Tis the gift to be simple.

I've been sitting at my desk, with my chin in my hands, trying to think of something relevant to talk about this week. But really, I'm feeling like Charlie Brown, (or Sally, rather). What's it all about?

I hope I can slow down, and drink in this week. Live a little more like Linus would. This weekend, I spent a few hours piddling around with a Thanksgiving playlist, thinking about the lyrics as much as the music. It starts off with this:

Simple Gifts

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
’tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight"

I hope this morning finds you in the place just right.

Here is a beautiful version recorded by Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss

Or click here to listen to my Thanksgiving playlist on Spotify It goes quickly from the comtemplative Yo-Yo Ma, onward to Van Morrison to Marvin Gaye. (But warning - your kids might hate the first bit).

And see below for a couple ideas on how to keep it simple and drink in this week. I am so thankful for all of you and for the kind and creative thoughts you continually send me.

Happy Thanksgiving,
xxx Meg

Use vegetables as your centerpiece
Just add votives. Here is a link to oodles of natural fall tablescapes, many without flowers.

Spend some time with Mr. Rogers

Watch It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood with Tom Hanks.
Or just watch this scene of the man himself ...

The Fred Rogers Moment That Made Tom Hanks Bawl His Eyes Out

“It made me bawl my eyes out,” said Hanks, who plays Rogers in the film. “It was just so [amazing]. It’s one of the reasons why I’m in the movie.” Read his story in Vanity Fair here.

Simple studs

Black Friday week special for our dear readers - take 20% all studs through Sunday 11/29 with code READER

Or - add veggies to your flowers
This is an arrangement I was playing around with last week (find the turnip and the carrots). Everything came from Safeway, with berries and leaves from my garden. Link for Simple Fall Flowers and Fruits Tablescape here. For a beautiful guide to arranging with fruits and flowers, click here.

Consider the Owl in the Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Celebrate the wonder of this little guy's three day journey in the famous Christmas tree, and his soon to be release back into the wild. Click for story here.

Simple pearl studs
Use the code READER for 20% all studs this week. Also drink in the beautiful wallpaper in the background of this image, by Nina Campbell for Osborne and Little. My wallpaper obsession lives strong - more on that to come.