By the Way: Thanksgiving's On The Table!

One of the nicest Thanksgivings on record,

and I had fun decorating for our family ahead of time.

I enjoy the challenge of using what we have in new ways.

Fall decorations lasted from September through November.
These fresh pumpkins--such pretty colors--
are perched in metal pots that have plaster of Paris inserts for base weight.

Happy Fall, Y'all!
On the mantel, instead of a wreath this year.

This was the "Kids' Table"
by request of the oldest kid, Steve Jr.

This was the Grown-Ups' Table.
We were divided only because
we couldn't fit around one table.

Pinterest is my new friend!

I found ideas for the tables online,

and with some modifications, the ideas worked out well.

-->Kraft paper table runners stamped with a design,

-->Kraft cardstock printed cards with Pinterest design "I am Thankful for"

-->Recycled turkeys for Kids' Table decorations

I wanted to use these bandanas for napkins, basically because

a. The teal color was fresh and a little unexpected,

b. I'm really casual, and

c. I'm ~~cheap and lazy~~ frugal.

Napkins can run up the receipt, even at Kohls.

But Hobby Lobby carries all kinds and colors of bandanas for $1 each.

Plus, they don't look that bad when they're not ironed, right?

THE KIDS' TABLE

Layered are a table cloth, burlap placemats, kraft paper runners and cork coasters.

Twisted pipe cleaner napkin rings hug rolled bandanas.

Votive holders are filled with popcorn kernels and tea lights.

A paper tube turkey waits for its tail feathers at each place.

"I Am Thankful for: " card is printed on leftover cardstock in teal ink on our printer

Our 40 year-old Oneida stainless

and Corelle plates that I've been trying to break for 30 years

finish out the table.

Kids' Table place setting
The only new purchases: a roll of kraft paper and napkins.

Ready for kids of all ages

One turkey has his tail feathers; the rest need help.
There's a combo of snipped chenille stems and a bag of colored craft feathers
to choose from.

A paisley stamp with metallic acrylic paints gussies up
the kraft paper runners on both tables.

THE GROWN-UPS' TABLE

The same kraft paper runners top an off-white cloth

from some discount store 10 years ago.

Bandana napkins are tied with copper wire-edged ribbon

finished with silk leaves--both from past years' fall decorations.

A glass salad bowl holds fall fruits and nuts.

Depression glass goblets were a gift from my mother many years ago.

Teal accents on our Thanksgiving table make it fresh.

My husband's mother, Joy, gave me this bowl
decades ago.

Shiny copper wire-edged ribbon
is knotted first around a small jar.
A little hot glue holds the silk leaves in place.
All supplies came from past Fall seasons.

The template for this card came from a Pinterest post.
I used leftover cardstock, our printer,
and my Olfa cutter to crop.

Our desert table is waiting for guava cheesecake and pecan pie.
The beautiful hand-woven runner is a Chappell Hill Scarecrow Festival find
from years past. Woven grass chargers will hold pies.
The nut and cinnamon stick wreath makes an encore appearance for the third year now.

Can you see how the deer antler holds desert napkins?!

While decorations are fun for this visual person,

and I love making our home look special,

it's really the people who share the day

that make it so very blessed.

So let's fast-forward to Thanksgiving Day.

2 six-pound turkey breasts will cook much faster than a big old bird.
One is brined. The other is herb buttered.

Iris and Jo coordinated their wardrobes!

John, SteveDad, and Steve Jr. must have heard about the blue theme too.

Doug attempts to set up a Skype date with California and Switzerland.

John and Doug compare their blue pin-striped shirts.

Cecilia and Will introduce their neighbors Sanjin and Lovely,
who are very excited to celebrate their first Thanksgiving.

Daniel says, "Cheese!" with Cecilia and Will.

Little Man was fascinated with yellow tomatoes,
though he refused to eat them.
He licked and then shared them with everyone.

Cecilia and Daniel
with a yellow tomato

Here's the Kids' Table (minus Steve Jr. who's filling his plate).
Cecilia and Will explained the Thanksgiving story to their neighbors Lovely and Sanjin

Steve and Jo find lots of goodies at our buffet.
Everyone contributed at least two wonderful
side dishes for our Turkey feast.

John's Mashed Potatoes share the upper level with Steve's favorite Coke Salad.

Family

Sides!
front to back left: Cornbread Dressing, Southwest Cornbread Dressing,
Pearl Onions in Herb Cream Sauce, Sweet Potato with Streusel Topping,
Garlic and Bacon Green Beans
front to back right: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Coke Salad