The table was set for twenty this year.
We were missing some. Kati, Andrew, and their babies were celebrating with Andrew's family. Mom and Daddy were home because Daddy was feeling under the weather. They were all greatly missed! But we believe that you celebrate big with the ones who are here!
We were missing some. Kati, Andrew, and their babies were celebrating with Andrew's family. Mom and Daddy were home because Daddy was feeling under the weather. They were all greatly missed! But we believe that you celebrate big with the ones who are here!
Two folding tables were joined to our dining room table and all were draped with white tablecloths. We set a variety of brown transferware, a variety of white cloth napkins, and a variety of silverware. Lots of variety . . . but it all flowed together.
It can be challenging to decorate a looooong table. One centerpiece doesn't feel like enough, and if we did one, it would be on the middle table which is one of the narrower ones. So we usually go with long-and-narrow meandering centerpiece which means a lot of items needed to fill the space. This year, we started with small burgundy potted mums from Trader Joe's and interspersed them with pewter candlesticks with white candles. We added two different sizes of votives with white candles. Then we gathered all of the pumpkins and gourds we had in the house (we actually pulled some from outside too) and spread them along the length of the table. (We used all but the bright orange ones.) We added pomegranates and Bosc pears for a sort of cornucopia look. Finally, we strewed faux acorns and preserved leaves for filler and for color.
It can be challenging to decorate a looooong table. One centerpiece doesn't feel like enough, and if we did one, it would be on the middle table which is one of the narrower ones. So we usually go with long-and-narrow meandering centerpiece which means a lot of items needed to fill the space. This year, we started with small burgundy potted mums from Trader Joe's and interspersed them with pewter candlesticks with white candles. We added two different sizes of votives with white candles. Then we gathered all of the pumpkins and gourds we had in the house (we actually pulled some from outside too) and spread them along the length of the table. (We used all but the bright orange ones.) We added pomegranates and Bosc pears for a sort of cornucopia look. Finally, we strewed faux acorns and preserved leaves for filler and for color.
The tables were set. I had my Thanksgiving playlist streaming through the speaker. Our portion of the feast was prepared. We were ready for our loved ones!
Are these not the cutest little turkeys?
Some father/daughter teamwork: Kristin is making the gravy, and Ron is filling the bowl with his mashed potatoes.
For the first time, Nora accompanied our pre-dinner Thanksgiving hymn. 🎜🎝
We all sang "For the Beauty of the Earth."
Ron prayed the blessing, and then we sang Happy Birthday to Peter! Peter was born on Thanksgiving Day in 2011, and this year he had a Thanksgiving birthday. We had a big celebration for him! 😉
If you've been reading here long, you may remember that we have "servers" each year for our Thanksgiving meal. It eliminates a long buffet line or having all of the food on the table which is already pretty full. I neglected to get a photo of the servers this year, but they were Kristin, Bekah, and Maddie and they did a fine job!
Brian helped us with our Thanksgiving selfie, which we texted to faraway Kati and family. They texted one to us too.
This year, Ron went around the table and had everyone share something that they were thankful for. He followed that with asking us our favorite food on the Thanksgiving table.
This was Baby Joanna's first Thanksgiving. I got to sit beside her at the table! After she ate, we played peekaboo with our napkins. So much fun!
This picture is gold! What helpful guys with servant hearts!
The cousins presented a new musical creation, Thanksgiving themed. "Going to a New Land . . . " 🎜🎝
I was happy with my choice!
"It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 92:1
