Come on in, October!
Hello October!
There’s something lovely about hearing those three words – a warm welcome at the door, the promise of a good meal, and the chance to settle in with people you enjoy.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’m thinking about the little touches that make gathering feel special: a drink poured into a chilled glass, a small nibble while dinner finishes cooking, and lights turned down just enough to make everyone want to linger.
In this month’s Shortt Cuts, I’m sharing two of my favourite pre-dinner nibbles, simple ways to bring a little hotel-bar charm home, and tips for being a gracious guest. I’m also heading back to England, with more inspiration to share along the way.
Whether you’re hosting a full house or enjoying a quiet evening with someone you love, I hope you find a little something here to bring to your table.
Dana
Shortt Cuts | Recipes
Secret Spiced Nuts
These Secret Spiced Nuts aren’t so secret anymore! We sold them in my former store for 10 years, and now I’m sharing the recipe with you. Paired with warm citrus-marinated olives, they’re my favourite way to offer a little nibble before a big meal like Thanksgiving. I keep appetizers to a minimum - just enough to tide everyone over without spoiling their appetite for the main event.
Ingredients
4 cups nuts (I use a mixture of pecans and walnuts)
¼ cup butter
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried cumin
Method
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium sized saucepan set over medium heat, melt butter. Add all other ingredients except nuts and whisk well until combined.
Transfer butter-spice mixture to a large mixing bowl and add nuts. Stir well until all nuts are evenly coated.
Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet until just slightly sticky – make sure to stir nuts well, every 5 minutes or so. It should take about 25-30 minutes in total.
Citrus marinated olives
Combine 3 cups of assorted olives with 1 minced garlic clove, a pinch of chili flakes, the juice of 1 lemon, the zest of 1 orange, 1 teaspoon toasted and crushed fennel or anise seeds, ¼ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Season to taste with freshly cracked pepper. Mix well and cover for at least 2 hours (or overnight in the fridge for even more flavour).
To serve, transfer the olives and marinade to an ovenproof dish and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, until warmed through.
Shortt Cuts | Entertaining
A little hotel luxury at home
I love borrowing little touches from beautiful hotel bars to make an evening at home feel special. Start with a “house cocktail” (ours is an amaretto sour.) Having a signature drink makes welcoming guests easy and gives them something to look forward to on their next visit.
Chill your pilsner, martini or coupe glasses in the freezer before guests arrive, and serve your olives warm rather than straight from the fridge. For that hotel-bar presentation, I use a three-compartment serving dish: one section for olives, one for spiced nuts, and one for kettle chips in an interesting flavour. Simple snacks, beautifully served.
Finish with dimmed lights, a favourite playlist playing softly, and linen cocktail napkins within easy reach. These small details take very little effort, but make settling in for a drink feel like a lovely occasion.
Shortt Cuts | Travel
England, Here We Come!
I’m heading back to England this November, and London just might be my favourite city in the world. Last November, my Mom and I enjoyed two experiences that were too lovely not to share.
Afternoon Tea at Hotel Café Royal
We LOVED our afternoon tea at Hotel Café Royal. Picture a gorgeous gilded room, live piano music, and an afternoon spent enjoying every delicious bite. At £85 per person, it’s a splurge (but we thought it was worth every penny). Our rating? 15/10! Their festive afternoon tea returns on November 5th and runs through January 4.
For another lovely option, The Wolseley offers afternoon tea for £46.50 per person, or a simpler and lighter “cream tea” with tea, scones, clotted cream and jam upon request. Pair your visit with a browse through nearby Fortnum & Mason, a must whenever I’m in London.
A Workshop at Highgrove
Another highlight was a tablescaping and canapé workshop at Highgrove, the country home of King Charles and Queen Camilla. It was fabulous, and such a memorable experience to share with my Mom. If you enjoy learning something new while travelling, take a look at Highgrove’s workshops for inspiration.
Stay tuned for more discoveries from my 2026 adventures.
Shortt Cuts | Etiquette
How to Be a Gracious Thanksgiving Guest
Give your host those last few minutes. For a gathering at home, arriving 5–10 minutes after the invited arrival time gives your host a little breathing room. Avoid arriving early!
Bring flowers ready to enjoy. Choose an arrangement already in a vase (or bring a plant) so your host doesn’t have to stop preparing dinner to find a vase and arrange flowers.
Choose a thoughtful little gift. Instead of flowers, artisan chocolates or linen cocktail napkins in a neutral colour or seasonal print are lovely options. My favourite? A bottle of high-quality olive oil wrapped in a tea towel or tied with a ribbon. Homemade granola or jam makes a wonderful gift, too.
Know when to say goodnight. Read the room and take your host’s cues. Around 30–60 minutes after dessert is often a good time to leave, unless your host is clearly encouraging everyone to linger.
Follow up with a thank-you. A warm message the next day lets your host know you appreciated their efforts. Bonus points for a handwritten note!
Coming Up: Exhale and Savour at Langdon Hall
Sat, November 28th from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
We still have a few seats remaining! Use the code SAVE10 to take $10 off the ticket price.
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