With only 18 days until Thanksgiving I thought I’d share some wonderful table setting ideas, compliments of talented folks online, along with a rough draft of our menu for the upcoming long holiday weekend. Williams Sonoma taste has so many great ideas for making this food-intensive holiday easy and delicious.
This year we’re lucky enough to be celebrating Thanksgiving with the entire Bunch clan (our Austin family will be here as well as our California kids). We’re celebrating Olivia’s 5th birthday at Disneyland early in the week. Then the meal planning will begin, a collaborative effort. The fact that our kids like to cook is a great source of joy for me.
This is my favorite season and while I’m thankful for family year round, the Thanksgiving holiday shines a spotlight on family (and friends) and fortunately, we all get along and enjoy each other’s company. Some of the movies they’ve produced on dysfunctional family life brought to light during Thanksgiving are funny, thankfully they don’t apply! 🙂
Layla of The Lettered Cottage shared this simple centerpiece some time ago. It’s a reminder that setting the table can be lovely whether simple or elaborate.
I’m loving the rustic feel of this elegant table. There are flowers but the pussy willow and nest give it a natural, rustic feel.
Have you seen these placemats with space to write down what you are thankful for? I love this idea. A reminder that we all have something to be thankful for. I like the dried maple leaf as a placecard.
Figs, eucalyptus and candles, brilliant! Less is more. For oakleaf name cards…
this lovely free printable can be found HERE. If you’ve never visited EAB Designs, prepare to be amazed at the creative forces at work here.
This is another pretty free printable for place cards if you’re interested.
Our Thanksgiving table sans dinnerware…since I’m posting this early, I don’t have plates and such on the table. Redfern, our beloved pheasant, presides over the feast.
Here are dishes that I often use in the autumn, but this year I think I’ll use my white dishes…food looks good on white (or so I’ve been told).
Traditional, with updates, I love this centerpiece in a planter box. You can never have too many candles.
Our menu will be some version of the following:
I’ll be taking some time off. I know it seems that has become a habit! Family will be arriving and I want to unplug for awhile. I’ll be back with some Christmas cheer. I wish you all a joyous Thanksgiving filled with family, friends and good food. I’m very thankful for my friends here at GHP.
xo, Karen
Garden, Home & Party 
laney said:
…blessings!…laney
Karen B. said:
Laney, To you as well! 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 1:47 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Kelly - Talk of the House said:
Beautiful! I love your pheasant, and those dishes you are not using this year. Send them my way! LOL They would be great on my porch table. 🙂 Have fun at Disneyland for your granddaughter’s birthday. What a wonderful treat! Blessings to you and all your family for this season of giving thanks! I am thankful for your friendship. 🙂
Kelly
Karen B. said:
Kelly, Those dishes are favorites of mine, partly because there are 6 different plate patterns. Each one has a wintery scene with a dog and men/boys dressed in winter clothing…as if they are hunting. You know me and my love of all things lodge like! 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I’m holding good thoughts for your father-in-law’s continued recovery. xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 4:56 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Janie Foltz said:
Thank you for sharing the lovely table settings. Yes, you must use your beautiful dishes. It is true that food looks good on white. It has its place and those beautiful plates has theirs. Use them!! Now, would you be so kind and share the maker and style of those gorgeous plates?My husband will “kiss his cook”.
Karen B. said:
Hi Janie,
Thank you, you’ve encouraged me…maybe I’ll use the black and white dishes. The dishes are Villeroy & Boch, La Chasse. The pattern has been discontinued but I purchased some of mine off of ebay. Also Villeroy and Boch came out with a pattern Audun Chasse a few years back. There are similar scenes but more pastoral than the hunters and dogs in La Chasse.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Karen
Marilee Friedrich said:
This post makes me even more excited about Thanksgiving! Enjoy your sweet family! Xxoo
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Chronica Domus said:
Much to absorb in your photos Karen, thank you. I wish you a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday with your family. I’m certain they’ll enjoy your table decorations and all the attention to detail and tasty food that will be served on the big day. And yes, you can never have too many candles! Redfern is a treasure too.
