Creating an Outdoor Centerpiece for Thanksgiving

Today was another beautiful November day and the perfect day for assembling a centerpiece for our outside table. The centerpiece splays across the table and is made up of “twig-ery and poke-ery” and other autumn finery, and candlelight twinkles over the tabletop. An outside dining area easily becomes an extension of your living area and an enchanting way to beckon company outside.

Gathering what I wanted to use for my harvest centerpiece was easy. Our daughter and granddaughter had surprised us earlier and brought over some pumpkins for our porch, so I picked 4 of the smaller ones for the table…then I “gathered” some mandarin oranges and apples from the refrigerator…a pair of brass candlesticks with tall tapers from the fireplace…and lots of votive candle holders in colors of copper, gold, and orange.

Richard had been waiting to trim our bushes in the front yard until I was ready to assemble our centerpiece…as he cut and shaped our bushes, he sweetly grouped the smaller branches from our Crepe Myrtle and our Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum) and brought them to the patio table in the backyard.

Audibly the elm-leaves whispered 
Peaceful, pleasant melodies,
Like the distant murmured music
Of unquiet, lovely seas:
While the winds were hushed in slumber
In the fragrant flowers and trees.

 ~ Egar Allan Poe

I began building my centerpiece by placing and arranging the branches down the length of the table. Then I tucked the smallest pumpkins along the outer edges of the branches, placed the 2 largest pumpkins in the center, and began adding my candles. The brass candlesticks were placed on either side of the pumpkins in the center of the table and the smaller votives were “scattered” throughout the centerpiece.

Wild is the music 
Of autumnal wind
Amongst the faded woods

~  William Wordsworth 

A sweet little pumpkin and votive candle.

Next it was time to add a little splash of color and the finishing touches.

Red apples, bright oranges, and a few golden-yellow leaves from our Ash tree.

All done…a lush autumn arrangement made in minutes using nature’s bounty!

Lighting the candles and adding the magical glow in the deepening afternoon shadows…

that mellowed into beautiful twilight…

…and the red glow of a November sunset on the lake.

It was November - the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind - songs in the pines."

-L.M. Montgomery

“We Gather Together to ask the Lord’s blessing.”

Hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving with all those who are dear to you!

"I come before You today
And there's just one thing that I want to say, 
Thank You Lord.
Thank You Lord
For all You've given to me,
For all the blessings I cannot see. 
Thank You Lord.
Thank You Lord.

With a grateful heart,
With a song of praise,
With an outstretched arm,
I will bless Your name. 
Thank You Lord.
I just wanna thank You Lord."

Song "Thank You Lord" by Don Moen

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

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