pumpkins & pansies for our Thanksgiving table . . .

I started planning and prepping for our big Thanksgiving Dinner today!

This year will mark my 5th year hosting Thanksgiving . . . and I couldn't be more excited! 

I thought it would be fun to share this post from last year's Dinner, as I hope that it inspires your table setting. 

I'm in the works of planning this year's table setting . . . and I hope I have enough time to take a few photos next Tuesday, and share them before Thanksgiving. I'm excited about this year's table, as I'm planning to incorporate a little Christmas greenery with the pumpkins and Fall fare, which will be a first for me.

If you're hosting Thanksgiving Dinner this year too, then I know you're busy as well!

Wishing you lots of inspiration and smooth planning and preparations!

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Lauren (our youngest) and I ventured South to buy more pansies for our Thanksgiving centerpiece this year.  While selecting our pansy colors, I spotted several rows of kale, purple and white/green . . . and thought that they would look pretty with our pansies, so I bought several heads of white and green kale.

 We bought beautiful Fall colors . . . rich burgundy, orange, and deep purple.

I thought it would be fun to share a small sampling of what our Thanksgiving table will look like this year. 

I took these photos just before potting some of them, so that I could get an idea of which ones needed to be planted in taller pots. I can't wait to see them ALL on our Thanksgiving table with more long-stemmed freckled pumpkins, twinkling tea lights, and formal, white place settings. 

This year's table setting is quite different from years past, as this year's colors are much brighter and cheerier. I'm excited to celebrate this side of Fall on our table.

I plan on planting the pansies and kale in our garden after Thanksgiving, so that we can continue to enjoy them through the holidays. 

How will you be decorating your table this year?

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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. . . 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!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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