Psalm 86:12
“I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.”
Those Were The Days, my friend!
Much as I don’t like reading manuals, graphics or schematics, I am so grateful and thankful that technology has moved us into the 21st Century.
We have come a long way baby!
If you worked in an office atmosphere, I’m sure you have noted the progress that has been made.
Perhaps you remember the hustle and bustle of answering the phone, maybe typing from dictation (dictaphone machine?)
First, I never used a dictaphone nor did any of my offices have a telephone or typewriter of this vintage.
I am thankful we have progressed to all the automated office equipment that we have these days although, I don’t understand some of the new fangled operational items.
It was all I could understand when we went with CRT machines and then big monitor computers and push button telephones that allowed teleconferences and then remote conferences.
A few people may remember the crank phones, then rotary phones, then push button phones and finally cell phones.
Actually, the first cell phone was introduced in 1984; and the first smart phone by IBM was 10 years later in 1994.
As bloggers we would be lost without computers and IPads, but did you know that the first laptop computer was introduced in 1982.
I am very thankful for all the progression we have made even though I have had to ask my grandchildren how to work a certain feature on my IPhone each time there is an upgrade.
That is why this tablescape speaks to me in so many ways.
This is the time of year when we reflect on our many blessings and what we are thankful for.
We should be thankful every day but this is the season most of us tend to think more about it.
I am thankful we don’t have to use this antiquated office equipment (you will see vintage items on my table)…and that technology moves on.
Now the table.
I started with a black and white plaid tablecloth!
First the centerpiece is an old, old typewriter…granted, I never used one of these but I did learn to type on an IBM typewriter.
This vintage typewriter has seen better days.
I have had it stored in the garage and it has been banged around a bit.
I relate to it because it is a lot like me…I am older and have been banged around a bit. 🙂
These days I am thankful and grateful for many things, in particular I have the convenience of using my laptop rather than an old typewriter.
Also on the table is a rotary stick telephone and I confess that when I was in first grade, we did have a phone just like this one for about a year before we advanced to a rotary phone with the receiver in a cradle on top of the phone.
AND then we moved to a very rural area.
We had a crank phone on the wall in the kitchen.
Our little town was very slow in getting rotary or push button phones.
I have stated in a previous post that I was a telephone operator in high school qnd worked the switchboard. By the time I was a senior, the telephone company was updated and connected to the nearest big city which was 13 miles away. (I remember piles and piles of old wall phones in the storage room of the telephone office)
These days I’m thankful for my IPhone, which has so many bells and whistles that I probably will never know what they all do, but I am thankful I can get through to family and friends with just a click of the button….or the sound of my voice.
On the table…On the other side of the typewriter is a green desk lamp.
This was also used in many offices, but not on any desk I ever had.
In later years, I worked in an office atmosphere, and we did not have desk lamps.
We had those overhead, harsh neon lights that from time to time blinked on an off.
I am so very thankful we now have progressed to softer lighting and LED light bulbs in our Lamps… which last much longer than their predecessors.
Moving on to the place settings, we see a black charger plate topped with a white dinner plate which has a Bible scripture written in black along the edge of the plate.
Each plate has a different verse.
Thanksgiving gives us a time to reflect.
Sitting on top of the dinner plate is the salad plate.
The black and white rim features the New York City skyline, which has always been the epitome of office workers everywhere.
The sites shown are the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, The Chrysler Building, CityCorp, Grand Central Station, The Flat Iron Building, The Freedom Tower and The Woolworth Building.
I am thankful for the many days spent in an office atmosphere conversing with colleagues and making my days feel productive.
I think we need that.
Were all my days perfect and without incident?
Hardly, but as I look back, there were far more good days than disagreeable days and I am grateful for the learning experience.
Finally on the salad plate, the oval dessert plate has the ‘typewritten’ words “eat”, “devour”, “yum”, and “enjoy” …also typed in black.
I love these words as they make me think about Thanksgiving.
I love all the planning, prep and of course the eating of all the traditional favorites and maybe a few new dishes which I sometimes add to the feast.
I love family and friends sitting around the table, eating and sharing thoughts and plans for the future.
And yes, we reminisce too….and talk about ‘the good ole’ days’ whether they were good or not.
I couldn’t resist these little typewriter name card holders when I saw them a few months ago online at an Etsy shop.
They sit to the upper left of each place setting.
The clear handled flatware I have had for many years, in fact I don’t remember where I found them.
I thought they looked a bit retro.
I finished off the table with black and white plaid napkins matching the table cloth and I added a black napkin.
