Wednesday, November 17, 2010

An Abundant Thanksgiving Tablescape and Thanksgiving Memories


Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to Tablescape Thursday and Centerpiece Wednesday. I am not making the Thanksgiving turkey this year, so I set up this Thanksgiving table today.  I haven't actually hosted the Thanksgiving dinner many times at my home.  The times I have hosted, I really enjoyed making the turkey.  Of course, the stars of my table this week are the turkeys.  This was my mother's turkey; I believe she always served stuffing in it.


I picked up the amber turkey somewhere.  I think it was Mervyn's.


One year we invited a student from China over for Thanksgiving dinner; he had never eaten turkey or celebrated Thanksgiving before. We took a picture of him carving a turkey.

The individual placesetting.


I tucked an Autumn spray in the napkin ring; there are leaves embossed on them.   I bought these last year at Wal-Mart on clearance.

The salad plates and bowls are the Furio brand from Target bought years ago.


I love the little pumpkins on the salad plates.



When I was in college, we hosted a Thanksgiving turkey dinner.  None of us had ever cooked a turkey before.  When we tested our turkey while cooking, we couldn't understand why it had a pink color.  After such a long time of cooking; it should have been done!  I called my mother to ask for some advice!  Some of our guy friends, who procured the turkey from the BYU turkey farm, failed to tell us that it was a smoked turkey!  Even though we overcooked it a bit, it was such a good turkey!  We set up long tables in our apartment hallway and invited broadly.  That is a warm and funny Thanksgiving memory.


My favorite turkey memory was at Christmas, not at Thanksgiving.  My husband's uncle invited us over for dinner on Christmas day.  He, a nurse, and his son, in medical school, had baked the turkey.  They had closed up the turkey, not with skewers, but with 6 or 8 straight pins.  When the turkey was done, they had a hard time finding the pins!  It was such a funny thing to see the nurse and doctor "operating "on the turkey.  They used a flashlight to catch the glimmer of the pins.  Luckily, they remembered how many pins they had put in the turkey!  No harm was done and it gave us such a funny memory. 

I love the sun shining in through the windows.


What's for dinner?  Turkey, of course.  Have a slice of the Turkey Cranberry Wreath.


Thanksgiving Challenge


Today I am, and every day, thankful for Talley our youngest daughter.  In her words, she finally turned two digits!  She was born on a snow flurry day ten years ago.  We are so happy to have her in our home.  She is kind, funny, and smart.  She loves to draw, loves outdoors, and loves animals.  I am especially thankful for her today as she is helping me take care of our neighbor's dog.  She gets up early to help me; I am afraid of dogs!  Happy Birthday Talley.  We had our traditional donut tower this morning to celebrate her birthday.


Thanks for coming to sit on my Red Couch!


33 comments:

Julie Harward said...

That cake in the previous post has me drooling! Loved your stories here today. I will not be doing Thanksgiving dinner this year as they are all going to their in-laws. It's fun to watch them scramble to learn how to make things..calling me for help and advise. I had to learn and now, it's fun to see them learn. Happy Birthday to your daughter, thats a cute name! ;D

Sue said...

I guess I've been talked into "doing" Thanksgiving for my husband and son. We used to go to my husband's sister's home with his parents. When their son married 3 years ago...they quit inviting us, no room at the table I guess. So, the past few years I've ordered food from Cracker Barrel. It seems like so much cooking for 2 or 3 people. But...the men are both requesting things like noodles and green bean casserole...so, I guess I'm going to do the work this year. Maybe a turkey breast instead of an entire turkey?

Tricia said...

What a pretty table! I really enjoyed reading your memories of previous Thanksgivings -- great turkey stories! The turkey-cranberry wreath sounds delicious!

Anonymous said...

Please share the turkey cranberry wreath. I would love love love to make that.

kelly

Lynn said...

Hey Joni your table is beautiful! I agree with Anony above me-can't wait to hear about the turkey cranberry wreath! Loved your stories, one year my SIL had a 22lb turkey and her in-laws coming for dinner in 3 hours... I causally mentioned I didn't smell the turkey cooking. It was still frozen!!! Needless to say we frantically filled the sink with hot water and tried to thaw it (don't tell the Food Police though:@)

Sue said...

Love the memories, Joni:) Decades ago, when I was hosting my first Thanksgiving, my dad(which was funny, because he was never the cook!)called to remind me to take out the gizzards, etc. from inside the turkey..."Of course, I know that dad!" I told him. Well, on Thanksgiving (when I was getting the turkey ready to be served) I discovered that there's a second little pouch of innards that I didn't know about?!? (I didn't tell my dad.) :) I want to hear the details on that wreath too!
Happy 10th Birthday to Talley!

La said...

Your table is fabulously festive with or without a turkey dinner. The turkey cranberry wreath looks yummy. La

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I am intrigued with your turkey cranberry wreath. And what a lovely tablescape!

