Thanksgiving table

My little guy is finally at the age where he is (generally) interested in helping with things like planning the Thanksgiving table.  This year, we began months ago by collecting the incredibly beautiful leaves that decorated the sidewalk along the way to school, and popped them in some big dictionaries (that's what they are for, right?) to be pressed.

The centerpiece of the table came to me when a friend excitedly texted about a free pile of red barn wood in a local farming community.  I selected one of the prettiest pieces, cut it down with the trusty chop saw, and gave it a nice coat of paste wax.  Done. 

The placecards (for the looks, not because I am a controlling person) were created from the stump of our Christmas tree from last year.  I patted myself on the back several times for (1) saving it; and (2) remembering where I saved it.  The hearts on the cards are all Gus.

The placecards really inspired the rest of the table, which focused on simplicity, nature, repurposed items (naturally) and the reds and oranges of the season.  I pulled out the acorns I had felted a few years ago.  If you haven't tried felting, I can't recommend it highly enough.  It involves stabbing a needle into a piece of fabric repeatedly, which it just super fun, if not a little dangerous.  

I treated myself (and my guests, of course) to some new plates (thank you Ikea, for your simple design and outrageously low prices) and napkins, which are really restaurant-quality dish towels, which meant the price was outstanding.  I tried futzing with some uphostery webbing for napkin rings, but then defaulted to the tried and true bakery twine.  To finish it all off, Gus and I collected some beautiful bittersweet (invasive, I know, but I didn't plant it).  

And here's the calm, awaiting the storm of family, friends and joy:

salvaged bottles

tea light holders - only newly purchased item 

on the table - couldn't resist

croquet mallets turned candlesticks