How to Thanksgiving Table Ideas

A couple of months ago I came to the realization that….

….I have this mildly annoying habit.

I hum to myself.

All. The. Time.

I mean….of course….I don’t think it’s annoying at all.

But I’m me.  I’m the hummer, not the one being inadvertently hummed at and I never even notice that I’m doing it.

Do you have a habit like that?  One minute you’re decorating a table and the next minute you’re humming all the verses and the chorus from “Let It Go” from Frozen….

….and you never even noticed you hummed a note.

Thanksgiving Table Decor

I never know what I’m going to be humming next.

A song just pops into my head.  Like Katy Perry:

“I got the eye of a tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire.

“Cause I am a champion

And you’re gonna hear me roar

‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

‘Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar.

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

Oh oh oh oh oh oh

You’re gonna hear me roar.”

An anthem for the ages.

Thanksgiving Table Ideas DIYOr sometimes it’s the Brady Bunch:

“Till the one day when the lady met this fellow

And they knew it was much more than a hunch.

And this group must somehow form a family

That’s the way we all became the Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch

That’s the way we became the Brady Bunch”

Thanksgiving Table Ideas

My humming playlist includes Amazing Grace, Journey, Toby Mac, George Strait….random Christmas carols from Scotty McCreery and that new song off the Coke Commercial…

…”When I am with you there’s no place I’d rather be.”

I can’t help it.

When I’m happy or busy or making something or concentrating or thinking….I hum.

Which is 97.99% of the time.

Simple Thanksgiving Table Ideas

The other day I was putting together this table in the kitchen for this post.

It was one of those perfect days.

You know.

When the sun is shining through the windows and it’s just a little bit crisp and cool and you have to pull out a sweater and make a cup of hot chocolate and watch the leaves falling right outside your window.

And you want to pinch yourself because you are so happy.

Thanksgiving Table Ideas Linens

I was having so much fun creating the table decorations.

I started with a vase filled with leaves and wood slices and tiny pinecones and then filled the base of the wire centerpiece with dried hydrangea.

I pulled out stacks of blue and white dishes (total aside:  I think that blue and white is making a comeback) and laid out crisp white monogrammed linens and pine cones and an embroidered burlap table runner.

Thanksgiving Table Decor Ideas

I stacked the pumpkins in giant urns next to the shutters and added a pop of blue and white to the chairs.

Then I stood back….and hummed to myself and tweaked it just a little more by adding a few birds and a measuring cup….

….and then I was done.

Thanksgiving Table Ideas Centerpieces

I stood there silently….staring at the table and watching the sunbeams dance across the almost hundred year old floors….when all of a sudden….

….I heard it.

Humming. 

And it wasn’t coming from me.

I turned around and watched as one of the twins walked by carrying an armful of tulle and craft paint and rolls of freezer paper…

…humming to herself as she walked through the kitchen.

The next generation of hummers had arrived.

I literally laughed out loud at the passing of the baton….and thought to myself….

….“You go little hummer girl.” 🙂

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Comments

  1. Image for Pam Clark Pam Clark

    I'm a teacher and the hummers drive me CRAZY!! I have been know to stop mid-sentence to ask, loudly, WHO'S HUMMING?? LOL

  2. Image for Kelly - Talk of the House Kelly - Talk of the House

    I'm with Pam. I do the same thing with my students. My husband is a whistler...and his daddy is as well. I guess the baton was passed down to my husband (and yes, when I am needing to concentrate on something, I do ask him to puh-leeze stop whistling.)

  3. Image for Mimi - 247 Mulberry Lane Mimi - 247 Mulberry Lane

    I can sympathize, KariAnne, because I tend to "talkmur" (complicated technical term meaning that I unconsciously alternate between talking and murmuring at the most inopportune times when I'm deep in thought). I, of course, don't notice it, but it does tend to be somewhat disturbing to fellow shoppers at Walmart or students in my classroom. ;-)

  4. Image for Marlene Marlene

    I seem to always get a tune in my mind and then wear it out. Like its the only song ever! Anyway...love the pillows, store bought or custom made. Such beautiful fabric.

  5. Image for Becky Becky

    Karianne, I'm home sick today and you just made me laugh out loud! You are so cute. Of course I Love all your great decorating ideas too. Maybe a little humming today will help me feel better. Thanks for the smiles.

