The First Friendsgiving

My friend Rosie and I have gotten pretty stoked on hosting get-togethers with friends lately. I know that may sound silly, because it sounds so simple and like something we should be doing as often as possible – but it’s actually something that I am starting to take a bit of pride in. With the world as busy as it is and the chaos of everybody’s schedules, it can be hard to bring everyone together. So taking the time to put together events that bring loved ones together to most importantly enjoy each others company has become very important to me – and hey, some fabulous food and table decor to go along with the event doesn’t hurt either.

There really is something just so special about that simple pleasure; preparing and then enjoying food with friends, don’t you think?. It sounds like such an obvious truth, but I think in today’s world, it’s gotten so easy for us to lose touch with these simple joys; the joy of sitting among friends or family, enjoying good food, drinks and real conversation. Taking the time to slow down and disconnect from distractions of our modern world to really enjoy the happiness in the company of others. I don’t ever want to lose track of what’s really important in this life…

I think that was why I was so adamant about throwing a couple of Friendsgivings this year – I wanted to create the opportunity for us friends to experience that again. I feel like it is especially important now.  I’m so excited it was a success, and am looking forward to it becoming a new tradition.

Before this year, I had never been to or hosted a Friendsgiving. I have very shyly suggested the idea a couple of times, but have never really been met with much enthusiasm before. So this year when I turned to Rosie a few weeks ago and said “WE SHOULD HOST A FRIENDSGIVING!” I was happy to be met with the same enthusiasm level – I can always count on Rosie to want to play Martha Stewart and get super extra with me. So that’s just what we did.

We set up a table in the backyard, I brought over my vintage chairs (yes I actually transported these chairs for Friendsgiving… don’t judge), we picked up some inexpensive florals, and each of us contributed a few pieces of serveware and voila! We had a beautiful Friendsgiving set up on our hands.

For the table decor, we kept it pretty simple with fresh Eucalyptus, pumpkins and a few candles. We had some fun with the chairs, by making little individualized flower bundles to hang off of the back of each seat. It looked adorable, and then everyone was able to take one home – kind of like a party favour. We hung a few string lights, and had a couple throws on hand for when it cooled off later in the evening. All in all, a simple yet cozy set up.

As for the food – we did it up potluck style. It was a good decision.

There were so many wonderful things about today, but I think each of us bringing a dish that we put our heart and soul into for others to enjoy was my favourite part. It was so much fun to hear the pride in each others voices as we described our dishes, and it was even better to get to enjoy them together.

My contribution to our first Friendsgiving was of course baking related. I made a batch of Brown Butter Dinner Rolls – using a recipe from one of my favourite baking bloggers @tutti_dolci that  I have been dying to try – and let me just tell you, they were absolutely amazing. There was not a single roll left in the pan, and everybody was raving about them. So if you’re looking for a killer bun recipe to bring to your Thanksgiving table this year, look no further than this one here.

I also had the pleasure of bringing an item for dessert, and I went for a classic; Pumpkin Pie. It was a good decision. And if you are looking for a no-fail Pumpkin Pie recipe I’ve got you covered. A couple years back I shared my all-time favourite Pumpkin Pie recipe. The recipe is straight from the hands of my Grandma Baker (can you actually believe her last name was baker?) You just can’t make this stuff up. That truly was her name, and an amazing baker she was.

She passed away a few years ago now, and as sad as I am that I don’t have her around to bake up her famous pumpkin pie, and serve me a slice with an extra large dollop of fresh whipped cream anymore; I’m grateful for all the time we got to spend together. Grateful for all of our Thanksgivings spent cramped in the kitchen with my her and my mum, baking up a mountain of desserts – not because we needed them, for our little family dinner, but because we simply couldn’t help ourselves. And I’m especially grateful that I can honour her memory, by carrying on the special tradition of baking her incredible pie – exactly according to her handwritten recipe, because it needs not be messed with.

Yes, I will be forever grateful for Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie, and all of the beautiful memories that come along with it; Memories from years ago, and memories that I’m making right here and now. I brought this pie to our Friendsgiving dinner, and it was such a special feeling to be able to take it outside of our family and share and enjoy it with friends; Because it really is such a special thing to share good food with people that you love. Food that is made with love, and care, and the intent to bring people comfort and joy.

Happy Thanksgiving friends.

KP xoxo