Thanksgiving 2013

 

We had a lovely thanksgiving this year at the beach. We had so many delicious dishes also. Then we went to the beach to watch the sunset with our dogs and saw dolphins. A perfect day!

 

 

I'm so thankful for my little family. 

Coastal North Carolina Thanksgiving Tablescape

Like many families, we've been getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Only this year is a little different, as we'll be celebrating on the North Carolina coast. Here's how I set our table this year, with lighthouses, birds and starfish while keeping some harvest accents with the basket of fresh apples and gold napkins.

 



I'll be in the kitchen if you need me.

 

Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

I'm linking up with Share Your Cup Thursday #83

and

Between Naps on The Porch 272nd Tablescape Thursday.

Cauliflower Pie Recipe and Watercolored Thanksgiving Menu

Last night I made Cauliflower pie. Here's the recipe:

I used a store bought a pie shell, but you can make your own. Set it out, to thaw out at room temperature. Separate the shells and poke the base with a fork, this helps it get that crispy texture instead of a soggy texture while it bakes.

Pre-heat the oven at 400 degrees.

Use 1 cauliflower head, cut off the stalks and place into a bowl with water. Place in the microwave for 10 minutes. Depending on your microwave setting, it may cook faster or slower. Test a cooled piece to see if it's cooked to your liking.

In a frying pan sauté 1 diced onion, 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables and 1 diced pepper.

Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl; the cauliflower, the sautéed vegetables and 1 can of cream of broccoli.

Stir well, then place into your pie shell. Add the top pie shell and press the edges. I found that slowly lifting the corners before removing helps it stay on better.

Then decorate. I cut out a heart, which allows steam to get out and pressed the edges with a fork.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool down, before serving.

***

I also water colored our Thanksgiving Menu

In the evenings I enjoy watching old movies and water coloring. I have lots of watercolors of my childhood story, memories, recipes and traditions that my husband and mum think I should compile a book. If I do, it would be lovely to pass down to my children one day.

We usually used canned cranberry sauce, but have been looking for recipes to make my own, any suggestions?

Today, I'm linking up with Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday #188
and with Kelly's Corner SUYL Favorite Holiday Recipes

Poplar Grove Plantation

In 1795, James Foy, Jr., son of Captain James Foy, Sr. purchased 628 acres of land from Francis Clayton, who had purchased the land in 1784 from the recently widowed, Mary Harnett, wife of Cornelius Harnett. The acreage is located on Topsail Sound in New Hanover County, including the northern banks of Figure Eight Island.

 

James Foy, Jr., newly married to Henrietta Rhodes, daughter of Colonel Henry Rhodes, built the couple’s home close to the sound to more easily transport goods via boats and water barges to the port of Wilmington, since the arduous trip by road took about twelve hours round trip.

 

Ownership passed to James’ son, Joseph Mumford Foy, in 1838. After a  fire destroyed the homestead, Joseph M. Foy selected this current location because of its proximity to the Old New Bern Road. Construction began circa 1850. The Manor House was designed by Joseph, an amateur architect, in the popular Greek-Revival Style, mixing earlier Federal Style flourishes. The home is 4,284 square feet, with twelve fireplaces, two pairs of corbelled interior chimneys, eight principle rooms, and a full basement.

 

Here's the formal living room:

Formal dining room:

The Winter bedroom which was used in the film The Wedding, starring Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry.

The Foy family:

The children's bedroom:

Poplar Grove was a self-sustaining peanut plantation, including a sawmill, brickyard, grist mill, salt works, turpentine still, a blacksmith’s forge and skilled slave artisans. Today, the Manor House and grounds echo the cultural and economic structure of the planter class and the beginning of the New South in the form of tenant farming and emancipation.

Here's the exterior:

The gazebo:

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of history!

I'm sharing with 'Share Your Cup Thursday #81'

Southern Coastal Homes On Topsail Beach, North Carolina

 

I found this poem the other day, and thought it was so true. Your life is what you make of it, day by day. It also reminded me of the beautiful beach.

 

We have been staying in Topsail Beach for a few weeks now. It's an island off the southern coast of North Carolina. The homes here are an array of hues, some blend in with the landscape, while others have can be seen from a distance. Many homes on the island are raised as the Atlantic coastline is on one side, and the wetlands on the other side.

 

Many of the homes I photographed, were on wetlands side, enjoy the tour:

 

 

The birds were on the electrical lines, and flying really low. My Nana used to say that was a sign that it was going to rain, and it did.

 

Hope you enjoyed looking at some homes on Topsail Beach.



Beaufort, North Carolina

 

Hope you had a Happy Halloween. We didn't celebrate this year, instead we took a trip to Beaufort, North Carolina.

 

 

We had lunch at the Dockside restaurant, and watched the boats sail past the windows. Before we left it started getting drizzly, which after a l-o-n-g summer down South...was much appreciated. The restaurant must be nice on a sunny day, when you can sit out on the dock.

 

Here's Cory, enjoying the view!

 

 

And my sunshiny self ordering.

 

 

The town had an 'All American' style, Camp Lejeune is nearby and the paneled car made me feel like I was on a 90's movie set.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful historic homes line the streets opposite to the water. They have a Southern Coastal charm, and beautiful unobstructed views. How charming is this Colonial?
 

 

It was a short visit, but I hope to go back sometime. I would love recommendations on seafood places nearby.

 

Happy November!