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!

Tablescape Thursday - Vintage Japan

When I was looking at my calendar this week...I saw that Thursday is Culture Day in Japan. Now I have no idea what that is exactly...nor how it is celebrated, however, in honor of the day, I decided to repost a tablescape I set awhile back. I hope you'll enjoy!



It's almost time for Tablescape Thursday again -- it's always fun to see everyone's tabletop creations. This week I've set the table just for two. Won't you be my guest?



Welcome to this vintage (mostly) oriental table.



Of course I set a place for you....afterall, I was expecting you!



I didn't have any oriental looking napkins, so I spread these to look like a fan.



I've had these for awhile -- but I've never taken the wrapper off, I never quite got the hang of using chopsticks...how about you? Do you get more in you mouth than on your lap?



Finding a beautiful set of cups and saucers when we were clearing out my father-in-laws estate was the start of this tablescape.



The hand painting is beautiful.





Marking on the bottom of the cup -- even that's pretty....whatever it means.



I found this runner, actually probably a dresser scarf, at the little antique, vintage store that's going out of business. The handwork is gorgeous and appears quite old -- it's not in perfect condition -- the linen has some tiny holes and there is some frayed edging, but I still will enjoy it ....someone spent hours cross-stitching this.




Even the border is beautiful and seems to perfectly compliment.....



....these antique bowls I found at another antique store.






I love these delicate scenes painted on the bowls.




We can definately read the bottom of these bowls.



Our centerpiece of vintage ladies and a pretty fan that was my mother-in-laws.



Aren't the colors pretty?




Again, I think of the hours someone spent painting this lovely scene.



I found these two Japanese ladies at the same store going out of business. I don't know exactly how old they are, but I knew they would grace this tablescape well.



Loved the detail to her dress front....



....and back view.



Look at her beautiful face.



They're both holding musical instruments. I suppose with four granddaughters....perhaps at least one of them will be interested in collecting dolls.



View from across the tabletop.



Overview of the centerpiece.



Tabletop overview.





We'll say "good-night" in the soft tealight glow from my oriental tea house.

Be sure to visit Susan this week at "Between Naps on the Porch" for lots of dish inspirations.

See ya!