Autumn Tablescape & Recipe Exchange

Yesterday was the day! (I forgot - so sorry!) We're showing off our Autumn tablescapes & a favorite recipe. This fun event is hosted by Heidi Ann @ Foxgloves, Fabric & Folly. Visit her gorgeous blog to see the list of all the participants, and spend your Sunday afternoon being inspired!

My tablescape is a simple one. The leaf dishes were a gift from my sis. The glass pumpkins are a small protion of my collection. (More on them in an upcoming post.) The zinnias are from my garden. The were "supposed" to be red & white candy-striped, but instead, I got all sorts of striped color variations. Lucky me! I love them all!

My recipe is taken from a one of those ringbound community cookbooks and it is tried & truly delicious.

Curried Butternut Soup

1 tbsp. sweet butter

2 tbsp. sherry or vermouth (trust me, sherry is better!)

2 cups chopped yellow onion

2 large butternut squash

1 tbsp. curry

1 tsp. nutmeg

2-1/4 cups chicken broth (can use vegetable broth)

1 cup apple juice

2 McIntosh apples, peeled and grated

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

In a large pot, melt butter with sherry over low heat. Add chopped onions and cook until clear, about 20 minutes.

Peel squash, remove seeds and cut into 1" squares. Add squash and remaining ingredients to pot. Simmer 30 minutes.

Strain soup, Put solids into blender with 2 cups strained liquid. Process until smooth. Return to pot and mix in remaining strained liquid until soup is of desired consistency. Heat slowly for 10 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream & snipped chives.

Enjoy! Chris

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The Empire Mines - Part 3 -The Bourn Cottage

I wasn't able to take as many photos inside the cottage as I would have liked. There were either other visitors in front of my camera, or a docent pushing us along on the tour. It was one of the disadvantages of being there on Miner's Picnic Day!

I have a few, at least, that will give you an idea of the rustic elegance the Bourns enjoyed in their cottage.

On the last Empire Mine Post I explained that I wasn't able to get a good photo of the front door of the cottage. Luckily, I found one on the Empire Mine website, HERE. The door itself isn't remarkable, although there is a very pretty leaded glass window. But take a look at the brick work! It make a very impressive entrance! And if you scroll down on this page, you'll see a photo of the Bourns "clubhouse". Now that is some rec room!

This picture is of a beauutiful mahogany sideboard in the dining room. You can also see the redwood walls which are typical throughhout the cottage. At the right side of the photo, through the leaded glass french doors, you get a glimpse of the screened porch.





Next, is the housekeeper's (Katie) sitting room. She lived at the cottage full time, choosing to leave the Bourn's San Francisco mansion, beacuse the cottage had electricity & the SF home did not! Her bedroom is through the door at the back of the room and not included on the tour.




Here is the only photo I was able to get of Katie's kitchen. The wood-burning stove was her pride & joy, and quite the modern marvel for it's day. It also cost a small fortune. The Bourns treated Katie very well. The chopping block is also original. I hope Katie wasn't as tall as this docent...leaning over that block would be a killer!




This is a view from the kitchen into the butler's pantry and on into the dining room. (Those blue willow dishes aren't vintage.

This last picture from the cottage is taken looking out one of the kitchen windows to the small yard where the kichen garden was planted.

The tour did not include the "upstairs" rooms, so we didn't get to see any of the bedrooms or the bath. I'd love to see them sometime, even if they aren't furnished. I'm also going to visit again and try to get more photos of the interior.

Next time, the gardens!

Enjoy! Chris

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Thankful Thursday

It's time for Thankful Thursday again! I can't believe another week has flown by! I first want to thank Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses for hosting us each week.



Today, I am so thankful for the Autumn Harvest!



This is the season when one of my favorite veggies is everywhere, in abundance. Squash! Acorn squash, pumpkins, baked, in soup or pies,I love them all! But, see that large, oblong, golden beauty at the top of this photo? Not just any squash, but my absolute favorite, Spaghetti Squash!








If you have never tried Spaghetti Squash, you just don't know what you've been missing! It is delicious, versatile & it's a squash that even most picky kids will eat. After all it "looks" like fun! And if you let them help "string" the squash, they'll enjoy it even more!


This link will take you to a page with cooking instructions and other interesting facts.


This is a scrumptious recipe: Spaghetti Squash Casserole, though I even love it just with butter and salt & pepper!


I am truly thankful for these delicious, nutritious and even fun vegetables. They keep a long time if stored properly, and are a wonderful part of our tummy-warming Autumn meals!

Thankfully, Chris
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