I like pairing them together.
The black water glasses were from the dollar store several years ago and I believe they still have them.
I have used them in many tablescapes.
The salt and pepper shakers are supposed to be little black bulls.
After all, the busy stock market in NewYorkCity is supposed to be “bullish” right?
However they look more like little pigs or bears. LOL
I am also thankful for my fellow bloggers and in particular Rita who continues to challenge us as well as organize the blogging world of hopping as we know it.
We are a very fortunate group for sure.
I hope you enjoyed my non-traditional Thanksgiving table setting.
One doesn’t normally see a black and white Thanksgiving table.
And what? No sighting of a turkey?
Let’s go back and look at the table again.
Do you see the little gold turkeys sitting on top of and behind… etc?
Yep! It is turkey day for sure.
Blessings to all, and HappyThanksgiving.
Psalm 100:
“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and Bless His Name.”
Kari, I was surprised and curious when I started this blog post, but delighted where my curiosity took me. Your table was fascinating, and I loved the winding trail you took us on. Beautiful and incredibly creative job!
thanks Pat for dropping by…unfortunately (or fortunately), I speak from my heart and have been told that I write just as I speak…that my posts sound so much like sitting with me and having a conversation. My table may not look like a traditional Thanksgiving table but I am so grateful for all my blessings…health and tech stuff. Happy Thanksgiving.
I remember all the phones you mentioned. Most of the time I enjoy this new technology. But when it goes sideways ;(
I like the way you worked in the blessings of living in this time.
Happy Thanksgiving
hugs,
Rachelle
thanks for stopping by Rachelle….new things and much needed new ways to understand. LOL Happy Thanksgiving
Kari! Cute table! We used to have an old typewriter just like that, it brings back great memories- my mom would use it all the time!! I have a love/hate relationship with technology! I am trying to keep up with it! But honestly I hand the remote controls to my 6 year old grandson when I am babysitting at their house because I can’t figure them out!!
You have created a real twist on Thanksgiving- I love all the black and white. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving🧡🦃🍗
Thanks Ann for stopping by…have you noticed that as we age, we get a bit more nostalgic? I used to tease my mother about that and now I have remembering “the good ole’ days” myself. Happy Thanksgiving my friend.
Kari, what an unusual and inspired table setting! Like Pam I learned how to type in 8th grade, and have fond (?) memories of pecking away at an old-school machine in class. Your table is so fun, I love the scripture plates, the black and white colors highlighted by a little touch of gold. Most of all, your post today is a great reminder to be thankful in all things! Thank you. Wishing you a very happy season of Thanksgiving! xo Lidy
Thank you Lidy…this table is a bit off the “norm” but there are so many things to be thankful for that we sometimes take the obvious things for granted. I know I sure do. Thank you for your kind words. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Hello dear Kari❤️ Your posts always make me smile. I love the table you have set for thanksgiving. I hope the Lord lets you set the banquet table in the Kingdom. Thank you for sharing your joy. May we always be thankful for our many blessings. Remember that Jesus loves you and so do I!✝️💞🙌
Marge thank you for stopping by…each day, in the early morning hours …at first light…I thank my Lord and Savior for giving me yet another day to tell His story. Are you going away for Thanksgiving?
Really creative and meaningful tablescape for Thanksgiving! I am loving the black and white and all the dishes. Love love it all!
Great to be blog hopping with you.
Karin
Thank you Karin….we sometimes take our every day living for granted and maybe find it difficult to find something to be thankful for, but all we have to do is just look around us. .. Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
Oh, I just LOVE the Scripture plates! I love that they are simple and there is nothing competing with the Scriptures. You set a lovely table! God bless you this Thanksgiving season! 🙂
Cheryl I think we all need to be reminded of His faithfulness and the scripture plates bring it all front and center. Hebrews 13:8 NIV Thanks for stopping by and Blessings Always
Kari, what a creative post and tablescape. I remember typing class and shorthand class in high school. I worked at a bank in my younger days and remember using a typewriter daily. Your tablescape is so fun, and I love the plates with scripture. I hope that you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks Shannon for stopping by and our progress in not only technology but everything…ie; medicine and travel… over the last few years has been astounding. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Kari, your table is lovely with the scriptures on the plates and your typewriter , old phone as a centerpiece. The typewriter name place cards are darling. A very powerful post to convey the meaning of thankfulness.
Technology has come a long way. I appreciate viewing your lovely table. I am so glad you can join all of us. Blessings.
