A Thanksgiving Tablescape

How are your preparations coming along for the holidays?  I am still working on the basics--having my carpets cleaned, some painting done, and dare I say it, cleaning out the garage.  It had gotten so bad that I didn't have room to bring my Christmas decorations down.  I like to use the garage as a sort of staging area--so that I don't trip over boxes lying in the floor.  Usually it is not this cold, so I am bundling up, and going out today to work on my staircase garland.  

In the meantime, I ran across these pictures of Thanksgiving 2013.  Guess I didn't have time to post, so here's a few from last year--in hopes that they will inspire!  

Again, I used my Battenburg lace cloth.  This tablecloth fits my table well with all the leaves in.

I kept the table uncluttered, and used a simple epergne-like bowl which held flowers, greenery, and candles.

The greenery, leland cypress and magnolia, are greens I frequently use for the holidays.

The centerpiece base is silver and the bowl is crystal, with arms extending to hold the candles.

The silver chargers were a Goodwill find, and I frequently use them for formal dinners.

I have been collecting vintage crystal with the gold-plate around the outside.  I find them at estate sales and online auctions.  These I used for iced tea and water.

I don't know the manufacturer of these, but I love the look.

I accessorized the table with silver pumpkins and gourds, and gold pumpkin candles.

My daughter hates it when I use place cards, but I find it's a lot less hectic when people can quickly find their seats. 

I used the kitchen table for desserts.  I also had a couple show up that didn't RSVP, so I had to quickly add two place settings to the kitchen table.  Worked out ok, and I was glad they came.

Since I'm not having a huge crowd this year, I will probably also use the kitchen for serving.  There will just be eight of us this year.  Still a lot to do, so I better get up and get going!  Thanks for your visit, and I hope you and yours have a very special, happy Thanksgiving!

A Lake View Setting for Fall

Fall days in Virginia can be the best time of the year to be outside.  Without the humidity we often experience in summer, and the mild temperatures, it is pleasant and enjoyable.  So we were off to spend an evening at our lake property right outside of Blackstone, Virginia, in Nottoway County.  

Just an hour from our home, we were excited to have some close friends join us for dinner and conversation. Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer

The road leading to the lake is cut right through a soybean field, which, I believe, is ready for harvesting.  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer

We have had quite a bit of work done this summer, and now it is an enjoyable retreat with a beautiful view of the lake.  Before we had the patios built, I set up a table in the same spot.  See it here.

We often joke that we put the cart before the horse, because there is no house or cabin on this property, only a camper.  But to have a working bathroom and electricity is a beautiful thing.

Using the upper patio as our dining area, I set the table simply with a floral runner and a pumpkin centerpiece.

Using an artificial garland as a base, I added fresh greenery and nandina berries.  I curved the garland around the centerpiece and added taper candles.

Adding extra flowers, berries, and greenery to an artificial garland really makes it full and lush.

The napkins and runner have a white base, with the orange and green leaves which are so appropriate this time of the year. 

I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I found these dishes a few years ago at a TJ Maxx store in South Carolina.  I like the fact that they are white, but with the colors of fall.  

For my centerpiece, I started with a white pumpkin from Michaels and carved out a hole in the top for oasis. Then I added alstromeria, berries, and fresh greenery from my back yard.

I tried to use the oasis on the top of the pumpkin by attaching it to the stem per pinterest tutorial, but it didn't work so well for me.  It was easy to cut open the top and add the oasis.

With limited storage here, I have to plan ahead and cart all my accoutrements from home.

With all the trees, it always seems to be a breeze here.  After setting up, we had a little time to relax

and enjoy the view with a cocktail.

All ready for the guests to arrive!

I use these pumpkin plates quite frequently in the fall for salad, appetizers, or dessert!

This is the upper patio taken from the lakeside.  The steps that were added look like stone, but are actually a man-made product.  We chose these because they were level and still had a great look.

The landscapers we used also help us at home.  They were so excited to do this job, and it shows in the quality of work that was done.

After our guests arrived, we began to prepare dinner.  Nothing like steaks on a wood fire!  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer

While the steaks were cooking in the firepit, we were also preparing grilled chicken, corn and asparagus on the green egg.  (sorry for the grainy picture, used my phone)

A view of the area from above.  Photo courtesy of Bill Fischer

Candles are lit!

Even though the lighting for pictures wasn't great, here are a few taken in the evening.  Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting, hope you enjoyed your visit.  For more on the evening and my friend Bill's Chinook experiences, visit his blog, http://chinookconcourse.tumblr.com/

Halloween Tablescape and Decor

The sun is out today and it is a much-welcome change from the rain we have had for the last five days.  I did a little bit of Halloween and fall decorating that I thought I would share.  So without further ado, welcome!

Fall wreaths are challenging on my door, because most of the colors do not show up very well.  I brought in some reds and bright oranges which helped.

The crow and spider add a touch of whimsy...

A black and silver skull arrangement and mercury glass pumpkins welcome guests in the foyer.

The dining room table gets a new runner from Marshalls and

 a couple of new pumpkins from Pier 1.

I can't always take this decorating stuff too seriously, so when I saw these legs with fishnet hose and leopard shoes, I just knew they were coming home with me.  

Don't know if you can see it, but there's a grapevine wreath behind the legs.  The Bad Witch sign sits on top of a little pumpkin.  I added tiny rice lights.  To the left, is my collection of spirits, and to the right is another mercury glass pumpkin on a silver tray.  The battery-operated lights in the silver candlesticks flicker with an orange glow.

A jack-o-lantern is added to a silver bud vase on the server.

A few touches of fall are added to the chest in the dining room.

Flying bats grace the powder room along with

fun fingertip towels.

A scary Halloween tree sits on the island.  It was the only place that was large enough to accomodate it!

 This was a fun project to make.  I used a branch from a tree in the yard spray painted black,

 and I added skulls, spiders, flying bats,

a large sparkly spider web (Michaels), crows, and lots of hanging moss.  

My friend, James, is serving up lots of eyeballs.

A few fun items on a little tray sit on the kitchen counter.

A fall arrangement along with Pottery Barn pumpkins are displayed on the cocktail table.

The mantle is simple in design with just a couple of white pumpkins added to books and tall candleholders, with an pumpkin garland draped over.

I found these cute pillows at a gift shop.

A little haunted house sits on my wet bar with a few scary creatures stirring about.

This witchy woman is the featured attraction on the table.

She is ready for trick or treating!

Starting with a lacy runner from Home Goods, I then used a silver bride's basket full of gourds, pumpkins, and leaves for the centerpiece, and used an orange and grapevine pumpkins to balance the taller pieces.

I found these cute witch bowls at an estate sale, but I'm pretty sure they were originally from Home Goods or TJ Maxx.

I believe these black goblets came from Macy's.

No need to polish the silver for Halloween, I'll wait and do that for Christmas!!

What's Halloween without candy corn??

Happy Halloween!!