Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Gathering Together For The Holiday Season

Welcome to the We Gather Together Thanksgiving Blog Hop. 


I am so glad that you are here. I'm thrilled to be participating in this fun hop hosted by the amazing Amber from Follow The Yellow Brick Home. Her house is just so cute. This time you will be seeing her adorable dining room. Amber does such a great job with these hops. 
If you are coming from Botanic Bleu, welcome. Don't you love Judith's natural country French display? Her florals and tables are always gorgeous. 

I've been cozying up our space for the holidays since the cooler weather has arrived. 
We went straight from summer to winter. It's been unbelievable but I love the colder weather, so I'm not complaining at all. 

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What a wonderful time of year. 
The dining room is an iconic place for the family to congregate during the holidays. 
I'm so excited about using our dining room for Thanksgiving this year. 
It's had some changes with the arrival of a few special pieces from my step mother's house. 


The corner cupboard is one of those prized pieces. 
 I literally cried when we put it into place. It seemed destined for this spot. 
My dad and mom bought it at a fire sale.


I was very young so I have no memories of what they did to restore the finish but I remember exactly where it was placed in our home. There was a corner in the hall toward the kitchen. Behind it was the closed up dumpwaiter. We didn't want him to close it up but he did anyway. With six children a dumbwaiter to the basement was an accident waiting to happen. Trust me on this.
When my dad married my step mother, we moved to a Colonial revival home in Bedford Village, N,Y. This beautiful cupboard was in a place of honor in the living room. 
My dad loved it and when he died, my step mother moved it to Texas. She (and it) eventually ended up in Oklahoma. My step mom told everyone that when she died, the cupboard was supposed to come to me. 
My siblings honored that request.
I didn't decorate the inside exactly like she did. She filled it with blue and white. I filled it with the china painted by Bill's grandmother.


This thing holds a ton.
One of the shelves below holds all of my Autumn by Lenox china. 
The other shelf holds other random knick knacks.
I do need to take some time to organize the bottom shelf a little better. I'm annoyed with myself for already packing it like a rat.


The room looks so much bigger. 


There are spots in front of the china for bits of seasonal decor. 


A lighting system from IKEA illuminates everything inside. 
The light shows off the china in such a beautiful way. 


I couldn't wait until Christmas to see how a wreath would look on the glass door so I made one for Thanksgiving. 




The wall next to it needed some pictures. 
I've loved the rich earthy colors with the print and the antique oil paintings. 


Four Eastlake frames from my parents got some butterfly nature prints. I may change these out for Christmas and winter, 


My mom's wedding tea set was supposed to go to my daughter but she left it with me.
She knew it meant more to me than it did to her. It's really not her taste but we can always revisit that at a later date. My step mom had it lacquered so that it won't tarnish. I'm not sure how I feel about that.




"Heidi" is the other final addition in this room. It's just a print but this picture is in my earliest memories. None of us knew if that was what this print was called. It is what we always called it.


As a sentimental person, I realize that these "things" don't bring my loved ones back. They don't replace them either. The room won't magically fill with people who cannot make it home for the holidays but a glance at these heirlooms brings them back to my memory, if even for a moment.
Adjusting the silver service, turning on the light in the corner cupboard, hanging a tassel, placing a wreath at the door, dusting the pictures, all these small actions bring comfort, peace, and the hope that there will be a day when all of us will be gathered together again.
It brings me hope. I honestly don't know how anyone takes another breath without the hope that we will see our loved ones again.
Gathering with those still here on this earth is a chord that ties the past and the present together.
Those that have departed are with us for a moment, if only in our stories and memories.


Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to visit CoCo at The Crowned Goat . She has such an inspiring blog and adorable decorating style. You will see all the other amazing links below.
Have a blessed holiday season, my friends.
Katie
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27 comments :

  1. Oh my gosh, Katie, everything about this space is such a great way to honor your family! I'm so excited about your corner cupboard too. It really looks like you've found the perfect spot for it. The way you have all your china displayed and your Mom's wedding service is gorgeous. I know you're going to make some happy memories in this room. I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving, CoCo

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  2. Love the tree you decorated! That wee cornucopia in the cupboard is such fun. I hope your ornament arrived safely. :)

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  3. Your corner cabinet is so pretty and filled with memories and sentiment. Two things that are important.

    The Heifi picture is also wonderful. It's hard when people leave us but the best is when we have memories to savor. I cherish that loosing my mom when I was 26. Too soon but I feel blessed that I have a million happy memories and moments to remember.

    Cindy

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  4. What a gorgeous dining room and your new corner cupboard is stunning. Such a wonderful family treasure. I love the way you have it displayed so beautifully.

