Sunday, November 11, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving

I am glad you have joined me and a myriad of other talented tablescapers for a Thanksgiving blog hop sponsored by Chloe Crabtree from Celebrate and Decorate. A complete list of posts you will want to visit can be found at the end of this post.

Welcome to our home for a simple, almost plain family Thanksgiving dinner tablescape. The dishes and cutlery I chose all go in the dishwasher for ease and more family time. There are ten of us so that's important and they will be here for several days. I usually fuss with fresh flowers, which I love, but this time a fresh real pumpkin graces our table for a centerpiece with a touch of southern cotton, faux bittersweet and fall leaves with a few smaller pumpkins added in.
This year, I chose to use a simple burlap runner and let the burled grain of my table show. I usually use a tablecloth which does photograph better but decided to change it up this time.  Rattan chargers add an organic feel juxtaposed with the crystal goblets and crystal candle holders that add a touch of glam. The candle holders are special to me as they graced my beloved mother-in-law's table for years. I get emotional just thinking of the many family dinners at her home.

Now, the scripture on this paper napkin sums it all up to me. Thanksgiving is about being thankful to our Creator for all our blessings. 

You can view last year's Thanksgiving blog hop table here. It was more dramatic and also included a family tradition of using a set of Pilgrim salt and pepper shakers.  I forgot them this time. A prior typical Thanksgiving breakfast can be viewed here. I usually do a full breakfast in the kitchen and then a late lunch in the dining room. We are all ready for a long walk after the big meal. 

Here's my casual table for ten and you can see my little nest where I blog in the other room complete with clutter and the lamp on, that I didn't notice until now. 
I couldn't resist including some shots of our food from last year. That is my son, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Now, how did I get that old? Where did the years go?

Well now you know, I have been preparing this tablescape all year for viewing in 2018. This a real Thanksgiving table that was curated and photographed for you in 2017. As you can see we had finished eating when I realized I didn't get a picture of the food. So, I quickly served another plate just for you! (No time for styling!)

Turkey and cornbread dressing with gravy
Green beans
Roasted Butternut squash
Fresh Cranberry sauce
Lady Finger Peas
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream

It is so much fun to see all the different tablescapes for an occasion like Thanksgiving. Thank you, Chloe, for organizing the blog hops.
They can be formal or casual, simple or elaborate but they reflect the personality and mood of the designer on a given day. That's why I like blogging and tablescaping and blog-hopping.
 I enjoy the challenge of using what I have in a different way and seeing my other blogging friends doing the same thing with their creations.

Speaking of blogging friends- Do you ever reread your comments from old posts? They grab my heart. Bloggers are so encouraging and kind. I'd like the world to be so kind.

Have a wonderful day. If it is your first time reading Living With Thanksgiving I hope you will come again. Please enjoy reading the other bloggers posts listed below.

Living Thankfully,

Monday

Tuesday


Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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27 comments:

  1. MaryNovember 12, 2018 at 6:00 AM

    Bonnie, I love seeing the beautiful burled grain of your table, contrasting with your ruffled burlap runner and the natural elements of the pumpkin, cotton, leaves and bittersweet vine gathered together at the table. How wonderful to have your MIL’s beautiful candleholders to represent your meals at her Thanksgiving table over the years. We lost my MIL two years ago and we miss her every day, but especially at Thanksgiving. Your napkin says it all and I’m thankful for our service men and women, especially on the heels of Veterans Day. Thank your handsome son for his service for me. As always it’s a pleasure to blog hop with you. ♥

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  2. JeanieNovember 12, 2018 at 6:02 AM

    This is wonderful, Bonnie. Just wonderful. And you were so clever and wise to do this last year intentionally for this year! I always wonder how fellow bloggers have the wherewithall to set up a full and glorious table a week or two ahead of the day. I mean, rehearsal is great, but it takes time to do that! It looks like you have quite a feast and I'm glad you shared your son's photo. I hope he is safe and thank him for his service from me.

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  3. Pam RichardsonNovember 12, 2018 at 6:32 AM

    Bonnie, the napkins are my sentiments exactly. I agree with Jeanie, how clever you were to photograph your actual meal last year to share with us this year. Your food looks so delicious. I love your tablescape, seeing the burl wood of your beautiful dining room table and the natural elements for a centerpiece. As much as I love flowers, they can get in the way of seeing the sweet faces of our family. Thank your handsome son for his service to our country. This table is simple elegance at its best, my friend.

