Tom Turkey Table for Two

It seems as though my Thanksgiving celebration gets smaller and smaller every year. It has gone from a table of 14 down to this year‘s table for two. But no matter how many people I serve, I want that table to be special, and the food to be good. 

This table for two out in the conservatory is where I enjoy most of my meals. It’s cozy, light and bright, and I am surrounded by all of my plants. It makes me happy just being in this room.

The table covering is a simple chocolate brown table round. I chose tin chargers to complement the rustic, wicker turkeys flanking either side of the place setting that have tin heads and tail feathers.

  The fall garland and iron candle holders are from a local gift shop. I interwove illuminated maple leaves among them that you can find

here.

The dinnerware is by Johnson Brothers, in the “His Majesty” pattern, something I have been collecting for years.

 

 I like to start my meal with potato leek soup, it has become a bit of a tradition over the years, and I enjoy serving it in this turkey tureen. The lid keeps the soup warm throughout the meal.

 

The colorful turkey coffee mug is a sentimental favorite of mine. This came from Ladue Florist, a lovely local florist and gift shop that my mother and I used to frequent. She bought me 12 of these about 20 years ago and I have loved them ever since. 

The water glasses are by Mikasa in their “Park Lane” pattern.

 The coupe glass is new this year. These come beautifully boxed in a set of four, and I find that I use them not only for champagne and wine, but martinis as well.

The plaid napkins I’ve had for years, they came from Pottery Barn. The flatware is Mikasa ‘Opulent’ hammered flatware,

 No matter how you intend to celebrate your Thanksgiving, whether you are hosting a crowd, or dining on your own, make it special.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

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Giving Thanks Tablescape

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This was my Thanksgiving table from last year. I had wanted to post it back then, but I was so frantically busy trying to get ready to serve 12 for dinner that I really didn’t get a chance. Fortunately, I photographed it. This year, I am posting it, in memory of my dad, and I and I calling it my “Giving Thanks” tablescape. Little did I realize we all sat down to dinner last year that would be the last Thanksgiving we would spend with my dad. So, I’m going to ask all of you to sit down at your dinner table this year, and look at each person at the table individually, and be thankful that you’re able to enjoy dinner with them.

This is a table setting that I tend to vary only slightly from year to year. I have had the Johnson Brothers “His Majesty” dishes for nearly 35 years. It’s hard to think of a Thanksgiving without them. The tablecloth is from Williams-Sonoma, and seems to complement various holiday tables quite well. 

Last year, while in the belly of the beast, I unearthed a set of place card holders that I had forgotten about, so made use of them here, and everyone enjoyed them. 

The flatware is from Cabela’s. Cabela’s may not be the first place you think of when you think of flatware and dinnerware, but you might be surprised at the interesting offerings they have.

This pitcher, by Fitz and Floyd, is one of my favorites. My mother had the female companion piece that will be gracing my table this year.

This vintage squirrel was a new addition to the table, and quite fragrant, filled with fresh sage from my garden. 

I wish you all a joyous and memorable Thanksgiving. Be thankful. Be grateful. Seriously.

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday

 

Setting Your Thanksgiving Table

 If you're like me, you are already pondering the centerpiece and potential layout for your Thanksgiving table. Will you go with simplicity, or be over the top?  I may just opt for the simplicity of gourds, grasses, and candles this year. Then again, I may just change my mind. If you're in a quandary, here is a little eye candy from years past to help spur your creative juices. 

 A Thanksgiving table need not be fancy or make use of your best china. This table makes use of my every day Fiestaware, along with a special autumn pattern, and multicolored, fringed placemats. I just used a favorite pumpkin tureen and some berries as the centerpiece. Easy, colorful, and fun. 

 With an October birthday and a tradition of hosting the Thanksgiving meal I have acquired a lot of autumn dinnerware over the years, and I love it! This cozy house always makes a colorful splash no matter the setting. 

 Here it is shown on rustic placemats against a boldly patterned fabric used as a table covering. 

 Yellow-handled flatware and matching chalices as water glasses make this table really pop.

 A busy table cover and dinnerware calls for a simple centerpiece.  This lantern does the trick.

The same, simple pumpkin tureen from the first picture makes quite a showy centerpiece here. I arranged the flowers myself using four inexpensive bouquets from Sam's. I filled in with herbs and cuttings from both indoor and outdoor plants.

 One of the easiest ways to decorate a table is with a cornucopia. I found this one for a couple of dollars on clearance at Michael's. A trip to the produce section of my local market and the job was done. 

Tom Turkey makes an appearance every now and again, along with a harvest swag in which I intersperse gourds and little turkey candleholders. 

However you set your holiday table, whether simple, elegant, or over the top, remember to make it festive and fun. 

This post is linked to: 

Let’s Dish!

Tabletop Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

My Favorite Things
Martha's Favorites
Good Life Wednesdays

Tablescape Thursday

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

Be Inspired Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We did, as usual, but as I write this I am ready to collapse in a heap from exhaustion. I arranged these flowers myself, and was quite pleased with the outcome.  Isn't it amazing what a couple of bunches of flowers from Sam's and a pumpkin tureen can become?  The sage at the base of the arrangement is from my garden.

It is a tradition to begin the meal with soup with Potato Leek being the popular choice.  For some reason the soup this year tasted better than ever.  I served it in these turkey mugs.  I think I bought these back in the early 90s, lost them in the basement somewhere, and unearthed them this year.  It was so much fun to see them again.

Some time ago a blogger (I'm sorry, but I can't remember who) said that there is no reason to ever buy chargers again.  She suggested buying glass squares and setting them on top of decorative scrapbook paper.  I tried that this year and I have to tell you that I am sold!  It looked beautiful and added such an elegant touch to the table.  Everyone commented on how unique they were.

  

The colorful little foil-covered turkey to the right is from the Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company.  I always send people home with some sort of goodie.

Another item unearthed this year was this whimsical sugar and creamer set.  Again, this dates back to the 90s and I believe it was a gift as I don't remember buying it.  It added a bit of fun to the table.

The meal!  Honestly, I don't even remember eating it, though everyone said it was delicious.  I'll enjoy it tomorrow in sandwich form.  I did enjoy the Brandied Mashed Sweet Potatoes in the orange cups.  This is a recent addition to the menu, and one of my favorites.

These brown napkins from World Market worked perfectly.

The brown glasses (that I LOVE!) were on loan from my mother.

Individual salt and pepper shakers at each place setting avoid reaching.

This post is linked to:

Tablescape Thursday
Seasonal Sunday

Thanksgiving Dinner 2010

Another successful Thanksgiving dinner is now behind us.  I am always so grateful to see the same faces every year along with some new ones.  What a treasure are family and friends.

It was turkeys to the max this year with the centerpiece, dinnerware, and my new Williams-Sonoma tablecloth all featuring Tom Turkey.

I've been hosting the Thanksgiving dinner now for 20 years.  Every year I add something new, and relish things from the past.  This little Fitz & Floyd water pitcher is one of my favorite things.

More Fitz & Floyd in this whimsical set of salt and pepper shakers.

These little turkey votives add a bit of unexpected fun.

Johnson Brothers "His Majesty" place setting.

Each diner went home with a foil-wrapped chocolate turkey from the Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Company.

Vichyssoise Shooters

The Zucchini Vichyssoise recipe is from Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris Cookbook and can also be found here .

 
 
I topped each one with a single homemade crouton and a flat-leafed parsley leaf from my garden.


The shooter (mini cordial) glasses are a part of the Pier One Tasting Party collection and can be found in your local Pier One and seen online here.

This is linked to Tablescape Thursday.