Monday, November 14, 2016

Family Thanksgiving Dinner


Setting a beautiful table is a pleasure for me. I especially enjoy selecting which china, silverware,  glassware and linens to use. Even ironing a tablecloth has it's rewards. But the best part for me is designing the flower arrangement and the most satisfaction is when I can make it different and use something from my own garden. Another secret challenge is to use what I have without buying anything.


This tablescape was last year's family Thanksgiving table.  The china is an english game set that I bought at Brimfield antique show many years ago. Each plates showcases a different bird. The flowers in this centerpiece were simple white hydrangeas with aucuba greenery from my garden. This is the first time I used hydrangeas on my Thanksgiving table. View 2014, Thanksgiving centerpiece here.
You can view the subtle differences in 2013 here.


It is nostalgic for me to post a Thanksgiving tablescape because Living With Thanksgiving was born Thanksgiving of 2009. You can see my first post and first tablescape here.


 I'm quite sentimental using these little pilgrim salt and pepper shakers. I used these shakers every Thanksgiving while my children were growing up. Now, the grandchildren enjoy them.

This is the only pic where the candles were lit. Do you like candlelight as much as I do? It adds a special ambience.



It helps me to keep a Thanksgiving folder with  menu's and recipes used over the years.  This folder  saves time the following year. The menu varies a little each year with the choice of vegetables and desserts. Everything else stays the same.
Do you serve a similar menu each year?


I  change the centerpiece each year. Sometimes I use a different container and always vary the flowers in some way. It helps to refer back to the pictures from blogposts to remember centerpieces and how I set the table.




Sophie made cards for all of us.




Turkey and cornbread dressing with gravy
Green beans
Squash casserole
Fresh Cranberry sauce
Pumpkin pie

It was a wonderful meal with family. A time to thank God, and reflect on our many many blessings.
I am excited to spend Thanksgiving at my daughter's house this year. 
May Thanksgiving, 2016, be especially meaningful to you and your family.


Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. 
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Living Thankfully,
Bonnie



29 comments:

  1. Bonnie I absolutely love that you keep track of your menu's each year. Loves bird plates are just wonderful. We are trying a few new things this year.

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  2. You always do set such a beautiful table. You have great pictures of your gatherings! I love your dishes and all the details on the table.

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  3. Bonnie, I love how you decorate for any occasion. Last years table is lovely and I love the china set you used. I plan to use hydrangeas if I can find them. My meal is usually the same and looks a lot like the dinner you served. My centerpiece and china are the few things I change from year to year. Last year I used blue willow, this year still undecided. Sophie's cards a sweet addition to the table. Your folder is a great idea and you sound so organized. I made my menu and grocery list last night, it will be here before we know it............

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  4. We celebrate in much the same way. All the kids have their favorites and I try to honor that for each one. This year I will have three tables. One for the pre-school to 1st grade crowd (4 of them) and one for the teens/preteens-6 of them and then the adults at another table. We will be missing a big part of our family this year so that will be different.

    Hoping your day is as wonderful as in the years past. xo Diana

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  5. Hi Bonnie, Your plates are beautiful on your Thanksgiving table as well as your hydrangea centerpiece with the aucuba. We always have our favorites every year. We have a cranberry-apple casserole instead of traditional cranberries. It has a streusel topping so it can be enjoyed as dessert too served with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy your reprieve and Thanksgiving at your daughter's home this year. ♥

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  6. I love your blog...period. This tables cape is lovely. The menu looks delicious and the scripture you used is one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, we all have so much to be thankful for! :-)

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  7. Bonnie, your table is fabulous and I'm with you on everything (except maybe ironing the tablecloth as being fun!) I adore the hydrangeas. All mine are dried right now, but that might make them work very well. And so many favorites on your menu. I adore your china. I always try to work with things I have, too. When you have beautiful china and crystal, who needs to buy more? Fabulous.

