The Legend of Frieda’s Strawberry Cake
There are five birthdays in my family in the month of February and almost always this strawberry cake is requested. My brother Jim and Mother loved it, too, when their April and August birthdays came ’round. And it’s my nephew’s go-to dessert as...
Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes – The Way Mother Made Them
It’s winter, and I love getting in the kitchen to make comfort food. Warming up the house with the heat from the oven – leaving it slightly open when I turn it off to give warmth to my bones. I craved potatoes recently, and not baked or fried, but...
January Isn’t for Hustling: 30 Simple Joys to Start the Year Gently
January has a way of whispering when the rest of the year shouts. After the noise of the holidays—the schedules, the gatherings, the expectations—January arrives quietly. And yet, we often meet it with lists, resolutions, and the subtle feeling that we should already...
Packing Away Christmas with Intention: How Culling, Zones, and a Simple Checklist Make Decorating a Joy
There’s a quiet moment after Christmas that I’ve grown to love. The house is softer. The calendar slows. And the decorations—once sparkling and celebratory—are ready to rest. Packing away Christmas décor doesn’t have to feel like a chore or a race to get everything...
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.She taught me how to prepare fabulous food, entertain guests with style and design a traditional home with a pop of color and a splash of animal print. Share my fondness of blending Mother’s mid-century style with a modern spin.
Mrs. Twist Takes on Instagram
Your dining table has a job to do BEFORE Thanksgiving dinner! 🦃
And it might just save your sanity.
One of my favorite hosting tricks is turning my dining table into a Thanksgiving Staging Room. It`s where I gather all the linens, serving dishes, glassware, candles, and everything I`ll need before the big day.
And here`s another trick I swear by: the Cookie Sheet Method! Gather the nonperishable ingredients for each recipe on its own baking sheet, along with the recipe. When it`s time to cook, just grab your tray and go. No more hunting through the pantry for that missing ingredient!
I also set out my serving dishes ahead of time with little cards identifying what goes where. That way, when someone asks, "How can I help?" I actually have an answer. 🙌
I`ve put these tips, plus a few more of my favorite planning shortcuts, into a FREE Thanksgiving Staging Room & Planning Guide you can print and use right away.
❤️ Comment STAGING and I`ll send you the link to grab your free copy!
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LinkDM *270*
Stop hiding the pie in the kitchen.
Skip the expensive floral arrangements that block everyone`s view across the table, while the real showstopper sits tucked away on a crowded kitchen counter.
Set your table with cake pedestals right down the center and let the pies be your centerpiece. Your sightlines stay open, your table looks warm and bountiful, and when dinner winds down, dessert is already served.
This work of art was handcrafted by my dear friend and local baker @sweetlucyspies. Her crust is pure heaven and tastes even better than it looks.
If you are local, comment PIE and I`ll send you her Thanksgiving pie menu. She sells out fast so don`t delay!
Follow and save for more peeks of my Thanksgiving table as we get closer to the big day. 🥧
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LinkDM *268*
She spent nine months talking herself out of opening her front door.
Her kitchen was dated, her calendar was packed, and every time she thought about hosting, she pictured an exhausting four-course dinner.
So during our Cottage Coaching House Call session, we threw that dinner party out.
We built her a simple morning rhythm instead: porch coffee, warm bakery pastries, and a firm 60-minute cutoff. Zero hot pots. Zero stove panic.
Hospitality was never meant to be a test of endurance. Your friends are coming for you, not a spotless showroom.
If you are ready to stop talking yourself out of gathering, let us build a rhythm that fits your actual life.
Comment below COTTAGE and I will send you the private link to book your free session with me. It`s THAT EASY. 💋
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Today the calendar turns to November, and almost overnight, the unspoken holiday sprint begins.
We start counting down the days to Thanksgiving and Christmas, mentally stacking menus, shopping lists, and expectations. Before we know it, we are running right through the very season we waited all year to savor.
Forty years of opening my door has taught me this: people will never remember whether you crossed every single detail off your list by December first. They will remember the warmth in the room, the sound of your laugh, and how it felt to sit at your table without feeling like their presence was an inconvenience to an exhausted hostess.
Before the rush starts tomorrow, take a quiet breath and decide the pace of your own home.
👇👇Tell me in the comments: what is one holiday expectation you are giving yourself permission to let go of this year?🦃🎄
Dress @francesvalentine
Photographer @rebekahbyrnephotography
