Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! Are you ready? If you'd like to try some new Thanksgiving recipes this year or are in desperate need of a few tips to get you through the crazy days of cooking and baking, look no further! I've rounded up some tasty recipes for you and at the end of the post I have a couple of infographics to help alleviate the stress of the holiday and allow you to enjoy your time with loved ones. When I host Thanksgiving, or any … [Read more...]
29 Thanksgiving Table Settings
October 29, 2016 By 6 Comments
Thanksgiving is just four short weeks away! Are you ready for it? This past week I joined fellow bloggers to bring you 29 Thanksgiving table settings. Each one is beautiful and unique in its own way. I thought I'd gather them all together here in one post for your convenience. I visited them all and found inspiring ideas from each one. They're featured below, in alphabetical order.Bless'er House | Buckets of Burlap | Cedar Hill … [Read more...]
Gilded Tablescape for Fall Holiday Entertaining
October 25, 2016 By 20 Comments
Hello Friends! Welcome to a special week of holiday entertaining organized by the very talented Lory who blogs at Designthusiasm. She invited me to participate in Styled and Set, a Holiday Entertaining Blog Tour. All week you'll enjoy creative inspiration from a variety of amazing bloggers. I hope you'll find ideas for your own plans for fall holiday entertaining. I gave careful consideration when deciding what to share with you ... and after … [Read more...]
Simple Thanksgiving Table Setting
November 6, 2015 By 7 Comments
Remember when you were a kid and reenacted the pilgrim's first Thanksgiving in grade school? I loved it! Some of us would dress as pilgrims, and some would dress as Indians. We'd do a little play (I never got the parts with reading lines, unfortunately) and talk about what the pilgrims ate at a long harvest table. That first harvest table is the inspiration for today's simple Thanksgiving table setting with natural elements. Today I'm joining a … [Read more...]
3 Simple Thanksgiving Centerpieces
November 2, 2015 By 10 Comments
When I became a vegetarian a few years ago, I knew I would hate giving up turkey on Thanksgiving Day. I'm not a fan of tofurkey because ... well, it's fake. I typically include a vegetable soup at Thanksgiving, something creamy and a little rich. Since so much time and energy is invested in cooking the meal, I like to keep the table decorations easy and uncomplicated. Today I've got 3 simple Thanksgiving centerpieces for you. I'll choose one of … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Decorating with Friends
October 31, 2015 By 1 Comment
So much attention is given to Halloween and Christmas that Thanksgiving is often overlooked. It's a wonderful holiday where we express all that we're thankful for, and one thing I especially appreciate is the blogging community. I've had the chance to meet some warm and wonderful people who are always supportive and encouraging. I asked a few of those friends to share their Thanksgiving decorating inspiration with all of you. Be sure to visit the … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2014 By 5 Comments
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! This is just a quick post before the hustle and bustle gets started in my farmhouse kitchen. I try to get all the cleaning done the days before Thanksgiving. That way, all I have to focus on is cooking and entertaining. Yesterday hubby and I picked up our fresh Ho-Ka turkey at Ream's Elburn Market. My son grew up with the owner's son and played on the same baseball team as kids. People from all over … [Read more...]
Modern Country Table Setting
November 11, 2014 By 28 Comments
At Thanksgiving I typically gravitate toward traditional or farmhouse style table decor, but when Bormioli Rocco Glass Company approached me about creating a tablescape with their gorgeous Italian dinnerware, I opted for a modern country table setting. And I'm excited to share that they're offering $200 worth of their exquisite tableware to one of my blog readers! Details for entering are at the end of this post. White and green are typical … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Table Settings
November 7, 2014 By 8 Comments
One thing I love about this time of year is that bloggers get together more often to showcase loads of inspiration. From home decor to recipes to table settings and more. Today I'm joining some fabulous bloggers for Thanksgiving table settings. A special thanks to Bre at Rooms for Rent for putting this blog hop together! I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite table settings from my home over the past couple of years. I hope … [Read more...]
Turkey Stuffing Dumpling Soup
November 2, 2014 By 10 Comments
Today I'm part of a Thanksgiving hop with several other bloggers to kick off the month of November. So if you're here for the Charming Home Series, it will be back in full swing next Sunday. But for now, I hope you'll stay and enjoy this recipe for Turkey Stuffing Dumpling Soup, and then go on to visit the other bloggers listed at the end of this post. Before I became a vegetarian, I loved eating turkey on Thanksgiving. Equally as enjoyable was … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Table Setting Dedicated to My Mother
November 14, 2013 By 16 Comments
My mother taught me the art of table setting many years ago. I loved our family holiday dinners growing up because her table was always exquisite and well thought out. Dining was an experience of both good food and beauty. I'm honored to be part of this week's Fall Tablescape Tour with other bloggers so that I can honor my mother by dedicating this Thanksgiving Table Setting to her. She's still living, but suffers from Alzheimer's. Last year, I … [Read more...]
Setting a Thanksgiving Table: Option Two
November 21, 2012 By 31 Comments
I must confess that after setting the first Thanksgiving tablescape (option one) about a week ago, I wasn't very motivated to create a second one. But I did. Just for fun. I put one together ... didn't like it ... ripped it apart and came up with something much simpler than what I originally had. A white pillar candle in a large jar takes center stage for this second Thanksgiving table.Each place setting gets its own personal pear. Gourds … [Read more...]
Setting a Thanksgiving Table: Option One
November 6, 2012 By 55 Comments
When I was a child growing up, my mother always set a beautiful table for Thanksgiving dinner. She carefully selected a linen tablecloth, matching place settings, cloth napkins, coordinating stemware, and a beautiful centerpiece to make the meal special. Pop cans were never allowed at the table and I enforce that rule in my own home at holiday meals. What are some holiday dining traditions at your house? For me, part of the joy of a holiday meal … [Read more...]
Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life. 