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  8. Bonnie, how wonderful, and happy blogiversary coming up for you! 7 years - wow! And yes, I am much like you in that I have a folder (for Christmas, as I don't host Thanksgiving). I even keep the week leading up to Christmas Eve, with weather notes, in minute detail with tasks to check off, so none will be overlooked from year to year. It even includes oven timing and which racks to heat things on, lol! One almost has to have some system to keep organized if you want it be calm at the actual event. I love your family photo you snapped at the table. Very candid and warm.

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  9. I'm with you when it comes to setting a table. There is such pleasure in the doing, and like you, I try to make do with what I have. Maybe a little thing gets added to the holiday tables. I can't wait for Thanksgiving dinner as it's the only time of year we have most of the goodies.
    BTW, you must be loving Alabama football. Is the Tide ever going to lose?

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  10. Oh Bonnie. the new design of your blog is fabulous. and so is your Thanksgiving table. wow, what a difference your new design makes..
    Love, Mona

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  11. Bonnie, your table is beautiful and speaks warmth and love. I love the bird plates and your hydrangeas. I am not surprised that you are so organized with previous year's menus. Such a sweet family gathering. I know you are looking forward to being at your daughter's home this year! Happy 7th blogaversary!

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  12. Love your dishes, is that a pheasant that is pictured on them? They are beautiful dishes. Your squash dish looks delicious do you have a recipe even if it is not detailed? Thanks for sharing

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  13. I love it all Dear Bonnie. The dishes are beautiful and I really like those chargers. Sweet times with family is so very meaningful. Happy Thanksgiving. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  14. your home is lovely. will be looking around your older posts and exploring more. so much to see!

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  15. Your table settings are always so beautiful. I look forward to seeing the new creative things you've done.

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  16. Aww...You always grace your home with beauty, Bonnie.
    Those bird plates are just wonderful and must look gorgeous at each place setting.
    Candle light is always so pretty and certainly sets for a lovely mood around the table.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones~~

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  17. Aww...You always grace your home with beauty, Bonnie.
    Those bird plates are just wonderful and must look gorgeous at each place setting.
    Candle light is always so pretty and certainly sets for a lovely mood around the table.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones~~

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  18. We frequently start our Thanksgiving dinner by reading a passage as well. However, our table looks nothing like your amazing table setting. We are usually a hodge podge of plates/crystal that has been collected over the years.

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  19. I usually serve the same things because my family requests them. I need to get organized like you are. I think it's smart to keep a hardcopy of menus and recipes in case something happens to your blog. I need to put together a binder for stuff like that. I enjoyed our luncheon yesterday! Let's do it again soon.

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  20. The centerpiece is always a sticking point for me but I muddle through. We have the same menu each year with maybe one or two different desserts. Still a folder would be great for making sure I have everything that's needed. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.

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  21. It's a great idea to keep a notebook to help you remember. Thanks for sharing your tip and beautiful table at Monday Social.

    Judith

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  22. I've always wanted to find a year when I could attend the Brimfield Antiques show...maybe it will happen someday. Your plates a gorgeous find. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for inviting us for a peek. Cherry Kay

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  23. Hi Bonnie, such a beautiful table. The darling salt and pepper shakes have a real story. Loving the gorgeous plates. Your tables are always lovely. May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing at DI&DI.

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  24. A perfect a Thanksgiving! Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving 2016.

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  25. A lovely table, Bonnie. Happy Thanksgiving!
    Amalia
    xo

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  26. Hi Bonnie, I'm in Ohio visiting my mom and sister, and a little behind in my blog visits. Your Thanksgiving table is just so pretty with your hydrangea centerpiece and those plates from the Brimfield Antique show. Of course, your darling salt and pepper shakers are so cute, and I always love your crystal. I'm sure you had a wonderful day at your daughter's house.
    Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Bonnie!

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  27. Seems you had an excellent family thanksgiving dinner. I am planning to arrange a family brunch so I am searching for amazing LA venues. Searched on internet and got to know about few venues. Looking forward to book best one.

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