Book Review – Platters and Boards:

As someone who loves entertaining and trying new recipes, I was really excited to get my hands on Platters and Boards. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves hosting get-togethers, whether it’s a formal occasion or just a casual night in with friends. Shelly Westerhausen’s approach to charcuterie boards is approachable and casual, yet still impressive and delicious.

The book is organized by time of day, making it easy to find the perfect spread for any occasion. Each platter is beautifully presented with full-color photographs, making it a joy to flip through and get inspiration. The step-by-step instructions and helpful tips make it easy to create each spread, and the suggested meat and drink pairings are a nice touch.

I appreciated the pro tips on portioning, choosing surfaces and vessels, and pairing complementary flavors and textures. And the handy chart featuring board suggestions for various occasions is a great reference for future gatherings.

Platters and Boards is a beautifully curated cookbook that will inspire you to throw unforgettable get-togethers. Whether you’re a seasoned entertainer or just starting out, this book is a must-have for your collection. I highly recommend it as a gift for a bridal shower, housewarming, or for any hostess.

We love to make crafts to decorate our homes for different holidays, and it’s always fun to add a handmade touch to the table if you can. I specifically went looking for Thanksgiving themed cross stitch napkins and other tableware, and while I didn’t find a lot I hope these ideas will inspire you to use these or other patterns to stitch for your Thanksgiving (or other holiday) table.

Cross Stitch Coricamo is a great source for cross stitch napkin and table runner patterns, though many of them are Christmas or winter related, or florals that feel more summer than fall. I did find this pretty napkin with wild vine pattern that would be nice for Thanksgiving, as well as a fall leaf table runner.

The napkin pattern calls for 10 colors and has a different design in two corners that are flipped for the other two. If you have a bunch of napkins to make you could just stitch in one corner if you like.

The table runner is meant to be about 15.7 by 39.4 inches, or 40 by 100 cm and it uses nine colors. You can adjust the sides as needed to fit your table, and you could also use individual leaves or leaf clusters to stitch on napkins if you want a set that matches your runner.

If you’re looking for a project that’s a little smaller, now seems like a nice time to remind you that you can also cross stitch napkin rings. They’re about the size of a bookmark, and while the one shown is in spring colors, you can use any little motif that will fit. My version is 2 inches/5 cm wide, so anything that can fit in that space would be great.

And if you want a more involved project, check out this post on how to cross stitch a tablecloth. It’s a bigger commitment but a project that you’re sure to love and use for years to come.

Have you read?