Thanksgiving progressive dinner – blog style
Welcome! Today is the first day of a virtual progressive dinner where the topics du jour are all about Thanksgiving hospitality and food. Each blogger is sharing her favorite secrets and recipes, so get ready for some deliciousness!
I learned about hospitality by watching my mom. They way she planned holiday dinner menus, the care she took setting the table with the good dishes and the time she spent making a centerpiece. She has always been my true source of inspiration.
Even though I might do things a little bit differently, there’s always one thing I strive to do just like my mom: add the kind of loving homemade touches that will make my guests feel truly special.
Regardless of the number of people gathering around the table, a particularly home sweet homemade touch is to personalize each diner’s place setting.
I took the leftover drawer knobs from last summer’s dresser makeover and made these humbly artful place cards.
Added a twist of thin wire, some assorted beads
and a miniature clothespin holding my guest’s name on a piece of paper with gently torn edges.
To finish it off, I placed a small clipping of rosemary in the center of the knob.
For me, it’s a gently gracious way to begin a meal. A humble, home sweet homemade touch. It’s often the simplest things that I remember days or years later.
So before I forget, would you care for a taste of something scrumptious? A couple of true Thanksgiving favorites! First, a sweet potato side dish, courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Simple, easy and delicious.
Next, my own recipe for a wild rice salad. It’s perfect made a day ahead and delicious served at room temperature. Plus it has all my favorite fall flavors.
Thank you for your visit and I hope you will please visit Pamela, Laura, Tracey and Carrie over the next 4 days – I know I can hardly wait to see what they are planning for this progressive dinner potluck! I’m so grateful to have had the chance to share this blogging fun with these four talented, creative women – y’all rock!
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home sweet homemade 
Diane, Diane, Diane….these place settings are soooooooooo AWESOME!
WOW! How you do come up with these creative ideas?!?!
LOVE your use of the door knob and the clothes pin! And that tiny sprig of rosemary (which happens to be one of my favorite herbs) is shear BRILLIANCE!
They’re so warm, cozy, and natural! And I really like the paper with the torn edges for the name – how original is that?
“For me, it’s a gently gracious way to begin a meal. A humble, home sweet homemade touch. It’s often the simplest things that I remember days or years later.”
You said it, my friend! “Remember days or years later!”
Yummy recipes too! I adore anything ‘teriyaki.’ And the salad sounds healthy AND delish!
Thanks so much for sharing your Home Sweet Homemade touches!
Hope you had a lovely day.
X to you and Cristybella!
Diane, this is just so great. I love your Oh-so-you artful place card pieces. What a delightful way to welcome family and friends. I have my post ready to publish and it will go out at 7 AM on the 4th. Thanks so much for including me. After reading yours I think I maybe should do a bit more polishing. :0
Pam
It’s really cool to wake up and realize we’ve stolen some really cool, really GOOD things from our parent(s).
This ‘make ’em feel special’ thing…….was awesomely instilled and awesomely executed by you with the place cards and holders. Matters not what’s on the table, matters how special you make ’em feel.
(I’d add that holiday dinners were a ‘chore’ where I came from–chaos, mayhem and forced participation–so this ‘make ’em feel special thing’…..is very very cool)
Which means that I really, really, REALLY adore the personal touch and the desire to make the guests know how special they are in your lives. Well done!
I’ve tried for that–I’ll keep trying harder. I don’t think you can every say that too much. And your ‘little touches’ here say it very boldly…..which is way cool.
Those are very sweet and sooo creative! I love that personal touch, it makes all the difference!
Oh my goodness! I don’t know why I’m still shocked when I come here. Those place settings are absolutely adorable! I am always amazed at how you use such simple things to create something so special and amazing!
Can’t wait to try those recipes!
I want to be in your creative head. You place cards are so adorable. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas are just around the corner and I can’t wait to see what is next in your arsenal of talents. I am sure I will be pleased. XOXOXOX
Those placecards are just the cutest Diane – how very sweet!
I am back to see Pamela’s inspiration…be back later 🙂
Love these!!! Love the addition of the rosemary too 🙂 Laurel
Well, your dinner sounds amazing but you really got me with those place cards! Just awesomely adorable..
Shared on FJI Facebook for SNS 106. 🙂
Donna
Oh MY! I love those placards and then scrolled down and saw the recipes. Can I come!!!!???? Sharing on FB and next weeks Tickled Pink (I love it that much I am telling you now!)
That is such a clever idea. I have tons of ugly wooden door knobs. Maybe that can be their new life.
Smiles, Alice
Wow, have to try those sweet potatoes. Absolutely love those knob placecards. Fantastic.
Karen G
Diane, what a wonderful post. Like you I try to have a little something for each guest at their place setting. I love what you did the knobs, what an inspiring idea!!! Thank you, Clarice
Love the touch of rosemary!
Michael
How wonderfully unique! You did a fabulous job! Thanks so much for stopping by the Head to Head Showdown and linking up a few of your projects, I’m glad you join in on the fun! Jen @ http://www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com