Dare to... Entertain!

This week's theme at the Dare to Do It Yourself Blog Party at The Newly Woodwards is Dare to Entertain! Brian and I L-O-V-E having people into our home. Whether it's for a Sunday School party, a football game, or people simply coming over to have dinner or hang out, we are ALL over it. But I must admit, I am still struggling to create a fun and original look for my dining room table. I am excited about this week's tour so I can get lots of great ideas!

About a week ago we had some friends over for a Thanksgiving potluck dinner and Auburn football.

I started with a brown table cloth (Home Goods) then insisted on using burlap because it is so cute and so darn cheap! I also threw on an old runner from Home Goods. We pulled out the fine china and crystal for the 4th time ever. We didn't actually need the salad plates, but the setting looked funny without it.

For the center piece I used a bowl my mom gave me. Randomly cool story, but my GMIL* had this bowl in her house when my MIL was growing up. My mom bought one at an antique store and used it at my bridesmaids luncheon. My MIL commented on it and how her mom had one. My mom found one for her and for me, so my GMIL, MIL, mom, and I all have one. Love it.

ANYWAY- I put coffee beans in the bowl, then threw in a fall toned candle (Home Goods). I surrounded it with tea lights and pumpkins. I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out, only wished I had something more dramatically elegant for the center piece.

Hopefully that will come with time- and with looking at everyone else's center pieces!

Have a wonderful week my friends! Happy Thanksgiving!

*Grandmother In-Law