Setting the table... Now, how many of you remember this chore as a child? I still remember when my grandmother, whom we call "Bea Bea," taught me the proper way to set a table... Also, she always made sure there was something "pretty" at the center.
This Thanksgiving, as my cousins and siblings are taking on more responsibilities to put on the feast (so Bea Bea can enjoy her company and not be so busy in the kitchen), I volunteered to set the table.
After adding the leaf extension to my grandmother's table, I added the most beautiful hand-embroidered table cloth. Bea Bea reminded me that this particular tablecloth once belonged to her mother. What an heirloom!
Now for the china, she has so many options to choose from, however the most colorful option was her "Empress" and "Chateau" patterns. I absolutely LOVE this china pattern... always have! Most of these pieces she inherited from her sister-in-law. I remember playing "tea party" with my older sister as a child.... we loved to pretend having special guests of honor at our table...
The floral centerpiece took the most concentration. I used a harvest variety bunch of flowers from Sam's Club. They have a great floral selection (at a great price) and if you time it just right, you can get the best bunch! I used a low ceramic bowl with a floral oasis as my base. I started placing the sunflowers since they add the most punch, then followed with the yellow lilies. I filled in the rest with the colorful mums and greenery. Be careful to turn your vase often to keep the arrangement balanced. By using an odd number of tall, pigment dyed wheat pieces (found at
Tuesday Morning for just a few dollars) I added a whimsical height without covering the view from across the table, per Bea Bea's special request....
By flanking the large centerpiece with two small crystal bowls, the table is balanced. I used the goldenrod in each smaller vase and used the remaining large mums for a burst of color.
What a feast!The Table is so central in our family. Not only special occasions, but just about any meal time, "we gather together to ask the Lord's blessing" {my grandfather's favorite song.} As the story goes, Bea Bea's father built a table in each house they lived in as their family grew. When they moved, the table was too big to move so they left it with the house. My grandmother was 1 of 8 children, 6 of whom were boys... You can imagine how big the table was as the family grew and spouses joined in at the table...
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for checking in...
Sarah
