monday musings - the beginning of october

Somehow, the first week of October is behind us, and for those of us here in Canada, Thanksgiving is now only a week away.

Originally, my plans for this week included picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, getting the house ready for thanksgiving dinner, spending a day curating the perfect table for our dinner, baking at least two pies with beautifully detailed crusts, and walking the Thanksgiving shows at the historic conservation area nearby.

My current plans now include not lifting anything heavier than my kettle and trying to force myself to not over do it just because I'm feeling a lot more like myself.

Instead of being frustrated with all that I can't do, I'm going to embrace the season and focus on being grateful - it is Thanksgiving after all. I will try to get to the pumpkin stand (I do have a few strong boys to help me lift the perfect pumpkins), I may wander about the shows if I'm up for the walking, and if not, maybe we'll just go for a pretty fall drive. I will enjoy Thanksgiving at my mom's, and then celebrate American Thanksgiving with a small dinner for our family later, as I'll be recovered by then and fully able to lift a turkey and roll out pie dough.

And since I've enjoyed a ridiculous amount of free time to collect inspirations, I thought I would share some of the things that have been on my mind, starting with the gorgeous Musque de Provence pumpkins above. I've mentioned it before, but I take my pumpkin selecting very seriously. As a result, I also tend to visit a number of stands and farms throughout the season, just so I have my selection of the best varieties.

(photo from Everyday Occasions)

The key to a great Thanksgiving, as Ina would say, is being prepared ahead of time. Planning everything out is so easy using this tablet from Everyday Occasions. Her containers are also perfect for prepping food ahead of time. Chopped ingredients can wait in the fridge making the actual cooking so much easier, and things like the gravy base and cranberry sauce can be frozen well ahead. A good plan and being well prepared make anything less stressful and so much more enjoyable.

(Photo from Martha Stewart Living)

I'm always drawn to brown transferware in the fall, and the Thanksgiving table is the perfect place to showcase pieces.

(Photo by @thecooksatelier)

It's also the perfect time to pull out all the pretty stemware and best flatware.

(Photo by Willams Sonoma)

Perfect Pies. They're like the crowning glory of the Thanksgiving menu. The last beautiful display at the end of the holiday. I don't make pies often, but there's something so special about taking the time to make beautiful, artfully decorated pies with intricate cut outs and perfectly crimped edges. My two favourites for Thanksgiving are Pumpkin and Chocolate Pecan, though all of my boys love a classic Apple, so I usually end up making one for them. I don't mind because I like the look of a mile high, double crust.

(Photo by @daylesfordfarm)

It's not just the actual cooking and baking that I enjoy when it comes to a holiday like this though. I love the days leading up to it. I love shopping the market for ingredients and picking out flowers and things to dress the table. Having somewhere to shop like Daylesford Farm would be a dream! I mean, how can you not be inspired looking at a display as lovely as this?

Also, on my mind lately, planning a little getaway to enjoy the Fall foliage is a must. I always like touring around local towns this time of year - one of our favourites is Niagara on the Lake. You can see it in the fall here.

(Photo by Erin McGinn via Abby Capalbo)

Abby Capalbo has a couple great posts on touring Nantucket in October, the off season. It was a post that convinced us to stay at The Robert's Collection on our first trip. I've linked that here.

As the seasons change, I find our home naturally changes as well. Not in a trendy, re-do everything, complete makeover kind of way, but more the adding of a layer here and there as the weather cools. A few more throws and pillows to make things cozier, a few more candles as it gets darker earlier, slightly warmer and richer tones...

One thing that helps me in designing is a good inspiration board. This one below is by Tessa of 

Nine + Sixteen. I like to change mine as the seasons change. It's amazing how pulling one together can really hone your eye. You see what you're naturally drawn to and what speaks to you.

(Photo by @nineandsixteen)

(Photo by @artichoke_ltd via @cotswaldinterior)

As the days grow rainy and grey, having a good boot room or mudroom is so desirable, especially when you have four little pairs of muddy boots traipsing in and out. This is a quintessential English mudroom with all the right details - lots of storage, great colour, pretty dental work, great stone floors and no less than four baskets.

(Photo by @jo_rodgers)

And if very there was a time for a jaunt about the countryside, after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner is that time.

(Photo by Camila Roman Demo)

I have such a soft spot for a dreamy store front or cafe and this one, it's just perfect, right down to the name.

(Photo by Thee Dogs Night)

And do I even need to explain why I loved this so much? The only thing better than a golden retriever is two. Okay, maybe two golden retrievers in the back of a muddy old Range Rover, rambling about the English countryside.

(Photo by Urban Electric Co.)

Also, currently in love with this door and it's perfect hardware. And also that chair. And that sconce. And those Hydrangeas... The design was by Basic Projects and you can see the whole mountain cottage here.

(Photo by @susanblakey)

This entrance popped in my feed this week and stopped me mid-scroll. I love an exterior with weathered shakes and white trim, and I love a door with windows and a classic door knocker, but that colour green? I am completely in love with it.

(Photo by Haute Decoration, Design by Charles Spada)

Also loving all the warm pine. And ironstone always, but these are just beyond.

