Fall Table Setting in Gray, White, Jute, Neutral – Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.
The weekend before last I returned to New Jersey.
And, yes, I can hear your moans and groans about New Jersey. The snarky “poor you.” And the “why would you?”
But can I defend my birth state for a minute here?
Sure, Jersey conjures images of the stinky New Jersey Turnpike. Or crime-addled Newark. Or those Jersey Shore folks from MTV (who, by the way, are not from New Jersey!)
But New Jersey actually has some really, really pretty parts.
Stop laughing!
Our adventure began at Newark Airport. It’s quadrupled in size since I last flew in/out of that airport. And stepping off the plane onto one of the new concourses was mind melding.
Seriously.
I thought we may have landed in Tokyo. Or Singapore.
The concourse was super, duper high tech. Tables with iPads at each and every seat replaced the traditional benches you typically see outside gates. The center of the concourse was a giant bar/restaurant with an iPad at each chair.
Did I mention it was mind melding?
You could use the iPads to order food. Or drinks. Or go online. Or shop. Or, or, or …
a hundred other things you could explore based on all the apps loaded on each one.
After we finally figured out (with some airport personnel assistance) how to find the rental car, we hit the road.
And it didn’t take long … as we headed north west to the destination of my niece’s wedding … for me to realize that New Jersey is actually pretty lush.
Lush!
Seriously, stop laughing!
Living in the Midwest for so many years I’ve become accustomed to everything being flat. But New Jersey? Well, at least the northwestern part of New Jersey is hilly. And lakey …
yes, I said lakey as in we were in a region with lake communities.
On the afternoon before the wedding, we joined my sister and her husband for at a lovely (and very Pinteresty) lakeside restaurant. The day was gorgeous. The views spectacular. Yes, the views in New Jersey were spectacular …
I can still hear you snicker …
and the wedding was beautiful. A Pinterest dream. At a remote historic site with multiple barn-esque structures for the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.
The bride was beautiful. The groom beamed. And my brother (the father of the bride) was filled with such pride and joy!
And me?
It was so wonderful to reconnect with my family — all together in a single space — after such a long time apart.
And it was wonderful to reconnect with my birth state and remember that New Jersey has some really beautiful parts.
Oh, and we actually caught some early fall foliage in those lakeside towns.
Beautiful!
You can stop laughing now. 🙂
Pin It!
You Might Also Like:
Linda it is gorgeous. Love those sweet little pumpkins too. Have a great week.
Kris
Isn’t New Jersey named The Garden State? I’ve never been, but surely there is a reason it was so named. I think we can find beauty everywhere – and in this day and age, trash, crime and ugliness anywhere also. I’m not laughing. I’m happy you had a great visit with your family.
You are entirely correct about NJ… there is some beautiful areas in the northwest region. What city were you in? My sister used to live in Sussex County. I LOVED being there!
It was 100 years ago; I was in high school. I spent a summer up there and enjoyed swimming and boating on the lake. We ice skated in the winter.
I grew up in Paramus, NJ, but this wedding was in the Stanhope area. It’s not a place I had ever visited before but it’s a lake community and there were some really spectacular sites!
We have beauty all around us if we just open our eyes and take note of the beauty that surrounds us.
Thank you for defending New Jersey. I live in Jersey and we have MANY beautiful spots. We have lakes and ski resorts and beautiful beaches but we always get a bad rap. It’s mainly due to the ugly NJ Turnpike.
Hi Linda!
Your table setting is beautiful! I love those little twine pumpkins. They have been on my to-do list, and I finally got around to picking up some twine a couple of days ago. When we left the coast of Virginia and moved inland, we were happy to find that the area we moved to has a couple of lake communities. We have learned to really enjoy the lake life and can pick which ever one we’re in the mood to go to. We also have the rolling hills – I love those too! Thanks so much for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
>>> Kim
Love the jute pumpkins!
Linda you crack me up! 🙂 I’ve only been to New Jersey once, long ago, and I thought it was lovely. There – I wasn’t laughing at all! (Until you told me to stop laughing… !) And your table is gorgeous! I love the neutrals. Your little jute pumpkins are darling too! Thanks for the tablescape inspiration, the lovely family story, and the dose of humor this afternoon! ❤️
We live next door to NJ in PA and it’s not such a bad place. It’s got the shore (which we call beach), and like you said mountains and lakes. It can be a pretty place. You just need to know where to go!
Lovely table setting, Linda. Happy October!
Hi Linda!
I’m stopping back by to tell you you’re one of my features for this week’s Homestyle Gathering party. Thanks so much for sharing!
>>> Kim
Really cute and simple. Love your ideas. Saw your post on the homestoriesatoz link party. Thanks for sharing!
Years ago right after my older brother graduated college he walked the entire Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. We’re talking some rustic walking…..but you know what he told me and I shall NEVER forget it? He said the most beautiful unspoil rustic wooded places on the entire 2000 mile trail was in rural New Jersey. I was like “Wait, what????” Yes, ma’am – who knew, right? So I too shall defend your birth state. I am not a fan of Newark, but by golly I hear you have some gorgeous rural areas.
As for your tablescape – it’s my favorite that I have seen this entire season – it’s so perfect and fresh and calm and gorgeous. Well done. : – )