Don’t judge me. I have no idea what a pheasant looks like. or it’s feathers. it could be like a peacock/penguin baby for all I know. just putting that out there.
My mom is a habitual tablesetter. And during my last visit, I got to see her latest creation. Here is a very pleasant tablesetting for autumn.
My mom’s amber glassware really shines in this setup, dontcha think? Also – there are two napkins…which personally I think is genius…because I am a ridiculously messy eater love the mix of textiles. yes. that’s why.
The centerpiece is what I like to call ‘stuff in a box’. Basically you take things that represent short (the candle and dish), medium (the Pier 1 bird plate) and tall (feathers from the craft store) and stuff it all in a box. The rest of the space is filled with spillers (tassels, faux leaves, and napkins) and then it continues onto the table.
It’s very messy-casual-chic. That’s also my hairstyle…minus the chic 🙂
Of course, this kind of setup isn’t for people who like the food served on the table…which is rare for us anyway. We usually keep the food in the kitchen and take our plates in there to serve ourselves buffet style (it works better than trying to pass hot dishes around the table with kids).
This is a really good example of monochromatic tablesetting…all the same wavelength, ya know? That’s the science nerd in me showing my love for the light spectrum. I love how it goes from yellow to gold to orange to red to burgundy to brown. It’s easy to do that for your table because you might not have a complete set of accent dishes that match the napkins perfectly…but mixing all the various hues can bring mismatched stuff together to make it look intentional and give it that ‘collected over time’ appeal.
So we went from Halloween yesterday to a very Thanksgiving-appropriate (pheasants are like turkeys, right?) post today. Can you tell I’d do anything to keep my brain away from the fact that I am now 8 days overdue?! EIGHT. I resorted to threats. If this baby doesn’t come out soon, I’m naming him Gertrude and singing to him in front of his classmates on his birthday….every birthday….in a bathing suit. ANYHOO.
Have you guys been working the monochromatic lately? Or maybe you just wanna tell me how great pheasants are? Or that you dig the double-the-napkins-double-the-fun-ction?
p.s. Bored? Check out these past amber/thanksgiving tablesettings to perk up your day 🙂
wow..your mom is really good at those!! digging the gold silverware! huh…does that make sense?
anyhoo..tonight at John and Sherry’s book signing in toronto…she yelled out to us ” katie bower has not given birth yet!” very cute!
good luck girly..hang in there.
haha…shes been texting to stay in touch even on the tour (I seriously don’t know how she does it all and still is such a great friend!) and I seriously hope that this week she’ll get good news about becoming an aunt!
xo – kb
Forget the bathing suit. Sing nekked. If that doesn’t scare the boy out…let me know. I’m sure I can come up with more horrible threats. Waiting stinks. As do all the well meaning questions. We are the proud adoptive parents of 4 children. By the time we got to the last child, I was SO sick of people asking me when the child was coming home, that I didn’t even tell anyone beyond immediate family that we were adopting again. Blatantly lied to people. In their face. At church. Of course, I didn’t have any physical signs our family was growing, so that helped.
Hope things progress the way you’d like ’em to. Right now. Right now would be lovely. He still has time to be born by midnight!
Hang in there! (as if you had any other choice…!)
I went 13 days over with this last baby…yes, THIRTEEN! I feel your pain. In the end it went great, a very fast labor (my dr. didn’t even make it to the hospital in time!). Hang in there! I have 3 kids and they were 11, 12, and 13 days over respectively. I know it seems like forever, but definitely within a week you’ll be holding that sweet baby!
🙂
I like the amber glassware in this table setting. So appropriate for fall!
Your mom’s tables are always so beautiful. She really has an eye for that, and I am guessing she is also an amazing hostess.
Godspeed on your delivery, Katie, whenever God brings the little one.
Since you missed your due date (my granddaughter’s birthday), my son’s is on the 16th (just kidding). I had those same glasses years ago and my mom still has and uses hers everyday.
Wow…it’s gorgeous. I especially love the amber glassware. Are those some of the same pieces used at your sister and BIL’s wedding?
8 days late?! Wow! My doctor wouldn’t let me go over a week… It’s frustrating, I know! Hang in there.
Okay, you’re right. Your mom is ridiculously talented with the table setting. Those beautiful amber glasses are making my heart go pitter patter. Any idea where she got them?
