Thanksgiving in the Meadows and Ponds

Among all the holidays during the year, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite. Gathering with family and friends to share memories and laughter over memorable dinners creates a special kind of holiday! While others do the cooking and baking, I'll focus on setting a table that is welcoming and festive, comfortable with a touch of elegance. 

 

  

Today I'm joining a group of stylists who are sharing their ideas for setting special Thanksgiving tables! If you've come from one of my fellow bloggers, welcome! Our blog hop was organized by Rita of Panoply and you'll find links to all the creative tables at the end of this post.

 

   

While Autumn was delayed this year, when it finally made its appearance nature seemed to suddenly burst with color in the woods and gardens! Deer began to visit each night to feast on the millions of acorns covering my yard and the northern birds have started arriving to over-winter. Wildlife seemed to be the perfect inspiration for a Thanksgiving table, so I began with dinner plates that have gorgeous renderings of birds in meadows and ponds.

A tablecloth covered in a lovely print serves as a muted base, with copper chargers bringing the warmth of fall colors to the table. Down the center runs a golden bronze runner of magnolia leaves punctuated by a vibrant centerpiece of roses in shades of tangerine and coral. I added cuttings of camellias from my garden to the fresh flowers. You can see the round camellia buds that have formed several weeks earlier than usual.

 

I waited in vain for good lighting in the dining room. We've had overcast skies all week interspersed with an occasional drizzle. Some of the photos were taken in what passed for daylight, some in candlelight. Some were lit by lamps and the chandelier. And a few managed to catch the blue hour.

   

Copper chargers are topped by dinner plates whose rims echo the design and color of the tablecloth. Individual covered soup bowls are in the shape of pumpkins, six different designs in green, orange and cream colors.

I've used six of the dinner plate designs from the pattern, depicting birds that are at home in meadows or ponds and lakes. 

 

  

I selected two types of crystal — one vintage (the topaz), one modern. They have different but complementary bowl shapes and similarly classic stems. The topaz crystal is etched in a pattern that replicates the one on the table linens.

I then added more birds to the table in the form of pheasant candle holders and

  

covered boxes.

   

Porcelain quail hide beneath the roses. Pheasant feathers were tucked here and there within the garland.

The soft colors of the blue hour are seen through the windows behind candlelight.

  

Ducks, quail and turkeys have settled on the buffet, nestled in fall flowers.

    

The simple display on the buffet contrasts with the more exuberant table style!

Everyday flatware and napkins bring the comfort factor to an otherwise elegantly set table. 

  

 

I would like to thank Rita from Panoply for organizing this Thanksgiving tablescape celebration. I hope that you'll visit each of my fellow stylists — you are sure to be inspired by their marvelous ideas!

Panoply - Thanksgiving Fowl and Feast

Hyacinths for the Soul - Fine Feathered Friends

Everyday Living - Counting Our Blessings

Home is Where the Boat Is - Giving Thanks Lakeside

Pandora's Box - Thanksgiving Table for Two

Life and Linda - Enchanted Woodland

The Cat's Whiskerz - A Simple and Thankful Tablescape for Thanksgiving

My Thrift Store Addiction - A Cornucopia of Blessings for Thanksgiving

Me and My Captain - To Be Thankful is to Recognize God in All Things

Corner of Plaid and Paisley - So Much To Be Thankful For

The Painted Apron - Thanksgiving Blessings

Thrifting Wonderland - A Thrifty Thanksgiving Table

Dinner at Eight - Thanksgiving in the Meadows and Ponds  (you are here!)

Belle Bleu Interiors - A Table of Blessings

Red Cottage Chronicles - Thanksgiving Harvest Tablescape

Mantel and Table - How To Set a Rich and Luxurious Thanksgiving Tablescape

Celebrating Everyday Life - How to Style a Thanksgiving Table with Aqua, Chocolate and Cream Accents

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

You may enjoy my other Thanksgiving tables at Grateful Harvest and Patterns in Blue for Thanksgiving.     

 

        

Table details

Dinner plates | Spode 'Woodland'

Clear crystal stemware | Waterford Marquis 'Hanover Gold'

Topaz crystal stemware | Fostoria 'Versailles'

Soup bowls | various makers

Porcelain bird candlesticks, boxes, teapot, tureen, plate | Fitz & Floyd various patterns

 

Shared with these parties

Vintage Charm   

Grandmas House Wednesday   

Whimsy Home Wednesday   

Share Your Style    

Tablescape Thursday     

Thursday Favorite Things    

Funtastic Friday    

Farmhouse Friday    

Home Matters    

Crazy Little Lovebirds    

Hearth and Soul    

Saturday Sparks    

Sundays on Silverado  

Love Your Creativity    

Inspire Me Tuesday    

Tuesday Turn About    

Talking About It Tuesday    

Karins Kottage party    

Wonderful Wednesday