fancy, happy, thankful.

tuna ceviche.  my first raw fish moment of the pregnancy.  i had to try it; it was insane.  

rachael looked regal in dark grey.  the one shouldered effect & messy ponytail kept the ensemble fresh and relaxed.

autumnal cheese platter with smoked gouda, cranberry stilton, carmelized goat & a peppery havarti

 hard cider inspired the menu that night... dear friend and brother Spencer is opening up Seattle's first hard cider bar in a few short months, so he was showing off his goodies.   have you ever tried hard cranberry cider?  so lush !

this cider had a heavy floral aroma --- and wasn't sweet.

George Washington's egg nog.  Baby girl & Ash didn't have any this time around, but normally one of my favorite boozey holiday traditions.  

orange scented rolls

brown transferware paired with rough beige linen and an old batik textile created an effect that was fancy but not stuffy.

notice the teeny tiny tv showing the football game ?! :) 

i layered different lace pieces, though unfortunately this picture doesn't really say so...

momma bear & her sweet son-in law, Garrett.  my mom & step father Tony's  four year wedding anniversary was on Thankgiving this year. 

pumpkin, pecan, lemon meringue (weird & delicious family tradition)  and berry pie were all sweet endings.

cozy fire crackled all night.

a halloween bash

Last night we had a Halloween bash.  I wore a spooky silk top (it was seriously "spooky"  bc it's such a creepy color, and i'm still not sure if i can pull off wearing it, or who could, for that matter. It's a v weird shade of chartreuse that has been in my closet for forever & i'm so intrigued by its peculiar ness that i can't seem to get rid of it, but also never ever wear it.  what a pity i don't have pics of me attempting to rock the unwearable top, bc i think it looked as fab as it ever will, paired with my enormous faux diamond chandeliers.  anyways, it definitely felt like a costume of sorts. think rich sixties momma to be .... )

kitschy bar snacks & mod black & white napkins.  

the drinks were cidery apple.  very autumn looking.

can you feel the subtle sixties ness of this dish?

pumpkin carving.

not sure if i should call my main dish a stew or a chili.  

salad of arugula, avocado, figs, roasted sweet potatoes and walnuts.

an autumn dinner

salad of papaya, avocado, cabbage and feta

washington apples baby

potatoes au gratin.  so yum.

backyard bunch of prettiness.

VIP guest, Rosa Parks, in spirit, at dinner ;)

peach pie.  i so pledge allegiance to you.

Hooray for love party recap from last weekend !

hooooray for love.  that's all i have to say, really, about everything...  this is becoming an annual fiesta, loosely tied in to la anniversary of David & Ash.  but really, it's just hooray for love.  4 eva.

george and dave. 

margot, joanne, and me :)

jeremy.

photo series of margot & silvio.  so darling...

the Fujiwara's

david.

greg.

judy.

hooray for love birds.  aviva & karol.

Chicken stuffed with basil & italian ham & cheeses.  roasted veggie & wild rice salad, plus a salad of strawberries and avocado & almonds.

hooray for love lanterns in ginger & brick rosey red

Berry pies & candlelight.  Yummy.

Rachael going strong with the camera phone, late night ;)

the most tuckered out men you can possibly imagine.  This was around 1 am -- Dave & Garrett were totally done in.