Karen B. said:
CD, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Are you preparing the feast? I’m thankful I met you via your lovely blog. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 7:49 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Karen B. said:
Marilee, I think this cool weather has sealed the deal for my excitement. I love this time of year. Have a joyous holiday with your sweet family! xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 7:33 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Leslie @Pretty Petals said:
Karen, I’m so excited about the holidays and I look forward to the slower pace and time with my family. Thanks for sharing this inspiration today! I like that pine and eucalyptus .. a little rustic works for me;) Have a wonderful holiday ahead! xxL
Karen B. said:
Leslie, Thank you. I’m with you, the slower pace and family time is the best. I may be slower because I’ll have gained a few lbs. during the feast! 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 9:47 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Karena said:
First I am absorbing the fact that it is almost mid November!! These images have me thinking of Thanksgiving, the colors, the scents, the decor, I must get ready!! Wonderful!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Artist Sandra Goroff
Karen B. said:
Hi Karena, Where does the time go? It’s crazy that we’re close to Thanksgiving, with Christmas on its heels. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 12:23 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Vicki said:
Hi Karen, What lovely ideas. I love all the touches of nature. I know your table will be beautiful, and it’s even better that you don’t have to do all the cooking! I agree with the others- your dishes are too perfect not to use!
Have a wonderful time at Disneyland and just being out in this beautiful weather! Definitely another reason to be thankful.
Karen B. said:
Hi Vicki, I think the jury is in and I’ll be using the black and white dishes. I do love them and it seems a shame not to use them during the season they’re best. Thank you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, are you headed east? xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 3:11 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
Hi Karen–Piling on! USE THE DISHES!! 🙂 How lovely that your whole family will be together for T-day! I’m envious … it’s always just Eric and me, but this year E’s birthday falls on T-day. I always make the whole feast–my favorite meal to cook! Have a wonderful holiday season and take time to breathe and enjoy the moment!
I am thankful that we found each other in blogland! –D’Arcy
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy, Okay, I know when I’ve made a tactile error where using the right plates are concerned. I’m using the black and white Villeroy and Boch. 🙂 I know you and Eric will have a delightful T-day, especially since you’re at the helm with the cooking. You’ll also have those precious canine and feline family members standing ready for help with clean up. I’m thankful to count you as one of my blog friends! xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 5:45 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen said:
Karen, your table looks perfect – so festive! I know you will have a wonderful time celebrating Olivia’s birthday and Thanksgiving with the whole family together. We’re looking forward to joining our kids up north for the holiday. We’ll be celebrating not only our family but our good friends, like you and Lyn, as well.
Thanks for the link to EAB Designs. What a fun website!
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, I know you share my love of the season—have a wonderful time with your sweet family at Thanksgiving. xo, Karen
On Wed, Nov 11, 2015 at 7:58 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
This is the first year neither of my brothers will be here for Thanksgiving, so we are feeling like it’s not a “real” holiday… if the pizza place was open I might suggest to my mother that we skip the shopping and prepping and simply enjoy eachother’s company… but my dad would veto that anyway!
Enjoy your holiday with your family!! I know you will!
Karen B. said:
That is sad. I know it will still be fun, your parents will shower *you* with attention since you are the child that came home for Thanksgiving! 🙂 I jokingly (only half way) say that our California son is the “good son” who didn’t move away from us! Enjoy the holiday. xo, Karen
On Thu, Nov 12, 2015 at 7:37 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Hi Karen,
Loved the table setting ideas. Those oak leaf name cards are fantastic! With Redfern at center stage, your table looks regal and the menu made my mouth water. Going to Disneyland with Livi will be an added perk to the season. Enjoy your holiday, my friend, and I’ll look forward to seeing you in December.
Karen B. said:
Linda, Me too, it’s always so much fun when we get together. xo, Karen
On Fri, Nov 13, 2015 at 10:44 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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debra @ 5th and state said:
sending you love & gratitude that you are a very special blog friend to me. someday i hope to meet in person!
xo
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra, Right back at you girlfriend! I’d love to get the opportunity to visit face to face with you…someday. Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving. I know how much you work between Thanksgiving and Christmas on beautiful container gardens for your clients. I hope you’ll have time to share a few of them with us. xo, Karen
On Sat, Nov 14, 2015 at 11:58 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Taylor Greenwalt said:
I love your pretty plates and beautiful table setting…I cant believe the holidays are here…time is going bye to fast!
Karen B. said:
Julie, I agree. I’m trying really hard to slow down and savor each day of this glorious season, but time is racing by. Have a very happy Thanksgiving with your family. xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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