My grandmother often gathered her friends over for a meal and for fellowship. Over the years, I heard many stories of their conversations and the time they spent together. Shortly before she passed away, I was invited to come sit at this table, too. She had her china set out and her fancy, green antique chairs were being used. It was inviting. It was obvious she put time into setting that table, but what lingers most in my heart is the warmth I felt gathered there. The welcoming feeling. The laughter. The stories. The overlapping of generations that spoke to me. No matter our age-90 or 30-we were all just women. Women who need to talk, to listen, to share our stories and struggles, to know we are not alone. We all need a place where we can be vulnerable, where someone understands. A place to have both the tough conversations and to laugh those belly laughs. Gathering. Community. Building fellowship. We are called to it. And we are called to share the table with Jesus as well. As I share various tablescapes each month, it is my hope that you not only remember that Jesus has a place at His table for you, but there is a place at the table right here with me too! If you have a prayer need, or a subject to tackle-I'd love to know! May this place be a warm, inviting one. May this be a place to encourage you, not only in faith, but to reach out in hospitality to those around you. To have a place waiting for family, friends, and strangers alike. To make a place at the table to share love, friendship, and the light of Jesus with those around you. Especially those who might not have a place at any other table than the one you and Jesus invite them too! Come take a seat here at this table month after month! Come take a seat at the table.... Break bread over a meal, over some coffee... With Jesus, with a friend -new or old, with a group of friends, with loved ones, with your spouse, with your neighbors, with your children. Come to the table... Have those intimate, vulnerable conversations, reach out to grab another's hand and say, "I have been there. I understand", pass down stories to future generations, let others know they are loved and they are welcome. Come sit at the table. There is a chair waiting for you... Check out below, a winter tablescape that brings a little warmth into this blustery season! This winter, at least here in Wisconsin, has been blistery, snowy, icy, freezing cold, and even rainy. And while every winter is a little different here, one thing always can be counted on-some dark, dreary days. Those days can be hard for me. Maybe they are for you too? I have found that there are two things that help me during this time. Gathering with friends and creating some warm inviting decor with candles and a few things that reflect the wintery season. So keep scrolling and I will share how I set up this winter tablescape! (Please note: I am not an affiliate for any of the places I mention in this post, just sharing where I got some of the pieces from in case you are wondering.) These wood chargers are so versatile. My daughter actually got them for me for my birthday this year. She knew I had been wanting them for years. I would probably use them with each tablescape if I didn't need some variety once and awhile. They bring a warm, earthy element to just about every tablescape! And just in case you are wondering...they came from World Market. I like to switch things up a little sometimes. For this tablescape I decided to use to different style/color napkins. I orginally was just going to use the silver, but something about mixing it up, when I placed both the white and the silver napkins on the table, spoke to me. This is also a great idea if you are having a larger group of people over and don't have enough matching napkins- use two different styles to add some dimension and no one will ever know why! The silver napkins I got on clearance last Christmas at Target (do I have any Target lovers here?) and the white napkins I got on clearance (for $1.50!) at Pier 1 (Pier 1 lovers can raise your hands with me here). The bigger white plates are just my day to day dinner plates, but the smaller white plates with the gold rim and raised snowflakes? I got those from Goodwill. I had been eyeing them up, and we they went on clearance for $.75, well, I couldn't pass that up! They fit perfectly into this tablescape. These snowflake napkin rings are really one of my favorite winter table decor. I have had them for a few years (another treasure from Pier 1) and the way they capture the light is just stunning! I like to mix up drinkware as well! For this tablescape, because I wanted to highlight both silver and gold, I used silver and gold drinkware. I like to use what I have to make totally new settings. Both the gold and sliver drinkware were ones I had for several years (from Target). I used gold silverware to add a little more gold to the tablescape. When Christmas is over, I like to use some of the more neutral decor as my winter decor. Like these white trees (from world market) and these green trees with the burlap. And yes, I keep a few smaller trees (with no ornaments) lit with white lights through the month of February. This helps me on those dreary days! I love candles. If you follow me on Instagram, which if you don't already-just click the button below, then you probably know that I have a lot of candles and light them often. These metallic candlesticks from World Market truly are my favorite! You might be able to tell because they are burned down quite a bit from usage.... This house lantern just seemed to fit as the center of this tablescape. I grabbed it from somewhere else in the house, but it has found a new home here on the table. Found it at Walmart! Last but not least is the blanket. It adds warmth to the bench and I feel is so inviting, not to mention it matched perfectly with the table decor. I grabbed it out of my blanket bin. I rarely buy anything at full price, and this blanket is another World Market product that I waited for over a year to go on sale. It finally did! Whether it is an inviting tablescape, a delicious meal, or just a cup of coffee, I hope, this winter (and always), you stay warm, gather often, be the light of Christ, and love others well! Join me again "At The Table", for more tablescapes, and encouragement in faith and building relationships! Blessings,
Elizabeth
20 Comments
2/11/2019 06:30:01 pm
I loved this post. Beautiful table with a beautiful story. We have our church family over for fellowship dinner every Sunday. As much as I would love to, a tablescape would be lovely, but there's not enough room, cost or storage available. But I would love it!
Reply
Thanks, Wendy! I love that you invite your church family over! Tablescapes are a creative outlet for me, but you certainly don't need one to show hospitality. All you really need is a heart for the Lord, a warm smile and a welcoming attitude, which I can see you already have all those things! Blessings!
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2/15/2019 05:28:57 am
This is such a beautiful reminder of how we are called to community and fellowship! The table is stunning! I wish I was this aesthetically inclined! Lol!
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2/15/2019 10:34:34 am
I think some people are gifted in hospitality and their home just chants you're welcome here. I love your story and the decor touches
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Jessica Brodie
2/15/2019 01:47:47 pm
What a lovely blog!! You have created such a welcoming place (much like your grandmother's table!!). Thank you!
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2/17/2019 08:57:24 am
The tablescape is beautiful! Wish I had some of your design taste. Thanks for the reminder that we should build community and fellowship.
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2/17/2019 02:17:11 pm
What a beautiful setting! I used to love setting the tables for the formal dinners they had at my former boss' church. They were SO gorgeous. It's fun, especially at Christmastime! Thank you for sharing this with us!
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2/17/2019 02:31:43 pm
Beautiful photos! I love the tablescape ideas. I also like the mphasis on "Gathering. Community. Building fellowship" I think this is too often neglected with our busy lives. Community is so wonderful.
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2/17/2019 10:08:07 pm
Gorgeous place settings & decor!
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Meet ElizabethWife. Mother. Writer. Photographer. Child of God. Encouraging others in faith through a lens of grace and seeing beauty in the ashes. All images and content belong to me (Blue Jean Gypsy), unless otherwise noted. You may use an image ONLY if it is linked back to this blog! Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
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April 2020
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