PS. I can’t wait for you to have your little one. 🙂 I’m living vicariously through you since I have another month and a half before mine will be here (Christmas day to be exact.. eek!)
I feel your pain girlfriend. Went 9 days over, then 6 days. By baby number three I switched docs and MADE HIM INDUCE ME ON MY DUEDATE. Hang in there.
Singing to him every year in your bathing suit is so hilarious — and at first I read “in my birthday suit” which is somehow even funnier thinking back that I thought that since you said it’d be in front of his classmates. Anyway I started reading your blog a few months ago and have never commented, but after waiting on the birth of your baby I went back to some older posts before you were pregnant and they gave me such hope. After having my second miscarriage I’ve been waiting, literally, all year to get pregnant with our third and have days where I definitely lose hope. It was so nice reading your post, and especially all the wonderful comments, of people who have gone through/are going through the same thing!
Anyway 8 days overdue … I can’t even imagine. Just wanted to say good luck and your post made me laugh and your story gave me hope!!!
Oh Katie! I feel for you sweetie. I was 11 days late with my first son and 8 days late with my second son. It sucks doesnt it? Hang in there girl!
I can see where you get your decorating genes from. Beautiful : )
Take care,
Shelley
The colors look so rich and cozy. What a beautiful setting! And the more napkins, the better. 🙂
He just loves it so much inside and that he doesn’t want to come out….haha….couldn’t resist. 🙂 Serisouly, I would have gone insane by now.
Love that gold silverware! Gorgeous!
I love the “stuff in a box” centerpiece! So smart…and using just the color theme items that you have around the house. Love it!
I’ve always wanted to do tablescapes, but a. always had the height problem (things I liked got in the way of people’s eyesight across the table), and b. Everyone always wanted food on the table, either for lack of counterspace or we’re too gluttonous to want to get up from the table for seconds. To get around the kid thing, usually the adult closest to the food gets plates and fills them with that particular dish. Hope you’re feeling as good as you can feel Katie. 🙂 I’m praying for you guys.
I love that table! My mom has this great Depression glass that she received as a wedding present from her grandmother (hoping to inherit it someday!) The table glass reminds me of it–just beautiful. In other news, I pray that your little man arrives very soon, and that you are able to rest during the waiting time…I’ve been in your shoes, and my only advice is to channel Tom and Donna from Parks and Rec…”Treat Yo-self!” (I chose daily Dairy Queen!)
Take care, and my prayers are with you, Sara
Hi Katie!
What a GREAT tablesetting! Your mom is really talented – I always love seeing her tablescapes on your blog. Such creative uses of everyday things!
I’m just starting my blog, and you, Sherry, and many others are my inspiration. Feel free to check it out sometime – I’m in Georgia too!
Good luck with the new little bambino too (soon!) – so exciting! Funny to have a gaggle of strangers rooting for you, isn’t it? But so uplifting at the same time!
Cheers – have a wonderful day!
-Elizabeth
Bahahahahah!!! Gertrude?!?! Sending contractions your way! Hang in there 🙁
Katie – love your blog. I was fourteen days late with my first and it was not fun! Just hang in there – late babies are typically healtheir and stronger (small consoluation when you feel like you’ll be pregnant F O R E V E R!).
I’m expecting my second boy in January and have lied to myself (and work) about my actual due date (by 2 weeks) so that I don’t get the ‘You’re still pregnant?!?’ comments again. It will just be the ‘ you look like you are about to pop!’ comments.
Love the table setting. Great way to keep your mind off things! Praying that this little one comes soon for your sanity’s sake!
~s
Goodness I love that woman’s tables! Seriously, she has a gift!
Thanks for sharing….I think today is the day Katie. You are going to have a baby today 🙂
As soon as I met her and got out of line I thought, “Oh my gosh I should have asked if Katie had the baby!!!” I think your friendship is so awesome, you two are both great!!!!
Eight?! You poor thing. I think an assault on the doctor is pretty well justified at this point. Or you could show up at the hospital and refuse to leave without your baby on the outside. Take a news photographer with you. They wouldn’t dare throw you out – imagine the headlines! I had an otherwise sane friend who tried to break her own water to get things moving. With the same tool they use in the hospital. A crochet hook. Sterilized of course. I did say she was otherwise sane. The things we go through for the little darlings! I think swimsuit birthday singing is completely just punishment, but you forgot to add the pictures and video of him arriving into the world to be playing on the school’s biggest screen along with every potty training and bath time pic you ever take.
