Our Thanksgiving Dinner!

 

Mr. Cozy took this picture about an hour before everyone arrived.  I think he did a good job of capturing the essence of the moment.....

 

 

It was a perfect November day with clear blue skies and brisk cool air.  The Japanese maple just outside the dining room window is fiery red and radiant!  It welcomes family as they come up the walk to the front door.

 

 

The candles lit, the table set and my wedding china placed, for this is Thanksgiving dinner! 

 I was so excited to fill up the antique table with 7 place settings for my family!  My sister's hubby is a new addition, and that makes the table as full as it's ever been at our house!  Here's a table about to be overflowing in the tradition and love that my family brings!

 

 

I really love my china, though I don't get to use it too often. (That's going to change!)

It's Noritake "White Palace".  The hubs and I both thought the gold trim on it was different and pretty.  There is also lots of raised ivory detail around the edges.  I find it dainty and beautiful!

 

 

I used gold chargers for a bit of fancy flair and the ends were flanked with cranberry red ones. The table cloth is filled with rich autumn colors, perfect for Thanksgiving. That was a gift from Mom for us hosting the dinner!

 

I topped the plates with neatly folded cloth napkins--that I also received at a wedding shower--and each person had their own baby pumpkin! When we took a seat for prayer before filling our plates everybody put their little pumpkin above their plate, and it decorated the table! 

 

 

I don't have real silver flatware, so I used out everyday forks and knives.  The stemware are crystal goblets my parents gave us the Christmas after we married.  We drank some delicious "House of Grace" or "9th Street House" fruit tea, which is special to us.  It was also served at our wedding.

 

The table isn't large enough to have a big centerpiece, but I thought the crystal candlesticks that were Mr. Cozy's great-grandmother's would be perfect for the occasion!  I think they should always be candles lit on the table to set a nice ambiance! Between them was a new leaf-patterned platter, I bought at Home Goods, that held the warm rosemary rolls!

 

 

Here's a small side table that was passed down to us that we just began to paint and refinish it last week!  (I'm not completely finished with the top.)  It had a dark wood finish, and I wanted to give it a French inspired antiqued look!  Mr. Cozy was a huge help with this!! 

 

This was where everyone could come and get a drink of hot spiced apple cider in their glasses where I already had cinnamon sticks in.  The white pumpkin held the delicious maple spiced nuts to munch on while Mom and I finished dinner!

Note: When I took this picture, I had yet to put the cider in or the cinnamon stick....I tried to take a few of these photos earlier that afternoon before things got busy!

 

 

The desserts were scrumptious!!!  Mom made her frosty famous lemon cake with lemon drizzle that's always so moist it fall apart on the fork!  We so look forward to it every Thanksgiving.  Faith brought a delicious pumpkin pie that was so cute with a couple of pumpkin shaped pieces of crust on the top.  This was yummy with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon!  I made some easy chocolates that were kind of like a rocky road candy with marshmallows, but also had toasted pecans and coconut.  Yum!  We enjoyed these after dinner while watching The Christmas Carol. :)

 

 

I'm sorry I didn't take pictures of much of the food! I was way too busy and hungry to. Our delicious dinner menu consisted of our favorites: herb roasted turkey and creamy gravy, sage dressing, green bean casserole, cooked down Italian green beans, sweet potato casserole with streusal topping, homemade mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese with butter-crumb topping, delicious cranberry sauce with pecans, rosemary rolls with garlic butter and honey butter with House of Grace tea to drink.

 

Mom and I made the food, and I have to say that it was mouth-watering!  Doesn't Thanksgiving food always taste the best??

 

 

I love this cute pilgrim couple standing proudly on the mantle!  I thought they were fun!

 

 

 

As the sun went down, dinner was ready and we were about to eat in the glow of candle light. 

 

 

Mom was oh so sweet to say that being there reminded her of what it would be like at Fred's house (From the Christmas Carol!) for one of his cheery Christmas parties! That made my night!  ....I've always wanted us to have a house with that kind warmth and character that's filled with laughter and love when you come over!

 

 

 God has been so good to us!  We have each other!

 

 

The night was a magical one to remember....

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours!

 

 

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