Happy November friends! The fourth Thursday of November is one of my favorite holidays…Thanksgiving!
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 107:1 (ESV)
It is Monday Morning Blooms with my friends Lidy and Mary. Our common theme for this edition is Thanksgiving.
We are excited to welcome back our guest, Sarah from Hyacinths For the Soul!
You will find the links for Lidy, Mary, and Sarah at the bottom of this post.
Thanksgiving week is always busy as I prepare for the big day, shopping, prepping, baking, and setting the dining room table. For many years Thanksgiving Eve would find Butch and me eating a sandwich at the kitchen island. Two years ago I decided to make the eve before Thanksgiving special by setting a pretty table for two in the Sunshine Cottage! The cottage is perfect with the glow of twinkling lights from the autumn tree…romantic, yes I think so! A simple turkey sandwich can be elevated when you set a special table!
A lovely pheasant and floral cache pot that I purchased at market many years ago was put into service for an autumn arrangement. Large gold and rust mums along with alstroemeria were picked up from a quick stop at Trader Joe’s. Coleus and Chaste tree blooms were cut from our garden and goldenrod from the lower 40.
I discovered this darling Susan Winget ‘Pine Forest’ set of four salad plates last year at Hobby Lobby. I was smitten by their sweet depiction of mothers and babies! Pumpkin-colored dinner plates, Fostoria ‘Jamestown’ stemware, and Horchow acrylic tortoise flatware complete the setting!
“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
~Charles Dickens
I love decorating Sunshine Cottage seasonally and for the holidays, especially with the grandchildren in mind!
Flanking the flower arrangement are a cute owl and raccoon plate!
“Having been tested and approved, one of the leading prescriptions for heart
problems is gratefulness.”
~Butch Richardson
A stack of books adds warmth to a table. At the bottom of the stack is a favorite devotion book, “Every Moment Holy” by Doug McKelvey.
In the background is an autumn tree. Fall is my favorite season, so why not celebrate with a tree?! It also reminds me of when our son was little. I would decorate a tree for his room with an autumn theme and then change it for Christmas.
We have a large population of turkeys that frequent our pastures. We often find their feathers which make an ideal tree topper. Dried okra and cotton bolls add more natural elements to the tree. After Thanksgiving I will remove all of the fall decor and decorate the cottage for Christmas…truly the most wonderful time of the year!
Vintage placemats were found in a stack of linens in the back of an antique store in Highlands, NC!
April Cornell’s ‘Dahlia Days’ tablecloth was chosen for its autumnal colors!
Matching vintage napkins were included with the placemats. A little jewelry was added to the rustic table with napkin rings gifted by a precious friend many years ago.
My comfy chair where I have read many books to my granddaughters! At ages 9 and 6, they still love to pile up in the chair and now read to me!
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
Anonymous
You will not want to miss my friends’ beautiful florals. Click on their links below for ideas and inspiration!
Lidy ~ French Garden House
Mary ~Home Is Where The Boat Is
Sarah ~ Hyacinths For The Soul
Thank you for your visits and gracious comments. I hope you will come back tomorrow as I will be joining 13 table stylists for a Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop!
A special thank you for all the sweet birthday wishes. It was a great birthday and with one more party tonight, I’ve managed to stretch it out for 5 days. May you have a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Those plates are the cutest, Pam. I love the graphics – so nicely done! And of course your floral centerpiece is a wow. But the big wow is the turkey feather topper. That is absolute genius and I love it!
Jeanie, thank you for your sweet comments. I love using the foraged turkey feathers as the tree topper. Doesn’t cost a dime, just a walk in the pasture!
Good morning Pam, Your Sunshine Cottage is such a welcoming and cozy spot for reading, relaxing and dining! I love your pretty autumnal tree with turkey feathers, dried okra and cotton bolls and cheery sunflowers. Your cachepot makes a beautiful vessel for your lovely floral arrangement…I can’t believe you still have Chaste tree blooms to cut! Your coleus and goldenrod make a lovely filler to pair with your flowers from Trader Joe’s. I love your sweet woodland animal plates layered on your vintage placemats and ‘Dahlia Days’ tablecloth. As always, it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy. Hope you’re enjoying some beautiful weather like we are this week! 🍂🦃🧡
Thank you, Mary. The autumn tree is for the grands. It is easy to already have it in place for Christmas. After the chaste tree behind the garden blooms, Butch cuts off the spent blooms and it blooms again. The weather is perfect today🧡
I always love how you change the decor with each season in the Sunshine Cottage. The arrangement in the pheasant and floral cache pot is wonderful. I love the coleus with the bronze colored mums.
Thank you, Karen for your sweet comments! Wishing you a lovely week!
