A Turkey Tradition

My husband, David, and I love to host, and this Thanksgiving we hosted our 2nd "Orphan's Thanksgiving!" It's an Ortho tradition where couples who aren't able to go home to spend Thanksgiving with their families celebrate together. It sure makes being away from your family easier - we are blessed!

This year we had 17 adults and a handful of little ones. (A few more than last year, and we'd love it if it kept growing!) And with all those people, that means I get to decorate a lot of place settings. Hosting Orphan's Thanksgiving is among my favorites for two reasons: setting the tables and cooking the turkey. The only thing that could make this holiday tradition better is if I had a Thanksgiving parade march right down my street!




I love any excuse to get my china out (Vera Lace by Vera Wang)! The large silver bow on each matched the silver trim of the plates and helped make each setting special. (It was kind of like unwrapping your own little gift...and you knew you were going to fill that gift with an amazing meal that you'd been waiting an entire year for!) If you know me well, you might know that I love peacocks. These cocktail napkins that my mom gave me for my birthday were the perfect focal point for each place setting. They added to the richness of all-things-Thanksgiving! And, I have to thank a friend for letting me add in some of her china - didn't quite have enough for 17 - and for letting me borrow her great grandmother's sterling silver.


And there he is! A 22lb turkey and two hams! Thanks to everyone else who brought all the sides and desserts. We all have a lot to live up to next year.


Just as important as the decorating and cooking is the carving! A man's job!

And, I have to throw this in there as a side note. David helped me hang this new wall art just in time for our Thanksgiving guests - a little inspiration - Cook Like A Texan! Texas Monthly magazine covers I've been saving!

A Real Rustic Wedding

Here's a sneak peak at Dana and Jake's rustic wedding!

Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Mayowood Stone Barn - and they were beautiful! The barn has such character and might just be my favorite venue in Rochester.




The barn has a bridal suite as well as very neat Blacksmith Shop (above).






Decor outside the main entrance.


And now the details!


LOVE this saloon sign that Dana's dad made her. And, it was so fun to see her reaction when she saw it for the first time. So special. Gotta love dads!



The head table!


Both the bride and her mom were very crafty. They added little touches to just about everything you could think of - including these chairs, the place mats and the burlap and cinnamon sticks on the candles below! I think the wedding suited Dana perfectly.



Love the arches. So authentic.


To. Die. For. This old high chair is amazing!


There were a few fun items ready for the cocktail hour - as you can see Grandma Marley's Mix was quite the hit!


The barn has a stable full of furniture and all the knick knacks that you can imagine. It was fun searching for this stool and crate to display the cups for the snack mixes.



The ceremony was held upstairs in the loft. If you know me, you probably know that I love surprises. One of the things I enjoyed most about this wedding, was the big reveal of the reception area. We had curtains drawn as guests made their way upstairs, so that they couldn't see what was waiting for them downstairs! As the ceremony was going on, I was busy lighting candles and pulling back the numerous curtains, so that as the guests returned downstairs for the cocktail hour, they would be wowed by the decor and the barn itself!


And the beautiful ceremony site. Imagine the view from that huge window - if that's what you can call it - when it's open. I've seen the it in the summer time and it's stunning!



I have to attribute my bow tying skills to my mother! Thanks, mom!!!




Dana and Jake, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding day! You are wonderful, your friends are great, and your family is so kind. (Dana's parents were sweet enough to make sure I was enjoying myself too. They even insisted that I eat dinner at their table!)