My Friend's Thanksgiving Table

Since we are going to be at my husband's daughter's home for the holiday,
I would like to share with you my friend's beautiful Thanksgiving table.

I met Nicole through an online sewing forum & when she realized how close we lived to each other, she offered to pleat some fabric for me & teach me to smock.
Little did I know what a BIG part of my life, she (and smocking) would become!

I love her entire home but especially this beautiful room which can accommodate
seating for 12 at her gorgeous Chippendale dining furniture.

She used teal & cranberry accents in this tablescape.
Her china is the elegant Monroe pattern from the Presidential series by Lenox.
It has burgundy & black bands of color accented with gold twisted rope patterns & rims.
Her exquisite stemware is Waterford's Castlemaine...both sets are cherished wedding gifts.









I forgot to bring my good camera to our weekly Smock & Talk gathering,
so I apologize that the quality of these photos is less than stellar.



They don't do justice to all her beautiful items, such as the
Wallace sterling silver sugar & creamer above.
Here is a clearer photo of the same, below.





Peek-A-Boo...I see you...do you see me?
LOL! I try so hard to stay out of those kinds of shots.





The two GORGEOUS footed compote bowls at either ends of the table are
antique Imperial Acanthus Leaf Carnival glass.
I had to hold one up to the window so you could see &
appreciate the intense color & texture. Just Beautiful!!



Darling handmade turkey placecards mark her children's seating.
I love how she mixes the whimsical with the elegant!






Her flatware is the exquisite Wallace Grand Baroque, a gift from her mother-in-love.
I am GREEN with envy over this silverware!










The above photo shows the intricate detailing of the handles as well as the pretty burgundy & gold band of her china.
The leaf shaped salad plates (source unknown) accent the teal in the placemats.
The pretty beaded napkin rings are from Pier One.




On the other side of the dining room sits this exquisite
1924 English sterling silver tea & coffee service with bone handles
... a treasured family heirloom, gifted to her by her grandmother.

See the chains on both sides of the center vessel?
They hold pins which slip into little holes on either side to anchor the kettle to the base.





Again, my photos don't do this justice...it is just magnificent!









Carved Pilgrims & Indians mingle throughout the centerpiece arrangement.















I am very happy that Nicole has graciously allowed me to feature her beautiful Thanksgiving table.
I cherish her friendship as well as the other members of our Smock & Talk group.

As a side note, it was Nicole's husband, a cardiologist, who was on call one year ago this week when my husband went into the emergency department in the middle of a heart attack.

It was Nicole's husband who was awakened with at least a half dozen calls from the ER staff as they tried to stabilize him with IV medications.

It was Nicole's husband who kept him alive until they could get an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) or *heart pump* inserted to give his heart a rest & some help in perfusing his body, while I begged God, "Please, not yet?"

I don't think I've ever properly thanked Dr. Joe for literally saving his life!
I am humbly & eternally grateful.
He gave us one more year of sharing holidays...Christmas, our birthdays, our 23rd wedding anniversary & many precious moments with our children & grandchildren.


I wish for all of you many blessings this Thanksgiving.
Life is about caring & loving your friends & relatives
while you can still see & hold them close.

Thanksgiving Prayer

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday with our gracious hostess,
Susan of Between Naps on the Porch!

Be sure to stop by her beautiful blog to see other participants in the party!
Thank you, Susan for hosting this fun event each week.