In normal times, the family would gather round our table in Houston for turkey and all the trimmings. The table would be set with the traditional dryer hose pumpkins and Della Robia dishes.
2020, as we all know, is not normal. It finds the hubby and me on a daughter’s Tennessee farm where we stopped to bring a granddaughter home from college.
Since we were going to be here for Thanksgiving dinner, the daughter gave me table setting duty, not a bad assignment! Before leaving Maine, I visited Walmart looking for a specific knitting needle. I didn’t find the needle but found some things that mixed with pumpkins I was planning to take would make a fun Thanksgiving table.
Never would I have dreamed I would be doing a table with paper goods, but this time they worked. Towelettes became napkins.
Unfolded they are surprise placemats.
Now for the “dishes”. The paper plates are satisfactorily sturdy and with their pumpkin design are perfect.
As each setting went into place, it brought smiles. I like the cheerfulness of the black and white checks and the unexpected satisfaction of doing a very different Thanksgiving table.
What is most important is that later in the day we will enjoy our limited togetherness and count our blessings. I regret not being with the rest of our family, but I am very grateful to not be alone.
To all of you, I wish you a good day filled with gratitude.
Joining
Lulu's Musings 
Using paper meant cleanup was pretty easy, and no one was unhappy about that.
We used Wal-Mart paper plates and napkins for our Thanksgiving meal this year and it worked out just find. :0) Glad you could be with family in Tennessee!
I mean …just fine!
WOW!
You bless your family and friends with your beautiful expressions of love in your table settings, commentary, photos and more.
THANK YOU.
Thank you. You make me think of the effort in a whole new way.
You were near me!
My daughter is a yoga farm girl. She has recently begun teaching in her farm studio.
Cool! That is what I’m working towards on my family farm in KY. What is her Instagram handle? I would like to follow here and possibly check out what she is doing.
Bravehearted Beauty. Follow but don’t reach out for a bit as she’s dealing with some challenges right now.
The table is perfect Linda, so nice you were able to be with your daughter and her family! Love the black and white checks paired with pumpkins!
Jenna
The table was a hit, but I think that had more to do with easy cleanup than the setting!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
– Oprah Winfrey
Thank you for your message and for sharing the quote. It’s a good one.
I absolutely adore that table, Linda. And only YOU would come up with idea of napkin placements. How cool is that? Very original ideas.
Well thank you. An unexpected stop at Walmart made it all possible.
Wow. Amazing
Happy Thanksgiving!
Loved seeing how flexible you were but still had a beautifully decorated table.
We decided to accept and make this Thanksgiving totally different so we enjoyed takeout Indian food !
Safe travels and Stay Well!
Kathleen
How wonderful to be with part of your family. The paper looks fabulous!
Yes, while we were only 5, we were happy to be together and there were no complaints about after dinner cleanup thanks to using paper.
Beautiful table! You are so clever. I admire it!
Paper and plastic or china and crystal…it truly is about who is gathered around the table, the love they share, and the collective memories. Happy to you and your family.
How right you are! Though we were only 5, all of us were glad to have some family around the table.
You turn paper into magic. DNR
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Your tables are always wonderful and this one is no exception!
I’d never heard of dryer hose pumpkins – looked it up and will have to put it on my list of things to make!
They are a fun project and last forever! Thanks for taking a look and Happy Thanksgiving.