Howdy Friends. Today is a feast for the eyes. This tour is called Gather ’round the Table, hosted by my dear friend Amber at Follow the Yellow Brick Home. If you’re hopping over from Heather’s blog, Beauty For Ashes Home, welcome! Her wood slice chargers are fab! I know you’ll be inspired and find welcoming decor ideas as you get ready to set your own Thanksgiving table.
Our Casual Thanksgiving Tablescape
We have to be the most inadvertent family around when it comes to holidays. We don’t really plan anything. I get the important things done, like decorating, but beyond that it’s a mishmash of questions and eye rolling. Are y’all like that? Do you fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to planning?
I love to host parties though. The cleaning up before hand (aka scrubbing the entire house and no I don’t have a housekeeper) and planning the party activities is great fun but the menu is another story. Maybe because I don’t like cooking or maybe because when I do cook the only people raving about the food is my mother and the Mister. The kids will say “meh”. So you can see from that statement, holiday cooking isn’t my thang. And you can tell I have brats for kids that love to torment me. They know it’s important to say something nice but instead choose to grin and grunt to drive my crazy (insert rolling eyes).
Well this year should be one of the bestest Thanksgivings ever for us! This year we are having some relatives from Wyoming come down for the week! I am sooooo excited! Why? 2 reasons. First, I’ve been up to WY and have taken a vacation with them too so I’ve had their cooking. Talk about yumminess. And they don’t just cook, they bake! Mmm mmm. Bobby Flay and Paula Dean ain’t got nothin’ on them.
I wonder if they know that by coming down here, all I see myself doing is our Thanksgiving tablescape and maybe one or two side dishes? LOL
Okay, okay, I’ll help. I’ll make our traditional yellowy white colored menu of mashed potatoes, dressing, corn and rice and broccoli casserole. Yeah, we like carbs and yes we know our plate of food is pretty much the same color. Except for the canned cranberry sauce. We can’t have Thanksgiving without the ridges.
Second reason why it will be the bestest is because they love to play games too! We’ll play cards, Catch Phrase, Pictionary, Quiddler, just to name a few. And we’ll watch Christmas movies like The Bishops Wife, Holiday Inn, Elf and A Christmas Story too! I am giddy just thinking about it.
You could probably hear us from the street but if you were to peek in our windows, you’d see lots of laughter with people wondering around in stretchy pants or leggings and oversized shirts. That is how we roll. Casual dress and carbohydrates. Well maybe some people like green beans but really who are we kidding, we only offer those so we don’t feel guilty.
We have been invited over to a friends house a few times for Thanksgiving and oh my golly that was awesome. I didn’t have to cook and only had to bring a side dish. And if the side dish wasn’t all that tasty, no one knew it was mine. It’s in an inconspicuous container and positioned in the middle of the table while no one is looking. I know, right?! Super clever!
Just like when your mother says she’s going to make potato salad for the family reunion but she heads to the store and buys one mustard and one mayo salad, mixes them together, puts it in a different container and boom it’s her secret recipe. Totally true.
Now that you know how our family does things for Thanksgiving, what do y’all do? Do you dress up for dinner? Maybe invite friends? Do you go out to eat or volunteer at a shelter? I’d love to hear about it. Maybe next year, you could invite us over?! I could bring the cranberry sauce! 😉
Next up is Terrie at Decorate and More with Tip. But don’t forget to click on each picture below to see the rest of the beautiful tablescapes.
Have a joyful, grateful, meaningful, blessed Thanksgiving!
Everything looks great! Love your enthusiasm!
🍁Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!🍁
Author
Thank you Chris. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
You crack me up! I’m a planner girl I have lists upon lists and I do cook. We have our traditional menu every year turkey, stuffing ( my fav) mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, corn , broccoli , homemade cranberry sauce, yum I can hardly wait! Did you see nestingwithgrace she ordered her entire dinner from hickory farms and said it was great. Well I can tell you this I wouldn’t care what I ate at your house cause I’d be looking around so much at your beautiful home lol.