I so look forward to your scriptures and quotes. Of course, the beauty you two share is beyond words. Have an abundant day. Kathryn
Kathryn, thank you for your kind comments! Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam, your Sunshine Cottage table is beautiful. Your fall tree is fabulous! I love the idea of a romantic table for 2 so you can relax a few minutes during the busy Thanksgiving preparations. Your NC linen find goes so well with your AC tablecloth. Your floral bouquet is lovely. I love the container; it’s perfect for fall. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Clara, you are so very faithful to comment and we are so appreciative. Thank you for faithfully following for all these years. I hope you are enjoying beautiful weather 🧡
I was just yelling at Mariah Carey – (on TV), “What about THANKSGIVING? What about THANKSGIVING?” She was already prancing around with her “All I want for Christmas is Youuuuuu.” – which I love, but not until after Thanksgiving. This post is a breath of common sense, beauty, and tradition. What’s not to love about that? I’m thankful for you.
Leslie Anne, I agree! Let’s celebrate Thanksgiving first! I am thankful for you!
You have done it again Pam…what an inspiration is your Sunshine Cottage decor. I envy (in a good way) your cottage as you always have a place to decorate which makes such a cozy setting no matter the time of year. I know your sweet grands love it too. I was thinking when you said your comfy chair is where you read to the girls and now they read to you…what memories you are making for them AND what a wonderful place to escape the daily activities of everyday living if only for a few moments or even an hour. Love it! Love it! Love it!. As far as your table for two…what a great idea for Thanksgiving eve. I know RM loves the romanticism of it also. The mother/baby scenes on the salad plates makes me smile and what a find for your vintage placemats and napkins. We do have a Trader Joes but I have to drive 11 miles (which is not a lot) but when I would rather find something closer (because I am lazy) it seems far away so I do not regularly go there. There is a lot of traffic (snow birds) and going ‘over the bridge’ can take even more time….so those 11 miles becomes more like a 35-45 minute trek. My point being, your flowers are lovely. LOL Have a great and wonderful week as you wind down from your birthday celebration. Mine is just getting started as my birthday is November 13th which means I will celebrate all month long. LOL Blessings Always
Kari, the Sunshine Cottage can sometimes feel like I have traveled to an itty bitty cottage far away. But then I remember it is only a few steps to the patio door! I don’t blame you for not crossing the bridge to get to Trader Joe’s! Looking forward to seeing you in the morning!
Pam, you had me at “table for two”! During the last years with Monnie, I always kept the table set for two. We were not getting out except for doctor appointments, and sitting down to meals together at a beautifully set table, felt special. Monnie appreciated it.
I always enjoy seeing the Sunshine Cottage anytime of the year, but especially decorated for a holiday. Love the idea of an autumn tree. On my recent time in CO, I picked up wild turkey feathers and brought them home with me. I wanted to use them in a floral arrangement or at the table. Your feathers atop the tree are perfect!
I planted some coleus recently, just so I’d have some available for arrangements if needed last minute. Yours is a perfect example. The gorgeous pheasant and floral cache pot is a perfect centerpiece. I’ve pinned that image. What a special piece to have among your collection. The woodland plates are my kind of vibe, and your linens are perfect backdrop. I like the addition of the stack of little books. I’m going to remember that touch. Thanks again for inviting me to join today. Happy November! Looking forward to tomorrow’s table hop.
Sarah, thank you for sharing special memories of your table for two with Monnie. Turkey feathers are easy to find around our house. Our four year old grandson finds them. I look forward to your table tomorrow and the hop!
Your posts are always so enlightening! It is wonderful to see all the wholesome activities and appreciation that you all show to the mysteries of nature.I love your little cottage and the traditions that you value.What a gift.
Caron, thank you for sharing sweet comments. Blessings~
Time turns everything around, gratitude makes it joyful. Love everything on the table and everything in the cottage. It holds precious memories for me too! So glad your renaissance man built it for you (and the grands!) now Turkey sandwiches on thanksgiving Eve temp me. Small meals lovingly made and presented with meaningful decorations suits me just fine.
Alice, I am happy to know that you share my memories made in the cottage. I agree about the small meals presented in a meaningful way being just fine!
Your flowers are just beautiful. I am glad you had a wonderful birthday. Have a beautiful new week. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much for your faithful visits! Hugs🧡
Oh, Pam, I don’t know if it’s the season and its colorway decor that just makes me really love this, but I so love what you’ve done here! The floral arrangement is perfect in its overall shape, selections, and vessel. The tableware gives both a sweet and romantic feel, but that tree! Oh my, that tree looks so splendid in fall decorations, and so natural! I really love that. Layer it on, making it all so cozy! Happy MMB!
