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Christmas in Connecticut — Homecoming Table


I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.  
The snow casts a quiet and pure spell, just what we need now.



Snowflakes are scattered all around inside my house.



I would like to see the woods and trees outside my windows also gently blanketed and the bushes tinged with a little frosty glow.

But not for a few more days!  Charlotte and Will fly in from Scotland on Saturday and clear skies would be greatly appreciated.



Dinner Saturday night will be at this cozy woodland table.  My two very first carolers will be there too.  And although my family tremendously enjoys imitating their poses and faces, I know these two would be missed if they failed to appear on the table!



I can’t wait. Did you ever need to really hug your kids?  
The table is ready for their homecoming dinner.



Dinner plates with four different woodland creatures top my favorite white chargers that look like snowflakes and add a bit of brightness.  No need for place cards — by looking at the animals each of us will know where to sit.



The wolf is Charlotte’s dish.  Since she was a little girl she has been fascinated by wolves and interested in their welfare.  One of her favorite childhood books was Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig.
It has a happy ending.




There MUST be an owl for Will.



His dish, however, is the Boar’s Head.


“The boar’s head, as I understand, is the rarest gift in all the land.”  
Do you know that Christmas carol?
The words are NOT 
“The boar’s head, as I understand, went to school in many lands.”
Sadly, this is the type of humor (?) you will find in my family.



Mr. Fun gets the Big Bear dish.



It is big and strong, and would like to be hibernating. 
Quite like Mr. Fun after a good meal.



And that leaves the deer for me.



I have been watching them from the window (staying away from the window that crushed my finger before Thanksgiving), hoping to see the large buck drop his antlers in my yard.  
Mr. Deer, you eat my plants.  
Please leave me your antlers in return!



Our family table would never be complete without a hedgehog.  Or two.


Other creatures and small candle trees are scattered on the table.



Some of the candles are lit, along with tea lights in brilliant red votives.  
This bark shaped pillar glows from the inside and is truly beautiful.



There are some candles, however, that I simply cannot bear to see melt.  The little animal candles were a Christmas gift to me from Will.  
Light them if you dare!!!


Peeking at us through the trees and candles is St. Nick himself.


My chalkware Big Santa knows if you’ve been
naughty or nice.



He’s part of a collection marching across my living room mantel, but he’s come over to dinner to remind me to check my list twice.



When Charlotte and Will were younger we left cookies and milk for Santa, but also left carrots and put deer food in the yard.  Of course, on Christmas morning there were reindeer footprints to be found in the snow or mud! 

This year we will be very happy to be all back together for the first time in four months.
  
Our celebration will include singing Christmas carols, a mix of Jingle Bells and Silent Night, Holly Jolly Christmas and The First Noel.


And of course,
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
and
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

Linda :)
joining
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30 thoughts on “Christmas in Connecticut — Homecoming Table

  1. Wow, What a spectacular tablescape! It is my favorite with the lovely majolica and the woodsy feeling. The tiny animal candles are so cute and perfect with your tablescape. I enjoyed reading about each person’s plate and why it was appropriate. Have a beautiful Holiday with your family and I hope they arrive safely for Christmas!

    Pam

  2. Having your loved ones home will be a marvelous gift. I can see your excitement in the fabulously set table. I am in totally love with those plates.. The arches, the animals. Who made them? Your centerpieces is lovely with the continuation of the animal theme and the beautiful candles. I wish you the merriest of Christmases with many blessings this season and the next year, too.

  3. This table is just enchanting! I adore those plates – with each knowing their own animal. I have never seen plates like these. I think the chargers are wonderful and they do look just like snowflakes. I find myself turning to them all the time. We had a dinner party tonight and my friend asked me to pick her up some if I ever see them again. You just have little ice crystals everywhere that make the whole scene sparkle. I can imagine all of these beautiful animals being thrilled to have been brought to your table. Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas too.

  4. This is definitely one of the sweetest posts, ever! What a wonderful tradition that you have with your family. All the details with the tiny animals and all of the other decorations are enchanting, as Jacqueline wrote. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

  5. Linda, your table is gorgeous. Woodland tablescapes are one of my most favorite scapes. I know you will enjoy it so much with your family gathered around. The plates are so beautiful! Merry Christmas!

