Hello!

Whether you are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, or just beginning to lean into the festive season (or both!) I have lots of inspiration for you, with a little comfort and joy sprinkled in too.

This is such a beautiful in-between moment - a week full of gratitude and the first twinkle of Christmas, all at once. I love the quiet magic late November brings. Christmas lights are beginning to appear and the evenings feel cosier. Everything seems to touched with a gentle glow, even on soggy, rainy days, if you look hard enough.

I'm savouring the small rituals that make this season feel so special - my first hot chocolate, holiday movies after supper, putting on my biggest, warmest jumper (sweater) and going for a brisk walk on a crisp day and making a relaxed start on the Christmas decorations. These moments feel so comforting and restorative.

And of course, I am enjoying lots of time in the kitchen too. With US Thanksgiving coming up this week, it felt like the perfect time to revisit one of my favourite side dishes, Celery, Apricot and Pecan Stuffing. Full of colour and flavour, it works beautifully as a side dish at Christmas too.

I have also been baking a few seasonal treats that make the whole house smell like autumn and the holidays. Last Sunday (23rd November) was Stir-Up Sunday and I made our Christmas Cake, using the treasured recipe that has been in our family for four generations. I'll be baking my Gluten-Free Christmas Cake later this week as well. And yes, I'm still very much in pumpkin season (more about that later!).

Wherever you find yourself this week, whether it is gathering, hosting, travelling or simply enjoying the early sparkle of the festive season, I hope you find plenty of heartwarming inspiration in all I have to share today.

Behind The Scenes

It has been a lovely few weeks. We’ve been in London a couple of times recently, taking in the very first Christmas windows — the windows at Fortnum and Mason are my favourites so far — and enjoying a matinee of The Devil Wears Prada, which was such fun. We also treated ourselves to a stay at the elegant Raffles OWO Hotel. There was a gorgeous day with friends in Covent Garden as well; the Christmas decorations there are always so special.

Back at home, I have been leaning into the gentle practice of gratitude with my journal. It is nothing complicated, just a few quiet moments with a cup of tea and a pen. I find it relatively easy to fit in even when I am super busy and it is amazing how grounding these small rituals can be, especially at this time of year.

Do you use a gratitude journal or have another gratitude practice? Please reply to this email and let me know!

Speaking of small rituals that bring joy, with Thanksgiving and the festive season kind of overlapping this week, I'm sharing recipes that will bring comfort and deliciousness to your table, whether you are hosting, contributing a dish or simply treating yourself at home.

In My Kitchen

I am working on developing lots of Christmas recipes (I'll be sharing more in my next newsletter), but I am still leaning into the Thanksgiving/autumn side of things with pumpkin and spice as well!

Apricot, Celery & Pecan Stuffing

Make your holiday stuffing unforgettable with this easy, flavour-rich recipe full of crisp celery, plump dried apricots and crunchy pecans.

Get the recipe

Sugar Cookies

Perfect for any occasion, these old-fashioned cut-out cookies are fun to make and decorate. They make a great snowy/rainy afternoon project!

Try the recipe

Spicy Pumpkin Bundt Cake

I'm taking this wonderful cake, perfect for serving a crowd, along to my friends' Thanksgiving celebration. There's a gluten-free option too!

Here's the recipe

Easy Pumpkin Cake

An easy, crowd-pleasing Pumpkin Cake you can customise — add walnuts or pecans, raisins, both or neither. It's delicious frosted or plain.

Recipe here

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This week I'm...

leaning into wearing more colour as the days get colder and darker. It makes me feel energised and really lifts my mood. For ideas to bring more light, energy and colour into your wardrobe without feeling conspicuous or breaking the bank, don't miss my tips on Adding Colour To Your Wardrobe on the website now.

Reading - some of my favourite Christmas cookbooks. I find myself reading cookbooks like novels...Is it just me or do you do that too?

Watching - Timeless Christmas on Hallmark TV * (affiliate link - I've just discovered to my delight that Hallmark TV is available by subscription in the UK if you have Amazon Prime and I subscribed immediately!)

Listening to - The Eat Capture Share Podcast with Kimberly Espinel

Thinking about - Signature colours and fragrances for an upcoming article. I'm pretty sure my signature colour is blue! And at the moment, I wear either Coeur Battant by Louis Vuitton or Pure Extrême by M. Micallef. Do you have a signature colour or wear a particular fragrance most of the time? I would love to know!

Planning - more Christmas and New Year content. My late Mom's mincemeat recipe is coming soon!

That's all for now. If you are celebrating Thanksgiving, I hope it is filled with warmth, good food and the people you love. And wherever you are this week, I am wishing you comfort, joy and a beautifully gentle start to the holiday season. I’m so grateful you are here.

Thank you so much again for being a subscriber. Remember you can reply to this email with any questions, comments, suggestions or just to say hi. I love to hear from you.

Warmly,

April x