I’ve got plans to make this table runner that Frantically Simple made for her own family…

And of course, I always get excited about the food. This year I’m going to do something different.  I’m going to make the majority of the meal using recipes from the book Nourishing Traditions.

Here’s the menu plan presently… (NT stands for Nourishing Traditions)

Turkey

Onion Cranberry Compote – NT pg.392 (this is to replace the sugary cranberry relish I normally make and love!)

Mashed Potatoes (was going to make NT recipe on pg.401 but couldn’t find celery root at the store)

Ginger Carrots – NT pg.95 (NT recommends a lacto-fermented side to aid in digestion if everything else that you’re serving is cooked)

Baby Spinach Salad – NT pg.178

Whole Wheat Rolls

Desserts:

Pumpkin Pie – NT pg.562

Whole Pecan Tart – NT pg.563

Vanilla ice cream – NT pg.550

Persimmon ice cream – NT pg.552

I would like one more green vegetable but I’m not sure what at this point.  I’d better figure it out quickly since I only have 2 days till our dinner!  Maybe you all can help me out.

My table runner is coming along nicely.  I think I may be able to show the finished product tomorrow.

So, what’s a must for you on your Thanksgiving table?  A particular side that you look forward to every year or a dessert that you just have to have?  Share in the comments.  (comments are at the top now)

Here are a few ideas I’ve found for Thanksgiving.

Martha Stewart has this Mayflower centerpiece.  Unless you enlarge it, the template is not big enough for a centerpiece.  It also is much too time consuming and complicated. Have you ever heard of veneer for a craft project? I wouldn’t even know where to find it.

For my Mayflower I used construction paper (after my first failed attempt using Martha’s directions) and hot glued it together.  Very easy.  I also used a thin bamboo skewer for the mast hot gluing it in, too.  I filled the hull with a few almonds to give it more stability.

Oops, I forgot the drinking glass in my miniature tablescape.

Another idea for a place card is to take a napkin and make an envelope fold, then seal it with a name.  Here is a video that shows you step by step directions.

Here is a shot of both types of name cards. If you did use the envelope fold with a name card, you could still use the Mayflower for added decoration at each place setting. You could write on both masts something besides a name. How about the following? …for this bounty we are thankful.