Simpich Pilgrims & Thanks to Cuisine Kathleen

"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. During this beautiful season when we celebrate harvest and Thanksgiving, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger

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For a number of years, my Sweet Mister gifted me with assorted doll collections from The Simpich Shop in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  When Mr. and Mrs. Simpich decided to retire, they closed their studios and shop, so the dolls are now only availabe on the secondary market.  Each October, I display the Hansel and Gretel and the mean old witch with their gingerbread house.  The second group that I remove from the storage closet each holiday season is The Simpich Pilgrim grouping.  This week I designed a Thanksgiving/Fall tablescape with these charming dolls.  The whole process was set in motion when I went to my door and discovered two packages addressed to moi!

The first box that I opened contained this Pottery Barn, Hemstitched Linen Tablecloth, in Pumpkin...an eBay purchase...

...The second box was crammed full of these wonderful Waverly, Red and Gold Beaded Tassels from the generous and multi-talented CUISINE KATHLEEN.  I was the runner-up in one of her wonderful give-aways.  THANK YOU, KATHLEEN!!!  With these two new design elements, I was off to the races with ideas swirling in my head...all the inspiration I needed.

Next I drew our Furnival, "Blue Quail" from the cupboard to be placed atop the hammered copper charger plates that I picked up at an estate sale recently.  The L'Argent, Sophia "Gold" flatware was just the right mellow yellowish touch that I wanted.  The flatware was found at Tuesday Morning, and more recently at Horchow.  Tip:  Horchow is currently offering 25 - 30% off on almost everything in their catalog.  Now might be a good time to go check them out...stocking stuffers...holiday tables...just sayin'.

The two tones of blue goblets were both from The Dollar Tree.  That's right...$1.00 per stem.

Did you remember that I'm one of those "Blue & White Girls"?  Can't get enough of it.  Years ago, Sweet Mister and I realized that we both live well with blues.  The little white turkey salt and pepper belonged to my mama.  I think of her each year when I take them   out for Thanksgiving.  The Pottery Barn "Flax" Hemstitched Napkin makes yet another appearance.  I really have enjoyed using them many times this year.

As it turned out, my centerpiece was actually quite simple to create.  I really liked the warmth of the old heavy brass candlesticks.  The tallest pair belonged to my mother-in-love, and I picked up the other two pair at the tail end of an estate sale for $10.00 for all four of them.  Woo hoo!  Tip:  Timing is everything!  Shortly after my great get on the candlesticks, I read that the new trend metal color for the coming year is...wait for it...brass!  I felt even smarter...LOL.  So...all of those old brass decorative pieces that you've finally decided to donate to someone...Don't!  And if you haven't changed out your brass hardware on your cabinets in too many years to count...Hey!  You're back in style.

The faux Fall foliage is two garlands, woven in a serpentine fashion around the candlesticks and dolls...so easy!  I keep a variety of holiday garlands hanging on a hook in my garage workroom.  Tip:  For adequate coverage, I generally buy 2 - 4 of the same garland at Hobby Lobby or Michael's.  I always wait to pick them up when they are on sale...

...And finally, my old friends...the Simpich "Pilgrims."  We've enjoyed them for many years, and I pray that they bring a smile to your face this day.  They'll be sojourning in   several different spots throughout our home during the Christmas holidays.  Squanto was a later addition to the collection.  Simpich also later designed a young Indian boy.  Some 

day I'll find him, and he'll come home to join our noble little group.

Fresh turkey and a bounty of vegetables...

Time to start cooking and baking....company will be here before you know it!  Happy Thanksgiving preparations!

Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday.  I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY."   Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 9:00 pm on Wednesdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!