin of leaves, a special little pumpkin bear and a couple of turkeys. Everything else was purchased along the way. Let's take a look.

I bought these battery operated lights at IKEA. They work everywhere, even my kitchen counter. Now for some adventures.

In midNovember, Sally and I drove 50 miles up to Petaluma, CA to meet our friend, Suzanne. We ate lunch at the Water Street Bistro.

We ate inside but they did offer dining facing the Petaluma River.

The French/New Orleans cafe offered amazing crab chowder.

Later, we parked in old town filled with Victorian houses. We walked by a row of unexpected of zinnas.

We went to Autumn Makers Crawl in the “A” Street Historic District. The district contains an eclectic mix of residences, offices, churches, and apartments nearly all built between 1860 and 1925. The Treasury, now housing retail, was built in 1926.

We loved the Art Deco interior.

Further down the street, at Ceto Home, we met Alissa Kaplan (ZizLand) handmaking brooms. I bought an incredible woven handle turkey wing hand whisk broom (see photo below).

Back home, my 40+ year old felted pumpkin bear from a Hood River (OR) fall festival always makes an appearance.

For the first year ever, I blended my blue&white with leaves and acorns.

I invited John&Jim for Thanksiving but they would be flying to Vienna that day. So we moved our holiday up a week. I didn't quite get a photo of the completely dressed table but you get the idea, with a new cornucopia from Mary.

My first turkey breast (brined in buttermilk - thanks, Jayne, for the recipe) was very juicy.

Last Saturday, we ventured into Walnut Creek. What better fall decor than freshly fallen leaves? From a safety standpoint, not so much.

We had lunch at Il Fornaio and admired the fountain outside their door.

Here at home, I added new treasures to my old kitchen rack. The turkey wing broom from Petaluma, a sweet cornacupia Mary sent me, a French tea towel, an ornamnent with crytals and metal leaves.

Earlier in the month, Jayne took me out for a belated birthday lunch. I met old friends, Betty and David, for a fun lunch at Joe Pho's in San Leandro. Mary spent two nights with me because her power was out. (I hadn't had a slumber party in years.) This year, I'm especially thankful for my wonderful friends.

PS - You may remember my friend, Jennifer, holds a Thanksgiving extraordinare every year. Let's take a look at what she planned this year.

Jennifer and Jose are hosting 18 this year. She used ChatGpt to tell her the porportions for cioppino for 18. It also created her cooking schedule from pre Turkey Trot (a San Jose tradition) to cutting the turkey.

Wine glass jewels, made by our friend Kimberly, decorated pumpkins. As fo acorns, Jennifer has been collecting while walking her pugs.

Kimberly also made napkins rings adorned with vintage pins forJennifer's birthday one year. Here are two of my favorites.

Jennifer used this same table runner on each of the three tables. It's a quote from a Taylor Swift song, "Tolerate It.

Daughter Julie "batched" her cocktails for the big day - BOB's - Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari, blood orange liquor with orange peel and spritz. Sounds yummy!

What especially makes Jennifer's dinners fun is the unexpected - this year, there was an oyster bar, karoke and guest bags filled with peanuts and gold rings so guests can make friends with their neighborhood crows as Jennifer has. I hope you had a great November and Thanksgiving. Isn't it nice to treasure the unexpected?

thanks to

photos of petaluma - sally

photos of jennifer's thanksgiving - jennifer