Happy Thanksgiving Tablescape 2011

Happy Thanksgiving Bloggie Friends,

So what do you do when the inspiration for a vignette or a tablescape just doesn't come?  Turn to our friend Google, of course, which then leads you to Blogland and Pinterest...duh!  So, I was trying to find some inspiration for a Thanksgiving tablescape by looking at the things I had since spending tons o money was not an option.  Nothing was really coming together.  I had these light tan tablecloths which I wanted to use, so I figured maybe a relatively neutral palette would be good.  Still, nothing was really standing out as a theme.  Then I came across Debbie's amazing table at Confessions of a Plate Addict.  When I saw that she and I had the same Wal Mart faux pumpkins that we had both painted ivory, I knew I needed to explore further.  I'd like to say she INSPIRED me, but I think it would be more accurate to say that I copy catted her for the most part.  I had been wanting to make one of the ubiquitous burlap table runners, but hadn't gotten to it, so I bought some inexpensive loose weave burlap and just cut it and fringed the ends after washing it twice to make it softer.  I actually like the way it turned out very much, and you can't beat the price (about $6 and I got enough for 2 runners since the width was too wide for the runner but not long enough to go the length of the table, so I cut it in half widthwise).

The second part of my tablescape came from a source that I'm sorry to say I can't remember, but it involved putting a photo gallery of family pictures in the center of the table.  I liked the idea, but not necessarily the execution since I didn't want it to be the only focal point of my centerpiece.  So, I took some of my favorite family, pet, friend, house, and beach photos (things we are THANKFUL for, get it?), printed them in black and white, and then put them on a decorative paper and complimentary cardstock.  I interspersed them with the large pumpkins and some small ones I had left from my Halloween decor for visual interest. 

I made some little leaf name tags and just tied them around beautiful antique linen napkins that I had and put them over my parents' china.  I also used my parents' sterling silverware, one of my favorite things that I own.

Lastly, somewhere on the internet (also unknown), I had seen rolls of jute twine used as simple candlesticks.  I thought it was brilliant, so I had to recreate it, especially since I had the jute already.  I might add that for safety's sake, I will either come up with a bobeche to catch the wax or I will not light the candles.

The rest of the photos are of various other areas in my home.  I just love decorating for Thanksgiving.  Although I love Christmas, I just can't skip over Thanksgiving and go straight to my Christmas decorating.  I need to enjoy all of the seasons and holidays as they come, so I hope you are not too tired of fall because I'm sharing it one more time. 

My great aunt Ione painted this pretty pitcher.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.

Sharing with:

White Wednesday
Farmhouse Friday 
Tabletop Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Tablescape Thursday 
Feathered Nest Friday
2805 Potpourri Party
The Charm of Home

Until next time,

The Best Laid Plans...

I spent most of last week in beautiful Durango, Colorado over in the Four Corners area of the state helping one of our affiliate hospitals through their Go Live transition to a new hospital information system.  Traveling for business is something I rarely get to do, so it was a nice break for me to do something different.  I had great plans for all of that "free" time I was going to have since I just knew we'd be doing our hospital thing and then coming back to the hotel where I would then religiously go to the workout room and sweat a little and then shower and go back to my room for an evening of crafting.  I had purchased an online workshop from Heather at Pretty Petals probably a year or even two ago and had never gotten "a round tuit" so what better time than in Durango says I?  GREAT idea in theory, although the 5 pounds or so of craft supplies that had to go with me on the airplane was a bit much.  Still, when I come home with a completed altered journal, won't I feel clever?

So I arrive super early on Saturday, don't need to be at work until 6 a.m. on Sunday.  It is snowing, so I just go down to the hotel restaurant located riverside on the Animas River for a bite of lunch.  Even in the snow, it is a beautiful spot. There is a pathway that goes quite a way along the river.  Great for walking, running, biking, or just getting some fresh air.  Pardon the photo quality, I just had my cell phone with me.

Then, after lunch, I go back to my room and I see this...calling me...wooing me...willing me to crawl under the high thread count covers and take a little nap.  I had been up since 3 am and hadn't slept worth beans the night before, so I was an easy sell, I have to admit.

So, off for a little shut eye.  I did manage to drag myself awake later in the afternoon and begin a little crafting before dinner.  I was in heaven.  Ella Fitzgerald playing on my MP3, pretty papers and ribbons, and all manor of nifty objects I have acquired over the years as a hunter/gatherer.  Glass of wine, no interruptions, ALL GOOD.   Then, time for a dinner break.  I dined with these fun 4 ladies (I'm the 2nd from the left).  I knew Amy, on the far left, from the hospital where I work, but the other gals I met that night.  They all work in Denver hospitals and had also come to help out with the computer conversion.  We had a lovely time.  One thing about Durango is, it is a town of about 15,000 people, but it has some of the best restaurants anywhere, so if you go home hungry, it is your own darn fault!  They do tend to be a little spendy though, so I was sure glad the company was paying since my budget doesn't allow much fine dining.

In case you need to know, this little bowl of seafood "stew" was amazing.  Lobster, scallops, shrimp, salmon, and I don't know what all else went together for a delicious meal on a cold night.

Then on Sunday morning at 6 a.m., I went to work at the local hospital, expecting to do 8 hours.  Almost 12 hours later, I left the hospital and a bunch of us went to dinner at another fine dining establishment.  They couldn't serve me a glass of wine fast enough!  And then I went home (back to the hotel), and crashed.  And that was pretty much the way the rest of the week went...so much for a relaxed crafty kind of off time (what off time?).  By the time I returned home, I was spent.

On a more pleasant note though, Saturday, I attended a dinner recognizing me and others for years of service to our organization.  I celebrated 20 years (SHRIEK!).  It was held at Bronco Stadium in one of their super snazzy club lounges and it was very nice.  We got to take a tour of the stadium which was cool, because we got to see lots of cool places like the visiting team locker room (NOBODY gets to tour the home locker room, not no one not no how), one of the huge storage rooms where the beer and beer kegs are kept), the stall for the live Bronco mascot, the media area, the field...

...and this cool private box on the 50 yard line.  For a cool $150,000 PER SEASON, you can have this box and you and several of your closest friends can watch the Broncos play in air conditioned and heated comfort.  Hmmmmm, might have to pass on that one.

 

All in all, it was a nice wind up to a very hectic week.  Now I am home and back to my "normal" hectic life!  I am ashamed to admit it, but I have to remove my Halloween decor and quickly get some Thanksgiving stuff up before it is time to decorate for Christmas.  Yikes...time flies when you're having fun!  I did give myself "permisison" this week on my days off to work on the art journal that I was supposed to get to work on in Durango and I finished it.  Yay!   I'll post pictures of it one of these days..

Until next time,