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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Pumpkin Hollow Tablescape

 

It has been a busy and exhausting week for me as the finishing touches were finally put on the kitchen. I have to say that I am completely in love with it, cannot stop looking at it, and will do a “reveal” blog post next week. While builder, Joe, was working, I did find time to go out in the conservatory and set a table for two suitable for the month of October.The pumpkin tureen centerpiece was the inspiration for the table. I honestly can’t tell you how long ago it was that I bought that tureen (with the orange berry ring that surrounds it), but I do know that it was at a local shop on historic Main Street that closed about 20 years ago, so I have had this for a long time. It is, truly, one of my favorite pieces of holiday culinary decor.The plates are by David Carter Brown, the pattern is called “Pumpkin Hollow,“ providing the inspiration for the name of this tablescape. They are just small enough so that I was able to set them on orange Fiestaware salad plates providing a nice orange rim to delineate them from the square black dinner plates beneath. 

The black plates set on top Italian chargers with a deep green edge that I inherited from my mother. 

New for this year are the wine glasses with the pumpkin on the stem. I found these at Target, believe it or not, and pounced on them immediately. They are glass, not plastic, and surprisingly durable.

  

Orange flatware brightens atop Kate Spade striped napkins that reminded me of the legs of the wicked witch of the west, so I had to use them here.

The mugs are from Starbucks about 20 years ago. I get those out every year around this time.

 

 The wrought iron candleholders, when put together create a heart, but when separated, provide a unique look.This is my birthday month, and favorite time of the year, so I’m hopeful to be able to do at least one other table setting before October is but a memory.

This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

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Year of the Dragon Tablescape

 

There’s something I find quite appealing about Chinese New Year. I’m not sure if it’s the myths, the customs, bold colors, the intricate Chinese characters, or because it represents the end of winter* and the beginning of spring, but I set a table in celebration every year.

The table covering here is gorgeous fabric from Michael Miller in the “Asian Influence” pattern. I let this fabric dictate the colors of this table — gold, red, and black. Once this was decided, I was off and running.

I could have gone gaudy here, and initially headed in that direction with paper Chinese dragons in pink, yellow, and red, but instead chose to go rather minimal compared with what I generally do, in order to allow each piece to shine.

Metallic gold chargers set on top of round black placemats. Square black plates are on top of the chargers, each of which is topped with a collapsible fan.

Chopsticks are at each place setting, as well as sparkly gold flatware for those of us who tend to send food flying when using the “sticks.” Crystal chopstick rests are available for those who choose to use them.

The napkins are made from Alexander Henry fabric in the “Manju Kanji” pattern that blends amazingly well (I think) with that of Michael Miller.

 

I wanted a bold punch of red, so chose these beautiful goblets from Villeroy & Boch.

 

The tea set belongs to my number two son who, years ago, became fascinated with Asian tea service. I found it perfect to use here, considering we’re celebrating the Year of the Dragon beginning February 10.

The saucers under the simple cups are in the shape of leaves, something I find charming.

 

The simple but unique candlesticks can be found here.

 

If you are as eager to see the end of winter and beginning of spring, as I am, consider celebrating this holiday in your home, and brew a nice cup of Chinese tea.

 *For some of us it has been shockingly cold (read awakening to the temperature of -7° F). For me, personally, it involved being stuck, diagonally, in the middle of my street, blocking traffic in both directions, when I tried to venture out after a deceptive layer of ice coated the street under the guise of a dusting of snow.

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 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

"Soup to Nuts" Thanksgiving Tablescape

When you have hosted Thanksgiving dinner for 30+ years, eventually, trust me, you run out of table setting ideas. I don’t like to do the same thing year after year, but this year I really struggled to pull something together. I brought absolutely every Thanksgiving/autumn item up from the belly of the beast, spread it out over the countertops and table, and chose from there. I don’t know how my guests will feel, but I am enjoying the change.

I went with a simple, dark checked tablecloth and topped it with round placemats. From there I used tin chargers from a local business (shout out to The White Rabbit), and then used plates edged in plaid that I got a couple of years ago from Pier One.

  The pheasant luncheon plates on top are from Williams-Sonoma, years ago. I love them, but don’t often find the opportunity to use them.

I liked the colors here, but particularly liked the edge that I knew would show around the acorn soup bowls (also Williams-Sonoma years ago). 

This year I absolutely fell in love with the plaid napkins from Pottery Barn as well as the miniature copper mug napkin rings! Aren’t these adorable?! I filled them with mixed nuts (so that we would have everything from soup to nuts for dinner). I will bring them out again at Christmas time and fill them with cranberries. I am over the moon about these.

The pinecone flatware is from Cabela’s. Don’t underestimate Cabela’s when it comes to dinnerware. They have some amazing things.

The crystal is German-made Mikasa gifted to me by a friend who was sick of them. I think they look lovely here.

The turkey and artificial foliage and gourds I’ve had for a number of years, and it never gets old. This year, to mix things up, I wove lighted fall maple leaves throughout so that when the time has come for dining, all I need to do is flip a switch in the power pack (carefully hidden at my place setting) and everything will be a glow.

Whatever you do, however you celebrate, with whomever you celebrate, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

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Tablescape Fun

Here is a little eye candy to inspire your holiday table this season. These photos were taken at one of my favorite local shops, The White Hare. They always have such beautiful things, cleverly displayed, and so inviting, that I routinely leave that place with a bag in my hand whether I need anything or not.

One time when I went solely to look at the decorated tables. I took a friend along, and she commented on how impractical these tables were, adding that it would be impossible to actually dine at one of them. That’s true, but that’s not the point. For me, my decorated table is as much a part of my holiday decor as is the lighted garland, figures of Santa, rows of holiday cards, and Christmas tree.

When it comes time to serve a meal, a number of these things are removed. I just like having a pretty table to look at all season long because it cheers me and puts me in the holiday spirit.

Perhaps one of these table settings will do the same for you. If nothing else, they are certainly holiday eye candy. 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Visions of Sugarplums Children's Table

Sometimes kids get too old, and by old, I'm talking 8, to think they belong at the “kid's table.” Sometimes my rugs disagree. So, if you want to entice kids to a specific table in your house, I have devised the perfect plan: dazzle them with your centerpiece!

I held my annual Boxing Day dinner on a soggy Saturday and fixed my traditional roast beef dinner. It is something that everyone, including me, looks forward to. It's a wonderfully mixed crowd of young and old, all excitedly talking about their holiday gifts, and ready to relax and enjoy a nice meal.

Few kids (and adults, as it turned out) can resist the sparkle of fairly lights from the tree reflected on glass apothecary jars filled with candy. This centerpiece with an ice skating Santa that used to be a part of my mother's collection attracted kids like a magnet. Their eyes were like saucers as they stared at the contents of each jar, knowing that at evening's end, they'd be filling a bag with as much as they could to take home with them.

Equally enticing were the napkins folded into trees that I first showed you here. I was honestly surprised at how many comments I received on these from young and old, male and female, alike. Everyone seemed quite captivated by these.

The green transferware dishes are something I use solely at Christmas. The pattern is called Old Curiosity Shop and it’s made by Royal China. It strikes me as a pattern that is more Christmassy than almost any other because it reminds me so strongly of Dickens.

This post is linked to:

Work It Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday

Create It Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Tablescape Thursday

Simple and Sweet Fridays

Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Fridays Flash Blog