Happy birthday to Talley! The traditional donut tower is wonderful.

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Beautiful table! And that cranberry wreath looks sooo good!

Jamie said...

Your tablescape is breathtaking!! I love the turkeys you incorperated.

The donut tower is FANTASTIC!! We have chocolate muffin sundeas on the kids birthdays. Sugar, chocolate, ice cream... all in one breakfast. LOL

Anonymous said...

A beautiful Thanksgiving table!

Debbie said...

Not only is the table pretty, but I really enjoyed your turkey tales.

That cranberry ring looks delicious.

Mary said...

The turkey cranberry wreath is calling my name. Happy Birthday to Talley~ enjoyed your turkey stories :-)

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Happy Birthday, sweet Talley! You sound like such a wonderful, bright and beautiful young lady.

I love your festive table. And I especially love the darling picks you tucked into the napkin rings. It brings so much to your table.

The leaf plates are very lovely and so different. I think it is so much fun to have a piece that is a show stopper... and these are.

But the star of this table is your Mother's turkey. What a treasure! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
Yvonne

Jacqueline said...

Say happy birthday to the two digit girl. I don't remember that turkey at all from growing up. I had to take several double takes and I still don't but it sure is beautiful. This is such a lovely table, so many things to look at! It is such fun to set the table and enjoy the look and you don't even have to do the dishes.

Thanks so much for posting for me! We got here safely. LOL

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I Love EVERYTHING! You set the most BEAUTIFUL table... I would REALLY LOVE to make that turkey cranberry wreath, Would you "Pretty Please" share the recipe??? "With a cherry on top"???
Hugs to you,
Donna

Sarah said...

Joni, your table is beautiful. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving here, but now I'm getting inspired to set a table just for the fun of it. Love seeing all your turkeys. How special to have your mom's tureen. It's gorgeous!
Funny about the double digits. I tutor a little girl who celebrates her tenth birthday on Monday. Today when I said good bye, I gave her a birthday hug and commented on her celebrating a decade. She smiled and said, yes, now I'm into double digits. LOL
Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Sarah

xinex said...

Your tablescape and the food looks fabulous, Joni. I love your turkey collection too!..Christine

The Style Sisters said...

Joni,
I love all the details on your Thanksgiving table! It is all so beautiful! I love your tradition of the donut tower for birthday breakfasts! Thanks to you always for linking up to Centerpiece Wed. and sharing your ideas with us.

Karin

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

What style! Your table, whether it's put to Thanksgiving use or not, is just beautiful. You have a lovely collection of Thanksgiving items.

Alycia Nichols said...

Your mother's turkey is so cool!!! They sure don't make 'em like that anymore! What a wonderful treasure!

Barbara said...

This was so much fun to look at all the fun details. The table is lovely but I enjoyed your stories of Thanksgivings past even more. Happy birthday to your daughter. Love the donut tower!

Marlis said...

I love your stories. They bring such a beautiful real quality to the table. It's wonderful to have your mom's turkey, what a wonderful memory. Your table is beautiful.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Beautiful table, Joni! I love the smaller pumpkins you used on the salad plates ~ what a great idea to bring a little decoration to each place setting. Love your turkey tureen(?) and, I've already commented on your cranberry wreath recipe post, but I'll tell you again how good that looks!

Judy said...

Loved reading about your Thanksgiving memories! I've never decorated my Thanksgiving table much. I want to use some of your ideas and make my table beautiful too. Food always tastes better when it's served in a beautiful atmosphere. :)

A Perfect Setting said...

Your salad plates are marvelous!! And that turkey cranberry wreath?? MMMM, looks amazing. Beautiful!

Scribbler said...

Gorgeous table -- and please share the cranberry wreath recipe!

Entertaining Women said...

Loved your Thanksgiving memories...the Turkey Cranberry Wreath is spectacular. Happy Birthday to precious Talley. Thank you for sharing the personal side of your holiday with us. Cherry Kay

Marigene said...

Beautiful table, Joni...love the turkey that holds the stuffing. Cute story about the uncle using straight pins to close the turkey up...glad that he found them all!
Happy Thanksgiving.

Lulu said...

Thanksgiving is the one holiday we hold on to as our now adult kids take on each of the others. For so many reasons that is such a special time for gathering and is not encumbered with all the effort of the Christmas holidays. Enjoy yours amidst all your lovelies.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

So warm & inviting.
CAS

Kathleen said...

Your table is just beautiful! Lots of textures.
I have a question though. Our dorm was closed down for Tgiving as everyone went home for the holiday. Why were you at school instead of going home? Just curious! :)

Kathleen said...

Happy Birthday to Miss T who is 10! I am afraid of dogs too, and can't sit on a couch where a dog or cat has been! :)

Engageya