(Photo from Ann Lee Fuller)

This kitchen by Ann Lee Fuller is also full of so many beautiful details: the Waterworks faucet, and the range, but also the crocks and all the copper, even the little soap dish.

(Photo from Frog Goes to Market)

I also love all the wood - the crocks full of well-worn wooden spoons, the stacks of bread boards and those sweet little butter molds - also the most clever little detail for a pretty meal. Ellie Campbell just knows.

(Photo by Martha Stewart Living)

Does anyone else suddenly need to bake constantly in the fall? Because I do. On my list still are these Pumpkin Whoopie Pies and for the first time ever, Cider Donuts. 

(Photo by Sally's Baking Addiction)

the first day of autumn

A few glimpses of what welcoming the first day of Autumn looked like today.

Usually I would have gone for a drive, but there were thunderstorms on and off today, so I decided to just stay home instead. Every now and then, the sun would break through and highlight the dark stormy clouds and everything would look so pretty.

I freshened all the flowers up with cuttings from the garden.

The leaves on the Chestnut trees in the front garden have started turning brown and are littered all over the lawn.

I've put away a lot of my blue pieces, but I left the pair of ginger jars on the mantel for now. I like the slow transition from summer to fall. When I'm ready to add some pumpkins and gourds to the mantel, I will find another home for these, but until then, they will stay.

Two really easy ways to add a little bit of coziness to a room? Some natural firewood by the fireplace, and some throws for chilly mornings or evenings by the fire.

This one conveniently hides my books and things. I learned this trick from my mother in law.

The first pumpkin has made it's appearance, along with a potted kale.

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I've washed and added warm weather clothes to the boys' wardrobes. It's no where near sweater weather right now, but at least I'm prepared. And in an unusual moment of foresight, I even ordered the needed snow pants and winter coats for the boys. That always sneaks up on me and by doing so early, I took advantage of a 50% off  Labor day sale!

It also looked like slices of peach pie after school. I made this one this weekend. I really only make pies in the fall, save cream pies with graham cracker crust in the summer. As Thanksgiving is not far off, at least here in Canada, I have to practice a few times before I make them then.

And while pumpkins have arrived, and I'm tempted to completely outfit the front entrance, I'm not  ready just yet to say goodbye to my simple Boxwoods in my urns, so they'll stay for a while longer.

I might however, see if I can sneak out once the littlest ones are in bed, to go sit with a Pumpkin Spice Latte for a while by myself. Maybe with a book? Hockey season has pretty much begun, so I don't think I'll be missed terribly.

a pumpkin stand

Fehrhaven Farms, the farm stand I frequent for my pumpkins and gourds each year, has officially opened, and is looking as lovely as ever.

There is always an excellent selection of all my favourites: white varieties like Luminas and Flat Boers and tiny Casperitas, the dusty Blue Jarrahdales and nubby Marina Di Chioggias. And sometimes, if I'm lucky, she'll have a couple Musque de Provence, the large, Cinderella-like orange variety with deep ridges and a slightly flat top, which makes them perfect for stacking.

 

And to round out your autumn display, she even has some hay and pretty broom corn for sale.

If you're local and looking for a good selection, pop by her stand.

a classic pumpkin loaf

A staple in the kitchen, once the words pumpkin and spice start popping up everywhere it seems, is a classic pumpkin loaf.

I have tried a few different recipes, but my go-to recipe is from Martha Stewart Living. It's not just that it turns out perfectly every time, or that it makes two perfect loaves (which seem to last just as long as one loaf), but that it's a pretty straightforward recipe that I know by heart, so it's just comfortably familiar.

Pumpkin Bread

from Martha Stewart Living

Preheat oven to 350. Butter two loaf pans.

Melt 1 1/2 sticks of unsalter butter (12 tbsp) and set aside

Set aside 1/2 c. of buttermilk and four eggs.

In a bowl, sift the following:

3 1/4 c. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

3/4 tsp. kosher salt

In the bowl of stand mixer, mix the following to combine:

1 15 oz can of pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. (*note - In Canada, our common tin of E. D. Smith's pure pumpkin is actually 796 mL, which means you only need a half can for this recipe.)

1 c. of dark brown sugar, packed

1 c. of white sugar

Add butter and the 4 eggs. Scrape down bowl and mix thoroughly.

Alternate dry ingredients with the 1/2 c. of buttermilk, finishing with the remainder of dry ingredients.

Mix just until combined. Scrape down bowl. Divide evenly between two pans. Smooth out tops and bake in middle of top rack for roughly an hour. The recipe calls for 70-80 minutes, but I start checking at 60 minutes. Insert a toothpick to check if loaves are done. Cool 10 minutes and then remove from pan to finish cooling.

The loaves get the perfect, muffin-like top, and are nice and moist. Another reason I love the recipe is because it's so versatile. A slice is perfect with a generous amount of butter, stored in your pocket for a nice walk or as a quick breakfast on the go, or to make it a little more special, some swirled cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts does the trick. Either way, it won't last long.

It's also the perfect after school snack with a cup of tea.

And if the smell of pumpkin bread baking isn't enough to send you searching for your pile of knitted sweaters and Hunter boots, seeing the garden take on it's fall hues will do the trick.