Hello friends!! I can’t believe that in just ONE day my book, The Gift of Gathering, releases!! A friend asked me over the weekend at a BBQ how it feels, and I told them it still feels very surreal, like it hasn’t hit yet, and on the other hand it feels a little raw, like I’m walking around with my heart on my sleeve, because this book baby I’ve been working on will now be out in the world for everyone to see, GULP! To celebrate the release of the book, I’ve asked some blogging friends to join me in celebrating, AND I have a special GIVEAWAY for one lucky winner to receive in today’s post!
Sounds fun right? Let’s pull up a seat at the table.
I’ve shared HERE about my love for tablescapes, and HERE how from that love for creating tablescapes, a dream was born, and from that dream birthed this BOOK!
I share in the intro of my book my story of the first time my husband and I hosted a dinner party. We were newlyweds, and I was bound and determined to make this the best dinner party our friends had ever been too. Like somehow our status as a married couple would be reflected on how well this dinner party went.
The only problem was, as newlyweds, we had no money to host this dinner party. Yet, that did not stop me from being crafty, making my own invitations, and being thrifty in buying sheer fabric by the yard to layer over a curtain I used as a table cloth because spending $30 on a brand new table cloth was money I could better use for the other elements of my table.
In 2005, I had begun creating what we now call tablescapes. A word I didn’t even know existed back then – and maybe it didn’t. What I knew is that I wanted to create a warm & inviting table for our friends to gather around for an elegant night in.
I learned so much in my efforts of scraping together that first Tablescape over fourteen years ago. I also learned that you don’t need to have much money to set an elegant table, and share a warm meal with the ones you love.
This scripture verse, shown below, has always been one I’ve held so near and dear to my heart. It is a reminder to me of how special gathering around the table can be, and the true heart of hospitality. We can make it as elaborate or simple as we want to, the important piece is that we gather with each other.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. ”
Acts 2:45
Of course I love to create tablescapes, and photograph them, which you will find all sorts of BRAND NEW inspiration for in the book. But it’s also filled with personal heart-felt stories, DIY’s, family recipe’s, uplifting scriptures, and encouragement for YOU!
We are also extending my Pre-Order gift to you!! It’s not too late to get your workbook with proof of purchase! Be sure to fill out the form below, this offer is only valid for the first 250 order.
Over the next TWO WEEKS, we will be celebrating the release of my book, and below is a list of friends who are joining me! They will be sharing their own gathering tips & ideas, as well as another chance to win my FAVORITE Tablescape Items below!!
Here is the schedule :
- Monday 9/30 – Bre @ Rooms FOR Rent blog
- Wednesday 10/2 – Traci @ Beneath My Heart
- Friday 10/4 – Melissa @ The Inspired Room
- Monday 10/7 – Lucy @ Craftberry Bush
- Thursday 10/10 – Karianne @ Thistlewood Farms
That’s right – one lucky winner will receive my hand-picked favorite essential items for you to use in your next gathering!
Inspired from the Summer Elegant gathering in the book you could win ~
- 4 piece setting of my favorite antique silverware from Anthropologie
- A marble cake stand
- TWO Weathered wood bread boards
- 4 blue goblets
- Set of 6 mercury glass votives
- 4 blue linen napkins
- Farmhouse pitcher
- 16 piece dinnerware set
I mean it when I say that these are my favorite hosting essentials! Be sure to visit each blogger on the day they are scheduled to share, for another chance to enter to win and GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveawayHere is the book launch tour schedule :
- Monday 9/30 – Bre @ Rooms FOR Rent blog
- Wednesday 10/2 – Traci @ Beneath My Heart
- Friday 10/4 – Melissa @ The Inspired Room
- Monday 10/7 – Lucy @ Craftberry Bush
- Thursday 10/10 – Karianne @ Thistlewood Farms
I will be updating everyone’s links as their blog posts go live, so feel free to come back to this post so you don’t miss visiting everyones post.
Posting next on Wednesday, is Traci from Beneath My Heart, who has such a welcoming home. If you aren’t familiar with Traci, her and her family just moved from Kentucky to Nashville Tennessee, and are in the process of renovating their new home! You can visit Traci’s blog HERE.
And to see more about the book, visit my NEW page all about the Book!
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PRE-ORDERED A COPY, THEN PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO GET YOUR SPECIAL PRE- ORDER GIFT FOR FREE!
