Happy Thanksgiving!

We'll see you guys on Monday. Have a great Thanksgiving!

{Thankful Forest Card by Rifle}

Thanksgiving Centerpieces

Image courtesy of paisleypetalevents.com

A beautiful centerpiece and great company can make a dinner truly memorable even if the cuisine is not Iron Chef-worthy. I say this because it is more likely I can put together something special for the table than develop my mum's cooking skills before Thusday!
Here are a few pretty options...from simple floating cranberries to autumn roses, there are numerous options, but generally I think less is more.

Images courtesy of pinterest, bhg.com, pinterest, bhg.com

Holiday Images

Around this time every year, I wish that Norman Rockwell still created magazine covers. I think his artfully captured marriage of the exaggerated and the familiar is unparalleled. His depiction of expressions and, equally impressively, an overall spirit or emotion, are accomplishments that remain admirable and incredible decades after his pencils and paints touched the paper.

If you ever find yourself around Stockbridge, MA- there is no excuse- you have to drop by the Norman Rockwell Museum. It is home to 574 Rockwell works and celebrates his tremendous contribution to American illustration.

All images courtesy of google

Hurricane Season

Image courtesy of hornes.org via google

A holiday table topped off with a decorative glass hurricane, or hurricanes, always looks so polished and festive. They are the perfect way to bring Autumn to the table. The glass capsules filled with seasonal items, candlelit, or wrapped, can fit into any decorative scheme - it just depends on how you use them.

I like the look of hurricanes filled with acorns, gourds, or berries- Fall's harvest right there.

Image courtesy nicegirlnotes.com via google

Although I have not tried this, I bet it would create lovely ambiance for an evening gathering with the light filtered through the warm shades of orange tissue.

Image courtesy of marthastewart.com

Candlelight flickering in these mercury hurricanes would be a beautiful centerpiece for the holiday table- wintry and elegant.

Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

This pair is my favorite. Really, it is because they look like New England, like my parents' place during the Fall, and I am always up for a little bit of home, especially when the holidays roll around.

Image courtesy of yourdecoratinghotline.com

Wreaths

Image courtesy of thegreenhead.com

This past weekend I put up the wreaths on my front doors. I was pretty proud of how they looked- evergreen circles with painstakingly tied gold bows that have a hint of sparkle. While I was researching the best bow option for a wreath (yes, I did a google search on this- I can't help myself), I came across so many cool versions of the holiday standard. Granted, I still went with my trusty evergreen, but I was definitely tempted to try something different next year. Just check out these contenders.....

Image courtesy of pixiegenne.typepad.com

Paper Floral Wreath courtesy of DanaandCarol via Etsy

Image courtesy of google.com

Image courtesy of  1.bp.blogspot.com

 

Poinsettia Wreath Kit courtesy of paper-source.com

Wrapping Paper Wreath courtesy of simplytseleta.typepad.com

Image courtesy of flickr

Image courtesy of google.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

The ladies of "Hiving Out" are out for the week. We are taking a holiday break from posting this week in order cook a couple of turkeys, grade a number of papers, keep a few kids swine flu-free, and rest up for the rest of the year. Hope you have a great holiday too!

(Vintage pictures of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade courtesy of straatis. Aren't they neat?)

1930

1937

1948

1964

Thursday, a Thanksgiving feast, and Etsy

Pumpkin Berry Boxwood Wreath via twoinspireyou

I am a little ashamed to admit I have not hosted my own Thanksgiving dinner yet. My mum puts on an amazing spread, an amazing day really, and I remain ever grateful she is so incredible and ever fretful I will never be able to pull off such an affair.

Someday, when I do host my mother and the rest of my family, I hope for something like this...(well, for this and no kitchen fires or kiddie meltdowns or turkey disasters, etc...)

A beautiful invitation (to build guests' confidence in me from the start!)

Autumn Harvest Dinner Invitation courtesy of merrymint

A festive and elegant table.....

mercury glass centerpiece courtesy of floresdelsol
soft gray scrolls floursack courtesy of margotbianca
Yellow gold tailored dinner napkins by evelynwhiteNapkin Rings Meadowbrook pattern courtesy of jjevensen

Vintage Amber Glass Goblet courtesy of modvintagetravels

I love the idea of these place card leaves that sit askew on the glasses at each seat.

Autumn Leaves Mix Place Cards courtesy of TimelessPaper

The tools you work with to prepare and serve can be just as lovely as the centerpiece.

Nourish Me Acacia wood Serving spon and Fork courtesy of sweettidings

Oval Beaded Platter courtesy of ShapingLivesPottery7

Creamy Orange and Rust Casserole Dish courtesy of gypsypottery

These delicately engraved votive holders would be perfect for some twinkling ambiance.

4 Hand Engraved Glass Votive Holders courtesy of daydreemdesigns

Now this apron would make me feel like a truly prepared (and fashionable) host.

Classic Flair for Cooking Retro Apron courtesy of GreatGoods

Finally, something on hand for even the tiniest of guests....

Modern Fruit Trees Bib courtesy of cocoaandmilkweed

Maybe next year I will give it a try, but this Thanksgiving I'm just another happy and very appreciative guest.