Holiday Table Inspiration: Part 3

 Lavender & Lemons

 Pomegranates and peppers

 Cabbage roses

Succulents 

&

Saltillo's

Rocks and wood

 Turquoise 

Green

&

Orange

 Wicker and Willow

 To all of my wonderful friends

Have a beautiful and full day

Happy Thanksgiving

gobble...gobble

~kelley~

Inspirtion for the Holiday Table: part 2

 Well this won't be hard to figure out...the Farmers Market

wow...talk about from farm to table

 These wonderful local farmers put out a spread that is just amazing...

 My favorite cherry tomatoes from Tutti Frutti

 The radishes were as big as golf balls if not biggggggger!

 I love the crafts too...these are from a couple of creative young women...the name of their company is "Drift"

 I bought some of these

 Strawberries are never ending in this part of the state...and they are huge!

 This farmer specializes in dried veggies and fruits...I bought these for my stuffing and sun dried tomatoes for a potato side dish

 Loaves, breads and sweets 

& 

How pretty are the Poinsettia? 

So that was enough to inspire me...it is overwhelming sometimes to see how much food is produced in this part of California...all organic and local

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Now get cooking!

~kelley~

Inspiration for the Holiday Table

Having a couple of wonderful destinations as inspiration for my Thanksgiving table is almost unheard of...

At least for me.

I typically go with the usual linens and matching napkins, the ones that have been pressed.

But this year, we went to a couple of spots that were so beautiful and different...I got...well....

Really inspired!

On Sunday, brunch at Watermark

An amazing historic building that now houses a great restaurant in old Ventura, Ca.

Ventura is also home to the San Buenaventura Mission built in 1724

 This building, built in 1907 for the Ventura County Power Company, was sold again in 1927  to the Ventura Building and Loan Association. 

There began the historically significant redesign. 

Architects Fred M. Ashley and John C. Austin were responsible for the intricate exterior tile work and interior details.  They were also the builders of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles City Hall and the Shrine Auditorium

 The building is Spanish revival with strong Art Deco influences.  

It is filled with copper lighting, plaster ceilings and stenciled beams as well as remarkable murals depicting scenes from the old Camino Real

In 1928 muralist Norman Kennedy, a painter from La Jolla California, was commissioned to paint the three wonderful and colorful murals 

 The murals and ceilings were covered up for nearly 30 years as the building changed hands.

Finally unveiled and restored to their original beauty when the building was again sold in 2004, with the prospect of becoming a restaurant.

 The details are just amazing....I think I had a sore neck the next day from staring at the ceiling!

 The bar area is just beautiful and the light fixtures are gorgeous...

And it is so important that buildings like this are saved and restored, for all of us to enjoy!

If you find your self on Highway 101 near Santa Barbara...and need a great meal in a wonderful setting...

try Watermark

Tomorrow inspiration #2

clink...clink

Cheers

~Kelley~

Fall Colors

 I doubt if anybody thinks of a succulent as a "fall-ish" sort of plant but if you look at the colors they are perfect for fall center pieces  

 I feel really lucky to have a wonderful local grower just down the road from me.  He is about 90 years old but  still going strong and these succulents and cacti are his passion.

 The variety and contrast are what is so appealing about these plants...not to mention the fact that they are really maintenance free for the most part.

 They sort of thrive on being neglected.  

Every time I go an antique mall or even a store like Pier One, I look for interesting containers for succulents.  You can really put them in just about anything because they require such a small amount of water.

 Putting rocks and wood and other found things from the yard is fun and creative too.

 These are some little baskets I have on the orchard table.  

I'm hoping to serve thanksgiving dinner here...weather permitting!

 Here are a few of those funny little vintage mexican pottery bowls I love so much.

 This back porch has really turned into one of our favorite spots to sit...it gets the best afternoon sunshine.

 I found this weathered old sign just last week and hung it above an old vintage pack basket.

 Just sticking an oak branch in this little basket makes it look more like the fall.

I think we are ready for some relatives to arrive and to enjoy a few days of "giving thanks"...

  And maybe a game or two of croquet! 

Hope you are enjoying the fall too!

~kelley~