  6. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    I love you baaaaaaaby, and if it's quite all right I need you baaaaaaaby to warm the lonely night . . . . I sing -- I have been known to belt out a song right in the middle of all this quiet :-) Humming is good as well as talking to oneself. I've had some very good debates. And have you ever had an annoying song play early in the day and you just can't get rid of the darn thing. It keeps playing again and again in your head. I even start singing it and I don't like it. . . . and then another song comes along and takes its place. Do you think a psychiatrist would make something out of that??????

  7. Image for Amy W. Amy W.

    I Love Hummers! It's A Sign Of A Truly Joyful Heart! I sometimes hum....however, mostly, I awake each day with tunes in my head! This mornings number was.... from the hit movie "The Sound Of Music"....... "You are Sixteen, Going on Seventeen!" Where my brain get's these I have not the clue! Anyways, loved reading your post this morning and wishing you a hummed filled tune of a day! Take care!

  8. Image for GAIL GAIL

    I like your site, I really do. But I swear I would visit just to read read your stories. Thank you so much for sharing!

  9. Image for Julie Blanner Julie Blanner

    Beautiful, as always! You've never heard "Single Ladies" until you've heard the Chipmunks sing it. We listen to a lot of Kidz Bop radio & I can't get any of them out of my head!

  10. Image for Shelley @ Calypso in the Country Shelley @ Calypso in the Country

    Cute story and beautiful table. I love blue and white and have added more and more of it to my house lately. My 8 year old whistles whenever he is working on something. Doesn't even realize he does it, but he's a happy kid so I let him do it all he wants...it drives his brother nuts though. Shelley

  11. Image for Sylvia Marie Sylvia Marie

    I'd much rather hear humming,than swearing any day, its a happy tune,so for the downers ,ease up on the happy souls!

  12. Image for Nancy M Nancy M

    I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I can hum with the best of them! Calms the soul even it does annoy other people...

  13. Image for Patsy kitts Patsy kitts

    Love reading your stories. Always brings a smile to my face and I just know we could be best friends if we met in person! My experience is that "hummers" are joyful people!!! Love that little measuring cup. Where did you find it?

  14. Image for Breanna Breanna

    Your table is gorgeous!! I love all the color and natural elements. And I'm a whistler. I find myself even whistling to the tune of the microwave when it goes off haha. So fun to be part of this blog hop with you!

  15. Image for Nancy Sharp Nancy Sharp

    Your humming suits you perfectly. Your blog shows you are a happy person and happy people hum or sing! Throughout my life, that's how I knew if my mom was suffering a bout of depression that plagued her all her life. If she was singing she was happy. Now in full dementia she sings often.

  16. Image for Linda @ It All Started With Paint Linda @ It All Started With Paint

    I hope your blue & white prediction comes true, especially since my house is all about the blue & white these days! Who knew I was on the cutting edge? Ha! And I'm not allowed to hum. Because I can't carry a tune and my family heckles me. Sometimes they even try to get me to hum, just for their own amusement ... :) Linda

  17. Image for Stephanie Brown Stephanie Brown

    Oh my now I know We are sisters of the heart! I drive everyone crazy with my humming and have no idea I am humming! Thank you for starting my day off with smile. Oh I do so live blue and white!!! My favorite but going to Use my moms wheat dishes for first dinner in new home.

  18. Image for Vicki Vicki

    Make a joyful noise - I love it! I usually hum whatever i heard on Sunday at church - and don't know all the words to - otherwise I would sing it all! I used to have a radio in my office at work - i truly miss it.

  19. Image for Barbara Barbara

    Lately my hum (actually I sing when no one is around-except my granddaughter:)) is Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens....!

  20. Image for Regena Fickes Regena Fickes

    Hello. My name is Regena and I am a Hummer! I have been known to receive startled glances from strangers ins grocery stores, WalMart, Target, Ross, Goodwill!! I am also a talkmur,(head hanging in shame, with tongue in cheek) waiting for the men in the white coats! Always been this way. Think it must be genetic.

  21. Image for Becky Becky

    I am a whistler which annoys my adult children, but oh well. I love your table runner. Did you make it or purchase it?

