Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Blessings, 2012

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. 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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Where do you find inspiration when you design a tablescape?  Sometimes I find my design catalyst in a particular china pattern, or perhaps a tablecloth.  Seasonal flowers can also set the creative juices flowing, but for my Thanksgiving table this year, I didn't start with any of the usual suspects...

When we moved into our home about twenty years ago, I decided that I wanted a matching pair of tall antique celadon and blue jars to flank the fireplace in our living room.  I looked high and low, but the few times that I came across just what I wanted, they were always either the wrong size or incredibly expensive...certainly never even close to my desired price range.  Even so, I never gave up the search.  At long last...several weeks ago, I struck pay dirt at the tail end of a very good estate sale, and these bad boys came home to live at our house.  If you peak at the reflection in the mirror, you can see that our mantle currently features Autumn leaves and an assortment of copper pumpkins.  Come Friday, the Fall decorations will be replaced with a lighted evergreen garland, and the needlepoint Christmas stockings.  The mantle won't be open to receive my new treasures until about the first of next year.  I couldn't bear the thought of these lovelies languishing in their boxes all that time...and then I had a thought!  I could build my Thanksgiving tablescape design around the jars!  And so it began...


 Come on in!  The Simpich Pilgrims are waiting for you on the center table in the foyer.  They want to give you a clue about what waits just around the corner.  This old table used to belong to our dear Nana.  Taking inspiration from all of you who create such wonderful cloche designs, I filled the lanterns with glittering pumpkins.  The fallen bed of leaves is really just a garland that I picked up several years ago on clearance at Michaels.  Tip:  I keep an assortment of seasonal garlands hanging in the garage.  They always prove to be a quick and easy way to create an effective holiday decoration in a matter of minutes.  I pick up a few after the holidays, and I use them year after year.  Lots of bang for the buck!  Okay, let's take a left and head for the dining room...

The table is set for ten guests.  Only eight are coming so far, but my family has the blessed knack of calling at the last minute and saying, "Mom, our friend doesn't have any place to celebrate Thanksgiving.  He can't afford to go home this year, so is it okay if we bring him/her/them to share our dinner?"  My answer is always the same, "Sure!"  If we happen to be blessed with even more guests, I have already placed extra leaves in the table, so it will only take moments to add even more place settings.  Enough food?...Have you ever had a Thanksgiving dinner without a plethora of left overs? 

The centerpiece is really pretty simple.  Assorted sizes of the Pottery Barn Mercury Glass Pumpkins meander down the length of the table.  I've interspersed three pair of antique Barley Twist candlesticks between the pumpkins and scattered loose leaves that work like a runner for the table.  Tip:  Did you notice that the pumpkins are elevated on old wooden stands of varying heights?  When I walk through estate sales and antique or junk stores, I always keep an eye out for these wooden stands. They usually sell for just a couple of dollars, and they have an abundance of uses.  Using stands of different heights creates movement and interest in the centerpiece.  Just remember, try to keep your centerpieces at about 12 inches or less in height.  That will allow your guests to have an unimpeded view of the guests on the other side of the table.

That's another Michael's garland resting across the arms of the chandelier.  The Williams-Sonoma Pumpkin Hemstitched Linen tablecloth was an appropriate choice...We all remember from our childhood art classes that orange is the complimentary color for blue on the color chart...one of those random things that we learned in school that is still useful all these years later.  Who knew!

The place settings were kept a bit subtle; I had plenty of high color elsewhere...  The stack included...

The Myott Turkey Accent Plate will be removed at the beginning of the dinner and appear later filled with German Chocolate pie for our dessert.

Our traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served on the Coalport Athlone Brown dinner plate, an eBay find. 

The Maryland China Company Bernadotte Charger anchors the place setting.  

Tip:  Fact:  Not all dinner plates fit properly in all charger plates.  Solution:  Do you have a pile of those quaint old lace and tatted doilies that your grandmothers used to lovingly place on lamp tables, vanity tables, on the arms of upholstered chairs,...really any and everywhere.  I always kept them because they belonged to her, but I never had a purpose for them.  Then one day, I realized that they made the perfect buffer between my charger and dinner plates.  It prevents the dinner plate from sliding around as my guests are cutting their meat, etc.  Now I look for piles of them at estate sales and in antique stores.  A 9" doily is just about perfect, and they are always very inexpensive.  I think that they're kind of cool.  Give them a try.

