Happy Thanksgiving

Well, I've been busy cleaning and baking, peeling and chopping. But, I want to take a minute and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, and leave two more thoughts, both about atmosphere.


Creating a beautiful table is an important part of a special meal. Your dinner companions, whether they are friends or family will remember the trouble you went to. However, it does not need to cost a lot of money to make a pretty table (although I've been known to go to a lot of trouble and expense in the past -- fortunately I mellow with age). This year I happen to have a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from my anniversary. They are still as fresh as they were last week, and the bouquet is large enough to fill the center of my dining room table. I'll use silver wedding candlesticks aside the flowers, and the places are set with mother's good china and crystal that she gave me. My mother-in-law handed down her silver flatware years ago, so we'll use that and good linens.


Scattered across the center of the table are fall leaves -- some beautiful red from our Red Maple and some bright gold from the Bradbury Pear, both at their peak. I have pine cones and acorns and some scattered cranberries. It was mostly free, but it looks gorgeous. If you don't have deciduous trees, find some evergreens and lay them down the center. I used perfect leaves and a silver pen to write every one's name to mark their place. Under each leaf is a foil-wrapped mint. It really was not much trouble -- 30 minute's work tops. But the image is special and I truly believe the food tastes better when the table is festive.

The other atmospheric element is music. I don't like having the television on when we have company, but I usually lose that battle on Thanksgiving after a few football fans have arrived. During dinner, however, I absolutely turn off the tube and turn on some nice music. Autumn by George Winston is definitely part of the line up, as well as a few favorite classical CDs. I also like this CD from young William Joseph.

Well, that's it and the potatoes are almost done, so have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will raise my glass to you tomorrow. God bless.

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