Thanks Linda…we have come a log way and it is a good thing. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Kari, how unique and enjoyable. I loved your entire posting and story about many things we often do not stop and think about. I am glad and welcome hearing it since it surely makes up a great deal of my own world too, especially since you emphasize the advances of communication and for that I am also grateful. Considering my children live so far away, the advances in communication technology has allowed me to stay in touch with them. I am truly blessed to have children who do their best to stay close even though we are many miles apart. I appreciate social media, email, text messages and video chats. I lived in the time of typewriters too and wall phones with party lines. Your lovely table has brought back so many memories and growing up experiences. But all of the advances made me realize the goodness and blessings of having it all in my life. I love the phone and green lamp and the adorable typewriter place card holders. They are perfect!!!! The gold turkey is so special too. Enjoy all of your memories and all of the wonderful use and challenges of modern communication and, most of all, the holiday with family and friends.
Thank you Marsha for your kind words. We have come so far and I am so thankful for each and every day as well as all the technology. Living in Florida and our kids in Kansas…Face time has been a treasure. I can still be a part of their lives and watch their growth even though I can’t physically hug them. Thanks for stopping by my friend. Hugs
Kari, sorry to be so late to your blog, but yesterday was a busy day. We voted and the lines were extremely long, and then we went to our TWA retiree luncheon and after that the election kept us occupied.
I loved your blog even though the black and white theme was untraditional. lol I learned to type on an old Underwood typewriter, and we had a wall phone as a kid (a party line) where everyone on the line could listen in. Probably one reason I couldn’t wait to get out of that town. Everyone knew everything about your family.
Kari, the scriptures on your plates are wonderful and ones that I learned as a kid in our church.
God will keep you healthy. Bless you, Kari.
Sandy
Sandy my friend, I understand a busy Tuesday….we were busy too, voting, errand running, and out to dinner with friends. So glad you dropped by and I hope you know that I always count you as a special friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Ron.
What an unexpected take on a Thanksgiving table. It is so clever and you remind us to be thankful for change. My home never had a rotary stick phone but I do remember sharing a party line. I particularly liked how you incorporated the salad plates and the salt and pepper shaker into your theme.
And how about freshman, Gradey Dick the other night?
I think I really dated myself or the technology has been fast moving. LOL
Oh Jan, I was so surprised (and happy) that Grady Dick stepped right up literally and did almost all on defense and offense. Last night’s game (Thursday) he did ok. but had a few misses. All in all I think the Jayhawks have a pretty extensive bench..which has been lacking for the last few years. (However we won it all in spite of that last year 2021-2022.) Yay!! I Can’t understand why we are only ranked 5th this season,…although Bill says as long as it is in the top 25, it is ok. And once we get the bullseye on our backs “they” really come after us. Thanks for stopping by my friend…RCJH!!!!!
Such a clever post and table Kari! We have my hubby’s grandfather’s Underwood typewriter that sits on a bookcase. I can’t imagine how tiring it must have been to type on it as you had to pound the keys and there is nothing to support your wrists. I can remember typing on a IBM Selectric typewriter back in the 80s using copious amounts of “white-out” correction fluid. 😊 As always it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. ♥
Thank you Mary…you are right, no support at all for one’s wrist…maybe that is why some suffered carpal tunnel, and I was one of them. Thanks for reminding me about white-out, I went through bottle after bottle…thick and thin. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Your written words, your table art, and God’s word; great trinity.
Thank you Tara…my faith is at the top of everything I do. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
What a clever table! Your typewriter and old phone are perfect with your black and white color pallet. I loved your scripture plates. Being thankful for our blessings is so important not only this season but everyday!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Right Nancy…I try to find at least 3 things each day that I am thankful for and my day-timer is running over with gratitudes. :). Have a great and wonderful Thanksgiving my friend.
You are so creative, Kari! This is a delightful post. I wish I had saved my mother’s old typewriter.She was a legal secretary in the late 40s and 5os. I learned to type on a little newer but still pretty old manual typewriter. It had a carriage you hit to go to the next line. I still value learning to type as being the most beneficial class I took in school. I took two years. My husband did not take typing and it is amazing how well he types with very poor form.Is it called hunting and pecking? I am tired since I got up this morning to see the eclipse of the moon or I would look it up.( before 4am) LOL!
You are still an inspiration for me.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Blessings to you and your entire family.
Bonnie you are so kind. thank you my friend. I remember there were no letter markings on the school typewriters where I learned to type…but I must have been sick when we learned where the numbers were as I sometimes do the ‘hunt and peck’ to find them AND the characters above them. LOL Blessings always and Happy Thanksgiving.