I was a week overdue when I had my son, Beck, this summer. I told him he was going to be grounded a week for every day he was late. He can choose to take that grounding at any point. 🙂 However, he was forgiven the lateness when he began to sleep through the night at 2.5 weeks. I have heard that late babies are better sleepers. That is what I told myself everyday! Hang in there! Soon your life will be crazy-(er) 🙂
Hang in there Katie! My #2 kid was a week late too. We finally had to evict her because there was no more room. I’ll be seeing Sherry and John here in Houston on Thursday. Hopefully they will have a shout out for you that you are in labor/already had baby. BTW….totally jealous of your boys. I have three girls.
Good luck and best wishes!
Amanda
Lurve your mom’s tables. And your table settings, too!
Wanted to give you a heads up (OR DOWN…) the second delivery happens fast. I was induced, after being 12 days overdue, and it was fast. REALLY fast. Even after they stopped the contraction creating pitocin. So… I don’t know if any of your friends have warned you about #2 coming down like a freight train. I’ll be praying for you guys!
So, I know you don’t want advice. But I swear by evening primrose oil! It’s got a definite ick factor, but when you’re desperate… 🙂 Hang in there, mama. It’ll be over before you know it.
I checked instagram last night thinking for shizzle KB has popped. Sorry to hear it hasn’t happened yet. Maybe the country tune by Garth Brooks might help in this moment….. (signing to self) “some of God’s greatest gifts are UNanswered prayers”….
I just had my third baby 8 weeks ago. She was 6 days over due. Finally, when I had had enough of being pregnant, I downed a huge Slushie in about 2 minutes and went for a long walk. She was born 8 hours later. Just sayin’…. 🙂 Good luck!
I think he’s just waiting until my baby girl, Kealey, is ready to come out…you know, since I asked you like 7 months ago on FB if we could betroth our respective buns-in-the-oven to each other. Right? 😉 Clara gets Will, and Kealey gets baby boy #2. 🙂
She’s due on the 25th…but I sure hope little boy Bower doesn’t make you wait that long! lol.
Tell him it’s okay to come out before she does- because Kealey likes older men. haha.
But all kidding aside, I’m thinking of you, and wish you all the happiness in the world with the arrival of Will’s little bro, whenever that might be. <3
Hang in there Katie! By the way, you’re hilarious!!!!
Love the bird plate, I saw that in the store a while back. Was it Pier 1? You are a tough cookie. I would have been begging, pleading and crying for an induction 8 days ago. Not would have, DID. Several times. Good luck!
Totally read the last bit of that threat to your baby as singing in your “birthday suit” instead of a bathing suit. 🙂 Hope those creative threats work!
Hey Katie,
My midwife said that according to a newish harvard study, the average gestational time is 41w & 1 day. So she told me to take my due date and add 8 days and not start stressing until after that. So at least you are in good company. Hope you get to meet him soon!
Thinking about you every day (but not in a creepy way- I swear). My 2nd kid (son) was 10 days late and he has turned out to be the most chill, laid back little guy. Never in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything… Good luck to you.
What a gorgeous table setting! Centerpieces always confuse me — mine tend to be too enormous for conversation (but good for those of us who want to shovel mashed potatoes into our mouths without being observed), or sprawling and lame. I’m going to give this “box of stuff” approach a try. I love how eclectic it is!
Hey Katie! Just wanted to share some words of encouragement as you play the waiting game! You are awesome and I love following your (hilarious!) blog! I’m in awe of your awesomeness and your ability to keep a grin on your face!
Oh, I’m driving up to Minneapolis tomorrow night to see your BFF and her hubby!
Wishing you the best!
I love exclaimation marks! 🙂
Very pretty.
