Happy Thanksgiving week! Are your kids home from school this week? College? Will you be having house guests for Thanksgiving? Will you be cooking the “bird” or going traveling? If you're hosting, is your dining room ready? I know time is tight for many of you, so let’s keep this one short.
As with other weeks, start high and work your way down – a quick sweep of the ceiling corners, and some spritz and wipe on the dining room light fixture. Get all the furniture polished and any glass inserts cleaned. Then give the floor a good sweep / damp mop / vacuum, depending on your finish.
If this is your everyday place to eat your meals, you may want to forgo some of this until later in the week; if not, my recommendation is to get started. Make sure your table configuration is the right size for your group. Go ahead and add the table leaf inserts and break out the folding chairs. Make sure all are wiped down, fully dusted, and cob-web free, especially if they've been in storage. Then check your tablecloth. Is it pressed or does it need to be tumbled in the dryer? Add it to the table, then arrange your centerpiece and get it placed. Me? I've got a table runner down the middle and an autumn pillar candle in a hurricane.
If you're hosting, consider pulling your serving pieces, so they’re good to go. I like to put a Post-it Note or slip of paper in each, identifying what will go in it, so I know I’ve got all of my dishes handy on Thanksgiving. That practice is also helpful if your DSis or Aunt comes in to help you with plating and serving -- they can see at a glance what bowl or platter to use.
Consider setting the table, as well – or at least pulling out the plates, etc. and having them ready to make each place setting. Allow time in the schedule to polish any silver you'll be using. While your pieces are out of the hutch, wipe down the shelves. Also, double-check your serving spoons, meat fork, and other pieces so they are ready for use, perhaps even setting them with the bowl or platter for which they'll be used. If you’re using any stemware, check for any water marks or smudges since they were last used. It’s amazing how much dust and stale air can get inside a cabinet or hutch. And don't forget to make sure that the salt and pepper shakers are filled and on the table. Maybe even fill the sugar bowl and set it near your coffee maker. (TIP from DGMa's house: When making the first pot of coffee on a holiday morning, Gram would measure out coffee for two or three more pots and put each in a small snack container next to the coffee pot. Coffee for after dinner was pre-measured and she didn't have to fumble with the canister -- or let on what brand of coffee she used.)
Stand back and look around. Picture how beautiful your table will look, filled with the love of your family surrounding you.
From my house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
As with other weeks, start high and work your way down – a quick sweep of the ceiling corners, and some spritz and wipe on the dining room light fixture. Get all the furniture polished and any glass inserts cleaned. Then give the floor a good sweep / damp mop / vacuum, depending on your finish.
If this is your everyday place to eat your meals, you may want to forgo some of this until later in the week; if not, my recommendation is to get started. Make sure your table configuration is the right size for your group. Go ahead and add the table leaf inserts and break out the folding chairs. Make sure all are wiped down, fully dusted, and cob-web free, especially if they've been in storage. Then check your tablecloth. Is it pressed or does it need to be tumbled in the dryer? Add it to the table, then arrange your centerpiece and get it placed. Me? I've got a table runner down the middle and an autumn pillar candle in a hurricane.
If you're hosting, consider pulling your serving pieces, so they’re good to go. I like to put a Post-it Note or slip of paper in each, identifying what will go in it, so I know I’ve got all of my dishes handy on Thanksgiving. That practice is also helpful if your DSis or Aunt comes in to help you with plating and serving -- they can see at a glance what bowl or platter to use.
Consider setting the table, as well – or at least pulling out the plates, etc. and having them ready to make each place setting. Allow time in the schedule to polish any silver you'll be using. While your pieces are out of the hutch, wipe down the shelves. Also, double-check your serving spoons, meat fork, and other pieces so they are ready for use, perhaps even setting them with the bowl or platter for which they'll be used. If you’re using any stemware, check for any water marks or smudges since they were last used. It’s amazing how much dust and stale air can get inside a cabinet or hutch. And don't forget to make sure that the salt and pepper shakers are filled and on the table. Maybe even fill the sugar bowl and set it near your coffee maker. (TIP from DGMa's house: When making the first pot of coffee on a holiday morning, Gram would measure out coffee for two or three more pots and put each in a small snack container next to the coffee pot. Coffee for after dinner was pre-measured and she didn't have to fumble with the canister -- or let on what brand of coffee she used.)
Stand back and look around. Picture how beautiful your table will look, filled with the love of your family surrounding you.
From my house to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
