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

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Reflections on Previous Thanksgiving Meals

As I started thinking about Thanksgiving coming up I realized I made pics last year and never posted them. Hope you will enjoy viewing our family meal and the pics might jumpstart your planning and decorating. My mind now is in the challenge mode of coming up with something different for this year's table.