Nature Inspired Thanksgiving Tablescape

One of my favorite yearly posts would have to be the Outdoor Fall Tablescape that I have done for the last three years. Doing an outdoor tablescape wasn't going to happen this year as our outdoor area was completely off limits due to a new roof and minor construction, then new guttering projects. I couldn't even really decorate the front porch, let alone style a photo shoot. So I decided the next best thing would be to put my energy into doing a Thanksgiving Tablescape indoors, like I had wanted to do outdoors.

I'm a more casual tablescaper, I feel more comfortable and at home when the mood and atmosphere are created with natural elements, and in the Fall and Winter, I'm all about a good Tartan Plaid. I had wanted to build my outdoor tablescape around a vintage brown plaid blanket and I wanted to use bits and pieces of my old Brown Transferware. I've not collected large stashes of dishes like many of you who tablescape, just picking up odds and ends when I find them for a good price.

When we moved into this house there were a set of handmade windowboxes that were so charming, that matched the front of the house. But after several years of using them and the fact that ants were coming in through the windows, I stopped. They had started to deteriorate so my husband renailed the better of the two for me to use here as a centerpiece box. My big windowbox that I usually use was just too large to consider for an actual "sit down" dinner.

I wanted it full of natural elements, and since we have Thanksgiving in the afternoon, I chose not to put candles inside, but fill it with leaves, antlers, pumpkins, vines and berries, with a little nest and quail; all things you would find in Nature.

Then I gathered my only "set" of  Brown Transferware, six placesettings of J.G. Meakin of England, "Scandia", which I think must be from the 60's. I used some other unmarked white ironstone that is much older to fill in for missing salad plates.

Some mismatched Brown Transferware cups became the individual candleholders for mini clay flowerpots and a votive candle.

I've had this set of heavy amber glassware for many years, I think they must also be from the 60's and then my Heisey wine goblets that give a little more elegance to the setting. When I was younger I never would have "mixed and matched", but now that's just part of the charm of a vintage table.

I wanted to incorporate another pattern along with the brown, so my caramel stripe French Grain Sack and a set of creamy floral napkins broke up the larger area of brown plaid, also adding a little interest.

This is my silver setting from Oneida, just cannot remember the pattern.

Each placesetting included a vintage Thanksgiving postcard used for a place card, held by an antique flower frog.

Another mismatched place setting.

I wanted the feel to evoke an English Country Cottage afternoon,

 after a day of hunting.

Thank you so much for joining me for my Thanksgiving Tablescape.

I hope this gives you permission to be casual and a little "mismatched".

Enjoy your family and the blessings of Thanksgiving!

Joining these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Exchange at Yellow Bliss Road

Fill Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Tips and Tutorials at Stone Gable

xoxo,

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Christmas on the Sunporch

I've said it before... I get so much of my inspiration from all of you out there! I pinned a few ideas from last year that I wanted to try. One was a tote full of Christmas Kitch. Last year I filled some little drawers on my kitchen counter, so this year a white wooden tote became home to a congregation of Christmas goodies.

I've been using Tartan wool blankets out here on the porch each year since we've lived here. Always love a good ole Christmas-y plaid!

The old mini muffin tin has cranberry tealight candles this season,

and my old green metal tackle box is filled with my stash of paperwhites and another candle.

Another fun trend I'm copying this year

 is a toy truck hauling bottle brush trees.

Sorry, shameless copy catting here.

I found this cutie last January at an antique show.

Perfect red and white.

More plaid Thermoses and lunchbox on the Baker's Rack.

The lunchbox held an Angel Vine plant until last week 

when it turned too cold.

And a trio of little elves have found their way here.

These are the vintage variety,

and they're up to lots of crazy antics.

This one's pretty cute...

this one's sorta creepy.

but I AM digging those great eyelashes.

While we were in St. Louis earlier this month I picked up these

wonderful winterberries at of all places, Schnucks. (grocery store)

and placed them in this old French watering can, 

along with some Holly from our big old bushes out back.

Here's my Santa jingle bell door ringer,

on my old picket gate.

You've seen him before, 

but I smile each time I look at him!

These next few photos were from earlier in the month

before I put together the tote,

but wanted to have pics that showed more out here.

(oh yea, here's the angel vine in the lunchbox)

found the red plaid umbrella at Leola's last year...love it!

And I won this adorable Drummer Boy pillow

 from Dear Lillie earlier this Fall.

Thanks so much Jennifer!

Gotta dress up the birdcage too,

 with some vintage bottle brush trees and a reindeer.

Can you see the patch of furry cat carcass on the lower left chair?

Yep, that's HER chair for viewing birds and squirrels.

 It gets a little nippy out here unless the sun is shining. Miss Wrigley is a Maine Coon, so she's oblivious. Miss Jenkins on the other hand is a shorthair and like to sleep next to the heater in the bathroom...she'd rather stay toasty than bird watch.

Couldn't let Christmas go by without sharing the sunporch.

I think I have 4 or 5 different Christmas Pinterest boards,

run by and check them out if you have a minute.

\
joining in at 
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Hope you have a great weekend.