  22. Image for Cindy Brown Cindy Brown

    I don't hum but I do talk to myself waaaaaaay too much! And I catch myself doing it in stores OUT LOUD! Oh, and thanks, KariAnne, for putting the Brady Bunch song into my head for the day!! heehee

  23. Image for Jane Jane

    This is so festive and pretty, KariAnne! I get all "hummy and happy" when I'm doing a tablescape. You just get so focused on that one small space and you realize it's like your are nine years old again and playing "house!! Love hearing how your kids follow in your steps, I bet your little darling was off to start her own fall project! Jane xx

  24. Image for Peggy Zortman Peggy Zortman

    Laughing! It drives my family crazy! But when I am happiest, I hum. Can't sing, hoping that I get a tune up for that in heaven, so I hum. I love music. You have a great humming list!

  25. Image for Nancy Carr Nancy Carr

    Glad to see I am not the only one who hums. I realized years ago that when I hum I am in a state of joy, and I feel you are in that state of joy so much, too. I have even been washing dishes and humming. It is just part of me and joy is a blessing just like you are to us.

  26. Image for Nancy Carr Nancy Carr

    We all want to know where you got the burlap with white table runner on your Thanksgiving table. Thank you.

    1. Image for Thistle Wood Thistle Wood

      Nancy, I got it here from a local store that doesn't sell it online. :( I did find something similar here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/15434015/Tan-and-Aqua-Quatrefoil-Trellis-Custom-Table-Runner-contemporary-table-linens Hope this helps! karianne

  27. Image for Kathy Kathy

    I loved reading about you humming and having a perfect day!! Your pictures, styling, and vignettes are stunning. I hum all of the time, or just sing made up melodies (although I'm sure that's influenced by 28 yrs of playing the piano!) Sometimes I catch myself singing a classical theme and mixing it into classic rock. Or Cole Porter. I LOVE Cole Porter. Oh, and I am so glad Blue and White dishes are making a comeback. I love using my grandmother's blue danube china. :)

  28. Image for Karen Karen

    I love to sing...off key and butchering the lyrics too! My kids tell me that I have a song for everything cause sometimes I'll just bust out with a song to suit the occasion. I love your stories KariAnne, I get so caught up reading them and smiling and nodding that I have to go back when I'm done and look at your beautiful decor about ten times. Your table is beautiful.

  29. Image for kathryn kathryn

    Again, I so enjoyed your sweet tale! In our family we would consider a "humming child" the recipient of the "humming gene". A blessing to the ones who inherited the gene, (but maybe not to those who don't have it but must listen to others who do, you know the person who is not the morning person in the family, I think every family probably has at least one). The humming reminds me of how some people who shall remain nameless, make those happy moans when they eat something divine? Like they just can't help it, don't even realize they are doing it, but everyone knows what it means, sensory bliss!

  30. Image for david david

    I talk to myself. In public. Usually I'm having an imaginary argument with someone (and I'm always right!). It's not good. Your humming sounds charming. Although now I have all those songs stuck in my head. The table looks awesome......now if I can just wrangle an invitation to the dinner.........

  31. Image for Kelly Kelly

    You're style is impeccable, friend! I'm more of a singer, but add a little tune to just about anything and the moment seems a bit sweeter. Miss you!! xo

  32. Image for kayden kayden

    Karianne, so glad I'm not the only one. I hum (most) all the time. Something just gets stuck in my head and I'm off running . . . I mean humming. Doesn't matter where I am; I'm not even aware that I'm doing it. But some (most) of the people that are forced to be around me are very aware of it and remind and nudge me to knock it off. I'm an ICU nurse and I had an elderly gentleman in my care one day and he commented on my humming. I apologized and he said, "Oh no, I love it. It reminds me of my late wife. Every day when I came home from work or in from my workshop, I was greeted by the sound of her lovely humming." This patient was suffering from depression and failure to thrive, but talking about his wife immediately elevated his spirits. I love remembering that story. Carry on, Karianne. You never know who mind need to hear your voice. Kayden

  33. Image for NormaJean NormaJean

    Thanks, Karianne! Now I have the Brady Bunch stuck in my head and I can't get it out! BTW, the table is perfect.

  34. Image for Tina Tina

    Not only do I hum, I recently watched les miserable, I cried uncontrollably during it and for a solid half hour afterwards . I then put all the songs on my phone and when I'm not listening to them and crying, I'm humming them!! Lol! Love your blog!!

