November Calendar Inspiration Tablescape

 I'm almost at the end of my Lang Calendar that I've been using for tablescape inspiration this year.  Here's the inspiration picture for November.

 Welcome to my November table full of pumpkins and corn.....now some things are a little different from the picture....but that's the beauty of "inspiration".....it doesn't have to be an exact duplicate.....just going for the same "feel".

I don't have a pretty little low sided metal bucket like the picture.....but I do have a hammered aluminum tray.......

 ....so I went about gathering pumpkins for my tray.....and pumpkin plates for the table.

Sorry for the glare.....the day I set this table was rainy so I had to turn on the light.  These pumpkin plates came from Walmart last year.  The plaid napkins came from the Yankee Candle store a couple of years ago.

I pulled out my vintage green goblets......one of these days I may find some pretty amber stems....but I don't know where on earth I would store them!  I'm all out of storage and cubby spots!

 An overview of the centerpiece....pumpkins.....leaves....corn....gourds....acorns.

A look from the "other" side.

I found these acorns that look real in Michaels a few weeks ago.

I decided that the bamboo flatware was the choice for this casual table.

                                           Tabletop overview.

                                        I do love the colors.....

                               .........and the scents of autumn......

                                       .....how about you? 

                                  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

                                 See ya!


I'm joining Cuisine Kathleen at "Let's Dish!:http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2012/11/november-brownslet-dish-35challenge.html

I'm joining Susan at "Between Naps on the Porch"http://betweennapsontheporch.net/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-rustic-turkey-centerpiece-and-turkey-tureens/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

October gifts

You know how sometimes you just need a little something to take to the office...or a hostess gift?  We've had a few occasions in our office the past few weeks that merited a small gift.  The first was a collegue who was moving to another town while her husband goes back to law school.  With autumn upon us...I thought a cheery farewell basket would be fun....

....especially with such a cute scarecrow....I love scarecrows!

This little garden in a basket was very economical ...two mums, panseys, a couple of gourds and a tiny pumpkin with a bit of "moss".  The fall ribbon I already had and the basket was on sale. 

 Then came boss's day ....so when I found this Virginia Tech pan at Cracker Barrel... perfect!  It was easy to whip up a batch of symphony brownies and wrap it all up and tie it together with the school colors and a few autumn leaves. 

 Then the very next day another one of our collegues was leaving for a promotion....so once again, I "planted" a going away garden in this cute pumpkin basket.

And another cute scarecrow woman stands guard over the flowers and pumpkins.  I think she's too sweet to really scare anything though.  What do you think?

  I guess I'll need to restock my fall ribbon.....this was the last of that batch. 


Hope you're enjoying October in your corner of the pumpkin patch!

See ya!

Changing Seasons

I have learned over the past few years to start my seasonal decorating early in the fall.  It seems that once Labor Day is over things get really busy and with several decorating opportunities coming up -- Halloween and Thanksgiving.....it's best to start the 1st of September.....even if it still feels like summer.

And so I began to dismantle all the elements of Summer.....

from the little powder room.....

even the summer scented soap and lotion changed.....

Time to leave the sandcastles and buckets of gathered shells......

....no more moonlit walks on the beach.....

....the sounds of seagulls and waves disappear....

....one last sailboat ride.....

....time to say goodbye Summer.....

Welcome Fall!

Now we greet our old friend Mr. Scarecrow in the garden.....

....the leaves begin to fall.....

....the smell of cinnamon and spices.....

...our mantle takes on a new look...

...pheasants replace flamingos....

....soft sandy shades turn to Autumns brilliant colors......

....time for gathering.....

....and back to school.....

....and giving thanks....

....baskets laden.....

....with Autumn's harvest.....

....children playing.....

.....a visit to the pumpkin patch....

....as Autumn elves welcome the crisp cool days of fall....

....once again the seasons change and we welcome the warmth of home and hearth.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

See ya!

