Turkey's Delight Tablescape

 

Over the course of the past two weeks, I went from not hosting Thanksgiving to hosting Thanksgiving. I’m not unhappy about doing it, because there will just be a few of us, but all of a sudden I am thrown into party planning mode. I’ve decided to do a Cajun Thanksgiving, so will largely be trying all new recipes. The only thing I’m sure about thus far is the table. While this is just a table for two, it will translate into a table for four quite easily.

  

A chocolate brown tablecloth provided the base for this table setting. The turkey at center was my inspiration for all of the colors that I used. It, and the garland, I purchased as a part of a store display many years ago. To add a bit of sparkle, I intertwined lighted maple leaves.

 

I started off with woven placemats topped with gold chargers. From there I chose richly colored gray stoneware plates with a fluted edge. They are by Stone Lain and are the “Lusso” pattern. The turkey plates are from Pottery Barn purchased years ago.

 

I chose gold flatware to give the table a bit of a metallic look, and to complement the chargers. I carried the gold into the lighting at the table, placing metallic gold candles into rustic metal pilgrim candle holders that I purchased in a country shop about 20 years ago. I love mixing old with new.

 

The napkins and mini copper mugs filled with mixed nuts I got from Pottery Barn last year. That way I can rightly claim that I am serving everything from soup to nuts.

The whimsical turkey mugs are completely impractical, but I have loved these now for 25 years. I bought them at a local florist.

 

The wine glasses “Gallia” by Rogaska, I inherited from my mother. The colored liqueur glasses are by Val St. Lambert Crystal - Berncastel Cut, and will be used for serving homemade cranberry liqueur.

 

If any of my new recipes come out well, I’ll be sure to share them with you. I will say that I’m starting our Cajun Thanksgiving dinner with a cup of gumbo, the recipe of which you can find here.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

"Centering" on Thanksgiving

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There is no better example of “rolling with the punches” than this centerpiece.

I host Thanksgiving every year, and look forward to decorating when the weather turns cool. This year, however, when the weather turned cool, my son, his wife, and their two cats descended upon me and my quiet abode for a six-week stay during the completion of their new home; it was challenging for all of us. 

I wanted to set glorious tables for us every night, but they and their stuff managed to present quite the obstacle between me and my stuff.

It wasn’t a question of not being able to get to my seasonal storage; I couldn’t even see it. So, I grabbed what I could, interspersed it among things that I had, strung some lighted fall leaves, and we all found it quite appealing.

The gourds (something I absolutely love year after year) and mini Indian corn are courtesy of Melissa’s Produce. After all, does anything say fall more than colorful gourds and Indian corn?

Seasonal fall décor like gourds and corn come in handy for adding texture, height, and color. The string of lighted maple leaves, bought on a whim, was tucked here and there.

Considering this was a “make do,” we all quite enjoyed it. Flipping the switch on those lights came to be a bit of a ritual, signaling dinner.

 So, no excuses, any of you. Even if you have nothing by way of holiday decor, a few seasonal elements -- gourds and a simple string of lights -- can make a festive addition to your existing table or centerpiece.

Get the look:

Galvanized Three-Tier Tray

Faux Gourds

Faux Indian Corn

Maple Leaf String Light

Cow Creamer

Corn Pitcher

Turkey Tureen