I've been invited to set the tablescape for our annual friends' Christmas Dinner. The host has a gorgeous house that looks like an authentic cabin,  yet is in Southern California. Below are pictures of his party last year.

The dining room is adjacent to the living room.

The tablescape I'm considering rests on a fur blanket I love. I want it to be different, cabin-like, and woodsy. Do you think the faux fur is too strange? 

Here are some mock-up pictures. LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK.  Too odd?  Too much?

Giselle napkin rings or plain brown?

Black plates are in the dishwasher in this picture. The coasters hold the wine glasses steady. The rattan chargers half on the blanket and half off will have little feet holding the non-blanket side level. Hope that makes sense.

I haven't linked up with the wonderful bloggers on Between Naps on the Porch for a loooong time, so I hope I'm doing it correctly.

Please give me feedback!  Thanks, CJ

Alternative Below White tablecloth, fur runner. Thoughts?

Thoughts?

New Friends Christmas Gathering

Moving to a new area and making new friends (while keeping the old) takes time and courage. Yet, we prevailed and recently hosted 19 new friends to celebrate Christmas.

To serve chili and soup, I use simple white dishes from Home Goods purchased years ago and new large soup mugs from the Dollar Store.  Tartan Plaid Napkins from Amazon, Water glasses purchased in 2011, and silver soup spoons and butter knives inherited from my lovely mother-in-love.