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  4. Rita C.November 12, 2018 at 6:34 AM

    What a perfectly honest and beautiful Thanksgiving table, Bonnie. First of all, a thank you to your handsome son for his service! Although the table is different than any I've seen you style, it most definitely speaks to the heart with a genuine sentiment for family and what matters at any gathering. Keeping it simple so time can be enjoyed should be everyone's objective! I love the table runner with centerpiece of pumpkin, cotton and bittersweet. I'm so glad you could add your mil's vintage candle holders. That connection deepens the sentiment.

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  5. Sandra at Maison De JardinNovember 12, 2018 at 7:18 AM

    Bonnie, your table could not be more beautiful. And, I so agree that what is important is the time spent with your family. Your candle holders are lovely and I am sure your mother-in-law would be so pleased to see them on your table. Enjoy this special time of the year ~ blessings to you and your family.

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  6. Kari Rogers MillerNovember 12, 2018 at 9:47 AM

    Bonnie, your table is beautiful and the napkin sentiment is even better. I love that you showed your son (thank him for his service please, my twins and husband also served our country) as he was carving the turkey at the buffet. I am so hungry for turkey and dressing right now, that my anticipation is hardly containable. Thank you for sharing your table. And never apologize for your "work space"...if it didn't have various objects sitting around, that would mean you are not "one of us" LOL
    Kari @ Me and My Captain

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  7. Creations By CindyNovember 12, 2018 at 10:17 AM

    Bonnie, that was an awesome idea to photograph meal from last year and show to us this year! I would have forgot I had snapped the picture! LOL! LOVE your pretty table. You always make everything so pretty to me and even those things you call simple. YES indeed, the napkin says it all. We have so very much to be thankful for don't we dear Bonnie? God is so good to us and we deserve nothing. I brought home some real cottom from the cotton fields in Georgia and I want to create a wreath for my kitchen/dining room soon. Loving the candle holders Bonnie and especially knowing they belonged to your motherinlove. I hope you have a great week. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  8. Linda @ Life and LindaNovember 12, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    Bonnie, you table is so pretty. Totally different than your usual style, but I adore it. It's good to change things up. The nakin message is perfect. Kudos to your son for serving for his country. What lovely candle holders and the history behind them, definitely treasure. The menu sounds perfect. I love cornbread dressing. A pleasure to share in this wonderful Thanksgiving blog hop.

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  9. LeaNovember 12, 2018 at 11:26 AM

    What a lovely, lovely table and I do love those napkins with that sweet sentiment. Smart gal to do these pics a year ahead of time. I'm going to remember that idea. Have a happy new week!

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  10. Kim Young -KnockitOffKimNovember 12, 2018 at 12:23 PM

    Bonnie, your photograph of a Thanksgiving meal has me even more excited about the meal to come! But, more importantly, your sweet sentiment is just perfect. I absolutely love the relaxed, rustic feel of your table - it's very genuine and heartfelt. I hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  11. Louca por porcelanaNovember 12, 2018 at 2:32 PM

    Your "simple" tablescape looks wonderful for me...So elegant!Hugs!

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  12. thepaintedapron.comNovember 12, 2018 at 5:03 PM

    You are so smart to keep things simple this year when you have family staying over. Dishwasher is the way to go! I love your pumpkins and cotton, and the rustic look of your table, perfect for Thanksgiving! You sound relaxed and ready for family fun this year, always a special gathering time.
    Jenna

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  13. Debbee MNovember 12, 2018 at 7:52 PM

    How proud you must be of your son! Please thank him for his service. I retired from Boeing last year, where many of my office mates had previous served in the Air Force and Navy. Today on Veterans Day, I fondly remember my father-in-law. He was a German POW in WWII. My table later this week, honors his great-great+ ancestor, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Your storytelling, photos and table warmed my heart.

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  14. Shannon @ Belle Bleu InteriorsNovember 12, 2018 at 10:05 PM

    Bonnie, your table is just beautiful! I love the natural elements, and the pumpkin, bittersweet, and burlap runner make the perfect centerpiece. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday! Happy Thanksgiving, sweet friend!!!!

