[ making pumpkins ]

IT'S Canadian Thanksgiving this coming weekend {it always seem to sneak up on me since it's so early in the fall} so I thought I'd better get going on a few decorations around here.

I've loved velvet pumpkins since I first saw them a few years ago but couldn't find the supplies I needed while in Dubai. So, now that we're back in Canada, I thought I would finally make a few to add to my antique dough bowl on my dining room table.

This is a very easy project and I had 5 of them made in less than a couple of hours. First, gather supplies...

tips: If you have trouble {like I did} finding velvets, you can use velour or low-pile fabric with a bit of a fuzz ~ really, anything can work if it's not too stiff. If you are using real stems, be sure to clean them well and bake them on a cookie sheet on low temp for a half hour or so to dry them out {or use some plastic ones from a craft or dollar store if you can find them}. The pumpkins turn out best if you use both beans {or pebbles or rice, etc} and craft stuffing to stuff them with. I used glass pebbles I found at the dollar store which I prefer to natural beans or rice if I plant to store them for future years. For glue, I used E-6000 glue but I'm sure a glue gun would work well. 

Trace a plate on the backside of the fabric and cut out...

Sew a running stitch all the way around the circle...

Fill with pebbles about 1/3 and then fill the rest with craft stuffing and pull tight, careful not to break the thread {I used double thread or you can try dental floss for added strength}...

Sew hole closed by pulling edges together and knot off thread. I went one step further and pushed my needle down through the middle of the pumpkin to the bottom to create one big stitch and pulled it back up which added a cute little pinch to the pumpkin shape but this is optional...

Glue on stem and you're done!

You can make them various sizes in a variety of fabrics and they make a charming little grouping. And the best part is, they'll be ready for you again next year!

Happy crafting!

lisa

[ soup's on! ]

THERE'S nothing like a warm, comforting bowl of soup on a cool day. This chicken and rice soup recipe is so easy and you can freeze individual portions so they're ready anytime. Enjoy with a warm slice of homemade bread for the ultimate in comfort food.

lisa's chicken and rice soup

what you need:

1 tbsp butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp flour

6 cups chicken stock or broth

3 cups water

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 uncooked boneless chicken breasts (or thighs)

1/2 cup brown rice

1/2 cup long grain rice

1 tbsp chicken bouillon

1/2 cup sliced shiitake or button mushrooms

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)

2 tbsp light sour cream or plain yogurt

salt and pepper to taste

how to:

Melt butter in a large pot on medium heat. Add onion and saute until soft. Add flour and stir around for another minute.

Add chicken broth, water, garlic, celery, brown rice and chicken. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add long grain rice, chicken bouillon, mushrooms and frozen vegetables. Cover and simmer on low for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove chicken breasts from pot and shred with two forks. Return to pot and add sour cream. Add more water if soup seems too thick for your liking. Heat through. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve.

Makes 6-8 servings. Enjoy!

lisa

[ happy weekend, Thanksgiving and Eid ]

TO ALL of my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving weekend! 

{aren't these Lily Pulitzer-inspired pumpkins cute?}

Here in Dubai, we're heading into Eid-al-Adha, otherwise known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honour the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to follow Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

Eid-al-Adha also marks the end of Hajj - the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca {in Saudi Arabia}, a religious duty that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in their lifetime. It is the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year. The Hajj is a solidarity of the Muslim people and their submission to Allah.

[Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca during Hajj]

The pilgrimage to Mecca {the holiest city in the religion of Islam} is considered to stretch back thousands of years. Processions of muslim people converge simultaneously on Mecca on the week of the Hajj to perform a series of rituals which end with the sacrifice of an animal, whose meat is then given to charity and shipped to poor people around the world. The celebration of Eid-al-Adha then begins.

~

So whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, Eid or just the end of a week, have a wonderful one!

lisa

[pumpkins via ppeachyykkeenn.tumblr.com; mosque via flickr]

[ the denim shirt ]

WHETHER you call it a denim shirt, a jean shirt or a chambray shirt, it's pretty much everywhere right now. I remember having one back in the early 90s {along with my overalls} and haven't thought much about them since. But I've been seeing more and more of them in mags and in the shops and they are proving to be a very versatile item...

as a simple shirt with skinnies or pants...

paired with a pretty skirt or dress...

or layered under sweaters and jackets...

and don't be afraid to bling it out...

So whether you are cleaning out the barn or going out for a chic dinner with friends, the denim shirt will take you there! 

