Thanksgiving is fast approaching and this year will be extra special as my father and mother-in-law will be traveling from Michigan to celebrate this joyous day....WHICH MEANS......I have been given secret permission by my husband that it is ok to go out and spend a few extra bucks for this event. Not only is he coming, but Aaron, Melissa, Zach and Avery are driving in from Bakersfield to also join in on the fun. Oh, and by the way my father-in-law is turning 80 this year!....WHICH MEANS....I will be able to add a few more zeroes to my unforeseen purchases! Let's see.....there will be me and Steve, Dad and Judy that makes 4, plus Aaron and his brood makes 9...then there is Jeff, Hollie and Stella, Ralph, Kim and Nick which makes 13....no wait 14...but what about, Kerry, Marc, JP, Ricky and Christina? If they come, there will be 19 people that will be at my home to celebrate Thanksgiving this year! And of course I can't forget the dogs, Jackson, Carter and Daisy! They like to celebrate too!
I don't think that I can squeeze that many people in my dining room even if I add another table. What if I rent enough tables and chairs, move the furniture out of my living room and put it into the dining room? That could work! But then I would have to move my dining room furniture somewhere in the living room. That too could work! I could place the rented tables and chairs in the middle of the room and use the dining room table as a food buffet! Yes, that would be perfect.! But what about all of the dining room chairs. Not to mention the 6 chairs I just bought that will be back from the upholsterer this week! This 6 along with my old set plus the 6 from my kitchen table may work! They don't really match but I could stagger them around the tables and 2 of my guests need high chairs, so yes that could work! So I don't need to rent chairs but I will add some tablecloths and possibly some napkins to my order! Perfect!
Now that I have that settled that, lets look at the room to see if I need to add or take anything out that may clash with my new eating arrangements....Plants...ok... pictures look fine...fireplace decor should work....lamps...will provide nice, soft lighting...I definitely could use all of the candles. I think everything will look great until I look up and spot the chandelier! It is just too darn small and the Christmas crystal ornaments that I hung a few years ago just does not look good! I really want a wrought iron, crystal fixture here. But you know it doesn't have to be true iron or real crystals. It is going to be up high after all....so why not go and look at a few at Lamps Plus or Valley Lighting. I bet a could find one under $400.00! Yes! That is what I will do! Look for a bigger, inexpensive chandelier and my room will be perfect! Once again, I am so glad my father-in-law is coming because with the secret buying permission I got from my husband, I will be able to correct this design flaw! (note to myself...do not send this blog to my husband before Thanksgiving!)
I am getting a good feeling about my new design decisions so I can now start thinking about what dishes to use and how I am going to decorate the table. Of course, I do not have 19 place settings of my china, nor do I have 19 drinking and wine glasses! Lets see, I could use the 12 "Johnson Brothers Friendly Village" plates along with the cream and bronzed rimmed ones I bought a few years ago that I have never used! I think I have 8 of these so yes that could work! I have so many mix and match wine and drinking glasses so I don't think I need to go out any buy anymore. I know I have plenty of silverware thanks to my mom who gave me several sets that she bought at Big Lots. Yes! I think I am fine on the eating and drinking utensils....I can check this off of my list....WHICH MEANS....I can use the extra spending funds on some good wine and maybe some champagne!
But how do I want to decorate my table this year? It seems that I always use gourds, candles and flowers every year. Don't I still have that collection of old bottles that I bought a few years ago? I think I have 4 slightly brownish, amber ones and several clear ones with a lot of great aged patina in them. Since I am going to have a large, long table, I could put one flower in each of these bottles and stagger them on the table. Yes! That would look great, especially with my 12 "Johnson Brothers Friendly Village" plates and the other 8 I just mentioned. And if I use these bottles, my mix and match wine glasses will blend in perfectly! These bottles, along with candles will be a nice, rustic touch! I think the flower needs to be something golden or reddish. And of course, I should add some gourds and maybe some colorful autumn leaves. I am really loving this idea...kind of rustic...little elegant...nice warm colors. Maybe I will use my cranberry red napkins or I could use the brown ones.. What about all of those old, rusty bottle caps I have been picking up on my walks?....do you think I could make some type of napkin ring holder with them?.... Nahhhhh...Speaking of cranberry, make sure I buy an extra bag....They too, could look good on the table!
The room is decorated, the table is set, just need my guests and the food! Oh yeah....I FORGOT THE FOOD! I have to plan a menu, look at recipes, go to store, go back to the store, no one every eats the cranberry sauce, gotta make the Pepperidge Farm Dressing, I guess we will fry one turkey and bake another, should I make pies from scratch or go Marie Calendars, salad is always a waste, hmmm, how can I get the lumps out of the gravy, go to to store again, make sure I start potatoes earlier this year.....
oh yeah, make sure I don't run out of dish detergent again, do we really have to have the green bean casserole, sweet potatoes?, what, the meat thermometer doesn't work!!....watch out, the dog just got part of the turkey!!!!.......
Hello...Hello..... Is this the Phoenician Hotel? Could I have reservations please? Yes, hello, do you still have availability for Thanksgiving? You do! Great! Could I please make a reservation for a party of 19? Great! Thank you!!! See you then!!!!!
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