flavor The art of dressing the turkey table

TRI-LAKES AREA — Visions of tables heavy laden with turkeys and all the fixings are dancing in your head just about now.

Hot Springs tablescape specialist Barbara Prowell Jones wants to remind you that a few embellishments to your holiday tables will enhance the overall mood of the day.

The end resu lt doesn’t have to be elaborate, either, as young 4H-ers from Malvern demonstrate napkin folding techniques.

“The turkey is the star of the show,” Jones said, “but how you present the meal adds to the festive nature, and it can be a lot of fun.” Jones creates one-of-a-kind place cards that further unite the theme.

“Make your table themed,” she said. “It’s easier for you, and it cuts down on the preparation time needed to stage the dining area. Consideration spent on the table and trimmings enable the décor to flow seamlessly.” Trendy touches don’t require a lot of money or time, she said.

“Each family is unique, and the height of high style for one family is not appropriate for another,” she explained.

Jones encourages families to celebrate their uniqueness by bringing family heirlooms to the table.

“Sometimes, I take photos, vases, music boxes, really, anything that holds significance to that family and elevate it to the dining table or buffet.

“I’ve even displayed a grandmother’s doll and had her holding a bouquet.”

The simplest way to approach decorating is to choose a variety of related colors to pull it all together, she said, “not matching, but related colors. That will bring a little life to your table.”

Jones is partial to natural items and incorporates them profusely in her line of stationery and paper goods.

“I’m inspired by nature, and I love baskets and leaves and fresh flowers. It’s fun to bring the outdoors in like sprinkling leaves on a runner or mirror, and you can absolutely use anything to cover your table. I like to use cloth swatches and sheets,” she said.

The younger set of 4-H members in Malvern recently learned how to fold napkins.

Emily Bell, 16, taught the class as part of the Hot Spring County Extension Clover College.

They started with the simple Candle napkin and moved on to the Cardinal’s Hat, the Pyramid napkin and the classic Goblet Fold.

“The children might need help with some of the napkin designs,” Bell said, “but even the youngest members of the family can make these. Plus, it makes them feel important to be a part of the preparations.”

Jones couldn’t agree more.

“Keep it as simple as you need for a low-stress holiday,” she said, “and remember to give thanks. That’s the important thing.”

Jones encourages clients to include a blessing ritual, in addition to the elocution of grace.

She makes up little cellophane bags with treats and passes around personalized cards so that the other guests write a blessing to that person on the card.

Each person goes home with multiple blessings and treats from dinner with the directions to open the bag when they need a lift in spirits.” A similar practice is the habit of putting strips of paper in a blessing bowl or basket so that each guest can write what they are thankful for.

“It is particularly touching if each person signs and dates his slip of paper. The following year, the strips of thanksgiving are re-read along with the current [ones],” Jones said.

Recipes for Napkins provided by Hot Spring County Extension.

Cardinal’s Hat Napkin Step 1: Fold napkin in half diagonally.

Step 2: Fold corners to meet at top point.

Step 3: Turn napkin over with points to the top and fold lower corner two-thirds of the way up.

Step 4: Fold back onto itself Step 5: Open base of fold and stand upright.

Goblet Fold Napkin Step 1: Fold napkin in half Step 2: Pleat from bottom to top.

Step 3: Turn napkin back one-third of the way on right (folded) end and place into goblet.

Step 4: Spread out pleats at top.

Pyramid Napkin Step 1: Fold napkin in half diagonally.

Step 2: Fold corners to meet at the top point.

Step 3: Turn napkin over and fold in half.

Step 4: Pick napkin up at center and stand on base of triangle.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 61 on 11/19/2009

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