  6. I love your woodland themed table, Linda, it’s one of my favorites. Those plates are fabulous. The little hedgehogs are just adorable!
    we got a little snow last night, but it will be gone before Christmas I am afraid…
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

  7. Linda, I love your wonderful woodland table. Your children will love it, too. You made me laugh about Mr. Deer leaving you his antlers since he eats your plants. That sounds like a more than fair trade to me. If he doesn’t cooperate, I found my shed antlers on eBay and they were very reasonably priced. Not sure how they are now, but hopefully still reasonable. I hope Mr. Deer leaves you his! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  8. I love your hunting scene dishes and the entire woodland tablescape…it’s gorgeous! The centerpiece is lovely and hedghogs are simply adorable! You cracked me up about Mr. Deer leaving your antlers..lol Everything is fab!
    You’re going to have a happy C’mas with your kids too and of course, many blessings! Thanks for your sweet visit, neighbor at Let’s Dish.
    FABBY

  9. Linda, I love the animal plates and nature theme for your Christmas table. It seems like you have many memories and happy times at your house. May you have a blessed Christmas with your loved ones.

  10. Hi, Linda!!! I LOVE THIS TABLE!!! What a great tablescape for the Christmas weekend!!! I love all the woodland animals and the fun carolers!!! The candles are really neat, too. I would love to have a few of those around here! After Charlotte and Will are safely on the ground, I will gladly send you all the snow you want. It blew in here last night with a vengeance!!! It is COLD out there now! I don’t think it’s going anywhere before Christmas. I hope that you and your family enjoy a very peaceful, safe and joyous Christmas. Take care!

  11. Linda~ Your woodland table is a thing of beauty and your dishes take my breath away! It’s magical with the candles lit and illuminating all the woodland creatures! I have some Valliancourt chalkware santas that I enjoy parading out on the table and bookshelves at Christmas!

    I know you’ll enjoy having everyone home for Christmas! Wishing you & your family a Joyous Holiday~ Merry Christmas!

  12. Wow what a great table! Love the woodland creatures and all the nice candles! Your plates are great- I’ve never seen those before. Don’t you just love those chargers from Pier 1- they are the best accent! I love the movie with Barbara Stanwyck called Christmas in Connecticut! I hope you get your snow. If the storm we are experiencing heads your way you will!
    Enjoy your family time with your kids- I am having mine home this year for the first time in a while!
    Merry Christmas!

  13. I think we all need to hug our kids after last Fri. When I saw my 5 gkids last Sat. I didn’t want to let them out of my arms.
    Enjoy your time with your family, I remember the homecoming times.
    Your table is beautiful, very warm and inviting!
    Hope your finger is better!
    Thanks for linking to Let’s Dish, and have a very Merry Christmas, Linda!

  14. Oh, my gosh! I would love to come home to this table! You’ve thought of everything! It’s not a good idea to alter traditions, especially at Christmas. I saw those silvery bark candles at Pottery Barn and debated whether or not to get them. Now I’m sorry I didn’t. I wonder if they still have them . . . I’m also doing a woodland theme for Christmas Eve, so your tables, as always, are a huge inspiration to me!

  15. What a gorgeous table Linda! I loooove the colors, the elegance but its so warm and beckons you to sit right down and stay awhile! I would love to know where you got the china, its gorgeous, great colors too! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all the best in 2013!

  16. What a wonderful outdoorsy table! I love the dinner plates with the forest animals on them. My daughter would LOVE to have the wolf plate, and I would want that beautiful deer plate! Thanks for sharing such a lovely setting.

  17. Oh Linda, your table is just spectacular & how wonderful that your kids will be able to join you around it. I hope they made it in before the snow!!

    Thank you so very much for your recent comment on my much neglected blog. You spurned me to come back online & start to post again. I’m very grateful for your kind words & for thinking of me.

    Happy New Year!!
    Hugs,
    Rett

  18. Beautiful Christmas table. Sorry I’m so late visiting, but glad I didn’t miss this one. Love those plates and that each one of you has your favorite. 😉

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