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All is not particularly calm, but it is bright ☺️❤️Blessings to you and yours on yhe blessed night. Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night. Love, Frances

In place of place cards?… and a built-in favor ☺️
#gettingready #christmasevedinner #rancholazaca #californiacookingandsouthernstyle

Bringing lip sync to a whole new level, and completely undistracted by the antler malfunction next door. #focused The little angel at top right is taking Silent Night literally… #rudolphlikeyouverneverheardit #rudolph #antlermalfunction #christmaspageant #stmarksinthevalley

What we’re doing now… Am excited preparing for my first family Christmas at #rancholazaca figuring which serving pieces hold what. Good to do ahead so you dont put the oysters in the thing you meant for the sweet potatoes and cause an international incident…
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#entertaining #buffet #beginningtolooklikechristmas #californiacookingandsouthernstyle

Dramatic winter skies over the vineyard at #rancholazaca. .
#nevergetsold #landscape #vineyard #winecountry #losolivos #foxencanyon #santaynez #clouds

A budding gingerbread virtuosa in the making… our 4-year-old granddaughter clearly exhibits talent, dont you think? @djpipertini1016 .
#gingerbreadhouse #lovinghandsathome #nailedit

Welcoming guests to a celebration this weekend for #talkinbig, His Grace’s just published memoir (if you hadn’t heard). The early winter light just so darn pretty in the late afternoon. Not sure I rolled out red carpet over the road and then they walk up a dirt path. I guess it got them going in the right direction anyway. And in the proper festive spirit I suppose! .
#talkinbig #memoir #tomdittmer @skyhorsepub #rancholazaca #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #santaynezvalley #prettylight #redcarpet

Love the message on this tea towel, gift from a thoughtful friend. Created by @thirddrawerdown studio. Love a #teatowel #modernart

A gorgeous and festive setting for dinner to continue the celebration of the book #talkinbig and the best memoir of the year according to @jessekornbluth Just sayin’ … but some of the best memories for sure. Thank you Chicago!
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#dinnerparty #chicago design by #ruecarpenter #architecture by #walterfrazier #green #fountainroom #casino #classicchicago

Gorgeous setting for #talkinbig book party in Chicago and we did some big talkin’. Thank you Chicago! Architecture by Walter Frazier and design by Rue Carpenter.
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#classicchicago #artdeco #oldschool #casino #walterfrazier #ruecarpenter #greenandred #oval #ovalrooms

And I quote: “I can’t believe I’m saying this but Tom Dittmer has written the best memoir I’ve read all year.” —Jesse Kornbluth. I don’t even know where to start to thank @jessekornbluth and so many of YOU reading this right now for the wonderful response to His Grace’s touching, brave, often hilarious and occasionally profane memoir #talkinbig. Read Jesse’s review here https://www.headbutler.com/reviews/talkin-big/ and also @amazon and yours truly’s post via link in my profile ☺️
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#talkinbig #tomdittmer

The gorgeous water tower in downtown Chicago, lit beautiful Christmas .
#watertower #chicagowatertower #christmaslights