Monday, November 15, 2010

Dear Thanksgiving,

Lest you think you have been forgotten in this house that is already being decorated for Christmas, I write you this letter from my heart, so you will know that you are remembered and honored even in the midst of it all.
In fact, we have made a few changes around here just to make sure we acknowledge you and what you represent.
For instance, here in the Dining Room, I made sure to bring out our Cornucopia so that we will be reminded of the overflow of blessings in our lives!
Here is how our side table looked before


And here it looks now, ready to welcome you in, dear Thanksgiving!



I even used a red Crayola Marker to cover up where some of the berries had lost their red shells.

And, because I moved my Gold Harvest Runner to the side table I needed to replace it with something for my Dining Room centerpiece. Here is how it looked before.


I searched far and wide, in the deep recesses of my fabric bins, stacked high in a closet...so high I had to stand on a chair...just to find the right piece of fabric to use. I felt so very connected to the Pilgrims as I foraged for what I could add to my Harvest table.
At last, I found it...


A piece of gauzy Scrim fabric that would fit so nicely into my Thanksgiving tablescape.

It even reminds me of the Burlap I have been seeing all over Blogland but just haven't been able to figure out how to integrate into my decor. With it's frayed edges it is so reminiscent of the frayed nerves the Pilgrims must have felt as they ventured forth into new and unfamiliar territory!

And speaking of Pilgrims, you must know that we make sure to include them in our decor this time of year.
They traveled great distances to find their home...


And, you may think that ending up in the Mud Room is not the most glamorous of locations, but we see you every day as we come and go and it causes us to be mindful of what you represent.



And Mrs. Pilgrim, please don't take offense to the fact that my daughter asked if you were getting ready to do a magic trick!
She just didn't recognize your reverent posture of Thankfulness.

BUT I DO!
From this very grateful Southern Girl at Heart,
Vanessa

45 comments:

Karen said...

what a sweet post Vanessa, :).
I love the gauze under the dining room centerpiece. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm fixing to be traveling, taking a blogging break and visiting family, so I will not be making visiting rounds to often, for the next couple of weeks.
~hugs~

Janine Claire Robinson said...

Such a fun post. I love all your tasteful decorations. I wish our country also celebrated Thanksgiving the ways you guys do ... but we can borrow your ideas here in this Robinson household and get the kids involved on what I would think to be one of the most important holidays to celebrate. Love Janine

Kama said...

Everything looks so pretty:) I love the dining table!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love your Thanksgiving vignette and that scrunched up fabric on the dining room table looks really good.

Ashley said...

I love the gauze on the table and the beautiful cornucopia! And the fact that your daughter thinks that the pilgrim lady was going to do a magic trick! Too cute.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Me and Mr Thanksgiving are great friends and he just told me that you should give your gorgeous hurricane lamps to me right now.

At least, I think that's what he said....it could have been that he think's your house looks beautiful and it's so lovely that you're so grateful.

You can decide which it was,

Sarahxx

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

Although your changes are small ~ they speak volumes! It is all a reminder of how much we have to be thankful for! Love your Cornucopia and the wee pilgrims!

Kim said...

You are adorable Vanessa. Yes, it would seem poor Thanksgiving is getting phased out these days wouldn't it. Thanks for reminding us to keep it alive! Your decor is stunning.
xoxo,
Kim

Tricia said...

Hi Vanessa! Your Thanksgiving decorating looks so nice. And that is such a good idea with that fabric on your table, it anchors your whole display so nicely. BTW, I love your daughter's comment :)

Kristen White said...

Your Thanksgiving decor is very pretty! The dining room table is so gorgeoeus with the gauzy fabric placed around the vignette!!! Beautiful :o)
Kristen

Val said...

Very lovely. Just like you.

DIYbyDesign said...

I just love this post. Everything looks just perfect.

~Kristin~ said...

It looks really pretty Vanessa!
I hate to admit that even though Fall is my favorite...I'm starting to feel the Christmas decorating fever bubbling up in my hot little nesting soul!

Melissa Miller said...

Wow! Gorgeous words and beautiful Thanksgiving decor' Vanessa. I love the pretty burlap runner and your red buffet lamps. Your home is so lovely and welcoming. I always enjoy my visits.

Happy week to you sweet friend.
Warmly, ~Melissa :)

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Great storytelling. Lovely home.

michelle said...

Aww, what a cute post! Thanksgiving does get lost in all the midst of Christmas. Your displays look really pretty and I love the gauzy fabric! I wonder what magic trick your daughter thinks she is going to do? :) Too cute!!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

You are just such a totally sweet person. Love this post. Your kiddoes have a terrific momma.
CAS

DIYbyDesign said...

Thanks for your comment. My daughter's chandelier is only a little over a year old. It is a Shoenbek and I love it. I had a hard time finding something I liked but when I saw this I had to get it. If I find the receipt for it and it has the name or if I find the link for it I will let you know.

Debbie said...

Everything is so pretty, Vanessa. I love that cornucopia!! I've tried to make mine look as pretty, but I lack the right touch for it.

Loved the comment about crayola marker touch ups, btw...

Pilgrims are my favorite thing about Thanksgiving.I would put them in every room if I had them. I love your set.

Betsy B said...

It is all so lovely and I especially like the gauzey material.

On Crooked Creek said...

