COZY AND WARM THANKSGIVING TABLE

Last year my sister Lisa and her husband Jim hosted Thanksgiving at their Virginia home.

Lisa is an excellent cook... having worked as a caterer and a chef, she is a foodie extraordinaire! EVERYTHING she makes is the best I have ever eaten. So when she offered to make a Thanksgiving meal I was so excited!

As serious as Lisa is about the food she prepares...

she has a wonderful relaxed philosophy about entertaining... and her Thanksgiving table reflected her warm, fun and welcoming atttitude... it is ALWAYS fun at Lisa's!

There is nothing too formal or uptight about the way Lisa sets a table and her Thanksgiving table was no exception. I always feel like I am sitting at a table in Tuscany or Provence... she has an easy-going way of decorating!

Lisa used a white tablecloth for the foundation of her table. She then layered a burlap runner and a long burlap ribbon down the center of her table. I love the organic mood it sets!

Stacks and stacks of dishes are really not her style... but she does love to serve dinner on white plates like I do. Notice her mix of square and round alternating dishes.

Lisa's house reflects these beautiful warm colors!

Gifts were tucked under some dinner plates. One gift for each family. She gave us a fascinating book about US Medal Of Honor winners. This book tells such stories of valor, bravery and love of country.

It is a cherished part of our library at StoneGable!

Oak leave from the back yard were used as place cards along with tiny glittery acorns. Such a simple touch... but one with big late fall impact!

Lisa casually filled water glasses with richly designed french inspired napkins. I am presuming these are from Williams-Sonoma. She loves french linens! Another thing we have in common.

A big glass candle holder, reminiscent of a pumpkin, holds a large white pillar candle. Around the base of the candle is a fall potpourri of pods and dried fruit and other fluff.