thanksgiving 2011: as shown in 4 days of photos

my husband and i hosted our first thanksgiving this year.  sounds major, but we were a smallish group of eight total, so not too hectic, right? i thoroughly enjoyed letting whole foods cook our turkey so i could concentrate on making homemade apple pie, pumpkin pie, butternut squash and wild mushroom bread pudding......and of course, SETTING THE TABLE.....my favorite part!


my color theme this year was: gray, silver and orange - throwing in white accents to keep it fresh and modern....

my tablecloth was fabric from IKEA that I had my local dry cleaners hem and sew according to my table size when extended

i went to the SF flower mart and bought mums in fall colors to make the individual vases for everyone to take home....the maple leaves were also from the mart

vintage bow napkin rings

i made little notecards for everyone to write individual thanks for all the guests......implementing Neutra's font on the front to again nod to the modern

my helper

my other helper aka my sissy

the helper staying cozy

always cards

and ping pong

the helper is done

having guests is a perfect excuse to visit san francisco's best spots - there are so many:

legion of honor

legion of honor

legion of honor

Bernini's Medussa......simply stunning.

french cabinet from 1580

tender 

she was amazing

looking north from the legion of honors

conservatory of flowers

conservatory of flowers

conservatory of flowers

conservatory of flowers

de young sculpture garden

japanese tea gardens

japanese tea gardens

japanese tea gardens

from where i stood

japanese tea gardens

water, stone and leaf

japanese tea gardens

on to the next.....!  i kindof LOVE christmas!

all photos by janel holiday design

the soundtrack for this little holiday postin' is utter silence...............a much appreciated sound after busy and fun times.......xoxo jhh

thankful.

this year i am grateful for the things thought of as the "basics".  i have a wonderful husband, the best girlfriends, family, a job where i get to work with talented and amazing women, a cozy house, Lu Lu the wonder chihuahua and besides a few kinks, a pretty healthy body. I am so thankful that although we lost our family buddy, Jackson, yesterday that we had so many years with him.  He gave us MUCH more than we could ever give him.





it shouldn't take a particular day for one to reflect back on the positives in their lives, but the fact that i am taking the time and fully realizing how much i really do have to be grateful for this year is something in itself to be thankful for.  too often i think i take these things for granted.


happy, happy thanksgiving to you + yours!!


sneak pic of my thanksgiving table:




soundtrack today is the chatter of my silly family, the ping pong table and vintage christmas tunes.....

getting CRAFTY with VINTAGE, enamel flowers...!

i have been on an organizing and purging mission with my husband the past few weeks.  no drawer, cupboard or room has escaped this rampage of mine...i would like to use the excuse that it was in preparation to host family for thanksgiving but the truth of the matter is that i am super anal-retentive and nothing pleases me more than a tidy, organized space.  i even organized the photographs and various clippings and notes that have gathered on our lovely rental refrigerator.  see?!  i'm nuts.  


project = vintage enamel flowers = magnet garden.


this project has actually been in the mental workings of my mind for some time.  i have been collecting vintage, enamel flower pins and brooches in anticipation of making my 'fridge into a less obscene visual for some time.  I put a call out to friends, purchased a few on eBay and etsy and dug into my stash i have had since high school.  



the stash.












quick break to show my cute helper



gettin' down to business



i used these strong suckers from home depot with my good friend, hot glue.



magnets on back



before - hot mess.



after - less hot mess?





















sweet note from my lovely little neighbor, miss ava.



flowers


so what do you think? did i make this obtrusive rectangular box a bit prettier? 


and, ps - i love updated pics of my special little people in my life, so, friends, please mail them my way!


all photos by janel holiday design


soundtrack for this DIY, quiet night = Kings of Convenience: