A White Space Thanksgiving

We hosted a big family Thanksgiving this year.  It was super fun and even with all the cooking, I found myself more than ever simply enjoying the moment.  So I wanted to share my White Space tips that worked for me in case you host a large party over the holidays. 

If you like the vintage items in these photo, scroll down after this story to our French Flea Market Holiday Gift post for many more items!

Simple centerpieces are best. I put herbs in recycled Strauss Family Creamery bottles and candles in mason jars down the table.  Then threw fresh cut cherry branches from our garden in galvanized pitchers.  Voila!

Let your children create simple and unique place settings.  Mine used vintage print letters we had at the house for the first letter of each person's name.  If we didn't have a letter, Finnegan just cut one out of paper.  Have your children be in charge of the kids table centerpiece.  My kids made it out of Lego and included Delphine's teepee she made at school that week.  

If you ever need French school house chairs and farm tables, visit our online shop.  It worked out great for me because I could put several tables together to make a long one. Super easy, no stress.

Get new books from the library that cousins or an adult can read to young kids.  My Delphine and Finnegan adore their teenage cousins Brooke and Olivia!

Create a local cheese platter and make sure it's sampled and approved by les enfants!

While we usually have guests hang out in the kitchen at dinner parties, for large gatherings (e.g. over 10 people), I like to create a place with bar stools or chairs for guests to enjoy cocktails so I can finish the food.  For us, its the front porch.  A bench or relaxing area inside is a nice retreat for people to find their own White Space.  Olivia is enjoying some on our farm bench watching sailboats go by on the San Francisco Bay.

 

Use a long table (or create one with a recycled door and sawhorses) for a side dish buffet.  Use unique vintage platters for serving -- I was too busy talking and drinking to put everything on platters but check out our selection online.

Always have home-made dinner rolls!  My brother's mother-in-law, Mary Lou (former Miss West Virginia!) made them from scratch and is modeling them here with my dashing husband David. We had her rolls sitting by all our window sills an hour before we baked them so they could stay warm and rise. It was hysterical.  As usual, they were the hit of the party, just like Mary Lou.  Serve them on French platters with linen dishtowels and you will dream you were living in a French farmhouse.

Vintage mixing bowls from the flea market are great for large salads.  I am a mason jar girl and always do mason jars to hold beverages.

Have your children be part of the party.  Mine helped make the food (including mashing 10 lbs of potatoes), decorated the table and helped serve the food as beautifully demonstrated by Delphine on my favorite vintage serving dish. 

Always serve my friend Eve Weinsheimer's sloooooow roasted tomatoes!  My brother is loving them.  Cherry tomatoes tosses with olive oil, salt, pepper, diced onion, garlic and fresh herbs of choice.  Cooked at 225 degrees for 4 hours or more.  To die for.

Let a helpful and handsome person (like your husband) be in charge of serving the main dish.  Gives you time to take the apron off, grab your wine and get back into a White Space mindset!

Always save the drumstick for your son.  Its a caveman thing.

Plan a nice walk after the main dish so you can enjoy dessert.  There are no pictures of the countless pumpkin, pecan and cheesecake pies my brother's wife Alison made from scratch because I was too busy enjoying them to take photos!  But they were wonderful paired with coffee from my favorite local coffee shop Cibo who now roasts their own coffee 2 Girl (we love Mary). A perfect holiday gift. 

If you start feeling stressed at any point, stop whatever you are doing immediately and focus your attention on the present moment.  That is my best tip to enjoying your party.  Email me if you want to receive the menu.  Bon Appétit!

Don't forget to give vintage gifts this holiday season.  See ideas in French Flea Market Holiday Gift post below. 

French Flea Market Holiday Gifts

Give thoughtful vintage holiday gifts to people in your life this year to inspire a new creative passion.  And feel good because you are giving back to the Planet by recycling beautiful treasures. 

All items can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. and Canada to arrive before Christmas if purchased this week.  Email or call to purchase.  We will confirm all details with you by phone before shipping.  Limited quantities, shop early!

 

The Meadow painting will inspire someone to slow life down and take walks in nature or motivate a budding artist to keep painting.  Framed $68, 1 available.

 

Industrial cake baking tins from a baker in mid-west are great for the entertainer or griller to serve appetizers and drinks on or take items back and forth from bbq.  They are also magnetic so perfect for hanging family photos, kids art, or anything from metal clips.  Each panel includes 6 cake rounds that are all attached, $65.

 

French canning jars for the home chef,  $35.

 

 

French wine carriers for the entertainer or wine lover.  Great for doing wine tasting at your next party.  Each one unique, $115.

 

Tall French jars with lids great for the budding home jam maker.  Or someone that needs time to relax (fill with bath salts and give with a good book for THE perfect present),  $55.

 

 

Le Chocolat wall art from a restaurant in Provence, France.  Perfect for the chocolate or sports lover,  $175, 1 available. 

 

 

European apothecary jars. Wonderful filled with bath salts or other collections for someone needing more White Space,  9" $55, 10" $75, 13" $95.

 

French galvanized pitchers are the best gift for the entertainer to throw season branches and flowers in.  Great for a garden lover too,  $75.

 

We love these stop signs because they work!  Put one in your home or office to remind you to stop and meditate, do yoga, take a walk, sip some tea, or just slow down and enjoy White Space, $60.

 

Antique French charcoal basket are perfect filled with fresh holly and treats from the local farmers market (or any special gift).  Or place by your fireplace filled with wood.  We also think its the perfect gift for the city girl or boy that dreams of living on a farm on day! $90

 

 

Vintage rolling pins for the adult (or kid) baker.  Wood $24, metal $32 (1 available)

 

 

Little Maison Reve happiness balls to bring big happiness to someone's day!  Line them in a row on a windowsill or stack on top of one another (flat bottom) to remind someone to stop, breathe and smile during the day. Great for the hardworking coworker or employee to have at their desk.  Made of beautiful solid wood, $20 each.