Author
Yay Barbara is back!!! Thank you so much. I wish you could come to dinner. We’d be crackin’ each other up. And I’d let you cook too! 😉
I just love the colors on your table and those candlesticks are the cutest thing ever!! Here’s to Thanksgiving with a casual flair and friends around the table. 🙂
Author
I laugh at the candlesticks too. Most people don’t even really notice them – their loss. Hope you have a marvelous Thanksgiving Stacey!
Happy Thanksgiving!🦃🍁🍽
Author
Thank you Lisa. Hope yours is spent exactly how you like it. Big hugs
Great tablescape Cindy. Looks casual and relaxed and definitely country!
Author
Thank you Carol. We are definitely casual around here. Happy Thanksgiving!
So, so pretty! I love the elegant simplicity! Happy to be joining the hop with you! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Author
Elegant simplicity?! Well that makes my day. Thanks Cecilia!
Ha ha you are one funny lady!!! Well I get out of all the hard work for Thanksgiving – we travel to my sister’s house, and I usually bring the cranberry sauce (homemade bourbon vanilla cranberry sauce!) and whatever else she wants me to bring. I pitch in while I’m there, making the gravy, helping her in the kitchen as much as I can…..and encouraging the kids to get up off their lazy butts and clear the table! Enjoy your Thanksgiving, sounds like tons of fun!
Author
Haha. Thank you Debbie. I am the cleaner. I’d rather clean than cook for sure. That cranberry sauce sounds amazing – really amazing! Hope your Thanksgiving is fun and whip those kids into shape! LOL
You had me at stretchy pants lady ha ha! I can just imagine all the fun and excitement you guys are going to have gathered around this beautiful table. It’s always fun to host parties especially when there is a “come as you are” kind of vibe. Talk about relaxing! I can’t wait to hear all about the adventures you guys are going to share. This tablescape is fabulous – no eye rolling at all 🙂 Big hugs and Happy Thanksgiving, CoCo
Author
I love hearing “fabulous”! And I believe there will be lots of laughing and chaos for sure. Maybe some eye rolling too but that’s okay – I’m used to it. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for hopping over CoCo!
Cindy what a darling tablescape. I think those are the cutest candlesticks I’ve ever seen!
Author
LOL – Aren’t they though? I’ll tell my mom. I have a gravy boat to match. 😉
No need to tell me. I love them, too. 😘
Cindy, I am loving your table and the coloring is so pretty together. I am with you on a lot of things. I love to prep the home for guest and the holiday but cooking, not my forte! I like to take my guest out to dinner. ha! Have a happy Thanksgiving. I am sure your guests are going to feel the love sitting around this table.
Author
Thank you Terrie! I wish we could go out for dinner. I’d choose Tex Mex, Steak or BBQ but since it’s Thanksgiving, I suppose we’ll have turkey. We want them to come visit again. 🙂 So glad to be on this hop with you. Happy Thanksgiving!
I love your tablescape!! It’s absolutely beautiful! And, wow! That huge black mantel is amazing!! Absolutely love it!!!
~Emily
Author
Thank you Emily. I have a couple of added mantels around the house. They definitely make a statement and provide a nice focal point. 😉
Okay… I giggled several times reading this post! You are a hoot, and I love your transparency! 😉 Keepin’ it real! 😉 We will have the whole fam together this year. It WAS going to be my mom, all her kids, grandkids, and greats, but my brother just flaked on us, so now we will be minus 5. So we are looking at 20 people. 🙂 We have all the things, and we like to cook, so yeah. You and your hubby are welcome any time, Cindy… and your kids… as long as they only say nice things! 😉
Author
LOL! I’d leave the brats at home. 20 people?! My goodness. That’s a lot of mashed potatoes! Thanks for visiting Julie! Tell your brother he’s missing out! Hope it’s wonderful despite the “small” crowd. 😉
I love this post. I know I’m supposed to host but you’ve tempted me to skip and crash your party. It sounds like fun and it sounds delicious. Beautiful table by the way. Great photos.
