After the holidays there is a tendency to hibernate until the appearance of crocuses lure us from our winter repose. Look to the cooler months as a time to celebrate simply and regularly, such as a light afternoon tea without the stuffy customs.

A palette of frosted blue, silver and neutrals bring in light and awaken the senses. Pull in a theme, such as pears and colorful baker’s twine, then add delicate touches to finish the look.

3 steps to a simple winter gathering:

1. Choose pieces with Gustavian colors to compose a wintry scene that warms the spirit.
2. Serve elegant chocolates and a baker’s mix of cookies that complement the setting. Green tea is a warm, healthy beverage that follows the scheme.
3. Set with a variety of heights with pedestal plates and a mix of pieces to fill out the vignette. Even children’s dishes and books liven up the table.

When hosting our annual Thanksgiving dinner I tend to channel those Oscar winning actresses who decide hours before the event on what they will wear. While I am not on a designer coveted-one-to-dress-list, a girl can dream, I play dress up on the tablescape.

Over the years I have acquired a variety of tabletop pieces, either from pestering family members who retired their holiday hostess post or scouring thrift stores. As with dressing for an event, have fun by falling into the caprice of the moment.

Ways to simplify a memorable holiday table:

1. Linchpin: Select your tabletop collection and create the theme around those pieces.
2. Simplify: Restrain from pulling out all your trusted entertaining wares, which only adds chaos, and highlight your quality pieces.
3. Mix: Weave in traditional with newer pieces for an updated look that shows a signature look.
4. Natural: Save on pricey floral arrangements that will crowd the table over natural elements that add to the decor. Fruit, leaves and candles bring in color and warmth.
5. Linens: Keep it simple, and fuss free, by eschewing a tablecloth for a runner, table mats or simply napkins nestled within a holder.

Chili and I go way back. What was once designated as the only lunch option from base mountain restaurants has become a cool weather staple. As we experience the transition from summer to fall, the palette makes the transition from salad weather to chili weather. Now that embers shoot from old stone fireplaces and mini tornadoes of leaves skim the roads, I find that I am pulling out my spicy seasonings and the big cooking pot that will feel the simmer of the stove for half the day.

As with most dependable recipes, I will deviate from the basic ingredients with whatever looks good at the market.

Basic Chili

Serves 5

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

2 gloves of garlic

2 medium carrots, diced

1 small red pepper, diced

3 lbs. lean ground meat

1 ounce Italian stewed tomatoes

1 chili seasoning pack

1/2 cup red beans

1/2 cup black beans

Directions:

Drizzle olive oil into a large cooking pot and simmer garlic, pepper and carrots till soft.

Add meat and break up until brown with a wooden spoon, then add beans.

Add seasonings and tomatoes. Stir until blended.

Turn heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.

Serve with sour cream, fresh cilantro and bread.

Resources:

All-clad pot: http://www.all-clad.com/

Casserole dish: http://www.lecreuset.com/heritage-round-casserole

White chili bowls: http://www.emilehenryusa.com/

Whether it’s the autumnal decor or calendar blotted with competing plans, rumblings of Thanksgiving are happening in our household. We may eschew a trip to avoid the holiday chaos, which leaves our home as the natural destination.

1. Submit Seasonal for Holiday

Unless it’s vintage, decorating with turkeys and pilgrims is the same as assuming a Parisian flat crammed with Eiffel Tower trinkets. Let the mood of the season inspire your setting. Focus on personalized details over an expected annual setting. While this may be rebellion from when I had to polish the silver from my childhood holidays, you are sure to earn more ohs and ahs by tweaking tradition.

2. What to Serve?

If there is one holiday where you should not deviate from the traditional menu it’s Thanksgiving. Being served a rack of lamb over turkey and stuffing could cause a boycott from your guests. This is not the intention of a true hostess. Even if you don’t like mashed potatoes and gravy your palette craves traditional foods on the last Thursday of November. In fact, we can safely assume what Americans will be eating on Thanksgiving. The trick is supplement with a variety of choices like apple cider donuts for breakfast if you have overnight guests and pumpkin bread and corn muffins.

3. Setting the Table with Pizzazz

While formal dinnerware is great for newly marrieds who want to showcase their matrimonial goods, I prefer simple white dinnerware and weave in current accents. Working with a color scheme of gold, autumnal colors and touches of blue for a personalized note through accessories like the table runner, banners, floral centerpiece and drinking goblets.

4. In the Details

Bring in details that both cater to guests and show style, like a bouquet of barber striped straws in complimentary colors, salt cellars filled with seasoning and colorful paper napkins secured with holders to minimize cleanup.

5. The Kid Table

Set a toned down, more jovial version of your decor’s theme with the children’s table. Delineate the kid area with a holiday banner. Add leaves, colored pencils and paper for a playful touch, along with a Thanksgiving box and have young guests write what they are thankful for. Children can guess the writer and take turns reading. Chalkboard placemats occupy moments of lull. Edible centerpieces, such as a turkey pineapple or melon with feathered fruit skewers, is a whimsical and healthy addition.

6. Sweet Options

While customary pie may get the most rounds of helpings, add other sweet choices to your dessert selection, such as candy apples with a sampling of tea, coffee, cinnamon hot chocolate and warm apple cider.

Resources:

Barber stripes paper straws: www.etsy.com/listing/167602253/paper-straw-20-pcs-thanksgiving-paper

Tassel garland: https://www.etsy.com/listing/175170083/fiesta-tassel-garland-birthday-party.

Fall bunting: https://www.etsy.com/listing/204618632/woodland-photography-banner-prop

Give Thanks banner: https://www.etsy.com/listing/205311578/handmade-burlap-and-gold-glitter-fabric

Burlap runner: eabdesigns.etsy.com

Autumn Thanksgiving leaves: $12. leafdecor.etsy.com

Cocktail napkins: http://www.henhouselinens.com/

Goblets: http://www.arteitalica.com/

Dinnerware: http://www.villeroy-boch.com/

Gold placemats: http://www.chilewich.com/store

Chalkboard placemats: http://www.surlatable.com

Wooden cutlery: http://www.ecowareproducts.com/

Candy apples: http://www.mrsprindables.com/