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  5. Everything looks so lovely, Katie, and you have so many pieces to remember loved ones. Your corner hutch looks perfect, and the lighting makes it even more special. The tea service is soooo pretty, and it's nice that your daughter let you have it. She may want it someday.

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  6. I love how you've created a beautiful space to honor your family. The corner cupboard is lovely as is your fall tree! I love that thing. And I didn't know you could even lacquer silver. Hmmm. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And I love seeing all of your travel pics! My goodness, y'all are quite the world travelers! Signed, the Jealous Friend.

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  7. Katie, your inherited corner cabinet is such a treasure! Loving that purple turkey plate too! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

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  8. Beautiful is this post.
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING
    Marion

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  9. Your china cabinet is so pretty and it's wonderful that it finally made its way to your home. I am sure that every time you see it in your dining room that you think of your mom, dad, and stepmom.

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  10. This is a perfect example of meaningful decorating! I loved reading about the stories behind your pieces and I am sure they make your room feel extra special to you. Thanks for sharing and great hopping with you!
    Shelley

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  11. oh Katie, that corner cupboard is such a precious piece. I'm so glad you had a place for it. It's beautiful and I love how you have put in the lighting. What a sweet blessing to remember your Mom and Dad, each day, not just Thanksgiving.

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  12. Katie, that corner cabinet is indeed a treasure. It's beautiful and how wonderful to have all that extra storage. It looks perfect in your dining room and I know that you will enjoy it for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving friend.

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  13. Love the sentiments that you shared on this post, Katie. The things we inherit are definite loving reminders of the people we love and perhaps are not with us any longer! Thank you for sharing your inspiration!

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  14. You brought a tear to my eye, as I feel exactly the way that you do. I am a sentimental person to a fault! Your china cabinet looks beautiful in your home, and you have styled it beautifully! I know they are just things, but the items we inherit from loved ones are true reminders of those precious ties and memories we hold dear. I hope you a have a most happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

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  15. I absolutely love the fall tree. I think this is a fabulous idea to get your tree out early and ready. Then just change up the look for Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving, friend!

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  16. Your home is so beautiful and cozy, Katie. I love the cabinet and even more, the story behind it. I didn't know about Ikea's lighting system -- I'll have to look into that. It's so important, so special, that you have this wonderful piece and it looks beautiful there. But then, the whole house is lovely. Heidi is especially beautiful. It's just kind of perfect!

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  17. How I loved reading all about your family bits and pieces. They make our houses a home.

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  18. Katie, what wonderful history and sentiment you've shared with the things that stir memories and the blessings of your past! As an antique dealer this is a motivation for finding the items that stir those memories for customers. As a consumer, I can tell you that my stepback cupboard was one of my work horses for storing so many dishes and other tablescaping items. You will always find the need to organize, all the while stuffing yet one more set of plates or napkins in its crannies. A beautiful room you have there. And I couldn't agree more with your statement of the hope of seeing our loved ones again. Thanksgiving blessing to you!

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  19. Katie,
    Your dining room does look much larger with all your changes. The corner china cabinet looks perfect with display shelves on top and hidden storage on bottom. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Judith

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  20. Katie this beautiful post literally brought tears to my eyes. You captured the sentiment perfectly of decorating with family heirlooms that helps us feel connected to those we love while anticipating a blessed reunion. Your dining room looks so pretty and the corner cabinet is a beauty. I love the turkey plate and little turkey vignette.
    Thank you for your kind compliment in the opening. I hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving!

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  21. Katie, thank you for sharing your lovely and special family heirlooms! That cabinet is truly special. I particularly like that vintage turkey plate and vignette.

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  22. You have a warm and welcoming home, I loved learning about the corner cupboard. The Turkey vignette is wonderful too. I'm happy to be hopping along with you, pinned. Hugs!

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  23. Hi Katie, your dining room is so pretty and I love the pinecone wreath on the front of your corner cabinet. So adorable! It would look pretty there all the way through Christmas and into winter. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  24. How sweet the sentiment expressed through your post. I certainly miss those who have passed on, particularly my dear mother in law who left us much too soon. Gathering with family is a joy at this time of year, and I am sure that having treasures like your corner cupboard and the silver tea set are great reminders of those who have passed.

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  25. Oh, Katie, I love how you cherish those pieces. I, too, love looking around my home and seeing pieces from those I love. Not everyone appreciates the pieces of the past like we do. Glad the corner cupboard went to a good home; it's beautiful!

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  26. I'm a sucker for sentimental pieces like that cupboard, Katie. It's gorgeous too! You can tell it holds so much history. I'm glad your siblings honored that request. I can tell it means a lot to you. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  27. I have always wanted a corner cupboard. Yours is wonderful and it was meant to be in your home. It is wonderful to have pieces of your childhood in your home.

    Have a lovely Thanksgiving

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