Thank you, Rita. I rarely use the vessel and I am not sure the reason. The tree still has some decor from Seth’s tree when he was small!
Darling Pam, your arrangement may be the most beautiful you have ever created. It is stunning and worthy of a magazine cover. Seriously!
Your autumn tree in the Sunshine Cottage is always a favorite of mine. Is anyone besides me in a panic that Thanksgiving is so late this year? I am a holdout not to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Next week we are having 4 sets of French doors replaced with giant picture windows, plus one new French door. The cost to replace all 5 sets of rotted doors was beyond astronomical. But it means I have to tear up the house and move everything out of the way for 2 days while the workmen install everything!
Roxanne, you know how to make my day! I wasn’t particularly pleased with my arrangement.
I feel your pain. We did a bath remodel a couple of months ago. Oh my what a mess, we survived and so happy we now have a handicapped bath for when we get old🥰 I will be thinking of you my friend!
Good morning Pam, Your Sunshine Cottage is such a warm and welcoming spot – one day my little French garden house will go from being packing central to the little sister of yours! Your tree is an autumnal delight, I bet the girls really love it! That urn is just about perfect for your lovely floral arrangement, with the flowers and coleus and goldenrod as supporting cast. Stunning.
Those woodland plates are just darling, layered on the placemats and that dahlia tablecloth= perfection! It’s always a blessing to join together for our beloved Monday Morning Blooms! Wishing you a gorgeous autumn week ahead! Lidy
Sweet Pam, your floral arrangement may be the most beautiful you have ever created. Seriously, it is magazine cover worthy! I always look forward to your autumn tree in the Sunshine Cottage, and I really love the story of the trees for Seth’s room. Is anyone but me in a panic over how late Thanksgiving is this year? I never decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Next week the house will be in turmoil as we have 5 sets of rotted French doors replaced. The cost for just one door is beyond astronomical, so our window guy suggested 4 giant picture windows overlooking the pond and just one new set of doors. I have to move everything within 2 feet out of the way for the men to work for a 2 day installation. Wish me luck!
Best wishes!
Sunshine Cottage is decorated so cute. Love your fall tree. Beautiful floral arrangement. Gotta love those plates. Looking forward to tomorrow’s blog hop. I am surprised you are doing these posts back to back.
Thank you Linda! It is hard to do the back to back posts! I look forward to your table!
Romantic, indeed. What a lovely pause in Thanksgiving preps that Eve will be
for you and Mr. Wonderful. The table setting is beyond beautiful….you have not
missed a beat in any particular… and accolades on your gorgeous tree. What
stopped me in my tracks is the image of that comfy chair with the book stack…
much inspiration with tea, it is a solution to yearning…. Covered in contentment…
Thank you my dearest Mary! That comfy chair is a respite from the chores of everyday. Yes, and covered in contentment!
I love that you set a romantic table for you & Butch Pam! And those quotes are so very true on gratitude. A lovely post as always.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! A meal in the cottage feels like an evening out!
What a sweet visit I had at the Sunshine Cottage, Pam! You’ve decorated it so beautifully with your darling table with those adorable plates and your perfect arrangement in such a beautiful container! Oh, how I love your Autumn decorated tree and your cozy reading chair. Thank you for sharing Fall joy with us 🍁
Thank you Kitty for your sweet comments. I love the autumn season!
Well, Pam that is an incredible romantic pre-thanksgiving time with hubby! Love the quotes too!
Thank you, Mary! Setting a nice table elevates a turkey sandwich!
This is the loveliest intimate table setting out there right now. You have actually inspired me to give it a run by next week. I love decorating from the yard but we had a freeze and not frost so everything is on the ground or dead. Great post with all the others, too! Sandi
Thank you Sandi! I enjoy having a simple turkey sandwich the night before Thanksgiving, but elevating it by setting a small table! We also had a freeze before there was a frost!
So much wonderfulness in this post Pam! I love the tree and the table and the idea of a special Thanksgiving Eve dinner. But most of all I love your cozy chair and the idea of your granddaughters reading to you! That’s right up there with the sweetest and best memories you – and they – will ever have! Thanks for sharing it all with us!
Thank you, Barbara for your sweet comments. I totally agree that the chair with my granddaughters reading to me is the best!
This is absolutely beautiful, Pam! You create such special and lovely memories. I love coming to your blog! It’s such a warm and calming place, here. I’m happy to tell you I’ll be featuring this post today at Thursday Favorite Things. 🙂
Thank you Pam 🥰
Happy Belated Birthday, sweet friend! How wonderful that you stretched the celebration into five days! God bless you with many more.