The light blue hemstitched napkin pulled the celadon color of the jars onto the table.  My Waverly Beaded Tassel napkin rings were a give away gift from Cuisine Kathleen.  The Argent Sophia Gold flatware picks up the soft golds found in the leaves and mini pomegranate berries strewn down the table.

To complete my place setting...

I chose the Vietri Amber Optical goblet and the Waterford Simply Blue wine.  I like the point-counterpoint effect of the contemporary paired with the traditional.

I enjoyed having the time to capture some candlelight shots...










A few final thoughts...As we gather around our Thanksgiving table, I shall remember 1Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  If you have a desire to read about a life spent giving thanks in the direst of circumstances, may I encourage you to read The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.  I remember a moment in a long ago Bible study when the question was asked, "If everything in your life is a complete disappointment, a total failure...will God's grace still be sufficient for you?"  I have to say, "Yes!"  I pray that you will have a blessed Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends.  I pray that you will have and take an opportunity to reach out to others and be a blessing to them.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  This year I am thoughtful of those who have lost so much because of Hurricane Sandy.  They will be on my heart and in my prayers as we gather around our table.  May you know the peace and abundant blessings of God's love for you.  Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm pleased to join Marty (A Stroll Through Life) for TABLETOP TUESDAY.  Won't you come along?  

Wednesday is the 36th edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH".  I'm excited to be a charter member.  Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!

Lots of great ideas to be gathered when you visit Yvonne at Stone Gable for TIDBITS, TIPS, & TUTORIALS.  Don't waste another moment...hurry on over!  
                                                                
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 10:00 AM on Thursdays.  You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.

When I think of November, I think about the bounty of the harvest, the crisp Autumn days, and leaves that crunch under foot.  How about you?  With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts (even in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy), I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS.  Hope to see you there!  

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 "The Tag Hollow Sessions""  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!          
    



  



Entertaining Women
Entertaining Women

Hello, I'm Cherry Kay I was 40 before I realized that I am an artist. I love to paint, work in clay, rubber stamping, design tablescapes, entertain, and share ideas. I'm an interior designer wanna-be...no credentials, but lots of experience.

29 comments:

  1. Your table is lovely, especially all of the mercury glass! Beautiful post. I am wishing you a wonderful holiday with your family!

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  2. Bless you and your family Cherry Kay. I loved how your finished your post. I praise God every day, regardless of the circumstance. His grace is sufficient.

    Your table is stunning. Breathtaking actually. I love the night shots with the candles and the reflections. So amazing. The choice dishes are perfect. I think pumpkin is the perfect color for Thanksgivings! You do have a style that I would love to emulate!! Happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yours.. xo marlis
    ps.. congrats on those beautiful urns.

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful table, Cherry Kay. I never thought of using doilies as a buffer between the plates...thanks for the tip.
    I am using the same Myott plates on my table this year!
    Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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  4. Cherry Kay, your table is beautiful. I do like the orange and blue together. I am using the same turkey plates this year -- love them. I love your blue goblet too. The mercury pumpkins look beautiful elevated. I would like to have some of those stands. I have had some extras at Thanksgiving. Some from Asia have never had turkey before so it has been fun to give them this American experience. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Joni

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  5. Hi Cherry Kay! Oh, your table is just gorgeous and I want to wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  6. Congratulations on your new purchase. I love how it was the inspiration for your table! The silver and blue are such a different take on Thanksgiving. It looks fantastic.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

    - The Tablescaper

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  7. Cherry Kay, your table is stunning and looks like it should be in Southern Living magazine. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  8. Absolutely beautiful. I love the pumpkins and the accent plates. I have eyed those plates for a while and your the second blog I've seen with them this week. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. Just Stunning!! What lucky guests to eat at your table. Visiting Cuisine Kathleen
    PuddleJumperCreations

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  10. Spectacular table, as always. Your welcoming attitude personifies the holiday.

