Thanksgiving Traditions

This weeks table is decorated for a Thanksgiving feast.   Although I will enjoy the day alone, I am thankful for many happy memories of family Thanksgiving traditions and spending time with loved ones.   I continue the traditions by making the same dishes year after year.   Every now and then I will add something new, but I mostly stick to my favorite recipes for Thanksgiving.   My Mother and Grandmothers always had a huge turkey, a large pan of dressing (we didn't stuff the bird), and all the normal sides.   My Mom made the best candied yams in the world.  The pies, cakes and homemade yeast rolls that my Grandma Curry made would melt in hour mouth.    About 18 years ago I purchased Cristina Ferrare's Family Entertaining cookbook.   I was a faithful viewer of her TV show on Hallmark Home & Family.  She is famous for the holiday feast that she cooks each year for her family so I made her Marinated Turkey with Chive Gravy in 1998 and it became a tradition in my home.  I make my own dressing from memory (no recipe) and make sure to add fresh parsley.  My Grandmother Curry made it that way and I think of her each time I bake a pan.   I have a few pictures from Thanksgiving  last year of the Marinated Turkey below.  I will be making a small turkey breast this year and will have plenty of leftovers.  I think the turkey is always better the next day any how.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving place setting. 

I made new napkin rings this year that also serve as place cards. I included a picture tutorial below.  Another blogger posted this idea a few weeks ago so I decided to give it a try. 

I wrapped my Luminara candles with this great bark and moss ribbon I found at Hobby Lobby a few seasons ago. 

I love my Publix pilgrim salt & pepper shakers.   I found the "little" pilgrim pair in a thrift store.  The pilgrim wine charms were ring cupcake toppers.  I snipped off the ring portion and use the glue gun to attach a little twine to tie on the glasses. 

The lighted mercury glass candle holder is part of the Valerie Parr Hill collection from QVC.  

The stack.  I've had these charger plates for 15 plus years.  They are made of a clay type material and very heavy.  The rust plates are from Dollar Tree a few years ago.   I found the leaf embossed salad plates at Home Goods years ago.  The turkey plates were also found at Home Goods.  

This is a photo of the table a sunset.

I found the napkin ring idea recently on The Happy Housie Porch blog.   I was inspired to make my own for my table this year plus I will be able to use them on other tablescapes, not just Thanksgiving. 

I found the wood slices at Hobby Lobby.  The Martha Stewart chalkboard paint came from Jo Ann's along with the chalk markers.   I had the bark/moss ribbon.   The silver napkin rings are in stock at Dollar Tree this season.  I bought a few packs as I have lots of napkin ring projects in mind for future tables. Make sure you check out Krista's blog and see what she uses for her base. Very creative.  

The finished napkins rings.   I added a sprig of fresh rosemary from my herb garden on the final table.  It smells lovely!  

Here's a few pictures from last years Thanksgiving feast.  Cristina's Marinated Turkey  recipe is on her website this week.  It's delicious and you can also use it with other meats, not just turkey.  I also make her Orange-Walnut Cranberry Sauce.  Outstanding!  

This was Thanksgiving 2010.   It was my pup Cooper's first Thanksgiving.  The weather in South Florida was nice and warm so we had Thanksgiving on the patio.   As you can see he has his eyes on that beautiful marinated turkey.   He had his share that evening along with leftovers for a long time. 

This was my Mother's turkey platter.   I'm not sure if it was passed down in the family or if she purchased it new when she and Dad married in 1958.   It was always on the table for as long as I can remember.  It's a treasured piece now and I bring it out every Thanksgiving to keep the tradition going.  I think she would be happy to know I'm using it.  

Have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving Day!  

Catherine

This post is linked to the following parties:
Dishing It & Digging It Link Party #123 - Life and Linda
Snickerdoodle Create-Bake-Make #158 - The Blue Willow House
426th Tablescape Thursday - Between Naps on the Porch 
Amaze Me Monday #190 - Dwellings - The Heart of the Home
Creative Mondays Blog Hop - Claire Justine
Inspire Me Monday- Create with Joy
The Scoop #250 - Stone Gable
352nd Inspire Me Tuesday - A Stroll Thru Life
Celebrate Your Story #53 - Celebrate & Decorate with Chloe Crabtree
Home Sweet Home #298 - The Charm of Home
Wow Us Wednesdays #301 - Savvy Southern Style
Talk of the Town #47 - Sadie Seasongoods