It’s Friday! The weekend is here and that means it’s time for an “Inspiring Home” idea.
As I’ve been planning ahead to the holidays, I keep thinking this one word over and over again –
Simplify.
Now, if there is one thing I love to do, (but don’t always have all the time in the world to do), is decorate our home. Or as Rip calls it, “Baby, you’ve been froo-frooing.”
But in the past year or so, the decorating has become so much more simplified. Not so much “trinky-trinks” sitting about, and wanting more of a warm, tidy, clean yet still beautiful home. That also got me thinking about the holidays this year and what place settings I’d like to create.
For me, I keep going back to nature. You never can go wrong with nature, right? God gets it right with every fading leaf, every evergreen, and in all the colors of autumn. His handiwork far exceeds Hobby Lobby’s 50% stems, (although I do love me some Hobby Lobby fake flowers from time to time!) But with all the acres of land here, the trees, the shrubs and all the winter grasses, it all gives me plenty of inspiration.
So, here are 10 very beautiful and simple place setting ideas that are obviously super inexpensive and still so elegant and fun for the family and guests!
If you like color, this is just a warm sight to see! Plus, how simple? Instead of the word gather, you could write the persons name that you’ve created that little place setting for.
So so simple, but still so so elegant. A nice neutral linen napkin with a sprig of autumn and a couple of decorative acorns makes the perfect place card holder! Y’all, I love this one!! But for Rip, I’d need a way bigger plate!!
Nice bright white plate and napkin with touches of black gingham and that vintage silverware is just beautiful together!
Greenery and candles! That is always a no-fail gorgeous way of decorating a dining table. But the place setting is just as beautiful and so simple.
This is just too darlin’! Simple. Fun! Pretty!
Now, this is not only one of the most simple place settings, but I think that is why I love it so much….not much, but what they’ve used all works so softly together.
Now here’s a unique idea…place the dinner roll in a napkin and type up the menu for your guests. How fun is that? It’s not something I’d normally think of doing, but for a holiday meal with family, it’s just an extra warm touch.
Who doesn’t love sitting down to a place setting only to find a nice little happy right in front of you! Here they have homemade jared pickles as part of the place setting. I have no clue how to make pickles, but I could do apple butter.
Here’s the recipe I use – from mybakingaddiction.com!
6 1/2 pounds apples – peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the apples in a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg cloves and salt. Pour the mixture over the apples and mix well.
Cook in slow cooker on low for about 10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and dark brown.
Uncover, stir in vanilla and continue cooking uncovered on low for about 2 hours.
Use an immersion blender to puree the apple butter until smooth.
Spoon the mixture into sterile containers, cover and refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze.
Serve on breads, muffins, pork chops or just eat it with a spoon.
Clean. That is what Rip said when I showed him this photo. It’s a clean simple look and the place settings are just that soft touch of ‘we prepared for you.’
Here’s one last idea that is a little more involved, but y’all, look at that cute paper sack! The menu is written on the front and the breadstick is just peeking out the top! That is cuteness in a bag, friend!! Cuteness in a bag!!
Have fun planning for your holiday table and most importantly, pray for everyone who God will send to your home.
Prayer is the best way to prepare your home for the holidays.
Love you dearly,
Lisa
