A Thanksgiving Table 2021

Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving this year?  I know last year was a letdown for many because of Covid-19 restrictions.  It seems like this year, more people are planning to gather with family members (and friends).  We will be celebrating our blessings at Hal's parents' home this year.  On Friday, we'll visit my mom and have a dinner of leftovers (my favorite kind of leftovers)  :)  at her house.  I'll be taking food to both places, and our son will be joining us.               I set a Thanksgiving table, just because.  Two things made me want to do that -- a new table runner I purchased in Charleston last month and my dried hydrangeas.  I thought about using my Liberty Blue dishes again, since I enjoyed using them with orange pumpkins a few years ago.  But I decided that the colors in my Johnson Brothers "His Majesty" dishes were what I wanted to highlight this year.   

   

   

I think this table focuses more on the beauties of nature at this time of year than on the feast itself.  We are absolutely looking forward to the feast, but this autumn has been so unbelievably beautiful, that I couldn't resist celebrating that.  It is, after all, one of the things I'm thankful for.  The only new things I bought for this table are the table runner and the guinea feathers.  Everything else I've had for many years.

          

I bought these maple leaf plates the year I started this blog -- 2011.  We have honestly seen many leaves this same color around our area this year.  They truly are spectacular.     

I also bought these Johnson Brothers dishes the year I started this blog; I can't believe it's been over ten years now.  Since I purchased these, I have seen patterns I like better, honestly, like the Spode "Woodland" pattern.  However, I have eight place settings of these, and I plan to keep them.  I've looked longingly at the Spode dishes online, but I just can't justify paying those prices right now.  I do love all the brown in this border, and the other colors coordinated so well with my flowers this year...   

The lighting in our dining room is always a challenge when we're taking pictures.  Hal has used light boxes and other flash accoutrements in the past, but I don't have the patience to use those.  Because of that, some of the photos have grainy sections -- my apologies.   

I will say that I'm able to do better with this Sony camera than any I've ever had.   

In previous Thanksgiving tables, I've included some serving dishes, but our table is small and space is limited.  We have two leaves to make the table bigger, but our room is too small for even one leaf in the table.  Never the less, we manage. 😉 In keeping with the natural, somewhat rustic theme of the table, I used my rattan chargers and napkin rings.  I used simple, light brown napkins to coordinate with the table runner.  I added faux antlers, feathers, faux acorns and pecans -- all things found in nature.  I am so happy with this natural look.   

The table runner came from the old city market in downtown Charleston.  This particular vendor sells French linens from Provence, and I bought a tablecloth from her several years ago.  She is from Brazil, and she married a Frenchman; he's a professor in Charleston, and every year they visit his home in France and bring back linens to sell.  I was really taken with this runner, and I felt like the neutral colors would go with a lot of things.  I love the fabric, the border, hemstitching, and embroidered lavender stems.    

   It also has tassels at each end.      

Do you have a favorite food at Thanksgiving?  I like all of it -- everything.  😁  I really do.  I love turkey (the white meat, not dark) my mom's dressing is one of my favorite foods in the world, as well as her giblet gravy and desserts.  I love my mother-in-law's turkey and dressing, too, along with her sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, and desserts.  Our moms are such good cooks; Thanksgiving will never be the same without them.   

Will you be traveling far for Thanksgiving?   

These teacups always make me smile with their shape and the Tom Turkey inside.   

   

   

"Come, ye thankful people, come,    Raise the song of harvest home."     I know I'm almost a week early, but in case I get too busy next week, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a happy heart.  We have much to be thankful for here.  Speaking of that, thank you all so much for visiting, reading, and commenting on my blog posts.  I love to hear from you!     Blessings,