Tuesday, October 31, 2017

We Gather Together

As we gather together as families for Thanksgiving this year, I am very thankful for each and every blessing. It is especially meaningful for me to count my blessings this year, as I have just returned from visiting El Salvador, where I saw first hand a poor country, where most live in poverty and struggle to feed their families.

 I am joining a group of fabulous tablescapers,  this week in a bloghop sponsored by Chloe Crabtree @Celebrate and Decorate.com. A schedule is listed at the end of this post so you can visit each blogger for great inspiration.

From our house to yours, I welcome you today.

There is something special about Thanksgiving that warms our hearts. I am tingling with excitement that my family is coming to my house this year.

Fall has refreshed us from the hot summer days and the anticipation of gathering  together as families and friends and enjoying one another is beckoning. At least for me it is. Fall mums and pumpkins are the essence of autumn. Step on in, and lets think about decorating for our family and guests and think about  what food we are going to serve. Have you started planning yet?


I'm breaking with my tradition of using the same dishes each Thanksgiving. Decided to change it up this year!

Orange is not usually used on my tables but this year bold colors are speaking to me. I used a $12.99 bundle of grocery store flowers and added camellias, hydrangeas and berries from my garden for the centerpiece.

I had one lone hydrangea left in my garden. 


 The little pilgrim salt and pepper shakers have been a traditional part of my Thanksgiving table, so I couldn't leave them off.

I guess you can see along the way that I added a tablecloth. I was pleased that this vintage damask cloth had the greek key pattern and also a subtle fleur de lis pattern on the top. 

I love how the greek key pattern in the tablecloth repeated the greek key in my iron window pieces.

My family is going to be very surprised I am using blue and white dishes with orange accents.



These pics from previous Thanksgiving tables clearly show you I am changing it up. A recap can be viewed here of previous Thanksgivings.

This Horchow pottery has so much personality with each plate and cup having different patterns. If you look closely you can see the fleur de lis pattern on the tablecloth in this pic.
I decluttered a little here. Can you see the change? I think I like it better. Maybe my life needs decluttering, too.
 Our trip to El Salvador that I mentioned earlier was with Compassion International to meet our sponsored child.  My husband said he was forever changed.  I hope to blog about that soon. 

"Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

Check out these posts for wonderful Thanksgiving tablescaping ideas.


Have a wonderful week.
                                              


Joining: Gardens GaloreMetamorphosis Monday   Botanic Bleu  Show and Share  The Scoop  Celebrate and Decorate  Inspire Me Tuesday  Wow Us Wednesday  Tablescape Thursday  Share Your Style Party ,Share Your Cup, Full Plate Thursday,Thoughts of Home  Foodie Friday  Feathered Nest Friday  Dishing It & Digging It   Calypso in the CountrySunday's At Home

43 comments:

  1. Just gorgeous Bonnie...from your gracious and welcoming entrance to your wonderful blue and white table. I'm lovin' all the blue and white with orange I'm seeing this fall. It looks so fresh and bright to me in contrast to the traditional muted and warmer tones of fall. Your cheery flowers in your blue and white cachepot add the perfect 'pop' to your table and I love the nostalgic touch your sweet pilgrim salt and pepper shakers add. It does our hearts good to realize how fortunate we are in this country and be thankful for our many blessings. ♥

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  2. Bonnie, first off, let me welcome you home! I thought of you often in the days you were gone, sending blessings, and am happy to hear it was moving (looking forward to the post). Your table will be a terrific conversation starter, having moved from your traditional (yet keeping those little pilgrims). I love blue with orange, but my favorite might be the Greek key design, not just on the tablecloth, but that window iron! Oh my goodness - that is outstanding! How many windows do you have that in? Your home looks so gorgeous from outside - that wreath on the front door - ♥!! Happy to be joining the party this week, I feel I'm in terrific company.

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    1. Oh, and I forgot to mention how drop-dead gorgeous those camellias are! a la Coco Chanel!

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  3. Bonnie,I can't wait to hear about your trip and a visit to a third world country will and should change our lives! I loved seeing the entrance to your home all dressed for the season! Blue and white always works...the Horchow pottery is just beautiful! Mixed with the pop of orange makes it perfect for Thanksgiving! The centerpiece of flowers adds more pretty colors and you do a great job arranging them! I know you are so excited to have your family at home this year! They will love sitting at your stunning table but more importantly the love that will be around your table! Blessings~

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  4. Bonnie, the longer I live the more I love the blue and white. Paired with the orange is beautiful. From your entrance to your prayer of thanksgiving, it is amazingly beautiful. Your centerpiece is lovely with things mostly from your garden. You have a beautiful home. Blessings to you. It sounds like you and your husband are doing wonderful things and bringing honor to God.

