The Season Of Giving Thanks

The story of the pilgrims and their journey to the New World has been a favorite of my sister for as long as I can remember.  It is her love of the story and a visit from my Aunt Dot that inspired this centerpiece design.

Last year, around this same time, my mother's dining room table lacked a centerpiece.  Normally this would not be an issue, but her sister, Dorothy Ann - my Aunt Dot, was coming for a visit.  A "naked" table was unacceptable to me so the wheels began to turn.

It was early November, the season of giving thanks, that gave me the direction I wanted to go. As I mentioned above one of my sister's favorite stories is that of the pilgrims - from the reason for their journey to the New World through what they endured settling here.  Her love of this story began a quest for her to find items related to the story.  I borrowed two of those items, a male and female Pilgrim, around which I would design a centerpiece.

There are times when I am designing a centerpiece that it takes more than one attempt before I'm happy.  (Those of you who know me well are not the least bit surprised by this confession.)  I must have gone through four or five designs before I saw what I wanted for a final result.  

It may be a little unorthodox to put a figurine in a lantern, but I like to think outside the box.  And in this case it worked beautifully!  As I began putting everything together these lanterns became the focal point around which I added other elements.  By using multi-colored pebbles I accomplished two things.  The first was to subtly represent the landing at Plymouth. The second was to add some additional texture and color.  Once those elements were in place I added some Spanish moss to soften the lantern tops and the base of a single, small tea light. The table linens - a solid, black tablecloth with both canvas and hand-crocheted runners - proved to be an effective base for all of the centerpiece elements.

As I put the finishing touches on the design I realized that the focal point of my centerpiece had changed.  For me, the focal point was now one small flame - that single tea light - in the middle of a vast array of other elements.  The Pilgrims had such a light...as do we all. 

For my sister, Lynn.  I am very thankful for you.