Author
LOL Katie! Y’all can come and join us. The more the merrier! Thanks for the sweet compliments too. ❤️
I, too, loved the candlesticks; I think they match your sense of humor. I loved your tour and I’m sure your family is gonna have the greatest visit! I liked the casual tablescape, too…but I just love those candlesticks!
Author
Thanks Kathy. I never thought of them matching my personality but you’re so right! LOL. Hope you enjoy your holiday. 😀
Thanks for your happy, chatty post and sense of humor. What fun! I do envy those adorable candlesticks — so cute! Pinned. Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Author
Thanks Debbee. They are fun to have out. Hope your holiday is fun too.
You’ve created a lovely Thanksgiving table Cindy. I love your honesty and sense of humor! Thanksgiving is a lot of work. Cleaning, shopping, cooking then cleaning again. I am exhausted just talking about it. A restaurant dinner is starting to sound like a good idea. lol
Sweet and beautiful.
It was fun joining you on this Thanksgiving blog hop. Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.
Janet
Rosemary & Thyme
Author
I totally agree Janet! If we could all go out and eat that would be wonderful. But I’m afraid we’d be kicked out of the restaurant because of the noise! We are a teeny bit loud. LOL. Thanks for stopping by today! ❤️
So very pretty!!! Those candlestick holders are absolutely adorable with their whimsy!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
They are pretty cute. I have a gravy boat to match. Mom used them every year. Thanks for stopping by Christy!
Such a great table scape! And so different from what I thought it was going to be. Your originality impresses me every time. I to, like the candle sticks. LOL and by the way there was more to it than just dumping two potato salad together! 😘
Author
Yeah right. The only other thing you did was put the salads in a different bowl. 😂.
Cindy,
Nope, not inviting you over next Thanksgiving. I’m hoping for an invitation to your house for the carbs and games…. my kind of eating and fun. Your table’s pumpkins are the cutest with their nests. They could distract people from who puts what side dishes down where. 🙂
Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family from Wyoming. Hope to see you for our girl trip with Laura to Magnolia. I’ll be the quiet wallflower who is loving listening to all of you, having the time of my life.
Judith
Author
Awe Judith, you made my day. You will be forever welcome to our carbs and games! And no wall flowers at our get togethers either! Looking forward to seeing you and getting to know you better. Gobble gobble!
I love your table setting and the colors of the pumpkins. But, I have to say the black mantel steals the show as do the rattan chairs.
Author
Thank you Carol! I don’t mind the mantel or chairs stealing the show. It was 9 years in the making and I love looking in there every day. 🙂
What a beautiful table, Cindy! I hope that you have a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with family!
Author
Thank you Paula. I hope you have a wonderful time as well. Happy Thanksgiving!
The decorating IS the most important thing, Cindy-I agree! At least it’s the most fun;) Love your dining room setting with that pretty mantle as a backdrop. I kinda fake that my piano does that for my dining room;) Sounds like you have a wonderful day planned; enjoy! Fun to hop with you again!
Author
Exactly! Decorating is the most fun for sure! I’ll always say yes to that and cleaning over cooking any day. Loved hopping with you too Lora! So much inspo. Enjoy Thanksgiving!
Well, sorry this is late but my internet went down yesterday. Your table looks pretty and it’s not about the food it’s about togetherness. I do cook some, i will cook the turkey and Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie, cranberries,gravy and pick-up the dressing from Cracker Barrel and the rest will be brought by family. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and fun, fun, fun.
Author
No worries Marlene! Internet issues are annoying aren’t they? I don’t want it but when I don’t have it I need it. Ugh. I’ve never thought to get anything from Cracker Barrel! I must try that. Hope you enjoy your holiday too.
