here is a confession… i’ve never cooked a turkey. and, here is another,
i’ve never really done (as in decorated) a holiday table. now, while that might not be that big of thing to confess, for me it kind of is. i’m 36. i figured i would have cooked a bird by now and certainly hosted a thanksgiving or two (for the record i do roast chicken all the time, it’s my fave home cooked meal. i tell myself it is pretty much the same thing so i’d probably ace the turkey. this is what i tell myself). and, i feel almost more ashamed that i have not styled a beautiful holiday table. i mean every good design blogger has done this, like, probably 42 times in their sleep and 21 times, just for fun, as a kid.
i’m hosting thanksgiving this year. so, it would be assumed that i could make up for lost time. my husbands family will all be visiting and staying with us. while, in my martha stewart dreams, i’d like to believe that i am going to put out the best spread this side of the mason dixon (midWEST represent) and create this gorgeous table scape for us to leisurely linger at . . . its not going to happen. i’ts been a crazay month and i just can’t do it all. i’m setting the bar low for myself and declaring it to all of cyber space so that i’ll be ok with it, myself. i’m going to leave the turkey cooking to my mom because why mess up a good thing. and i’ll ponder all the pretty tables online, saving 101 ideas for next year or the next.
as for this year, i’m going to rely on laughter, good conversation, and the food itself to decorate the table. i’m sure one day, some day, there will be time to dress up a table and a bird. i’m sure of it. just as i’m sure everyone will remember who was at the table and not what decorated it.
do you love decorating tables or does it stress you out? and tell me, have you cooked a turkey (is it much different than roast chicken? someone set me straight).
if i was decorating a holiday table i love all of the above. unfussy, inviting, interesting, simple and all together lovely.
images : sunday suppers / f is for fabulous / birds of a feather
Mary
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 6:00am
You’ve got your priorities straight – of course what matters is who is at the table and not the decorations on it. And yes, cooking a turkey is pretty much the same thing as roasting a chicken. I’m hosting this year too. Good luck and enjoy it! Remember what the holiday is about!
April Louise
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 6:52am
I love the way the table has been decorated in this image. Beautiful!
Genni
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 9:16am
Trina–I JUST prepared my first Turkey a couple weeks ago. (and you and I are the same age) My husband won’t be home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even New Years’ this year so we celebrate early when he is here. The turkey was a breeze, you just have to be prepared and take your time. And yes, it’s pretty much like roasting chicken, except it’s larger and I like to use more spice and fruit flavors, along with butter. I used Bobby Flay’s recipe since he’s a guru on cooking meat. It was soo much work cooking a Thanksgiving meal 100% on my own, but I joked I can cross that off the bucket list!
With a husband who is gone so much I couldn’t agree more with the comment above, it’s about who’s at the table more than what’s on it. Have a great holiday Trina, and tell your amazing mom hello for me! :)
Genni
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 9:19am
OOOh and Target has a great new holiday table cloth you can color/write on (like the photo above) for a kids table and adult table. Super cute, easy and fun idea!
Connie | Daydream In Color
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 11:26am
Haha. I love this post. I’ve not yet set a beautiful holiday table either & made my first bird last year. In the end, it’s really the company that matters! No one even noticed or cared. We just had fun conversation & loved spending time together.
Rebecca - A Daily Something
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 1:46pm
I’ve never cooked a turkey (it grosses me out), and I made sure my husband knew that before we were married ;) And setting a table is one of my most favoritest things to do, but it certainly isn’t the most important…(and there have been many times I’ve focused on that too much) so you def have your priorities lined up! These images are super inspiring + simple…thanks for sharing!
sara
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 4:36pm
i’ve never cooked a turkey or hosted thanksgiving! and i’ve got a year on you – 37!
i think you’re setting yourself to have a great holiday because you’re going to enjoy whatever is and not be worrying about it being perfect. so it’ll probably end up being… well… perfect.
have a happy one… xx
Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine
Commented on November 21st, 2013 at 8:49pm
Too funny! Your Thanksgiving table is absolutely beautiful. I would have never ever known!
Melissa
Commented on November 22nd, 2013 at 4:20pm
I’ve never hosted Turkey Day at our house and, honestly, with an 18-month-old, I don’t know where I would find the energy! Thanksgiving tends to be a pretty casual affair at my MIL’s. She doesn’t really do fancy setups, she’s more about who’s around the table. While the idea of a beautiful sit-down family dinner is great in theory, I don’t know that I could ever get my husband’s family to feel comfy with it!
Maybe we’ll start with a nice centerpiece…
Spy Garden
Commented on November 27th, 2013 at 10:16am
We have always done a pretty traditional Thanksgiving. I usually focus on making the food pretty and it sort of serves as the table decor. This year it is just my husband and I and our two kids and we are going WAY nontraditional. We are going to play outside and rake the yard and then order Chinese take-out! But I may do up the table since I won’t be busy in the kitchen!
Trina
Commented on December 2nd, 2013 at 12:05pm
love the idea of chinese take-out! hope you had a lovely thanksgiving! xo . t