Ahh! Thanksgiving! The Turkey is taking center stage this year.
Well - don't tell him but he is not the only Tom at the Table, he will be sitting with my husband, Tom, and our youngest, who we lovingly refer to as T.R. - also a Tom.
I will have to admit right up front - I have never cooked a turkey!! I have no longing to cook a turkey and I am fine with never having had to cook a turkey thus far in my life. Oh sure, maybe some day - but my wonderful mother-in-law is only 20 years older than me and has always hosted Thanksgiving for our family. That is just one of the many things I am thankful for! Working in retail service for a toy company has me very busy this time of year. I work very late on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and also get up early to work on Black Friday the next morning. So cooking a huge meal and hosting this holiday has never been top on my list of must do's!
Although, I may not cook the dinner, I do love setting the table! As a child that was always one of the chores I never minded doing, especially for the holidays. This was one of the few times my mom used her "good dishes"! There was always something about the gravy boat that I loved!! Weird, I know!
My dad and uncle always went pheasant hunting on Thanksgiving morning. Hunting, fishing and growing our own food were means of many meals back then.
If that were still the case - I would probably go hungry! Now the meaning for hunt is looking for a good recipe on Pinterest!
I picked a few mums from my garden for this beautiful fall ceramic piece that I just had to have because it matched the dishes!! I wasn't sure if I was going to fill it with mashed potatoes or broccoli - but I think I like it filled with flowers even better.
My prayers continue to be with my friends on the east coast, still unsettled from Sandy and the storms following. I hope all of you who stop in to read my blog now and then know how grateful I am for your friendship and how much I enjoy your comments. I have a lot to be thankful for!
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sources:
Dishes - tii Collections - Dol Harvest Leaves- from Butterchurn Kitchenware in Walnut Creek Ohio- a real deal at 40% off!!
Chargers - Better Homes and Garden- from Walmart
Flatware and amber water goblets- from World Market several months ago
Napkins - I made
Stick table runner - from Target last week
Giant Acorns with gold glitter - from Marshalls last year
Turkey - from Butterchurn Kitchenware in Walnut Creek
Wood Candle sticks and brown candles from Michaels
I will be linking with the following parties:
Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
WOW!!! this table is so warm and inviting I think I can smell thanksgiving dinner. That runner is so neat it adds to the table without taking away from the center piece. I need my husband to read this , who for some strange reason thinks it would be fun for me to cook Thanksgiving dinner??? Why when my sister cooks and lives next door??? Great table Ann
ReplyDeleteStunning. I love your tablescape and your centerpiece is absolutely beautiful. Wow, love it all. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteLovely tablescape! I especially like the little dishes in the center of the plates.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is beautiful! Can't wait to see what you do for Christmas! :)
ReplyDelete~Audra
Beautiful Tablescape!! Love the natural and rustic elements! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment!
ReplyDeleteTotally Terrific Table and love your Tom Turkey! I really enjoyed your post on not cooking on Thanksgiving and you are a very busy person being in toys this time of year. I love the cute not the only Tom at the table comment! Your tablescape is very elegant and the china is perfect with your centerpiece! The centerpiece is so beautiful with the creamware turkey and planter and how you arranged all the accessories. Have a great Thanksgiving and great some rest before Friday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam
Your table is fabulous.. I think they should all come to your house and use! Your "Tom" on the table is a very pretty piece. Love the small leaf dishes too. xo marlis
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful table! I really love the green wainscoting in your dining room. I can tell I like your style and I will be following along now.
ReplyDeleteNever?!??!! Never?!??!?!! Oh, my goodness! That's amazing! Believe me...you're not missing much. I don't exactly relish the idea of shoving my arm up to the elbow in that cold, slimy crevice to retrieve those giblets!!! And lifting that thing is no picnic, either! So keep your mother-in-law good and healthy so that by the time it's "your turn" to do the turkey, the younger people will want to take it over! :-) You did a wonderful, wonderful job with the centerpiece!!! I like the way you pulled it all together with the bamboo mat. I also really like the way you mixed in fun accent pieces to give it an extra kick. Very pretty! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Tom, Tom and the rest of the family! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis table is beautiful. I don't cook turkeys either but love setting the table. I used to order the whole turkey dinner when we lived in Fl, from Boston Market. My son would say that his mom is the only one he knows who can make Boston Market turkey look so good on the table, lol.
ReplyDeleteLove your Tom Turkey centerpiece! You did a beautiful job of fluffing him out! I love the bamboo runner down the center as it adds a rustic, textural element to the table. How nice to have your dear MIL prepare the meal.
ReplyDeleteOh I love all these wonderful natural elements at your table and your tureen with his fantail of pheasant feathers and wheat is spectacular! I was in retail for 25 years, never with toys but I can so identify with working late Wednesday and early on Black Friday! I was bah humbug by December 1st after dealing with Christmas merchandise since October. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and profitable holiday season :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I love how you dressed up your Tom Turkey centerpiece! The feathers look awesome! I like your chargers (I used the same ones)! Those are some giant acorns! The dishes look beautiful! I can't believe you've gotten away with never roasting a turkey! Well it's wonderful that you have someone to do the dinner- especially since you work such tough hours! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!
ReplyDeleteA very pretty table. You did a great job. And setting a pretty table is as much of an art as cooking!
ReplyDeleteWow, gorgeous table, Ann! The centerpiece is fabulous, with so many different textures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful table.
ReplyDeleteYour centerpiece is outstanding.
Have a great Thanksgiving dinner.
Greetings from Stockholm,
/CC
Cooking a turkey is over rated!! Love the centerpiece!! Love the stick runner.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great table, no matter who cooks. I think you could just have a sandwich here and be happy!
ReplyDeleteLucky you to be able to set the table and not cook! That would be my dream Thanksgiving too. We always used the "good" dishes for the holidays when I was young, then had to wash and dry them afterwards, so I make sure everything here goes in the dishwasher. Was your gravy boat all one piece or was the dish separate? It's funny you should mention that as I also was fascinated by that piece. My mother's was all one, easier for passing she said. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your Toms! Linda
ReplyDeleteLove your table!! Thanks for giving me some good ideas.....the best one being to have dinner at my mother-in-laws :)
ReplyDelete