Need a Thanksgiving Tablescape Idea?

I am serving as a counselor in Relief Society over Relief Society meetings.  I invited my board over for a get-to-know you breakfast this past Saturday morning.  It was so enjoyable to plan and prepare to have people over.  It was bitter sweet as I remembered doing the same kind of thing many times over in our previous home in Keller, Texas.  I constantly remind myself that I haven't 'lost' friends, I'm simply making new ones.  To my friends old and new, here's a few pictures of my table that you might enjoy.  Who knows, you might even use a few of these ideas at your own tables this Thanksgiving...

I love fall.  It's no wonder the colors in my home reflect these dark, warm tones.  I've used a rust colored table cloth, fall leaves (from Pottery Barn) sprinkled all over the table, various gourds around the table, mini pumpkins at each table setting and of course, a few acorn candles to add that 'touch' to the table. 

I love dishes!  Over the years, I have collected a few different sets.  These are the carmel brown and olive green sets that I picked up on sale at Costco (my favorite store) years ago.  I mix and match the two sets.  I think it makes for a more interesting table.

These sets of dishes came with their own leaf bread plate.  I love it!  I think every table needs a touch of whimsy.

I love chargers.  Over the years this is another thing I have collected.  They add the 'Wow' factor to an individual table setting.  Here, I have used a dark brown rattan as the base charger with an antique gold charger on top of it.  Then, I have placed my main plate with a salad plate with a delicious yogurt parfait on top.  The luncheous plate makes for easy and elegant removal of a finished parfait. 

Let's face it, we don't set the table with chargers for dinner every night.  I only break out the chargers for special occasions.  So, when your guests sit down, they immediately know this is a special occasion and they are special guests. 

As I write this, I have a big lump in my throat thinking about my dear friend, Stacey Williams.  She is a master floral designer.  When any of us had a special occasion that needed flowers, there was no one else we'd rather turn to than 'Our Stacey'.  She never turned us down, and always came up with the most beautiful, out of the box arrangements I have ever seen.  I have learned so much from her.  As I arranged this simple centerpiece, I thought of how proud she would be of me.  I guess the best in us does rub off on others.  I know the best of Stacey, in more ways than just flower arranging, has rubbed off on me.  Thank you, dear friend!!!!

Take a simple pumpkin, cut off the top and take out the seeds.  Buy 2 bunches of beautiful flowers.  (Always buy more flowers than you'll think you'll need.  Believe me, you'll need them.  And even if you have extra flowers, you'll think of something to do with them; like placing individual, small vases with flowers at every table setting, or setting a small, fresh bouquet near the bathroom sink where your guests will say, 'She thought of everything!')  Then, think beautiful, happy thoughts and just add flowers one at a time until your amazing centerpiece emerges.  I promise, it will!!

Here's bonus pictures of our buffet.  Egg and cheese souffles from Panerra Bread.  (Someday I will learn how to make them.  They are awesome!)  Individual hash browns made in a muffin pan.  (Hit. Total hit!)Fresh cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins and flaky croissants with fresh butter and homemade raspberry and triple berry jam.  And in case you didn't notice, there were individual yogurt parfaits waiting for guests at each table setting.  Simple, easy, delicious!

An Easter Thought From My Visiting Teachers

Have I mentioned lately how much I enjoy my Visiting Teachers? On Saturday, my visiting teachers stopped by with a little surprise. These adorable lambs are made out of cupcakes.


Here is the handout that accompanied these delicious and adorable, tiny treats.

"Jesus, as the unblemished or sinless lamb whose bones could not be broken, died so that spiritual death might 'pass over' those who come unto Him. As the blood of the first Passover sacrifice was spread on the doors of each Israelite home, so too did the blood of Christ flow upon the wood of the cross. The Gospel of John suggests that Passover began at sunset the day Jesus was crucified. In this scenario the pashal lambs, which were sacrificed before the beginning of Passover so that they would be ready in time for the eal, would have been sacrified in the temple at the very time that Jesus was dying on the cross - sometime between 3-5 p.m. "

Your Challenge - recommit yourself to studying the scriptures daily and immerse in them so you will have the power of the Spirit to attend to your needs and help you attend to others around you.