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  11. Hi Cherry Kay, Your color choices are always so interesting and appealing and this table is further evidence that you are inspirational!! I think it is wonderful that you set two extra places at your table. We are a small group this year and were saying tonight that it would be nice to round up a few more people. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Linda

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  12. Stunning! The blue with the cloth is just lovely, and the mercury glass too!
    May God bless you and your family, we have new little ones to be thankful for this year!
    Happy Tgiving and thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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  13. I love the way the blue just pops!! I am so glad you finally found what your were looking for in those vases. Your patience has paid off. I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  14. Cherry Kay, your new jars are gorgeous. They were the perfect muse for a stunning Thanksgiving table. I like your stack. Each one of those plates compliments the other. Beautiful, beautiful!
    Enjoy your feast with your family as you gather at this beautiful table.

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  15. I audibly gasped when I saw your table, Cherry Kay!!! I mean...just about sucked ALL the air outta the room!!! Gorgeous beyond what words can express!!!!! I love the combination of blue with shades of orange, and this is just incredibly beautiful! With all the candles lit, it's even prettier...if that's possible. Hooray for holding out to the end of the sale for those fabulous vases! Great score! I am just blown away by the whole room. And as I have mentioned before, I am just so jealous (in a kind way, though!) of your large foyer where you can put that table out with a little vignette of your choice! This is all so pretty!!!!!!!

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  16. Based on your tip, I used lace doilies between our china and the charger plates. They worked perfectly. No slipping and sliding while cutting our food. Thanks for the brilliant tip!

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  17. Cherry Kay,
    I just adore this table! Everything is perfection! Your inspiration vases are gorgeous and what a statement they will make anywhere! I think they will be beautiful on your mantle as well. My mother has an entire collection of celadon that she still can't part with and I think celadon is probably her favorite of all the pieces she owns. Your table is truly breathtaking with all the mercury glass running down the center of your table. We truly have much to be thankful for! Thanks for your sweet visit!
    Miss Bloomers

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  18. Ah, Cherry Kay, I am always sure I'll slow down and breathe deeply as I look at your photos and read your posts. The table is lovely - your ideas are ever original. I read few posts about decorating - only those whose accompanying words touch me or that breathe a special something spiritual at the same time. That's your blog. I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

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  19. What a stunning table! The mercury glass accents are gorgeous. I also love the touches of blue. The plates are so perfect for Thanksgiving; I love them. Your tables never fail to delight me!

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  20. Wow, your Thanksgiving table is so beautiful. I love every element on the table and the buffet. Perfect how you used the light blue napkins to accent the bit of blue in the turkey plates and the mercury pumpkins are gorgeous. Good tip on the doilies, I'll keep my eye out for them and for the wooden stands. You are so right, I am always trying to elevate pieces and looking for the right stand. Thanks for sharing the elegant table.

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  21. CK, I'm stopping back by from Seasonal Sunday for another look at this gorgeous table. I didn't set a table this year, so have to indulge myself in all the beautiful ones in Blogville.
    Texas weather is at its best this weekend.....bright sunshine but a nip in the air. Enjoy your day......Sarah

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  22. I just read your comment on Sonia's. Do you really have a warehouse to store all your things????

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  23. Oh how I love this table setting. The rich golds and Thanksgiving colors combined with my favorite blues!

    Great tip on using doilies to prevent plates slipping on chargers, now I too have a use for the doilies I own but do not use.

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  24. Stunning, Cherry kay! I used the same plates salad and matching luncheon plates for Thanksgiving dinner too. I love your blue wine glasses. I also love your pilgrims, they are dressed so beautifully!...Christine

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  25. Beautiful Thanksgiving table, your dining room looked perfect!

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  26. So beautiful. I love the mercury glass pieces. So pretty clustered together! Your tablescape is so elegant. I especially like the blue crystal. Stunning!

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  27. As always, everything looks just perfect. So pretty.
    I am dying for some mercury glass pieces...maybe after the holidays.
    Also read on a blog that they have the "mercury look" paint...might try some of that, too.
    xo bj

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  28. Just catching up on some blog reading, wow am I glad I didn't miss this one!!! Your table is gorgeous!! the blue is unexpected and it all came together just beautifully!!

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  29. Those bad boys look great on the buffet! Your thanksgiving table is amazing. Just incredible!
    Karen

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Thank you for spending your time to leave a comment. I read each and every one of your generous thoughts. They encourage me in so many ways.

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