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.