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  5. Bonnie, I just love the combination of the orange and blue! Your entire table just pops. There is nothing better than gathering family around the table! Oh, your front door wreath is stunning! Your floral centrepiece is beautiful, and I love that you used mirrors underneath! What a blessing that you were able to visit your Compassion child.

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  6. Your table is lovely Bonnie, I love the non traditional blue and white with orange, and the stripped napkins make everything really pop! I am fascinated by your trip, how difficult that must have been to see such need when we all live with so much opulence...I get really upset these days with all the silly protesting in our country and how so many Americans don't realize how much they have. I know your table will be full of family love and conversations. I love your wreath on the front door too, beautiful!
    Jenna

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  7. Bonnie,
    I am so happy for you that your family is coming to your house for Thanksgiving. what a special time that will be. I am just in the very beginnings of planning our Thanksgiving. I love your table and that you switched it up. Since I have dishes that are specifically called our 'Thanksgiving' dishes I dare not change that. lol
    Lovely post. I didn't know about your trip.. Will look forward to reading about it.
    Love,
    Mona

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  8. Such a lovely table, I especially am attracted to the different patterns of the dishes. I am always afraid to mix patterns, but you have done such a great job. What a change to visit El Salvador and then come home to all of the blessings we have here. The contrast does make you appreciate all we have. Have a blessed Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends. I am thankful to have you as part of my blogging tablescape tribe. Thank you for joining in another hop!

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  9. Your table is gorgeous! I love the mix of blue and orange. You mixed it up so nicely! Blessings to you this Thanksgiving! Sheila

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  10. You have used all the beautiful blue and white dishes and centerpieces in such a beautiful way. I love the way you have placed the napkins. This looks like such a wonderful place to have a Thanksgiving meal!

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  11. Bonnie, I love your pretty table. I like the pops of orange with the blue. And I agree with Sherry! I like the bold striped napkins and where you placed them on the table.

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  12. Kari @ Me and My CaptainOctober 31, 2017 at 10:03 AM

    Bonnie, your table is lovely and I especially love the last setting where you made a simpler centerpiece. It is perfect! The blue and orange are another great pairing and I am sure your guests will be amazed at the elegance as well as the beauty. God Bless you and your family.

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  13. Bonnie, you know I love blue and white, and this table is just gorgeous. I have some of the same Horchow pottery. It is a favorite of mine. The bright floral centerpiece makes such a beautiful statement on your table. I know you are so happy that all of your family will be home for Thanksgiving. I hope that you all have a wonderful and blessed holiday!

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  14. Bonnie, I'm sure your visit to El Salvador was so moving and lends to make us realize all the more how many blessings we have and so much to give thanks for. I'm glad you are home safely after your travels. Your Thanksgiving table is stunning. I adore blue and white and this pattern is lovely. Your home is so welcoming and looks so inviting. I know you will enjoy having your family home for Thanksgiving..........Let's talk soon.......

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  15. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thanksgiving table for this fun blog hop. I love the blue and white combination with pops of orange! Looks amazing!

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  16. Bonnie, Enjoyed your post and also browsing through your blog. Your table is beautiful. Classic blue and white is always perfect! And I love, love, love stripes. Nice job!

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  17. The colorful flower arrangement centerpiece is gorgeous with your blue and white theme. I do love the pop of bright orange with the blue and white. Your family will be thrilled with the change. New traditions can begin any time! :-)

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  18. I really enjoyed seeing how your tablescape came together bit by bit and even how you pared it back in the end. I really liked the addition of the pretty white tablecloth and how it created an even more striking look with the blue/white/orange elements on the table. The subtle mixing of the patterns on the pottery with the stripes on the napkins is well done. I can only imagine how a trip to a country like El Salvador would affect a person who lives in the bounty we enjoy - look forward to hearing more about that from you.

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  19. Bonnie, your table is gorgeous. I love the pretty blue with the fall colors. Such a pretty welcoming space too. Love the placement of the napkins. I trust your trip was successful. Many blessings to you dear lady.

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  20. Bonnie, from the opening photo of your home to your gorgeous table, I felt as if you were welcoming me. I love the blue and white dishes and temple jars, and the striped napkins are exquisite. Orange and blue are a match made in heaven, warm and cool, just like November. I always live the art and grace and beauty you bring to a table. Wishing you the happiest Thanksgiving!