Cute that Sherdog yelled out that you still had not had your lil baby boy. I keep checking on you =)
haha…I heard! Not her of course…but that she did that 🙂
xo – kb
YAY! She’s awesome. It would take some serious effort not to fall in love 🙂
xo – kb
Let’s hope my little guy is that chill….not right now of course…but later 🙂
xo – kb
It was Pier 1…and yeah, I really really want to try a natural childbirth this time…fingers crossed for a VBAC…but in the end, I just want a healthy baby 🙂
xo – kb
So true!
xo – kb
Good to know.
xo – kb
I am totally jealous of the girls who have girls…oooo the accessories!
xo – kb
Oh I could definitely ask my doctor to move things along but I really want to have a natural childbirth. Don’t worry – there is light at the end of this tunnel (punny) 🙂
xo – kb
My last doctor planned to induce me with Will on day 7 and then labor started. I’m just so surprised that this time is even later!
xo – kb
She collected them from a bunch of places. Some were inherited. Some thrift store finds 🙂
xo – kb
Yup! My sister loved the collection so much she decided to incorporate it!
xo – kb
So encouraging!
xo – kb
haha…that sounds like something I would do 🙂 Lie blantantly.
xo – kb
Re natural birth: you go, girl! Did you read any of Ina May Gaskin’s stuff? It’s a little on the hokey-pokey side for me, but she makes some really interesting observations about how the mother’s emotions can affect the birth process. Short version: relaxing and feeling confident and capable make the birth go faster and easier! Those were really important things for me to remember both before and during my babies’ natural births. You’ve got this.
True story, my mother got tired of waiting and took castor oil one night and I was born 24 hours later!
lol…. I just had the thought what if in 20 years or so, Clara actually started dating baby bower 2?! Lots of women go for younger men! My fiance is 4 years younger than me. =)
haha…awkward!
xo – kb
Oy, and here I was all confident in the baby pool to pick an early due date. That’s what I get for being overly sure of myself. (If you want to blame me, I’m ok with that, just don’t hurt me please 🙂 ).
If it makes you feel any better- I was right on time, but mom was in labor for 28 hours (and she doesn’t let me forget it 25 years later), but my sister was five days late and only took about 8 hours. Plus you can totally milk the sympathy card for a few more days and blame the pregnancy hormones. My best friend refused to get out of her chair to get anything the last two weeks of pregnancy. Any time her husband would complain she’d tell him very clearly that if he would rather carry the baby around, bouncing on his bladder, for 10 months he was more than welcome to it,but in the meantime he could get his ‘dang’ self up and get her a glass of water. He stopped complaining very quickly.
haha…I need to start milking it. I’m pretty sure I would have my sympathy card laminated by now if I had one 🙂
xo – kb
Awwww… I noticed the post was 2 days old, so thought ” Katie has had her little boy”….. But not, after reading the comments…. all the best for the arrival of Baby Boy Bower #2
Yes, but at 18, 13, and 9…it is the All Drama Channel All.The.Time!
Your Mom has quite the eye. Hang in there. Been wondering, have you done a nursery or have I missed a post?
Nope. We haven’t even started. The kitchen ate into our nursery time but we did tackle a little prep for the sitting room that’s attached to our master bedroom…so we definitely feel ready for the first few months after Baby Bower arrives since we always planned on having him with us anyway!
xo – kb
What I would like to know is how having such a fancy table setting works for the little ones. Once upon a time, my mom did fancy glassware and dishes for holidays, but then the grandkids started breaking things. After a couple holidays in a row of casualties, she opted for more kid-friendly stuff where the little ones were sitting. Not as pretty, though we have a much less stressful meal without panicking over broken glass 🙂
I hope you get your VBAC, Katie. I was hoping for one with my second, but it just didn’t happen…I was one day shy of 42 weeks when the doctor sent me from her office to the hospital to get the baby out. Any more kids and they told me I’m pretty much locked into the C-route 🙁
We usually switch out the silverware for a more kid-friendly option and have an alternate plate for them…but in general the kids tend to steer clear of the fancy stuff since we don’t put them all together (they get rowdy in groups!)…or sit them by themselves all together.
xo – kb
Yup…that is a very real possibility for me too. I hope that I can do it but if I can’t, I feel very at peace about knowing that I did everything I could 🙂
xo – kb
Wow…this table looks really great! Everything looks like a page from a catalog, congartulations!
So I have a random Question for you 🙂
My cousin is collecting amber glass for her wedding centerpieces and while at Goodwill one day I found that exact glass you have as a drinking glass here on the table. Do you know what brand it is or can you find out?! No rush (since you just had your lovely baby and all) but I would love to know where we can find more if possible.
Thanks so much!
I don’t know but I’ll ask…I am sorry to say that my mom probably doesnt know either seeing as how most of her collection was used!
xo – kb