Kari, I love the scripture plates. I haven’t seen those before but a local shop has carried a beautiful set of scripture dishware. What a lovely way to share God’s Word!
I learned to type in the 8th grade on a manual typewriter. There were two electric typewriters in the class and I soon won a seat at one of those. I have my Dad’s 1930’s Underwood typewriter. I enjoyed your post, you are an excellent writer and you are fascinating with a story line. The black and white table may not be traditional, but it is most creative! Wishing you a most wonderful season of Thanksgiving, my friend!
Thank you Pam…and I do remember seeing your dad’s typewriter in the Sunshine Cottage and I do believe it is in far better condition than mine….and certainly you have far better memories. Thank you for your kind comments…I treasure you my friend. Happy Thanksgiving
Kari, I enjoyed the trip down Memory Lane. My very first job in college was as switchboard operator for an industrial company. It was a blast and I really enjoyed learning how to use a switchboard. It was an old technology still being used by the company. Also loved seeing the Fishes Eddy plates. I have a set of dinner plates that are a staple when I do black and white. Enjoyed hopping with you today.
Lynne
thanks Lynne and the salad plates are all I have…I think…from Fishes Eddy…of course with my forgetfulness these days…who knows what I may find packed away. Happy Thanksgiving
I enjoyed reading about all the things you’re thankful for. Your black and white scheme and typography plates are so unique. I love your vintage elements as a centerpiece, too! But most importantly, I appreciate your sharing scripture with us. I hope you have a very blessed Thanksgiving!
Thank you Ricky Jill, I would be remiss if I didn’t give my praise to our Lord and Savior. I know he brought me through my pancreatic cancer illness and continues to help me daily in my living as he has helped me for the last 50 years that I have been a Christian. Bless you and thank you for stopping by.
A great reminder. Yes we should appreciate all the progress that has made life easier, although coming off replacing a dying laptop with the latest and greatest I’m a bit vexed about the whole idea of progress, lol. When I was in 8th grade my aunt gave me a typewriter much like the one you have that her company was replacing with ‘modern’ manual typewriters. I struggled with it for a year before my parents took pity on me and got me a portable one. I had managed to forget that whole experience, lol.
So glad you finally got updated in your typewriters, these old vintage ones are such a hoot. Didn’t mean to bring back bad memories for you, thank you my dear friend for stopping by. Hugs and blessings
Oh my gosh Kari! We sometimes forget to be thankful for all the little changes over time that have made our lives so much easier! What a fun take on a Thanksgiving table. My mom had one of those very same typewriters when I was growing up and I would have great fun tapping away on it! That is until I got the ribbon all knotted up somehow and then it was off limits! Completely enjoyed reading your story and seeing how your table came together!
thanks Maureen, I am so thankful for so many of the modern conveniences…remember the Maytag wringer washing machines? I always had to help mom with the laundry and I was afraid I would get my fingers in the wringer as I “fed” the washed clothes… as mom handed them to me… into the two rinse water tubs. When I read that you got the typewriter ribbon knotted up, it made me think of mom’s washing machine. Ha Ha thanks for stopping by my friend.
Kari, I love your creative Thanksgiving table and you KNOW I love vintage typewriters! The plates with the 23 Psalm verses are wonderful. Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you so much for stopping by, there is not a day goes by that I do not recite to myself the 23rd Psalm. It is so comforting and has blessed me for many years. Have a happy Thanksgiving
A most unconventional and surprising combination for a Thanksgiving tablescape, Kari! It goes to show that if the heart is in it, the message is conveyed. Your delivery of thankfulness to where we’ve come, even in our lifetime, is evident with your choices. Happy season of thanksgiving!
Thank you Rita, and thank you for hosting. You are a good friend both to me and to all the bloggers. We thank you for your dedication. Hugs and blessings always
Very creative Kari! Yes, we do have today’s technology to be grateful for! How fortunate we were during the Covid lock downs that we had our computers and telephones so we could communicate and work and teach from home, and how they simplify {and complicate 😂} our lives! So clever to make a centerpiece with your vintage typewriter and old fashioned phone and desk lamp and make it all work together with your black and white color scheme….you have shown us a whole new category of things to be thankful for!
As a picker and flipper of old manual typewriters, your tablescape speaks to me! Love it all.
Thank you Rhonda…I guess this post kinda dates me doesn’t it? LOL thanks for your kind comments. Blessings
Thank you Jenna, now if I could only paint and do artwork like you do I could add it to my vintage stuff. Hugs and blessings dear friend and thank you for stopping by. 🙂