I decided to add one to my wardrobe and found this light washed one from Tommy Hilfiger...

I think the light version is the most versatile for me here in Dubai ~ nothing too heavy for our hot climate. So are you adding a denim shirt to your wardrobe this season?

lisa

[via allforfashiondesign.com; fashforfashion; pinterest; leblogdemok.blogspot; breakfastatfaymes.tumblr; prepfection.tumblr; fashion-district.org; theberry.com; atlantic-pacific.blogspot; typemystyle.com; meggielynn.tumblr; fashion.teenvogue.com; unitedcolorsofbenetton;  fashiondivadesign.com; closetcravings.com; allforfashion.com; fashiondivadesign.com; stylemeetsy.blogspot; jaimen.tumblr; pinterest; pinterest; heartfeltconfessions.com; swankanddapper.com]

[ updates and such ]

I THOUGHT I'd post some little updates as to what's been going on around here.

1} Remember that gorgeous Pottery Barn jug I scored for $25 on clearance {see post here}? Well, I couldn't help but go back and pick up a couple more! Check out the deals I got on these babies...

Of course my guy just rolled his eyes ~ I know, these things do have to ship from Dubai at some point. But I love them grouped together with my vintage little bottle collection. I think the three big ones will look fab on a big dining room table someday with a few cherry blossom branches.

2} Remember the post about unknowingly wearing mom jeans {see post here}? Well, after being absolutely horrified at what my butt might be looking like in the jeans I had {and believe me, once I tried them on, a couple pairs did get shuffled into the emergency wear only pile}, I went on a hunt for a new pair...

Keeping in mind the importance of pocket size and placement, I found these Red Herring jeans at Debenhams for only $38! {which was great since I really wasn't too keen on spending on designer jeans}. Thank goodness for fitting rooms with three-way mirrors!

3} Remember how I mentioned meeting up for coffee with a fellow blogger who just moved to Dubai? Well, I'm happy to report that she's settling in nicely and we've been able to meet up for a couple of breakfast dates...

4} I'm still reading Casual Vacancy and am only about 1/3 of the way through so far. It is definitely not an uplifting book so far and it does touch on some pretty disturbing topics and human behaviour. But having not read Harry Potter, I'm not comparing it in any way to her other writing so I think that might be a good thing since most reviews can't help but make the comparison. It's definitely not a book for kids, even though teenage characters play a big role. I'll keep you posted.

5} Remember my post about the popularity of brogues {see post here}? Well, I finally found some after quite a long search here in Dubai. These lovely leather ones I picked up at Topshop...

So that's about it in terms of updates!

One thing I'm loving right now is Adele's new song Skyfall for the upcoming James Bond 007 movie...

Have you heard it? I think it's classic 007 and her voice is so perfect for it. I just wish they'd bring back Pierce Brosnan as Bond.

We're still waiting for the weather to turn here in Dubai to something cool enough to get outside for some fresh air. Temps are still 100F (38C) and humid but I'm hoping within a few weeks we'll start seeing them drop a bit. 

I'm really missing my gorgeous autumn Muskoka river view...

I hope to someday have something equally as beautiful.

Happy weekend everyone!

lisa

[ painted pumpkins ]

I LOVE the idea of painting pumpkins ~ such a fun and easy way to put a funky spin on fall. How about these pretty pink pumpkins?

It's not a colour normally associated with fall and pumpkins but I love the modern spin on it. And the plaid is fun ~ so many pattern possibilities. Who says pumpkins need to be orange? 

Are you a painted pumpkin fan?

lisa

[chatelaine]

[ gobble gobble ]

HAPPY Thanksgiving to all of my American friends! Hope your holiday is filled with family, laughter and lots to gobble!

lisa

[beachhouseliving]

[ gather 'round the fire ]

ONE OF MY favourite things about November at our place in Muskoka was when the weather would become blustery - listening to the wind howl outside, that cold rain lashing at the windows and all the while, being all warm and cozy in front of the fire. The flicker of the flames, a warm cocoa in hand and a cuddly throw... I can't think of a more comforting spot to be.

And while we are now having the summer you all enjoyed a few of months ago, I miss our place. I know, I must be crazy!  But I miss cozy sweaters, warm socks after months of flip flops and snuggling in front of that fire.

lisa

[via: theselby; housecrush; belgianpearls; hgtv; stylebyemilyhenderson; 

seejaneparty; sea cottage; better homes and gardens]