Harvest & Gather: A Thanksgiving Recap

By Withthegrains @WithTheGrains

November 2013

I’ve read the story numerous times: The economy was bad. A layoff occurred. Life [and bills] were a bit scary, but creativity prevailed. Then the transformative happened- the tale’s protagonist began to do what he or she had truly been yearning to do. I’ve read that narrative on numerous occasions, but recently, I found myself reciting it with a first-person pronoun.

If life had followed my plans, this moment might never have arrived, but here I am pursuing styling and creative direction with all my focus. It is scary on some days, but mostly I am so relieved the major obstacle keeping me in bed in the morning is old man winter and not that “I don’t want to go to work” feeling. Thanksgiving proved to be an apt time to sit back and appreciate all the little synchronicities leading to this memorable gathering.

Through one of my recent creative connections, a new collaboration has been born, one which I am excited to share in more detail as details form, but for now, this is just a sneak peek. This Thanksgiving marked the soft-opening for a collaboration between myself and floral & event designer Thommy Conroy.

Harvest & Gather is what happens when our obsessive love of beauty and details and wholesome, homemade food combine. It is event design for good gatherings, and this is just the beginning! Stay tuned here for the recipes from our Thanksgiving meal, and stay tuned to Harvest & Gather for more creative endeavors.

Harvest & Gather
Thanksgiving 2013

To Drink

Wild Turkey & Sage Cider Punch

To Share
Cheeseboard with local Bee Boy Honey

To Eat

Squash Soup with apples, walnuts & creme fraiche

Allegro Hearth Bakery bread basket with Cardamom Browned Butter

Mini Turkey Pot Pies

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Crested Duck Cajon Bacon

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Grapes

Sausage & Pear Rye Bread Stuffing

Champagne Cranberry Sauce

To Rest

Mixed Greens, Port Poached Pears, Slivered Almonds, Drunken Goat Cheese & Maple Vinaigrette

Something Sweet…

Chocolate Pecan Tart

Pumpkin Bars

Cranberry, Orange Flourless Chocolate Cake

To Sip

Cinnamon Rum & Pumpkin Punch

All photos in this post were taken by my talented friend Chris Goodman.