At Home with Kim Vallee

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | November 18, 2009

Achieving Turkey Perfection the Simplest Way

If you avoid the traditional Thanksgiving dishes because you feel it take too much work but your family request a roasted turkey, you will be pleased to know that Gourmet found a no-fuss way to cook a golden-brown skin turkey with moist, tender white and dark meat. Simply seasoned the turkey with salt and pepper, [...]

ENTERTAINING, TABLESCAPE | November 16, 2009

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Farmyard Tabletop for Thanksgiving

My goal was to create a Thanksgiving mood board that will not include gourds, pumpkins or a roasted turkey. I wanted a theme that mixed the old with the new. When I saw this adorable farmyard animal trays by Simrin, I found my starting point. Life after the harvest at the farm influenced my theme. Think [...]

ENTERTAINING, TABLESCAPE | November 11, 2009

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An Orange and Pure Linen Tabletop for Thanksgiving

I have a love affair with orange. Since it is not everyone’s favorite color, I enjoy the fact that I can pitch more orange tablescapes during autumn. The tabletop developed for a mid-class cozy café shows that you can create an impact by keeping things simple. The casual elegance of tabletop is something that you can [...]

ENTERTAINING, EVERYDAY entertaining | November 3, 2009

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Entertaining Essentials at IKEA

The easier road for stress-free entertaining is to equip yourself with versatile tableware. Casual chic tabletop is what most people are aiming for these days. After all, you celebrate amongst close friends and family. As I shopped at IKEA yesterday, I took pictures of tableware that delivers that spirit. I spotted affordable tableware that you will [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 28, 2009

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Everyday Housewares on your Thanksgiving Table

Here are two super affordable ideas to show creativity on your Thanksgiving tabletop without breaking the bank. At Bistro Chez Roger in Montreal, they use a 12-inch bread pan to serve bread. A clothespin becomes a casual napkin ring. So after the party, you are not stuck with 20 napkins rings that you will never [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 12, 2009

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving today. I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! If you are looking for very last-minute ideas for spruce up your table, go in your backyard or hurry to the market and use what Mother Nature provides this season. You can check my glamorous tabletop suggestions on HGTV.ca or get inspired by a [...]

ENTERTAINING, HOLIDAY entertaining | October 9, 2009

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Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

I composed this menu for people who are tired of eating roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. Instead, I favor dishes that I associate with a family dinner. This is simple menu suitable for autumn without going to the obvious pumpkins and root vegetable recipes. + The meal starts with a Rustic Mushroom and Cream Cheese Tart that [...]

ENTERTAINING, TABLESCAPE | October 2, 2009

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Tableware fitted for Halloween and Thanksgiving

When it comes to tableware, I prefer to get items that I will be able to reuse more than once a year. Halloween and Thanksgiving have a lot in common since they are both in autumn. It is even closer to the truth in Canada since we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October [...]