Grandmother and granddaughter baking cookies

Turkey Traditions

November 11, 2017

Ever since I can remember our holidays have been centered around food and gathering together in the kitchen to prepare the meal, it has always been a family affair. It didn’t matter what the holiday, but Thanksgiving has always been a favorite of mine. My Noni and her two sisters would start weeks in advance, pulling out serving dishes, china, baking, and arranging fresh flowers. One tradition we all looked forward to was their famous Turkey Cookies.

Family baking cookies and cookie recipe

These cookies are thin crispy butter cookies that melt in your mouth and pair well with a hot cup of tea. They would morph into Christmas trees, and silver bells during Christmas, and bunnies and chicks at Easter. But undoubtedly, the turkeys were our favorite.

The three ladies each had their unspoken roles in the process. My Noni would prep the dough the night before, and sit at the kitchen counter cutting the cherries and currants for decoration. They would gather everything together and bake cookies for family and friends for a day, sometimes two. Auntie Ida would roll, Noni would cut out the turkeys, and Auntie Laura would sprinkle the sugar and man the oven. I was normally in tow for this process with my Noni and would fill in here and there, but my favorite job was eating the ones that got just a little too dark. This tradition carried well into the laddies’ 90’s until they passed the torch down.

Family baking cookies, turkey butter cookies

Last year was our first Thanksgiving without the ladies. We sadly lost them all within a year. But what they left behind is alive and well! This year we celebrate our second annual Turkey Cookie Baking. My mom has taken over Noni’s job of prepping the dough the night before. My Aunts and cousins gather at our house and we bake, each taking on a different roll, each remembering how lucky we are to have each other, each full of gratitude for those that came before us. Grazie di tutto!

Categories:

Reply...

The art of Wabi-Sabi; finding beauty in imperfection

This season, our homes crave a transformation, a shedding of the winter’s heaviness and an embrace of light and possibility. Let’s delve into the ancient Japanese aesthetic of Wabi-Sabi. Imagine a space bathed in soft, natural light, adorned with handcrafted ceramics that whisper of the potter’s touch, and woven textiles that speak of generations of […]

Creating sanctuary: how home can heal 

Our homes are more than just shelter; they’re a reflection of ourselves, a canvas for our stories, and a haven for our well-being. Just like the way the California coastline shifts from rugged cliffs to calming coves, the environment we create indoors has a profound impact on our emotional landscape. Imagine a space shrouded in […]

Spring cleaning & its symbolism in our lives

As the Santa Barbara sun stretches its rays a little longer each day, the whispers of spring begin to weave their way through the air. It’s a time of natural renewal, where the landscape throws off its winter cloak and bursts forth with vibrant life. And just like the changing seasons, so too does our […]

February Notes from the Road

Credit: Pinterest

An Autumn Aesthetic

As school gets back into full swing there’s a palpable shift in the air. It’s that time of year when we pull out our sweaters in 60-degree weather and order pumpkin spice lattes because it just feels right. Fall arrives with a promise of orange and red hues and although we might not see the […]

Designing for the Senses: Creating Spaces that Engage and Stimulate All Five Senses

Imagine stepping into a room that doesn’t just look good, but also feels, sounds, smells, and even tastes that way (bear with me!). As a mother who understands the importance of creating an environment that appeals to all the senses, I’ve discovered some playful yet practical ways to design spaces that engage every facet of […]

Fashion + Design | A Chat with the Lady Behind, Devon Remade

I don’t know about you, but the worlds of fashion and design have always fascinated me. Mood boards, color palettes, fabrics, there’s definitely a lot of overlap between the two; both serve as a gateway toward personal expression, art, and those perfectly curated aesthetics. So understandably, I was stoked when Devon agreed to sit down […]

A June Bloom: The Wildflowers of Santa Barbara + How to Style Them in Your Home

June gloom or June bloom? Let’s go with the latter. What I’ve learned is that fresh wildflowers have a remarkable ability to infuse life, joy, and warmth into any space. Whether it’s an elegant dinner party or a simple family gathering around the table, the presence of vibrant blooms can create a magical ambiance. In […]

All About Hues: How Color Affects Mood, Behavior & Design

In a world bursting with color, I find it incredible how a simple splash of pigment can completely change how you feel, act, and think. It has this way of influencing our everyday lives in the most practical and yet inspiring ways.  So, perhaps you’ve stumbled across my page in a quest to DIY redesign […]

Timeless Touch: The Art of Styling Heirlooms

Clearing out a family home can be a daunting task – what do you keep, what do you let go of, and where on earth do you put everything? And when it comes to those treasured family heirlooms throwing them out just isn’t an option. We’ve all got that one thing – maybe it’s your […]

Our Road Map to Design

Grab your hat, dust the mud off your boots, and get ready to follow our road map to the home of your dreams. With interior design, planning, and preparation are essential to creating a cohesive project that reflects your personality and needs. That’s why we’ve carefully curated a guide to walk you through every step […]

Styling the New Season Home

Let’s be honest, trends come and go, so I find that I’d rather focus my time on creating designs that look and feel timeless while still capturing the rich significance and history of each of my clients. So as we venture into the new year, I’d like to share a few looks that hold a […]

The Gather Collection By Rincon Rd. 

