designed: a Christmas-y Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at our apartment again this year. I also used folks coming over as an excuse to get a head start on the Christmas decorating! Here are some pictures of the table all set and the tree a' glowing. I love to use my Grandmother's china, the pattern is Wedgwood Florentine, the linens were bought during a trip to Brussels and the glassware is Ikea ;) Also on the drop leaf claw foot table from my other Grandmother are citron votives from Anthropologie, a pewter leaf platter from Southern Homes & Gardens and extra greenery from our giant Douglas Fir Christmas tree. My next post will be all about the decorations in more detail!

Oh and I made breakfast casserole to watch during the Thanksgiving Day Parade and to tide us over until dinner. It is dee-lish! And oh so very simple. I make it every time I'm having folks over for a big holiday. Its great because you can make it the night before and then when you get up just pop it into the oven while you're making the coffee. I got the original recipe from my Mom but I've tweaked it to be a little bit healthier... So you will need

1 loaf of nutty whole rain bread

1 block cheese - use the good stuff, I like aged Cheddar or Gruyere

1 to 2 packages of apple chicken sausage

8-12 eggs - enough to cover the bread and sausage

1 cup of milk (skim!)

2 good sized tablespoonfuls of spicy Dijon mustard

and salt + pepper

First, spray the casserole dish with cooking spray. Tear the bread into small pieces and cover the bottom of the pan. Cut up the sausage into small pieces and brown in a frying pan with a little olive oil. Add to the bread. In a bowl mix the eggs, milk, mustard and salt + pepper. pour over bread and sausage. Lastly top it all with lots of cheese. Cover and refrigerate. Cook at 350 for approximately 45 minutes, or until the eggs set.

You will be the most popular and adored cooking goddess when you serve this casserole for your loved ones on holiday mornings!

PS- this goes great with mimosas!

xoxo Lea