I love the picture you painted, Minta!!!
I am eager for Thanksgiving as well!
As to the white dishes - I don't know if you would like this or not but I have just collected dishes - regardless of any embossed pattern - in plain white over the years. Plates are usually found at the Dollar Store believe it or not! I've gotten them a KMart or Walmart too. Have a full set of 12 now.
I'm working on finding smaller white plates and have a few plain white platters and casserole type dishes now too. Found those at bargain stores, even IKEA. Even though it is sort of mix and match - when it's all white it just seems to "go" nicely!
Then you can play with your other table elements, runner or cloth, napkins, etc. and it all looks so nice!