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  21. I am sure that this Thanksgiving will have a special meaning to you after traveling to places that may seem like they don't have a lot to be thankful for. Your home looks so welcoming to all, from the entrance to your gorgeous table! I am willing to bet that your family will be pleasantly surprised by this striking table. I love the mix-match patterns of the china with the bold stripe napkins! It is a pleasure hopping with you this week.

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  22. Beautifully done- love the blue and white dishes. When I think about it we had one set of china that was used for every family gathering as a child. I enjoyed the formality of it all and still do. I’m sure your family will love your new twist on the Thanksgiving table!

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  23. Bonnie, first, I am so glad you felt so blessed from your trip. Thought about you and prayed for you several times during your trip. I love the blue and white with a hint of orange. I too have some blue and white dishes on a baker's rack and just did not want to take them down to decorate seasonal. So last year I added some orange during the fall holidays and loved it. I love your tablescape. Your family will love it too. We do Thanksgiving dinner at my fatherinlove's home and girl, there are so many of us that Paper plates will be used. LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  24. Bonnie, how special it must be to come home after seeing how others live without the blessings we enjoy here in America. Your blues and oranges work so well together (it's that color wheel thing). Love your flower arrangements. You certainly have a talent for combining the colors and the different types of flowers.

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  25. Just gorgeous, Bonnie. You have such exquisite style. The blues and oranges just pop! I like the pared down version best, too, though it is beautiful either way. I will look forward to hearing about your trip to El Salvador. blessings ~ tanna

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  26. Gorgeous! Love this blue and white palette with an orange touch, and little pilgrims are so cute! Bravo!

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  27. Your porch is so welcoming Bonnie! You've decorated it so beautifully for your family and friends. Oh, how I love your blue and white theme for Thanksgiving, and all the different sets that you have. I'm not an orange fan, either, but I do use it for Fall. Orange is especially complementary with blue, don't you think? Enjoy your planning for Thanksgiving with your family.

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  28. Your Table Setting is beautiful. I would love it if you could share this post on Full Plate Thursday, we now have special features for Table Settings. Thanks for sharing and hope to see you soon!
    Miz Helen

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  29. What a beautiful welcome! And I love your blue and orange combo. It's one of my favorites. Really a lovely table -- all you need is the turkey!

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  30. Oh, my...how very, very lovely!!! I am a HUGE fan of blue & white with orange, and this is just fab! Hooray for you for stepping away from the dishes you usually use to try something new! (It's hard to do that sometimes, I know!) I DID notice that the last photo was a bit different from the others! Sometimes we see our work in a whole new light. Your trip to El Salvador must have been a really eye opening experience. My former husband hails from there. The country was mired deep in conflict with unabandoned chaos at every turn when he and I were married, so I never had a chance to visit for fear I might not make it back. I'm thrilled that you had a positive experience and got to meet your sponsored child. That sounds like something you will carry with you forever. Have a blessed and safe weekend!

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  31. Your porch is gorgeous! Love your wreath. Your blue China is outstanding too!
    Emily-B. Lovely Events

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  32. I love your blue and orange tablescape! Great complementary colors. I like the cleaned up look at the bottom of your post, but then that's me. I'm so glad meeting you for the first time through this great blog hop!

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  33. Hi sweet Bonnie. :)

    I don't remember seeing your front porch before! It's so pretty and so southern. I notice there are iron grates on your windows. Love!!

    Your tablescape is beautiful and I understand how you are excited for everyone to come for Thanksgiving. Our son just joined the Army in August and we will be watching him graduate from basic training at Thanksgiving. Not sure how our celebration dinner is going to play out but we will make it happen somehow.

    I want to hear more about your El Salvador trip!

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  34. Oh my!Just marvelous!Loooove everything!

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  35. Hi There!

    Warm Greetings of the Day!
    You gave me an inspiration!

    The color selection for the table is really Amazing. On this
    Thanksgiving Day USA 2017, I am going to follow your theme :)

    Keep Posting Great Stuff

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  36. Good Afternoon Bonnie,
    So nice to be sitting here sipping on coffee and seeing not only your lovely Thanksgiving Day table but also your front entry. Love the wreath too!
    Your table is just gorgeous and what a striking combination of orange and blue.
    Happy Monday,
    Jemma

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  37. I just love all your blue and white - so beautiful!
    Shelley

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  38. It would be so special to sit down to such a beautiful table to fellowship and give thanks. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a good week and come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

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  39. It's beautiful! I actually love blue and white with orange for fall. I especially love the striped towels at each setting. Clever idea and it adds a lot! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    JaNN

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  40. Your table for Tksgiving it's simply gorgeous! I so love blue and white and you have inspired me to set one like it next time. I also love all your chinoserie on top of the table. I'm pinning it.
    Thank you.
    Fabby

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