The Thanksgiving Table

This year, Bryan and I have decided to stay in Louisville and celebrate Thanksgiving with just the two of us. I’m considering the possibility of a spatchcocked bird on the Traeger, but homemade cranberry jelly and sweet cornbread are definitely happening… as is a frosted apple cake.

I wanted to keep our table simple. We’ve been spending so much more time eating at home, perched at our kitchen table, watching the backyard squirrels, with a candle going, that it seemed logical to set a table for two that’s ready for a grilled turkey (which, with 50ish degree temps predicted, sounds doable).

Keeping a grill-involved, backyard-jaunting Thanksgiving plan in mind, I decided to set a table that resembled a cold-weather picnic. I pulled out the buffalo-check throw that’s made an appearance the last couple of Christmases, and paired it with dishes and accessories that kept things bright and happy.

Blue scalloped dinner plates from Aerin’s collection at Williams-Sonoma paired with green mercury glass candles and a centerpiece of bright green tart apples for an addition of light color to keep a picnic-y feeling going. I topped the scalloped dinner plates with the same gray and white pheasant salad plates from last year’s more formal Thanksgiving tabletop. They remind us that it’s still a Fall holiday we’re celebrating.

Black-emboidered napkins from Magnolia’s Hearth and Home collection are tied into a simple knot plate-side, and my silver salt and pepper shakers and a wood-handled carving set are at the ready. With a bowl of pistachios close at hand, simple flatware (wouldn’t bamboo look so pretty here, though? Hmmm….), and our favorite Dorset water glasses, we’re ready to go.

** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **

** photos by Don Lehman **