Your Promise - knowledge that will bring you peace and help you focus your energies on eternal principles.

Thank you, Visiting Teachers, for feeding me spiritually and just being my friends!

And Five of Them Were Wise...

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 25:1-13)

Last night was the first Relief Society Home, Family and Personal Enrichment night of the year. The theme that our Relief Society presidency has chosen for 2009 is, "And Five of Them Were Wise" from the parable of the ten virgins, found in the New Testament. Christine and her presidency, Stacey, Jackie and Jill (how funny... Jackie and Jill...) did a fantastic job of planning this great event. It was a wonderful evening. The food was delicious. Beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables, delicious savory dips and crackers, wonderful meatballs, chewey chocolate chip cookies, and a spectacular chocolate fountain, complete with everything you ever thought you'd like to dip in chocolate!

Stacey and Merlaine introduced the different activity groups that will be available for us all to join. Service; serving together at the Bishop's Storehouse, Union Gospel Mission, Keller Community Storehouse or anywhere we can be of service to others in our community. Literacy; learning tips on writing our own personal or family histories, poetry, etc. Food; getting together to enjoy a new restaurant, or learning how to cook something yummy and delicious at someone's home. And, 'Let's See DFW'; going together to visit a museum, great shopping, or anywhere really interesting in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They all sound like fun! It's always great getting together with other sisters in our ward to experience new and exciting things.

After everyone had a bite to eat, Christine introduced the theme of the year and invited me to sing a song, entitled, "When He Comes for Me." I've been working on this song for a little over a week, trying to polish it up so it would be ready. I think I've listened to the CD at least a hundred times, singing along with the vocals. Everytime I got in car alone in the last week, I'd sing along to the performance track and try to get the words down. The lyrics are beautiful. Here they are:

We are all invited to the feast.
Each of us is welcome from the greatest to the least.
We hold the invitation in our hands.
It's written in each crevice of our own lamp.
I promise I'll prepare to be there on that day.
Dancing in the glory as we celebrate.

(Chorus)
Like a lamp - the Master planned each of us with His grand design.
The oil is the light I will burn through the night as I wait for Him to come again.
There will always be enough if I run to Him to fill it up.
Drop by drop by drop. 'Til I know him perfectly, when He comes to me.

Humble hearts are waiting for the day.
Faithfully preparing for the chance to light His way.
Guardians of the vessels that will burn,
Watching for the Master to return.
Maker of the gift that only He can fill,
Keeper of the precious oil is waiting still.

And I will kiss the hands that made my lamp.
When He comes again, I will honor Him.

I'll be worthy of my King, when He comes for me.

Christine did a wonderful job of sharing her thoughts and testimony of why her presidency chose this theme this year. With hopes that we each would feel a sense of urgency to be prepared, both physically and spiritually for any challenges that might come our way. With hopes that we might be found as the wise virgins were, with enough oil to sustain us in the darkness. That we each might be found ready, when He comes again.

Christine shared with us another scripture, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." (D&C 88:119) Her admonition to us, was to not feel overwhelmed at the thought of doing everything immediately. Just as we wouldn't suggest to our children to cram for a test, neither should we cram to be prepared. Just take one step at a time, having the desire in our heart to movie in a posative direction and then take action.

I love these women. I count myself extremely blessed to have them not only as my leaders, but also as my closest friends. I love being around them. I want to be more like them. Their laughter is contagious and the spirit around them is intoxicating. They make me want to be better and do better. They bring out the best in me. I am a better person for having them in my life. I can only hope that in some small way, I can add something to their lives because they have added so much to mine.

With the perfect 'Stacey Touch'

Death By Chocolate!


What a wonderful group of sisters.
(Fantastic Turn Out!!!)

Food, food and more food.

Getting ready to hear from our Presidency.

(Notice the tiny lamp on the box on the table.

You better have you're own oil. There truly wouldn't

be enough to share, even if we wanted to.)

Thanks for a memorable evening!!