Here at Starr Style, we recently celebrated a Thanksgiving season steeped in tradition and punctuated by two inspiring artistic events.
Beginning in 2003 and each year thereafter, my best friend, Gloria, has traveled from her home on Long Island arriving in Atlanta the weekend before Thanksgiving. We always make the most of those first few days together before the holiday. Our must do’s include getting massages, shopping at Macy’s, perusing the books in Borders and Barnes & Noble where we each purchase the same new Christmas novel (this years choice – An Amish Christmas by Cynthia Keller), Gingerbread Lattes at Starbucks and lunch at our favorite spot in Buckhead, Basils.
Dressed like the Bobbsie Twins at our annual “catch up on everything” lunch at Basils!
Early in the week, we set aside a time to plan our totally vegetarian Thanksgiving Day menu. Some of our recipes are old favorites that grace the table every year and others are brand new and test our skills in the arena of gourmet veggie cooking. Then each day before the big day we do a little shopping until we have everything we need.
Starr & Gloria’s 2010 Thanksgiving Day Menu
Breakfast
Spiced Apple & Cranberry Crepes with Mascarpone
Lunch
Zesty Pumpkin Soup
Cranberry Maple Scones
Dinner
Favorite Broccoli Salad
Mushroom, Cheese & Vegetable Strudel
“Veggie” Sausage, Pecan & Apple Stuffing
Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry Sauce
Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole
Succotash
Dessert
Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Browned Butter Glaze
Spiced Pumpkin Mousse Trifle
Adding to our enjoyment of this years Thanksgiving season was Denis’ participation in the Work Of Our Hands Art Show where he exhibited 10 paintings of which he sold 4!
Signing the paintings
At the Reception
with Roopa
and Gloria
FANTASTICAL FLORALS
by
Denis Pellerin
Adrien arrived home from college early morning mid-week. After a quick breakfast featuring one of my signature omelettes, he was out of the door and headed over to his old high school, the Atlanta International School, where he would spend most of his fall break rehearsing for the alumni production of Fake It Til You Make It, as part of the week long celebration for the school’s 25th Anniversary.
Every Thanksgiving morning, Gloria and I meet up in the kitchen at 9:00 am to commence our marathon cooking session. With the t.v. tuned to the Macy’s Day Parade in the morning and then the Food Network for most of the rest of the day, we work through each recipe.
Once the Rockettes appear, we know that Santa will not be far behind at which time we declare that it is officially the Christmas Season!
This is where you will find us all day on Thanksgiving!
Apples & Cranberries = The Sight and Smell of Thanksgiving!
Our Thanksgiving Table always boasts a beautiful bouquet from Gloria. This year, lilies in shades of gold, pumpkin and russet.
Val and Martha always arrive from Massachusetts just in time for dinner at 8!
Looking East…
Looking West…
Gloria serves up her Masterpiece Trifle!
After dinner we burned some calories
Dancing With The Stars
on the Wii!
Just as we had for me this time last year, it was time to celebrate Gloria with a Wise Woman Party.
Gloria, Starr & Roopa
A Prosecco Toast to Gloria at Murphy’s in Virginia Highlands
On Saturday night, we all enjoyed a wonderful show at the Atlanta International School. In honor of the school’s 25th Anniversary and the 13th year of the theatre department, 88 alumni students traveled to Atlanta from all over the USA and abroad to appear in this very special theatrical event. Act I featured scenes recreated from shows that these students had appeared in at AIS while they were in high school. It was great to see Adrien take the stage again in scenes and musical numbers from Metamorphoses, Grease and Into The Woods. Act II presented the heartbreakingly good short play, Dog Sees God, in which Adrien and 7 others brilliantly portrayed the Charlie Brown characters all grown up and experiencing many aspects of teenage angst. The after party in the architecturally beautiful new Science and Design building on the AIS campus was a glamorous affair! Bravo, AIS Alumni Thespians!
Gloria, Starr & Roopa on the Red Carpet!
With the Man of the Hour!
We bid Val and Martha farewell early on Sunday morning. Later that day we celebrated Adrien’s 20th Birthday! Philippe, Amanda and our precious little Gigi joined in the fun.
Ready, Set…Crackers!!!
Nana*Starr
Uncle Adrien
Happy Birthday!!!
After our birthday treat of chocolate mousse and raspberries, we took some family portraits…
Bro’s
Auntie Gloria!
And it wouldn’t be a celebration at our house without a family sing-song around the piano…
Adrien
November 28, 2010
9:04 p.m.
Exactly 20 Years Old!
That evening we dropped Adrien off at Hartsfield for his return flight to Houston. One more week of classes for him and then one week of finals before he returns home to Atlanta for a well deserved winter holiday break. Good luck, son!
Gloria’s last full day in Atlanta was jam packed! It began with breakfast at the famous Landmark Diner with our friends and realtors, Lance and John. After breakfast we enjoyed viewing several condo properties in metro Atlanta to give Gloria an idea of what was available should she decide to finally become a southern belle.
Next was another highlight for us, Holiday Afternoon Tea at the St. Regis Hotel, details of which are worthy of their own post, so stay tuned to Starr Style!!!
And finally, together with our friend, Deb, we ventured out on that very cold and rainy night to see Burlesque. It was a wonderful film, entertaining from beginning to end, chock full of fabulous musical numbers, gorgeous costumes, beautiful people and the inimitable, Cher!
Alas, the next morning it was time for Gloria to leave her adopted home, Atlanta, GA, and begin the next leg of her journey where she would be visiting her sister, Phyllis in lovely Williamsburg, VA.
Such a great time with such a great friend!
My heart is so full,
Starr
