Wednesday, November 14, 2012

LATE FALL...EARLY THANKSGIVING...







We've put witches to bed and ghosts to rest.  The Autumn Leaves song has mostly played out and we are into the last reaches of the fall season, and looking forward to another part of the year that brings with it the smell of chimney smoke and the warmth of familiar, and well worn, hats and gloves and of children's laughter as they look forward to the first snow fall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I thought I would share with you the last of the fall decorations around the Cottage and the garden.  As I chart a course through the chaos that is the parlor, because of the guest room renovation, I am replacing the witches, on the mantle, with a family of Harvesters.







The entry hall has a little transformation with the basket of dried hydrangeas, which you have seen before on the dining room table, and a raffia wreath that I made a while ago.  Also shown is a small stack of children's school books along with some pumpkins.






Straw wreath tutorial courtesy of Yvonne at Stone Gable.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of my collection of blue and white dishes with a little touch of autumn.








I would like to re-introduce you to a quick change artist - my kitchen lamp.

Remember the original?





Second, there was a new shade covering made from a coffee sack.





Now the, last and final, change.





I added a ruffle of burlap ribbon to the top and bottom and now.... 





....I think I'm satisfied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The buffet in the dining room is the place of honor for His Majesty.  He is shown with a large transferware platter and another old brown transferware plate.



Platter: "His Majesty" by Josiah Wedgewood, England
for Williams-Sonoma
The Asthetic transferware plate: No markings
Cloche with pumpkin: HomeGoods


But, before the turkey was put in place, there was a pretty bouquet of fresh cut flowers from the Farmer's Market in a pitcher resembling an ear of corn.



Flowers: Fall astors, statice, dahlias, sunflower and eucalyptus leaves
Pitcher: Made in Portugal, TJ Maxx


Now, comes the heart of the story.

The Thanksgiving Table





I decided that I liked the pitcher of flowers on the table better than the buffet.  That's how the turkey came to be.




The table of thanksgiving is set with the place mats and napkins from HomeGoods that I've shown before.  The dinner plates you have also seen before.  The salad plates I got on Ebay and the covered glass turkey soup bowls are from Joanne's. The carnival glass sherbet cups and saucers are antiques and belonged to my grandmother.  The stem ware, faux fruit and vegetables, have been picked up at numerous thrift stores and boutiques over the years.



Dinner plate: Royal Chippendale
Salad plate:  "His Majesty" by Johnson Bros., England
Chargers: Made of tin and purchased from a catalog









~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, I have a confession to make.  
All of the above is
Only Make Believe...

...Yes, that's right.  No Thanksgiving dinner will be served at this table.  No family or friends will sit and partake of a delicious meal or give thanks for all their blessings.  
It is all Only Make Believe.

"IT'S ALL MAKE BELIEVE, ISN'T IT?"

Marilyn Monroe


That's right, Marilyn, and the reason is that I love to decorate and it makes me happy to set a pretty table.

We are actually going down to Santa Cruz to Tim, Tami and Jake's home for Thanksgiving.  I will probably make a couple of pies and some appetizers to take but they will supply the rest of the dinner.  Tim usually cooks a turkey on the Weber and Tami makes the most awesome roasted vegetables and, along with all the sides and fixins, there will be a delicious meal and very good company.  The Captain and I are treated like royalty while we are there and not allowed to do much but enjoy ourselves.




So you see, Marilyn, there is no need to worry, we will be very well taken care of and in the process, I get to have the prettiest table without any of the 'dirty' work.  When the "dinner" is over, it's just a matter of putting everything back on the shelf and then starting to plan for the next big occasion..More fun!



Dinner plates: Churchill, England
Crock with wheat: Made by moi
Chargers:  Target


In the mean time this is where the Captain and I sit down to a festive dinner for most nights this month.  Since we do go away from home for the holidays, I like to make our every day meals a bit of a celebration.  Here we sit down to dishes that I got on Ebay also.  The wine glasses are from an estate sale as well as the small turkeys, and the utensils are a replica of an Early American pattern that I've had for many years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I think I have got about as much out of Autumn as I'm ever going to get this year.  It was a brilliant season and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm now getting anxious to move on to the next phase which I hope finds me tying up loose ends so that I can embrace the most wonderful time of the year...Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a sneak preview of a little project I'm working on now, and hope to be finishing up within the next week or two.
Wish me luck. You know how my weeks can turn into months....Judy





I'm sharing with these lovely parties:














































25 comments:

