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Monday, November 28, 2011

Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving

T'was the night before Thanksgiving and our guest were arriving at dinner time after a long drive.  I wanted to greet them with a pretty table, but I wanted it different from our Thanksgiving table, which was the same as I used last year.  See it here.

I decided to go dark, since the next day was going to be gold and white.  There were lots of pops of color, though.  Here's the sun hitting the table in the late afternoon.

I've been wanting to use this dark brown poly-silk cloth all season.  Can you see the texture of the embroidery?  These flowers are almost like chenille.

And these are so colorful.

Even though I promised myself that I would not buy any more dishes for fall, I wondered into World Market, saw these, and wondered out with eight of them.  Hey!  It happens!!!

Here's why I had to have them.  I've had this guy for years and my favorite way to display him is as a centerpiece.  I did a cream and brown dinner party with him last fall.  You can see it here.

Then a trip to the floral wholesaler provided these flowers.

I used a round oasis ring for the flowers and I love how they echoed the colors in the cloth.

The charger is an old tan, opalescent plate and then the dinner plate was a cream scalloped one from Z Gallerie. 

The dark brown linen napkin looks pretty faded here, but I don't think it really is.  At any rate, the coral wired ribbon and pheasant feathers perked it up.  My much-used brown handled flatware kept this from being too formal.  Silver would have given it a totally different feel.

Someday I'll learn how to photograph glassware.  This is the stem I used for water.  It is etched with maple leaves and acorns.  Then I added a plain Tiffany wine goblet.  Whose hand has all of those sun spots on it?  Yikes!

Three old wooden turned candlesticks were on each end.  Aren't they handsome?

These little pewter salt and pepper shakers are pheasants, too.

After I had taken a lot of shots, I decided to add these bright green tapas plates as bread and butter plates and then placed horn handled fruit knives on each as a butter knife.  Not exactly proper use, but Emily Post wasn't on the guest list.

This is sort of  the cousin of the centerpiece.  It's on a chest in the dining room where I've done a fall vignette with the same colors and feel as the table.  You can see a post here that I did last fall with this pheasant as the centerpiece.

This sort of says it all.  Here's Michael, our very special friend after dinner on Thanksgiving day.  Can you say low-key and laid back weekend?  When I look back on this wonderful weekend, this will forever be my memory.  Not a moment that we didn't thoroughly enjoy!

And here's Michael the next day, sleeping and reading in the rowboat.  This is a busy man who knows how to relax.  How did we get so lucky to have them for friends?

This was an easy menu that was flexible if they were delayed.
Menu:
Double Cranberry Croustini
Roasted Pear Salad
(I've posted this recipe from our New Year's Eve dinner here.)
Chiopinno (Fish Stew)
Hearty Bread
Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake
(from the cover of Nov. '11 Southern Living)

See this post at these fun blog parties:

Tablescape Thursday

Open House Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Inspiration Friday

Fridays Unfold

Seasonal Sunday

Wow Us Wednesday

On the Menu Monday




17 comments:

  1. Gorgeous table! I love all the rich colors of fall. Now you have me planning a trip to World Market to see if they still have those plates. Like I need more ~ love those!

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  2. That table linen has got to be among the prettiest I have ever seen. It is GORGEOUS!!! I love linens with a raised design!!! I love your pheasant plates, too. They are so pretty in that paprika color! I bought some in brown from Z Gallerie last year. Got 'em for, I think, $1.75 each. I was thrilled beyond belief!!! Fabulously beautiful centerpiece with the flowers and pheasant! Two VERY enthusiastic thumbs up! :-)

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  3. This just says Thanksgiving! All of the pheasants are beautiful and I especially love the vignette. Your friend looks like he had a wonderful time!

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  4. This designer table is the epitome of gracious entertaining. I love the colors. I am in love with this look. the bows on the napkins, the centerpiece. the glassware, the dishes.. all perfection!! xo marlis

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  5. Hi lovely lady.
    Your Tablescape is gorgeous with all the fall colors. The centerpiece with your flowers are so beautiful for your dinner party for Thanksgiving day. You did a great job putting this all together. I hope you have a great week with your family. I'm looking forward to seeing your Christmas Tablescape.
    XXOO Diane

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  6. What a stunning tablecloth! And your table lives up to its beauty, with that wonderful, lush centerpiece. What a hostess, to have two beautiful tables two days in a row!

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  7. I love your beautiful tablecloth and the lovely layers of dinnerware. Your plates from World Market are so pretty. I also enjoyed your color combinations of the plates for it really added to the centerpiece. My Thanksgiving table was just posted yesterday for my Mother had a car accident and needed our help. The idea of seeing last years table and this years was so nice. Happy Tablescaping, Pam

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  8. Beautiful table...the tablecloth is exquisite. I love the pheasant plates...

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  9. OK, it's all your fault if "the chef" frowns when I bring in the pheasant plates. ;-) I know I don't need any more dishes, but when I called around to find these here in town I discovered they are now on sale. Only $1.50 a piece. I'm going to pick up a dozen of these tomorrow. Have to drive a ways, but it will be worth it. Now I need to find me a handsome guy like you have for your centerpiece. Thanks for sharing this table. I absolutely adore those plates. ~ Sarah

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  10. So pretty! I love how your incorporated roses into the tablescape! They are my favorite.

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  11. That embroidered table linen is gorgeous, I love the color too! Your table for Thanksgiving was fabulous, I love the vignette in your buffet too and your plates are beautiful, I adore pheasents feathers and roses. Everyone is so content after such menu that all they can do is relax and enjoy. Thanks for sharing. I just dropped from Seasonal Sunday. Hugs, FABBY

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  12. Here I am again! Can't wait to use my purchase. ~ Sarah

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  13. So beautiful. I can understand your new purchase. I too have sworn off dish purchases (truly, I have) and then I come across something that I just can't resist.

    So glad that you brought this table to Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  14. Love your big colorful pheasant. Lovely table. Pat

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  15. Looks like a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner! Love the pheasant theme. Fun finds! The glassware is amazing! Happy Seasonal Sunday!

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  16. So pretty! Love your colors, flatware and barley twist candlesticks.
    Babs

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