I'm joining Marty at "A Stroll Thru Life" for Tabletop Tuesday.http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2012/09/132nd-table-top-tuesday.html

Thanksgiving 2011

We love Thanksgiving and welcoming family and friends into our home for celebrating. Unfortunately, this fall has been my worst ever for allergies and I just haven't been posting much since the first part of the month. Just no energy and trying to pace myself for getting ready. Hopefully I'll be getting better as we get into colder weather that seems to kill whatever "gets" me this time of year.



These yellow mums were so pretty most of the autumn season....but they're looking well past their prime now....time for something new.



Love the ornamental cabbages and kales mixed in my front porch pots along with panseys.



Red door welcome.



Fall door arrangement to welcome you inside.


Spunky welcomes in our back door guests.


A gathering of Thanksgiving friends.


Tom turkey guards the kitchen.




Love these cute Publix salt & pepper shakers....I've enjoyed them on tables from my southern blogging friends for the past few years. I mentioned last year to my daughter-in-law that I would like to get a set (they live right outside of Atlanta....Publix country). And she surprised me with these that she found at a Goodwill recently! Aren't they adorable? These were from 2002. I think they have slightly different ones each year. (Is that right you Publix shoppers?) Anyway, I love my new Thanksgiving treasure. Little things make me happy.





Thanksgiving tweeking of the sideboard. I did remember to put candles in the little silver turkeys.



My autumn washstand.



This little squirrel gathering acorns was from Cracker Barrel a few years back. He's happily getting ready for a Thanksgiving feast.



A jar full of fallness....acorns...Indian corn.....and a mini pumpkin.



Antique postcard of Thanksgiving greetings.



Mr. Mid-Atlantic and I are celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary this Saturday.....but since our wedding was on Thanksgiving eve, that's when we celebrate with a big oyster roast with the family .....this year we hosted 29 family members ranging from 2 to 86. We ate and laughed and danced. Most of the activity was outside. Not very fancy, but tables set up under the carport. Rick spent the evening grilling a bushel of oysters. We also had Brunswick stew, pigs in a blanket and my sister-in-law brought ham and turkey rolls and a wonderful eggplant dish. We also had apple cake and pumpkin muffins. Assorted beverages of wine, soft drinks, beer, water and juice boxes.




Inside there were a couple of tables set up with a shrimp cheeseball, a pimento cheese spread assorted crackers and mini quiches and my sister made microwave smores for the kids. Just a few things to munch on for those who came inside from the cold. The wind was wicked Wednesday night, otherwise it would have been a perfect evening for outside fun. Next year....a fire pit!



On Thanksgiving day the grandgirls were all over here playing and eating lunch while we were getting ready for the big feast for 15 of us for Thanksgiving dinner. This is the 25th Thanksgiving we've hosted in our home.





This year I set up three different tables for us. This was a card table with just a simple lantern and leaves centerpiece. Wish I had a table (and room) big enough for all of us....but we were still close enough to enjoy a room full of family.




The second table was my dining room table set with good china, silver and crystal.




Same centerpiece as our anniverasy table, except a pumpkin replaces the bride and groom.

By now, most of you are familier with my two napkin setting.....paper for the mouth.....cloth for the lap.



Things are a little less formal in the kitchen.



This table was set for the four grandgirls and parents.



But I promised Stella (our oldest grand) that next year they could have their very own "kids table" with no parents allowed! They'll get the card table next year.




Thanksgiving was a bounty of food.....lots of food....



....and eating....


.....and eating...


.....and eating...


....lots and lots.....


.....of eating.


.....until we just couldn't....


eat another bite!






Afterwards the grandgirls burnt off all the calories dancing the evening away.....the rest of us watched and washed dishes.

Now the house is quiet....our Atlanta kids left this morning around 7:30....Mr. Mid-Atlantic is back in bed....the dogs are curled up for a nap.....and I've got dishes to put away. Hope your Thanksgiving was blessed with love and warmth and hugs and laughter.

See ya!