As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, we lean into long family meals, sharing delicious food and heart-warming company. Oh, the stories our dining room could tell! Inspired by the season of connection, say hello to the Rincon Rd. Gather Collection — specially curated to invite moments of intention and togetherness as we […]

A Close Look at Las Canoas

In this project, our client was hoping to modernize the common areas of their home. The family’s sons are all in college now, so they moved out of Minnesota to escape the cold and settle down in a place where their surroundings would inspire their active lifestyle year-round. We envisioned these rooms as a place […]

A Letter From Melinda

November’s beauty radiates from within as the colder days draw us inside to gather together, find rest, and be nourished. We make time to linger around the table under warm candlelight, sharing conversation and meals that become memories.  Our holiday gatherings rotated between houses, the collective family favorite being “The Ojai, ” my Noni’s house. […]

Before & After: Summit Lane

Why do we all love “Before & Afters” so much? There’s something so satisfying about seeing things “fixed” and the chaos sorted – how one photo can represent months of hard work in an easy, tangible way. We can’t help but feel inspired by seeing someone else transform their space because, if they can do […]

What to Expect in Your Consultation

As many of us know, a successful design process takes planning and preparation. So as you’re standing in your space, ready for a change, you probably feel a little overwhelmed. You have all these ideas but aren’t sure where to begin. Good news,  you just made the first step in your design journey! As a […]

How to Pick the Right Paint Color

For many of us, choosing a paint color for our home is one of the most daunting steps in design. With thousands of brands and countless shades, it’s easy to find yourself staring at the walls, unable to pull the trigger on a fresh coat of paint. If this is you, you’re not alone! So […]

Finding Good Vintage

Perfecting that effortlessly curated yet lived-in aesthetic can seem easier said than done. What better way to breathe life into your home than expressing yourself through vintage pieces? Start your treasure hunt with a few of our tips below! Start Your Search Somewhere Local  If you’re in the market for vintage furniture, you’re in the […]

Elizabeth Poett on Ranch Living & Homes with Character

Elizabeth Poett is a 7th generation cattle rancher, mother, and host of Magnolia Network’s cooking show “Ranch to Table.” She was raised on a 14,000-acre ranch above Santa Barbara, where she discovered her passion for bringing people together, growing humanely-raised foods, and preserving the land that’s been in her family since 1837. It’s safe to […]

An Interior Designer’s Guide to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is back! You can feel it in the air. People are taking to the streets to safely enjoy all that our beautiful home has to offer – including the food. I’m itching to make it back to some of my favorite local spots; and, sure, Santa Barbara is known for its delicious dining, […]

Feeling Veri Peri: Styling the Pantone Color of the Year

Every year, Pantone releases its highly anticipated “color of the year” – sending scrapbookers and interior designers alike straight to their mood boards, brainstorming the different ways they can incorporate this happy hue into their work. From kitchens and bedrooms to elevated powder rooms, here are a few tricks of the trade on incorporating Periwinkle into your home…

5 Timeless Trends for 2022

As we settle into the new year, we’re taking note of a few trends starting to roll back around. At Rincon Road, we’re after the kind of spaces that foster a deep connection with our clients’ past and present – a unique timelessness that doesn’t come and go. However, we’re happy to see some trends […]

A Year in Review

As we leave the pandemic rethinking past norms, leaning into strong values, and embracing change while demonstrating resilience – we are incredibly grateful for everyone who opened their doors to Rincon Road. With 2022 on the horizon, December is the perfect time to slow down and reflect on what we accomplished this year. Enjoy some […]

Holiday Traditions From My Family to Yours

As fall leaves give way to Christmas trees and chillier nights, we’re headed inside – spending more time with our families, reflecting on another year coming to an end, and preparing for the downhill slide of festivities as we welcome 2022. Between food and family alone, we are reminded of what we’re thankful for. Whether […]

The Road is Home: Rincon Road with Iron & Resin

Capturing the essence of old California with confidence and ease, Iron and Resin is a reflection of the rugged spirit of the untamed American West. It’s no wonder that founder, Thom Hill, knows the better side of life – whether he’s surfing, riding motorcycles, or on any other adventure that begins where the pavement ends. […]

In Conversation with Heidi Merrick

Trading her small-town roots in Carpinteria for Los Angeles, Heidi’s name continues as a trailblazer in one of the nation’s most popular design scenes. But look a little closer, and you’ll find her story starts a lot closer to home.

our recent Posts

browse

copyright © 2019 Rincon road design studio