Blog Post No. 25 -- Giving Thanks For Great Clothes!

 

Thanksgiving Day dawned early for me, even though I was not hosting a big dinner myself. I was up at 5:30 a.m.  Had the first of five side dishes in the oven by 6:00 a.m. And so it went all morning as, one by one, broiled candied mandarin oranges and cranberries in Elderflower syrup, artichoke-Asiago cheese toast points, caramelized onion-bacon tart, potato celery-root gratin with leeks, and glazed baby Hakurei turnips all emerged from my oven.



Posing with my artichoke-Asiago toasts

I  worked like a fiend as the clock ticked away. Caramelizing four pounds of onions for the bacon tart appetizer took two hours of near constant stirring all by itself – and as good as it was, I won’t be making that particular dish again when I am so pressed for time. Besides cooking, I also printed our Thanksgiving menu on parchment paper as a memento for the twelve guests who would be gathering at the home of my dear friends, Robert and Jan, later that day, and made place-markers out of parchment and tiny pumpkins. Whew!

Finally, it was time to get dressed and go. I had been waiting for months for a fancy occasion to wear one of my most favorite outfits of all time, a black and leopard-print jumpsuit with a tiny bolero jacket by LaBelle Fashions that I’ve had since the 1970s. Thrilled that the jumpsuit fit me once again, I was truly excited as I slipped it on.

For jewelry I chose a gold metal choker necklace that was a gift from Joyce, the mother of my best friend, Kari, and metal medallion and leopard fabric earrings from the 1970s. My seashell cocktail ring was a find from the Maryland Renaissance Festival this year, my black and gold beaded bracelet is something I’ve owned for years, and my gold-toned bracelet watch with rhinestones is from Chico’s. 

In my hair I wore one of my favorite Dea Dreads, made from brown, black and rust-colored fabric by Thea Osato of Baltimore (deadreads.etsy.com). I chose killer platform pumps by Call It Spring for JCPenney.com, putting them in the shoe stretchers for a few minutes while I did my hair and makeup so they would be comfortable while helping Robert, Jan and their grandson Michael get their formal dinner for twelve on the table.


Jan and I survey Robert and Jan's gorgeous table



Enjoying sangria while
preparing dinner with Robert
and Jan's grandson,
 Michael



The evening was fabulous. The sangria, full of chopped pears, plums, apples and grapes, put everyone in a festive mood and the organic, free range turkey brined in apple cider for two days had a most wonderful flavor.  Our host grew misty-eyed as he presented a toast at the dinner table, speaking of how his favorite meal of the year was made all the more special by such a warm gathering of friends and family year after year.

Here, here!

Lynell



A trio of wonderful desserts from Patisserie Poupon of Baltimore