  35. Image for Havok Havok

    I'm not a hummer, but my husband is a tapper. Sitting on the couch and he's just slightly bored...he taps is leg and/or foot and it's obnoxious. He doesn't realize he's doing it, but I make him stop anyway. Its hard enough to get comfortable on our crap couch, let alone with him jostling it about! I'm not without my faults, though, I'm always either messing with my hair or skin...can't help it!! And when did blue and white go away?! I've always thought that to be a stylish combination!

    1. Image for Kris Kris

      So is my hubby! It's really bad when he wakes up in the middle of the night and feels the need to vibrate his legs to fall asleep again ... I'm with you on blue and white--it's a classic, you can never go wrong, especially if you throw in a little yellow ... I'm a singer. Especially now that my kids are getting older and it embarrasses them.

  36. Image for shirley shirley

    KariAnne, love your blog! I have a feeling that last week, I wasn't too far from you. You see I was born and raised in Western Ky. I now live in Mississippi. And we went back home to visit my sisters and brother. Nothing is as beautiful as traveling the little roads of Ky in autumn. Had lunch at Patty's so good! Again, I really enjoy your blog.

  37. Image for Celeste Celeste

    My annoying habit that I'm not aware of is I leave the final word off of a sentence. I get side-tracked and I figure people usually know what that final word is anyway. I don't even realize I've done it until I hear "Mom! finish the sentence." It actually is funny because I don't even remember what I was saying. So, it's good to hear I'm not the only one with an annoying...

    1. Image for Thistle Wood Thistle Wood

      Sally, I got it here from a local store that doesn’t sell it online. :( I did find something similar here: https://www.houzz.com/photos/15434015/Tan-and-Aqua-Quatrefoil-Trellis-Custom-Table-Runner-contemporary-table-linens Hope this helps! karianne

  38. Image for Cheryl @ Artzzle Cheryl @ Artzzle

    I'm a dancing whistler. My Hubs CANNOT STAND my whistling (I didn't say I was an accomplished whistler)! So it's my private little thing to do I don't think I'm that bad :) Beautiful post. I've been busy with wedding stuff but am done now, so guess I better get going with Thanksgiving stuff.

  39. Image for Marie Marie

    I adore everything about this. So many beautiful accents! I 'm a whistler and I know I drive everyone around me crazy! My two kiddos are definitely hummers. :)

  40. Image for Mimi Matthews Passionista At Large Mimi Matthews Passionista At Large

    I hum in public restrooms....like my mama .... who passed the baton. One time when I was about 16 we entered a restroom at different times, not knowing the other was in there. Heard each other humming and cracked up. "Mama, you in here?" "Yep, I knew that was you!" lol

  41. Image for Jo Jo

    I hum. I always said I have a song in my heart. That's why I hum. I can't keep it in. However, almost four years ago, my husband, my love, my soul-mate for sure, passed away. I didn't hum for a long time. The song in my heart was no more. But gradually it came back, and now, I hum all the time. I think hummers are happy.

  42. Image for Terri Terri

    well... ONCE AGAIN.... Your post just cracks me up!! I need a tissue... At our house: My grand-daughter will NOT stop singing the same song.. Let It Go... I feel like saying (sweetly of course.. 'cause she is only 6) PLEASE LET IT GO!! LOLOL.... but of course I don't and she continues to sing while she visits.... :)

  43. Image for Bethanie Bethanie

    hey friend, I believe I spy some white birch coasters! Granted, they aren't the burlap table runner, which is awesome, but I love that you used them on your table!

  44. Image for Mah Mah

    I LOVE hummers! My mother was a hummer and oh, how I miss hearing her humming. When I was a kid, if I had a bad day at school, I couldn't wait to get home and hear her humming. Of course you made me cry again. Love you Karianne

  45. Image for Michele Michele

    I don't hum out loud but I do sing in my head. Love the measuring cup. Can you let me know where it came form? HUMHUMHUM...

  46. Image for Judy Judy

    Hi KariAnne, I just had to leave a note on this one. I am a hummer and I hum proudly, although there are certain people in my family that think that I shouldn't. I, too, passed it on to my son. As a little boy he would sit at the kitchen table, eating his cereal and reading AND humming at the box. Your table is just beautiful and I love all the items together making it shine..Happy Tuesday..Judy

  47. Image for Susan Spinney Susan Spinney

    oh boy...humming must be in the genes...I definitely am a hummer. and if I'm not humming I am singing these odd songs that my dad used to listen to .... Love this blog! Susie

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