  1. Very Pretty! I just love that wallpaper in the dining room. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Judy,
    I am loving everything in your post; how lovely! I love your harvesters on the mantel and your blue and white collection. The lamp makeover is adorable and you have set a lovely table. I have enjoyed every bit of it.
    How nice that you will spend Thanksgiving with your family. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post with us at my HOME and enjoy your week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  3. Judy what a beautiful tablescape! And your fall vignettes are so pretty too!
    xx
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your Thanksgiving displays look lovely throughout your home, Judy! Can't believe it will soon be time to haul out the Christmas decorations. Thanks for your very sweet comments!
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  5. First off, not sure that I have ever seen a raffia wreath. I like it! I loved both of your tablescapes, the fancy one and the everyday one. Love your harvesters too. I will be away for Thanksgiving too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for coming by, Judy, and your sweet comments. I love your Fall decor, it is so beautiful and elegant. It is so nice that you can be with your family for Thanksgiving. My family will be here with us also. Have a great and blessed Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, that was me above who removed the comment above(I was commenting off the wrong blog).Anyway, your home is so warm and inviting- I love your autumn decor. I am a Gold Country blogger as well, so I was so excited to find you! I will be following along now, neighbor.Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

    Ann-Marie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Judy,
    What a feast for the eyes! So much to see, and every picture more gorgeous than the last.
    Even if you don't make a dinner, I feel as if I've spent time at a beautiful cozy home and I was welcome.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Judy, Your table is beautiful, I really like those square salad plates. Actually I like ALL of your turkey plates/platter. Your harvester's are very cute too. How nice that you will spend time with your daughter and her family. Gina

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, Judy! I love make-believe and you did it ever so beautifully here. Great job and I hope you have a wonderful REAL Thanksgiving with your family. Blessings to you and the Captain- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Judy, you set a beautiful table even if it's only make believe! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Jean

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gorgeous autumn colors - love your burlap lampshade - the ruffles add the perfect touch - this time of the year seems to pass way too quickly! Love the tablescape and the dishes - all around lovely post - I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Judy,
    Everything is so festive and beautiful! Love the raffia wreath... such a show stopper! Beautiful table, you and the captain will have to break bread there just once this season to enjoy all your hard work! So much talent!
    dee dee

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Judy,
    I love it all!
    I've always been a big fan of Johnson Bro. dinner ware. SO beautiful.
    Love that straw wreath, I need to follow the link, and see if I can make one.

    Hope you have a great weekend, and thanks again for the beautiful pictures, and the decorating inspiration!

    K.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Judy--Yes, Autumn is almost over--but you're sure going out with a bang! So beautiful! I can tell you love to decorate--and you're always inspiring me! Thank you for your comments and following The Country Farm Home. I truly appreciate you!
    Thanksgiving Blessings!
    Dru

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love that Coffee sack Shade! Looks Cozy. Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How lovely...you have a wonderful touch. I am in California too, but at the other end.(-: Southern California, you are lucky to live in such a beautiful spot. Happy Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Judy, thanks for the make believe invitation to Thanksgiving Dinner. I am sure it will be delicious! Anything would be good served at that gorgeous real life table. We must not forget to give Buddy the drumstick from the turkey. I know I am being silly but just wanted to stop by to wish my very good friend a very sincere Happy Thanksgiving. We will be small in number but we always cook everyone's favorite dish to go with the turkey. My brother requested fresh veggies (not in a casserole) because he has to eat junk a lot because of his business hours. That request shouldn't be too difficult to do. Enjoy this special season with your family!! -------- Shannon

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just love your fall decorations. It looks so great with all the fall colors. Seems as you will have a lovely Thanksgiving. Where will you go? Sorry I'm not into your family all together, lol.
    I must say I will look forward to your Christmas decorations. It must be even lovelier as you really have the "eye" for it.
    Hope you have a great weekend. I can tell you that this time I didn't forget to write in English on my blog, lol.
    Take care.
    Love Elzie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Judy...it is all so beautiful. Each photo I looked at, I decided it was my favorite. I finally gave up.....I couldn't pick a favorite because I loved them all. Soooo pretty! I am also not cooking this year as we are going to our daughter's house for the first time for Thanksgiving. I think I will enjoy skipping all that work and watching someone else sweat for a change! It's funny, I've already read about 5 blogs that said the same...just decorating but not really cooking. I guess we really are the smart ones! Enjoy your Thanksgiving~

    ReplyDelete
  22. You have a beautiful heart and spirit! dee dee

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your turkey dinner plates are the same as my salad plates!!! I love your pretend Thanks giving table and ALL of your Fall decor. Have a fun trip and blessed Thanksgiving. XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Judy, make believe or not your decorations are beautiful. As a former professional photographer I want to tell you that your photography skills right up there with the pro's.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'd sit and have an imaginary dinner with you anytime. So love you turkey dinner plates, all of your fall decorations are really so pretty. Thanks for stopping by and liking my Burlap Wreath Drop cloth Curtains. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are so special to me...Judy