I am definitely with the crowd, I love those candlesticks and I also love those really cute pumpkins. Such a pretty tablesetting and a really fun post.
Author
Thank you Ms Marty for stopping by and the nice comment. I truly appreciate it. ❤️
I know I’ve told you on Instagram, but I will tell you again here…I love your table decorations! So pretty! I’m still loving that centerpiece pumpkin! I hope you and your family have a most wonderful Thanksgiving! (if we don’t chat before then) Love and hugs!
Author
You are so sweet Benita. I’ll take all the comments I can get! They are like hugs. 😀 Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too. ❤️
Cindy I love your casual tablescape! That felt pumpkin centerpiece is the bomb! We all dress causally for Thanksgiving. My hubs and I usually host for our families, but this is going to be the last year doing it while I’m blogging – the busy blogging Christmas season and preparing for Turkey Day just don’t mix! We’re going to offer to host Christmas instead. So happy to be hopping with you!
Author
Oh my word Michelle not hosting Thanksgiving and doing Christmas instead is genius! Especially for us bloggers!!! Hmmm. Maybe this will be our last year too. 😬 Thanks for the visit and the compliments. Happy Last Thanksgiving! ❤️
Oh my goodness, Cindy! I always laugh with you when reading your posts. 😀 We had “the yellow dinner” often as my kids were growing up: mac’n’cheese, milk, applesauce and corn. Too funny! Love your tablescape, btw! Yeah, you can come over for dinner… We’re probably having Dickie’s smoked turkey and all their fixings this year since I don’t really have an oven ~ I need to order that tomorrow, too {payday}.
Oh, and we have the same plates! You’ll have to check out my Thanksgiving tablescape for tomorrow. Love those TJ Maxx white plates. And you found tan ones?!! They look great together.
Have fun with your friends next week,
Hugs and blessings,
Barb 🙂
Author
I have loved those plates forever. I got mine at Paul Taylor’s in Canton years ago. And I didn’t even think of Dickies! That sounds great!!! Glad you stopped by and that I can make you smile. ❤️ Happy Thanksgiving
I love your beautiful soft color palette for Thanksgiving. The candlesticks are so fun and whimsical! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
Thanks Angelina! The candlesticks seem to be a big hit with all of us. Hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving too. ❤️
Cindy I love your pretty table and the whole dining room! Everything looks cozy for Thanksgiving…but…your writing in this post was a riot! I LOVED it. You are THE BEST for keepin’ it real. Did you read in my post I will probably be in my cozy house slippers and stretchy pants for dinner??? It would be a blast to hang out with you for the holidays! I can tell you and your family are just going to have the best Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for hopping with us! Happy Thanksgiving!
Author
I did read you’ll be in your stretchy pants! I laughed when I read that. We’d have so much fun together. Although I’d make you provide the music instead of Alexa. 😉. Love hopping with you. It’s an honor to be included. Happy Thanksgiving Amber! ❤️
Well girl! I am now taking out some jeans from my suitcase and packing more leggings!!! Whew! I feel better already! 🤣🤣 we are so excited! Bring on the CARBFEST!
Author
Yaaaay! So looking forward to y’alls visit! And yes, between all the movie popcorn we’ll eat and the turkey dinner and leftovers, you’ll want something stretchy! LOL. See you soon!
This post was so fun to read! You make me laugh! Your table is just gorgeous and perfect for Thanksgiving! I hope that you and your family have a most blessed and happy holiday!!!!
Author
Awe, thanks Shannon. I appreciate that a lot. I think the same about YOUR table. Glad I can make you smile too. Happy Thanksgiving Shannon. 😂
Cindy,
I love your casual thanksgiving table! Thanks for sharing with us at Charming Homes and Gardens Link Party. Look for your feature on Wednesday!
Author
Whaaat?! Oh my goodness, how fun. Thank you so much Rachel. :0