Tuesday, November 27, 2012

. . . a unique and special Thanksgiving

We hosted a formal, intimate dinner for six . . . and then opened our home for a Thanksgiving Open House, of sorts.  

We welcomed friends through the afternoon and evening for dessert and egg nog.  Friends came, and went, bringing their family and friends . . . It was a holiday full of delicious food, family, friends, and laughter. My husband even snuck a nap in after dinner . . . just before friends started stopping by . . . a highlight for him, I'm sure (smile!).

What made THIS Thanksgiving so special was that my 4 1/2 and 3 1/2-year-old daughter and son were so very interested in this holiday. I think we watched "Happy Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown" a dozen times! They learned simple facts about the Mayflower, Pilgrims, and the FIRST Thanksgiving dinner.  Their interest also prompted a desire to help me with Thanksgiving dinner, especially my daughter ~ Charley. 

Charley excitedly helped me bake bread & Pie Crust Sugar Cookie TURKEYS . . . and decorate our Thanksgiving dinner table. She so sweetly placed petite pears and apples, eggplants, and pomegranates on our table . . . and eagerly learned about proper place settings. I loved her interest and help that day! It sure made this wonderful holiday extra special!

Although I did not grow up celebrating Thanksgiving over formal dinners, my husband and I  appreciate that we celebrate OURS over a formal dinner with family and friends. Much time, energy, and love goes into the menu and table setting . . . and our meal always begins with a beautiful prayer of gratitude.  This year's Thanksgiving was unique and special . . . leaving me with happy thoughts about what next Thanksgiving might bring our family

Thanksgiving,
to be truly Thanksgiving,
is first Thanks, 
then giving . . . 


A peak into our Thanksgiving dinner . . .

~ Our menu ~
 

~ Centerpiece of bright sunflowers and bupleurum in a white Cinderella pumpkin ~




 


~ Fall Jacquard Tablecloth ~
~ White dishes, white linens, and silver ~
~ Food is more vibrant and attractive on a white palette ~

 

   
~ Pomegranate Seeds dance in bubbly beverages ~
~ So pretty and festive ~

~ I LOVE these petite bottles of Martinelli's Sparkling Cider ~

~ Apricot Ginger Cranberry Sauce ~
~ Sweet & Savory toppings ~

~ Sliced butter for honey whole-wheat rolls ~



~ home-made honey whole-wheat rolls ~
~ a family tradition ~


~ Classic Butter Roasted Turkey ~
~ Sage leaves add a warm Fall flavor ~

~ I snapped a quick photo of my dinner plate ~


~ Dark Chocolate After Dinner Mints ~
~ A light after dinner treat ~


~ Dessert Menu ~
home-made Ginger Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie
with warm Caramel sauce
Cocoa Truffles
TURKEY and PUMPKIN-shape Pie Crust Sugar Cookies
with Vanilla Bean ice cream






~ I trimmed the pie with maple leaf cut-outs and acorns ~
I dressed up the acorns with orange & yellow sanding sugar before baking.  
This pie was a pretty compliment to the the Turkey & Pumpkin Pie Crust Sugar Cookies.


~ Cocoa Truffles  ~
~ My favorite dessert of the evening ~




~ TURKEY Pie Crust Sugar Cookie perched atop ice cream ~
~ These cookies were a HIT with the kids and adults! ~


~ This beautiful scalloped, gold-leaf platter was made by my late grandma ~
~ I used it to serve the Apricot Ginger Cranberry Sauce and toppings ~
~ Elegant and beautiful, I love that it is a family heirloom ~




I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!





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Sharing with . . .

Rain on a Tin Roof, A Stroll Thru LifeCedarHill RanchMy Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaMod Vintage Life, Savvy Southern StyleCity Farm HouseElizabeth and CoChef in Training, The Recipe CriticOur Home Away From HomeFinding FabulousAshley's Dandelion WishesThe Style SistersFluster BusterLamberts LatelyStoneGableKatherine's CornerLive Laugh RoweJann OlsonFrom My Front Porch to YoursThe Newleywed PilgrimagePink Recipe Box, French Country CottagePosed PerfectionBecoming MarthaThe Cottage Market504 MainHouse of RoseTater Tots and JelloChic on a ShoestringDesigns by GollumBrambleberry Cottage, A Delightsome Life, Jennifer RizzoCooking with CurlsYour Homebased MomA Little ClaireificationWhat's Cooking With RuthieSuburbs MamaSerenity Now52 MantelsRain on a Tin RoofThe TablescaperLady Behind the Curtain,  Sunflower Supper ClubSensational CreationsThe Velvet Moon BakerWith a BlastLiving Better TogetherSimply Dream and CreateTumbleweed ContessaTater Tots and JelloMade from Pinterest, Boogieboard Cottage, Too Much TimeSimply GloriaTwigg Studios,Flamingo ToesCarrie This HomeSweet SavThe Heart of Your HomeCreatively LivingOur Home Away from HomeCommon GroundCraft DictatorIts OverflowingA Stylish InteriorTwelve O EightHome ComingAngels HomesteadFinding Silver PenniesMy Heart Lives Here



17 comments:

  1. Everything looks so wonderful...your table is beautiful and I love the menu!

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  2. What a lovely dinner! Your attention to detail made it all special. Where do you find bupleurum? It makes those sunflower bouquet.

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  3. Oh my, everything is so beautifully done and the menu is fabulous. Everything down to the last detail looks so perfect. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me and don't forget to link up to our Holiday Baking Party on the 20th. Hugs, Marty

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    Replies
    1. Hi Marty,
      I always smile when you've stopped by!
      Your kindness and support are always appreciated.
      Have a beautiful weekend,
      Suzanne

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  4. Your table was stunning, with so many lovely details. We don't do much for (Canadian) Thanksgiving but I love the idea of a drop in and may have to start doing that in the future.

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  5. Boy does this ever have my mouth watering for our Thanksgiving dinner! Your table looks beautiful and the menu sounds delicious! I like how the turkey looks with the sage leaves on the outside. I am going to try that this year. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  6. I am always inspired by you, Suzanne. LOVE the pomegranate seeds in the glasses. SO festive. Thanks so much for linking up to Tickled Pink Times Two.
    Make it a pink day.

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  7. Your menu sounds amazing and all of this looks so amazing! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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  8. So beautifully done...what a lovely holiday! You must be excited for this year ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

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  9. The menu sounds absolutely amazing and I love the pumpkin centerpiece, totally need to do that. {especially with the white pumpkin}

    Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

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  10. Wish you a Very Happy Halloween, We like this food, and we like to invite you to upload your unusual delicious & unexplored recipe on Find best dishes at restaurants in Ahmedabad

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  11. Such an absolutely stunning setup!! You never cease to amaze ;) I featured you today!

    Fotini

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  12. Everything looks so wonderful! Thanx for partying at THT.

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  13. Hi Suzanne, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  14. The menu looks amazing! As I prepare my list, yours is quite appealing....
    Love the truffles for dessert, as well as all your presentation. Thanks for sharing!
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  15. Exquisite setting, wonderful menu - beautifully done! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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  16. Gorgeous thanksgiving meal! Thanks for sharing.

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