Countryside Thanksgiving

The countryside, a quiet and picturesque setting, is a perfect place to give thanks and revisit one's blessings during the Thanksgiving holiday.  This year it is more tranquil than usual since family, friends and neighbors are staying close to home.  However, the opportunity to share good wishes for Thanksgiving is still attainable.  There are ways in which one can contribute to the Thanksgiving spirit even during these turbulent times, such as preparing a scrumptious dish to leave at the door of a family member, friend or neighbor.  Although enjoyed separately, a homemade meal is prepared with love and is always welcomed.  It is an appreciated alternative to gathering together for the holiday dinner while there are pandemic restrictions and is a way of staying close, even if it is close at heart.  

Another way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday is to join me and other tablescape designers who are participating in this week's Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop starting the morning of Tuesday, November 3, 2020.  Ms. Chloe Crabtree has worked hard to organize this end of the year holiday hop which brings big smiles and joy to many readers, especially at a time we are more at home and separated from others during this virus.  So cozy up with a blanket, a cup of tea or coffee and visit each of the links below to take pleasure in the variety of holiday tablescapes.

I decided to entitle this holiday tablescape, Thanksgiving in the Countryside, since my challenge in its design was to use a neutral color palette to exemplify the simplicity and a peaceful calm that living in the country brings.  My choice of table covering led me to combine both an ecru lace tablecloth (a beautiful gift from my sister) and a lovely ecru, taupe and white square/paisley design shawl as a runner.  The gentle colors evokes a sense of tranquility and the decor needed to reflect that as well.  Therefore, a single tray filled with gourds, apples, sprigs of pine and pinecones made a simple and colorful centerpiece which helped to enhance the cream-colored, raised pinecone dinnerware set.

The ecru tablecloth underneath the shawl is pulled back in the photo below to show the lovely lace design.

With the chair pulled out, you can see the delicate lace pattern of the ecru tablecloth.  It is definitely my favorite lace tablecloth.  

Much of my inspiration for this tablescape came from the countryside itself.  Nature---in all of its glory.

Since a large roasted turkey is not on the menu this year for Thanksgiving, dinner is made up of some comfort food.  For this quiet holiday, I will serve up some Beef Roll Mops, just like my mother use to make. (See recipe below.)  Beef round steak slices pounded down for tenderness, lined with bacon slices, onion and spices and rolled up into flavorful rolls brings happiness to both appetite and mood.  The beef roll mops, which mom so lovingly use to make for the family, was always immersed in rich, creamy gravy.  A thick gravy which was poured over buttery mashed potatoes and served with some home canned pickled beets.  What could be more comforting than this along with the wonderful memories?  

Beef Roll Mops

1 1/2 pounds of beef round steak, thinly sliced and pounded 

1/2 pound, smoked, thick sliced bacon

1 or 2 sliced sweet onions

1 - 2 T powdered garlic

salt

pepper

paprika

turmeric

2 -3 T butter

2 C beef broth

1 T cornstarch and 1/2 C water to thicken gravy

Optional:  

4 or more dill pickles, lengthwise into quarters

Pound each beef slice to a thin slice and season with garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and turmeric.  Top with slices of back and onion and roll sides in as you roll the beef slice tightly into a roll.  Secure each roll with a wood toothpick and season with spices, if needed.   (You can add a long quartered piece of dill pickle in each roll mop, if you prefer, but I omitted it due to its high salt content.)

Braise the roll mops in the butter until golden brown and add the beef broth.  Cover and cook until tender, making sure the broth doesn't cook out.  Cook until tender and add more broth or water, if necessary.  Thicken the gravy with the cornstarch and water and mix until the appropriate consistency.  Adjust spices, if necessary.  Serve over creamy mashed potatoes and pickled beets.

A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with the savory beef roll mops and rich chocolate.  To embellish each wine glass, I added my own wood circle wine glass label charm.  Made with small slices of wood painted with chalkboard paint and decorated with gold paper designs (maple leaf, crabapple leaf, apple and evergreen tree) and covered with Mod Podge and fine glitter.  Each one is tied to the stem of the wine glass which adds a slight rustic detail to the table.  

And for dessert, it must include some chocolate.  Since the garden zucchini was shredded and frozen for the winter, a moist chocolate zucchini bread is a great way to finish the day.  

This recipe is a must to share.  So if you have an abundance of shredded zucchini from your garden, give this recipe a try.  You won't be disappointed.

Rich Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

1 C all-purpose flour

1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powdered or Dutch process cocoa

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 C soft unsalted butter

2 large eggs at room temperature

1/4 C vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 or 3/4 C brown sugar

1 1/2 C peeled, (deseeded, if too large) shredded zucchini

1 1/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Spray bread loaf pan with cooking spray and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, blend eggs, butter, oil, vanilla and brown sugar.  In a separate bowl blend, flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda.  Slowly, blend mixed dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until blended thoroughly.  Add shredded zucchini and combine.  Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to batter and incorporate.  Pour batter into loaf pan and sprinkle with 1/4 C of additional chocolate chips.   Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.  Let cool before removing it from pan.  

One last mention before we move on to viewing some of the finest Thanksgiving tablescapes in the Thanksgiving Blog Hop from Chloe.  I want to take a moment to thank everyone who sent their endearing and heartfelt wishes for the arrival of my grandson, Owen.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to share such good news with you.  I certainly do look forward to being in the "grandma club!"  Thank you so much.

Now saving the best for last......Enjoy these amazing Thanksgiving holiday tablescapes with the thought that we are all together even though we are physically apart.  May you feel thankful and have gratefulness in your heart even during these trying moments.  May God bless all of you and keep you all in his love and protection.

Celebrate & Decorate

Sweet Sensations

Me and My Captain

Belle Blue Interiors

The Little Yellow Corner Store

Panoply

Life and Linda

Our Crafty Mom

White Arrows Home

Living With Thanksgiving

Debbee's Buzz

Home is Where the Boat Is

Everyday Living

Red Cottage Chronicles

The Painted Apron 

My Hubbard Home

Calypso in the Country

Zucchini Sisters

At Home With Jemma