Thanksgiving 2012

Can't believe the holidays are upon us!  Thought I'd quickly share my tables for Thanksgiving.  So grateful that we were able to again come together on this day.   I set tables for 16, but at the last minute 4 didn't make it, so we ended up with 12.   I set two tables--one formal and another in the kitchen, with a more relaxed, casual feel. Without further ado, welcome!

The formal table in the dining room was set for 12.  I used my white and gold limoge china and Godinger iced beverage glasses.

 

I used a white tablecloth, that is a bit too long, thus the ends were gathered up for easier seating, and white linen napkins that were purchased at an estate sale.  I also found additional napkin rings to match some I already owned.    A gold and bronze runner was placed in the center.

I found cute little pumpkin place card holders at an antique mall, which, I believe, are copper.  The color went well with the bronze in the runner.  I found two bronze colored pumpkins at Tuesday Morning and used them on each side of the floral.  Speaking of florals, I didn't intend for this to be so, well, big.  

The candelabras were my grandmother's, then my mom's.  I like using something of hers on my Thanksgiving table.

 

Since I only had 8 of the copper place card holders, I used these wire ones, which worked fine.

 

Individual s&p's were placed at every setting.

 

Flatware is Modern Victorian by Lunt.

The casual table had a more casual feel--but same napkins and stems.  I used an orange tablecloth, brown runner, cornucopia filled with fruit, rose hips, and greenery.

My aunt and uncle stopped by for a visit, before venturing to their son's home.  My uncle is 95 (he just renewed his driver's license, which will expire when he's 103) and my aunt, my mother's sister, is 92.  They are quite amazing.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am heavily into my Christmas decorating, although I haven't changed things up much.  Hopefully I will have time to blog and visit with you all soon! Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks to Susan at Between Naps On the Porch for hosting!!

A Ghoulish Setting

As Halloween draws near, it's time again for a gathering of ghouls!!  Enjoy!!


A word of caution:  photo-intensive post, enter at your own risk!!

Word on the street is that something's cookin' in the hood.  There's talk of a party, and it's got the neighbors buzzing with excitement!

They're coming down from their haunts, and dancing with glee!

The anticipation of a social event has everyone smiling!

Some have been waiting for this...

a very long time!

Some are just hangin' out ...

waiting for ...

an invitation.

The host and party planner extraordinaire has been a bit grumpy trying to tie up all the loose ends...

But things are falling into place...

and final preparations have been made.

The lucky guests are gussied up in their finest...

and are delighted to be attending!!

Some are a bit bashful ...

and a bit intimidated...

but still happy to be attending!

Upon entering, all guests are offered a beverage...

from an extensive selection.

Let's take a closer look...

The table has been set with the finest china and silver...

linens, and ...

crystal.  The ambiant lighting

provides just the right atmosphere.

The entertainment for the evening will be fortune telling.

Would you want to know????

What is that in your seat??

 Night approaches, and all guests are invited to the table...

to dine and enjoy each other's company.

The guests have had a pleasant evening ...

and don't really want to leave.

Tomorrow they will talk about the events of this evening...

and their new friend, who graciously...

brought them all together on this night!

Happy Halloween!!

Stars of the show--

Skull salad plates--Ross

Silver-rimmed china--Elegance by Fashion Royale

Black stems--Macy's

Crystal stems--Cristal d'arques Longchamp

Skull candleholders--Home Goods

Silverplate--Vintage 1925, Alvin

Napkins--TJ Maxx

Please feel free to pin any picture!!

A Setting for a Bridal Shower

Ahh, a rainy Saturday!  Just a quick update, and then on to real eye-candy!!  We moved my son into his first apartment at Virginia Tech on Thursday and Friday.  It was a furnished apartment, so we just needed to bring the basics.  Well, the basics consisted of a fully-loaded SUV, only capable of holding two passengers.  My overnight bag and my son's luggage had to be transported by another car!  When we arrived, much to our dismay, we found plastic dining chairs, and no media unit for his 51" TV.  Fortunately, we were able to switch the plastic chairs out for real wooden dining chairs, and an accommodating employee sent over a media stand for the tv.  We also switched out the couch and chair, for ones that were a bit more pleasing to the eye!  After bed-making, cleaning, and putting up art (posters in plastic frames), we were happy with the results.  He is all settled in, and hopefully will have a great year!

Recently, I helped a friend with a bridal shower.  My friend has an interior design business, and the shower was held at her beautiful home.  I didn't have much time to take pictures, but I hope you can get an idea!

Upon entering the foyer, a lovely glass-topped swan table adorned with white roses greets guests.  The bird-themed wallpaper against the carrera marble floor is elegant and beautiful.  

 Upon closer inspection, a cute little glass insect and a vintage bowl with chocolates shares the swan table with the roses.

Before we go into the dining room, let's peak into the breakfast room.  The table is covered with a hand-crocheted cloth made by my friend's mother.  This table is set up for beverages.  Choices were red or white wine, iced tea, water, or punch--a simple punch of pineapple juice and sprite with a beautiful ice ring with mint and lemon slices.  The centerpiece here consisted of a simple but elegant silver vase with daisy mums.

Another view . . .

 Lots of silver!

The breakfast room is decorated in a country-french, Charles Faudre style.  This sideboard holds a cool wine opener, coffee service, silver candleholders, silver basket, and a silver bud vase.

Also in the breakfast room, a cute wooden shelf  is decorated in a garden theme.

Beautiful oil paintings are throughout the home.

I spent most of my time in the kitchen helping with the food.  

The stove top is surrounded by arched brick.

This little area off the kitchen, I think it's the laundry room, served as our holding area.

Here's where the catastrophe occurred.  She had placed a large tray with 12 crystal antique wine stems on this folding table and it collapsed--breaking all 12!  I thought I was going to cry.

As you can see, the breakfast room and the dining room are side by side.  Let's take a quick peak into the dining room.

The table was set with crystal, silver, and limoge plates.  A lace tablecloth adds a dainty touch.

The centerpiece consisted of white roses in a Chelsea House vase.

Forks were wrapped in lace napkins, tied with a white ribbon.

Beautiful limoge plates await guests.

Close up of plates.

We start to put out the food--finger sandwiches of pimento cheese, and a goat cheese and nut spread with fruit jelly.

Marinated asparagus with roasted red pepper and grape tomatoes.  Other items on the menu were chicken salad--with pineapple and almonds, Mediterranean pasta salad, marinated shrimp, nuts, and lots of desserts.

A beautiful silver bowl filled to the brim with fruit.

The server held silver baskets filled with desserts.  Stay tuned, I will take it up from here in my next post.  There are more pictures of this shower and the living room, library, and powder room! Thanks for visiting, come back soon!!