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  15. Carol LanderNovember 13, 2018 at 7:17 AM

    Bonnie, beautiful tablescape. It’s nice to scale down a bit occasionally, although your table seems as lush and full as ever. The pumpkin centerpiece is a great focal point. I love your burlap runner, cuz who doesn’t love burlap?

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  16. MaureenNovember 13, 2018 at 8:46 AM

    Bonnie, I am all about plain and simple this Thanksgiving! Your tablescape is anything but plain. Your charger plates are gorgeous and look great with the crisp white plates. I love your ruffled burlap runner topped with pumpkins and other natural fall elements. It really speaks to the season. A pleasure blog hopping with you this week!

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  17. Ann KrucekNovember 13, 2018 at 9:16 AM

    Your shots of last year's dinner have me drooling for a turkey dinner now! How wonderful to include your son on Veteran's Day, we are thankful to him for his service. Your table is wonderful, it speaks perfectly to the occasion. I love how cotton has made such a statement for many, but since we are about the farthest thing from cotton in Ohio, I feel I cannot use it - but that doesn't stop me from liking it when I see it! That's the wonderful thing about these hops, we are all from different regions and climates - it is always interesting to see how everyone decorates. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

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  18. Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLizNovember 13, 2018 at 9:28 AM

    Beautiful table! I like the texture of the burlap runner, dried bittersweet and the real pumpkin! I love the pictures of last year’s feast and seeing your son. God bless him for his service to our country! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  19. Sandra LeeNovember 13, 2018 at 6:04 PM

    After looking at your delicious meal, I'm really getting excited for the holiday. You've created a beautiful table to share with your family and I hope your holiday is filled with love. Happy Thanksgiving and it's been fun to hop with you.

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  20. The French HutchNovember 13, 2018 at 7:57 PM

    Bonnie, I love the simple way you styled your table this year. I love your more formal tables but Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time to just be thankful for our loved ones and keep things simple so we have as much time as possible to spend with them. I do this more often now. I think your table is beautiful and your MIL's lamps are lovely and so special. Thanks to your son for his service. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving..........

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  21. Chloe CrabtreeNovember 14, 2018 at 8:33 AM

    All of the natural elements are a perfect way to style a table for Thanksgiving. The burlap runner, cotton, bittersweet and pumpkins all lend to the bountiful feel of your table. Thank you for your son's service, how wonderful he could join you for the holiday, I hope he can do so again this year. May you be blessed with family and friends gathered around your table this Thanksgiving.

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  22. JennNovember 14, 2018 at 2:16 PM

    I love the simplicty and ease of your table. The perfect space the gather the family for a meal. How wonderful to use the candle holders that were your mother-in-law's.

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  23. The Painted HingeNovember 17, 2018 at 3:54 PM

    Bonnie, the only thing simple about your table is that it's simply elegant! I'm a true believer in decor does not have to be complex to be gorgeous, and your table proves it! So happy to be hopping with you!

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  24. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenNovember 20, 2018 at 8:05 AM

    What a perfect table for celebrating Thanksgiving, Bonnie. I love when your share your MIL's special things and the memories of her table. Yes, how did the years fly by with our own children?? Happy Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family.

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  25. handmade by amaliaNovember 23, 2018 at 2:42 AM

    Such a lovely table, Bonnie, your guests will feel very appreciated, especially with all the memories. I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend.
    Amalia
    xo

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  26. Karen (Back Road Journal)November 30, 2018 at 11:29 AM

    I hope your Thanksgiving was as nice as your table is pretty. (If my previous comment goes through, I'm sorry for the duplication.)

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  27. Barbara ChapmanDecember 4, 2018 at 9:01 PM

    Hello Bonnie, I started to read this post last week but finished here on 12/4/18. ;) I pinned anyway as I believe a beautiful table can be translated to any season whether the current holiday has passed or not. Your table is beautifully decorated and I like seeing yours son! I wish in many ways our son had been able to see his dad in the Marine Corps, or known his grandfather, my father in the Air Force, as he didn't develop the love for the military that I have, sadly. He is just a civilian. I still miss our time in the Corps! Eight years wasn't enough... <3

    Happy Christmas time to you and I'm glad that you commented recently on one of my posts as it made me think of visiting with you,
    Hugs and blessings,
    Barb :)

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