 

 

Colorful shoe horns for a stylish boutique in Paris.  Great inspiration for someone to walk more throughout the day, $14 each, email color preference.

 

 

French egg basket for the budding baker or teacher filled with wonderful home baked treats, $55.

 

Trio of flower milk jars for the budding florist.  Great in a little girls room. Or fill with herbs each week in the kitchen for someone who loves to cook.  Set of 3 with carrier, $32.

Large vintage American flag for the patriot or new US citizen.  Great condition, $120.

French canning jars are perfect filled with love notes, spa treats or honey for the love in your life.  Tall jars, $65.

 

Cute vintage stepping stool for your little one who wants to be grown up and reach higher places!  $35.  Goat milking stools show in decorating section online $24.

 

Antique letter trays (originally used to hold metal print letters for newspaper printing) are great for the avid collector, budding writer or jewelry maker (little compartments are perfect to organize all the little jewelry pieces). Approximately 32"w by 20"h, $55.

 

Large mouth vintage jars from France are wonderful for the entertainer or anyone that loves flowers!  $48

 

Vintage child size megaphone for the spirited kid (or adult with that can do, positive energy!)  $40

 

 

Rare antique dress form from Paris atelier (with Paris stamp on front) is the best gift for someone that loves to sew, craft or make jewelry (items can be pinned right on dress form) $325 1 available.

 

Lovely perfume bottle from flea market make a nice gift for someone who loves to take baths (fill up with essential oils),  $10 each

 

 

Slate tiles from Belgian house roof make great cheese displays (write cheese name with chalk on tile before placing cheese).  Great for the entertainer or cheese lover,  $22.

 

 

Pastis 51 jars from Paris restaurant are lovely with a bit of holly for any hostess gift or French lover,  $42.

Antique wooden shoe forms are fun gifts for the woman (or man) that just loves shoes!  Pair of shoe forms with red tip and British shoe form are both $68.  More styles online.

Many more vintage items on Online Shop!  Email or call for more information on an item or to place an order (if you email include phone number for us to call you back to confirm purchase).

Happy Holidays!

30 Day White Space Gratitude Challenge

Take our Gratitude Challenge and bring more joy and peace in your life. 

5 Steps to Getting Started:

• Morning Gratitude: Tie your morning gratitude session into something that you do everyday such as commuting to work (notice the sunrise, the crisp autumn weather and the leaves changing colors) or having a morning cup of coffee (enjoy the wonderful aroma of the warm coffee, the quiet before the day officially starts).

 

• Gratitude Letter: Take a few minutes to sit down and write a letter to someone that has made a positive influence in your life. It can be a family member, a teacher, a doctor or even someone that works at the local market. It is a simple gesture that you are letting them know that they are appreciated. It can make someone’s day and yours too.

 

• Gratitude Stroll: This can done anywhere at anytime as long as you are looking around and being aware of all of the things that you appreciate. You may notice the blue sky without a single cloud, the chirping of the finches that sit in the neighbor’s tree, or even the smell of freshly baked bread as you walk by the local bakery.

 

• Gratitude as a Life Lesson: There is always a silver lining in every cloud and the way you choose to look at an event or experience can be life changing. When faced with a difficult situation, see if you can learn something from the experience, benefit from the experience or find something to be grateful for in the experience. Turn bad into good!

 

• Sunset Gratitude: A great way to end your day may be to take a few minutes to reflect upon the good from the day. You can think of something or someone that made you smile, someone that inspired you or reflect upon the best part of the day.  

After 30 days, you should feel a positive shift in the way that you look at the people and the world around you.  Challenge yourself and start TODAY.

Healthiest Leek and Mushroom Soup Ever

 

Serves 6-8
White Space Inspiration: Lazy Sundays Cooking with the Kids

Build some white space into your weekend to cook this healthiest soup ever.  Enjoy with a baguette and good book.  Bon Appétit!

 

Ingredients

 

1 T of Olive Oil

1 1/2 cups of chopped leeks (2 small stalks- white/pale green parts only)

2 garlic cloves pressed

Fresh ginger (pinky sized piece cut in two)

2 t of minced fresh rosemary (optional)

1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes in juice

5-6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

1 large portobello mushroom diced into bite sized pieces

3 medium sized carrots peeled and cut 

2 stalks of celery cut

2C of diced green cabbage

1 C of corn

1 14.5 ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained) *optional

1 bunch of kale (about 8 ounces), trimmed, center stalks removed, leaves coursely chopped

Preparation

 

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat

Add leeks, salt and pepper until leeks soften (about 5 minutes)

Add diced mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and rosemary (optional). Increase heat to medium high and saute until mushrooms soften and begin to brown, stirring often (about 7 minutes)

Add carrots, celery, cabbage, corn and continue to stir (about 5 minutes)

Add canned tomatoes with juice and stir for a minute

Add rinsed and drained can of black beans

Add 5-6 cups of chicken or veggie broth (can be more or less broth as preferred) and cook for 25-30 minutes at medium low temperature

 

5 minutes before serving, add the diced kale until wilted (about 1 minute)

Add salt and pepper as needed

 

Chef Ideas

*For veggies to still be somewhat crunchy cook for 25 minutes and longer for softer veggies

*Rice, barley or pasta can also be added if desired

*Other fresh and seasonal vegetables may also be substituted other than the leeks and mushrooms