Food & Entertaining

Tablescape Tuesday: We Give Thanks

November 18, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations”
‭Psalm‬ ‭100‬: ‭1-5

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. But, in our culture today, without knowing it, we can run right past it in order to get to Christmas. In our home, we have done our very best to protect this most important holiday! President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863 set apart the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Imagine a national day of thanksgiving and praise to our Heavenly Father!

I am honored to once again host our family’s Thanksgiving! I enjoy cooking all of my precious Mother’s recipes, along with a few of my own. My mother always had an amazing spread and you can read more about Thanksgiving holidays with her here: For These Blessings. So, without further ado, here is our Thanksgiving table!
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As the early morning sun cast its light on our dining table, I am reminded of God’s gracious provision! Oh the mystery of His mercy to me!

I knew when I purchased the Spode “Woodland” dinner plates that they would be Butch’s favorite. He is a true outdoorsman and loves the creative hand of our Creator! The collection has 8 different birds. A cream-colored linen tablecloth with a wide gold border around the edge is the foundation of this, our Thanksgiving table!

I used a mixture of ceramic and real pumpkins. My pair of hurricane globes hold candles nestled in coffee beans and popcorn!

I was so excited to find these vintage octagonal placemats in Highlands, NC. There were 12 matching napkins and placemats with a tag on one placemat that said $10! I thought each piece was $10 making the set $240. But to my surprise, all 24 pieces were $10!! We quickly paid before they changed their mind! Love a bargain!

The centerpiece is the handmade dough bowl that appeared here: Bringing Tuscany to Turkeytown. An older Fitz and Floyd pheasant has its place of honor nesting in the bowl! Gathered ginkgo leaves from our tree to sprinkle on the leaf-patterned runner!

I found the pumpkin place card holders several years ago at Cracker Barrel’s gift store. The pair of pedestals with the ceramic pumpkins first appeared here: Dining Out.

Amber stemware from a department store many, many years ago!

The chargers are faux wood. Like I said before, each plate has a different bird–this one in particular features wood ducks!

Leaf plates in various colors holding pumpkins and pods–great for the autumn season!

Jeweled amber napkin rings holding leaf patterned napkins! The faux tortoise handle flatware was found at Horchow.com.

I have enjoyed collecting for so many years–and the memories of each piece collected weaves a beautiful tapestry of the family and friends that we have welcomed to our table!

The most important elements of a tablescape are the laughter and love that we share as we give thanks for these blessings! We have so much to be thankful for!

“Every blessing You pour out I”ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
-Matt Redman

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup

Tablescape Tuesday: For These Blessings

November 11, 2014~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving”
‭Psalm‬ ‭69‬:‭30

Today we honor all the brave men and women who have sacrificed to serve our country and for all who paid the ultimate price for freedom. I am proud to be the daughter of a Korean War veteran. Read my Daddy’s story here: A Living Legacy.

With the holidays approaching, and memories coming back alive from years past, many people find themselves stuck between two emotions: bitter or sweet.

Bitter because things are not what they once were on that Thursday in November because of loved ones who have passed.

Sweet because of the treasured memories of their presence, their food, and their life-giving spirit.

So, how do we decide which way we will approach the holidays?

Yesterday in Gratitude Changes Attitude, we opened the week with how perspective changes things. I do have a personal story to share, if you will let me…

In 2007, our family Thanksgiving was suddenly different than it had ever been. Our holidays had always been celebrated at my parents’ home–the house I grew up in. The preparations began weeks in advance. To say that my Mother was the best Southern cook would be an understatement! Her dressing (we don’t say “stuffing” in our neck of the woods) is by far the best that I have ever eaten!! And let me tell you–her menu for Thanksgiving was extensive!! Turkey, dressing, and giblet gravy were always a given–but there would always be six or seven side dishes: congealed salads, homemade rolls, pies, and at least one cake!

But on Thanksgiving 2007, we found ourselves in a very different set of circumstances. For the first time ever, I would now be responsible for preparing the entire meal. My mother passed away unexpectedly in April, just seven months shy of Thanksgiving of that year. I was overwhelmed with emotions, to say the least. To even attempt to make her dressing and to duplicate all of her treasured recipes that our family associated with the celebration was going to be impossible. I found myself having to make a choice: would the holidays be a bitter time for me and my family? Or would it be a sweet time for us? Although we were sad, we decided that she would want us to celebrate the goodness of God and to be thankful for His blessings–we all chose gratitude! By God’s grace, I managed to host that first Thanksgiving for my family without my Mother. The holidays continue to be a sweet time for our family, even in my Mother’s much-felt absence.

(I should add that on that Thanksgiving in 2007, my Daddy gave me the highest compliment after we finished eating– he said, “the dressing tasted just like Nanny’s”!!!)

Today’s tablescape lends itself to the holidays, and it is my hope that we all approach the upcoming season with a true heart of Thanksgiving!

I can’t even remember when I purchased the Johnson Brothers “willow” pattern–maybe thirty-five years ago? After all these years, it still makes a statement!

Tablecloth is a white Indian cotton. The cobalt blue chargers are a forever favorite that I found through Horchow (online). The stemware was also a Horchow find. The cobalt glasses were spied at Tuesday Morning several years ago.

The blue willow pattern has an interesting folklore. If time permits, you might want to read about the romantic tragedy of the scene depicted on each piece!

I do love the bright orange pumpkins mixed with the crisp blue and white!

The pewter napkin rings/place card holders were a gift from my beautiful niece, Hannah!

The sterling engraved demitasse spoons were given to me by my friend, Patti. I recently featured her home here: Everyday Living at Patti’s & Roadtrippin’ and Tablescapin’

This is really a simple tablescape! No purchases necessary–I had everything on hand. I encourage you to look around your home & outdoors with an anticipating eye to see all the things that can be used for your table! It does not have to be expensive, just make it warm and inviting for those that you love!

As always, thank you for sharing in our everyday living!! We love your comments and read every one!!

“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm‬ ‭106‬:‭1

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict , Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup

Gratitude Changes Attitude

November 10, 2014~ Decorating, Food & Entertaining

Looking through the lens of gratitude can refocus our thoughts and brighten our outlook. Since everyday living can often be very difficult, Paul reminded us how important it is to give thanks in all things. Today’s setting serves as a reminder of a bountiful harvest of blessings. The two figures that are central to the scene remind me of all those who have gone before us, paving the way with sacrificial giving. We are all pilgrims on a journey. Traveling with gratefulness as a companion can certainly make a very bumpy ride a little smoother.

Two final thoughts:

Tomorrow is Veterans Day – find a way to say thank you to a veteran.
Thanksgiving is a few days away. We love this holiday, but hopefully we can make every day- a day of thanks giving.

“Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!”
Psalm 107:8

The kitchen is “Our Refuge“. Most of our everyday living takes place here! We have an eight foot island that serves for casual dining, buffet, prepping station, etc! The changing seasons are always reflected on the island!

I gathered a mixture of pumpkins, gourds, pods, and my collection of ceramic pumpkins

The pilgrims are the centerpiece–found these at Tuesday Morning a few years ago!

Close up of some of the ceramic pumpkins–I like the juxtaposition of the real and the ceramic!

I layered a leopard table square topped with a burlap square

Love the acorns that V.V. (sister-in-law) gave me!

The leopard square just adds the “wow”! I love a leopard print and I do consider it a neutral in decorating and fashion! The popcorn provides a seasonal nest for a pillar candle, and it is also seen here: Bon Voyage to Bon Appetit!