Vanessa,
Thank you for stopping by today at Metamorphosis Monday. Your kindness touched my heart. Your decor is lovely! Uplifting and inspiring.
Fondly,
Pat

Jemsmom said...

I love this post!!! I have never decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I am about to start this year. We are going home for Thanksgiving so I am going to lose at least 2 days of decorating right there! We are going to Disney for a week in December so there is a week of not enjoying it so I say, "Bring on the Christmas bling early this year!" I am feeling guilty, but since you wrote this sweet letter to Thanksgiving, I may just add my name!!!

NanaDiana said...

Very cute post. I am having a hard time this year too. I want to start Christmas but I won't until after Thanksgiving....and I'm not even having it here this year becasue I have to work...So, I am THANKFUL that you showed me YOUR Thanksgiving treasures! hugs-Diana

Christie said...

I love this! Thank you for giving the beloved Thanksgiving holiday its rightful due! One blogger wrote to me that T'giving is her favorite holiday because it is what it is...the Pilgrims were thankful to God for surviving that year and for the crops that were produced. It is not like other holidays that get very confused with the true meaning and how we celebrate (Halloween, Easter and even Christmas can be confusing as to the origins she wrote.) And we gotta love that T'giving hasn't become so over comercialized! That being said...I can't find anything cute to decorate with for T'giving! I love the pilgrim dolls! I keep looking and looking and nothing! The only thing I have out is a big ol' stuffed animal turkey for my kids! Not quite what I had in mind!! So, thank you for sharing your Thanksgiving treasures! I am always looking! This will be the first year in 10 years that we will not have T'giving at my house! I am sad because it is the one day that I LOVE to cook all of the old recipes that were passed down from my Granny and mom! There is also some relief to not be in the kitchen all day! Will you travel to be with family? Not sure where your parents are, but I know your sister is somewhere distant. I hope it will be a wonderful holiday for you! Thanks for sweet words at TPL!! Your encouragement is the best! Christie

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

All of your vignettes are so pretty. Love your cache pot on the dining table, and the gauze is fabulous. The topiaries are wonderful. I really want to find some of those. Everything looks so beautiful. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hey Vanessa,

I just saw your comment at Isabella and Max' Rooms. You are siad you were craftily-challenged.

Errr.....NO!

The craft fairy will over and take away your crafty talent if you think of yourself like that (even if I have to dress up as the craft fairy myself!!).

I hope you're having a good day, sweetiepie.

Sarahx

Blondie's Journal said...

Sweet, sweet post! I love all of your cute Thanksgiving decorations, especially the little pilgrim people. I also like your tip on coloring the berries with a red crayon, I usually throw them away! Thanks!

XO,
Jane

Honey at 2805 said...

Everything is so-o-o-o pretty! Love the use of the gauzy fabric.

Unknown said...

How lovely! I've got all my decor packed away... and am very sad to say that I won't be decorating for Christmas this year since we will be on a ferry on that day. I think I'll take a stocking though and hang it for hubby. Your house is always so gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

If you need some more fun decor, or goodies in general, I'm hosting a giveaway this week and would love if you checked it out!
CSN Giveaway @ EKat's Kitchen

Becca Bertotti said...

Girl, you never fail to make me laugh ... outloud ... and hard! I can never get enough of your witty posts! I LOVE your Fall decor ... the cornucopia is beautiful (and how creative to pull out the markers to fix the berries little boo-boos)! And, I super love the dining room centerpiece and fabric !! You rocked that! It all looks fabulous. And, toooo funny about your little one thinking Mrs. Pilgrim was going to perform magic. Oh, the innocent minds of our babes! Have a great day, Becca

Anonymous said...

What an adorable post. I love your vignette and think that I prefer the gauzy fabric to the rougher burlap. It has a brighter color and more movement to it. Great choice. Your cornucopia is beautiful and looks perfectly placed. Thank you for linking to the Boardwalk Bragfest, Vanessa.

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

I like the scrim on your table- maybe better than burlap. i love the berries, but the pesky little things do get chipped- good idea totouch them up.

Lynn said...

Fun post, looks great! Looking forward to your Thanksgiving tablescape:@)

Cheri said...

Very pretty - love the gauze. That "glow" at night must be gorgeous! I'm our newest follower!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Hi Vanessa, thanks so much for linking up to the party this week!

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Very nice Vanessa! It is good to see Thanksgiving vignettes still!! I am seeing so many for Christmas and I'm just not ready to tackle that yet!!

KimMalk said...

You are such a "stop and smell the roses" person--it's truly a gift. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and decor with us.

Carol said...

Those beautiful Pilgrms have been in our family for over 30 years. So happy they're still loved.

Mom

Lisa B. said...

I love your pilgrims! Thanks for sharing with us from Fun Fabric Thursdays.

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Vanessa, I had to giggle at the pilgrims. Your Thanksgiving vignettes are beautiful and you are adorable.
xo, Sherry

Traci said...

I'm so glad you dug deep and high for that gauze - it adds a perfect touch of whimsy! I am so in the mood for Thanksgiving!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

I love your pilgrams! They are quite unique and fantastic! They really do look like they have traveled quite far to get there. LOL! So glad they did not get passed by. Your cornucopia is beautiful but I am totally loving the fabric used on your table. It's perfect! Don't feel bad, I don't have a clue where to put some burlap in my house either, but by golly I will find a way somehow. LOL! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Vanessa!

Erin said...

Love that gauze, just makes it! Beautiful:)

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