Thanksgiving has always held the fondest memories for me. It was my holiday to host both sides of our family including our parents, our siblings and all of our children. It continued over a period of more than 30 years, watching our children grow to adults, married and starting their own families. And sadly losing some of the older members. By that point the family had spread miles apart and the yearly tradition stopped. But we all still have wonderful memories of those times!
Gathering around the table for Thanksgiving and going home for Christmas!
Beautiful!
I love your combinations in each table setting you post. They are beautiful.
Beautiful beautiful table! I will definitely pick up your book. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Beautiful!
What a lovely gift! So very generous! I’d enjoy using it in my home!
Your book looks lovely….can’t wait to hold it in my hands! I’ve done tablescapes for years so this book will be “right up my alley.” Gathering family around the table is a great privilege and something for which to be so thankful. Thank you for the giveaway.
Ohhh Thank you Leslie 🙂
I always have Christmas at my house and this past Christmas we went from 2 babies to 5! So much fun seeing 5 under the age of 3 all crawling around and having fun! This will be a favorite memory for years.
Oh my goodness Debbie, that sounds like SO much fun!!
One of my favorite gatherings took place in an unexpected snow storm when my husband was in seminary. No one was prepared or bought extra groceries. It dropped 21 inches in one night and we were stuck for days. All the neighbors went through their staples and brought what each had and we feasted and enjoyed sweet times of fellowship.
That sounds AMAZING Shannon!! Like what true gatherings are all about!! I love this story, and so glad you shared it with all of us 🙂
I have seen the book and it is beautiful. I have so many memories of gathering with my family growing up and now I see my daughters and their families creating the same!! Full circle !!
Congrats on your book!
What a nice giveaway!
Thank you Peggy!
We used to gather multiple times over the Nov/Dec months with friends to celebrate the holidays. Each gathering was low key but it was so fun to gather over and over!
gathering around the table for christmas
Congratulations on the book!
It looks beautiful!
As do your giveaway items!
OHH Thank you!!!
Congratulations!
Great bundle. Thanks for the chance.
My favorite gathering memory was visiting my parents families. They both come from very large farm families in Canada. So, not only were there a lot of relatives to visit but they all spoke French. Best way to learn a language in my opinion. 😉
“Tell us your favorite memory of gathering!” I always liked family Christmases visiting relatives in a small town when I was little! –This looks like a really elegant and interesting book!
I love to fix up the house for holidays and have people over, but my some of my favorite gatherings have been just having a couple friends over for dinner on a Friday night. It doesn’t take much for food or decor, but its always a special time!
Congrats on your book! This is a fabulous give-away.
OHH Thank you!!
It looks like a beautiful book! Congratulations!
My favorite Gatherings were on Christmas Eve. My aunt and uncle who did not have much would invite all of the local neighbors to join us and everybody would bring something to share.
Such a gorgeous book and giveaway opportunity!
Best of wishes with the launch of your book!
My favourite gatherings are definitely Christmas when everyone comes home.
My favorite gatherings were always at my in-laws house. My mother-in-law had a very small kitchen, but big and great foods were created there! The drop leaf table got set up and extended for 12 people, the good china and silverware came out, and the fun would commence.
As a family we would gather after Christmas Eve mass and be in the kitchen making cookies and talking and getting re-acquainted. I come from a large family and it was about the only time that all of us would be able to get together.
My favorite gathering memories have always been centered around Christmas Eve at my grandparents house! Their house was filled with lots of family, good food, presents and fun! As kids we would put on performances and Santa always made an appearance at some point. There was that one year where I got a lump of coal 😂 from my grandpa, but it was all in good fun!
What a beautiful book.
AWE, thank you Toni!!!
My favorite gathering memories would be getting together for holidays at my grandparents house. They had a very small house and there were a bunch of us so we would all sit in the living room to eat (all of the food would be on the kitchen table). My grandpa would go to the closet and start pulling out the tv trays. This was before the nice wood sets you can find now days; the were the metal kind that had the little plastic clips that would snap on to the legs. What I wouldn’t give to have another holiday like that.
It looks like a lovely book and a great help to inspire others!
Oh thank you so much Sondra!
My favorite gatherings were when my son was small and we lived close to my parents and my husband’s mother. My Dad always liked to cook the turkey and they would come to our house every Thanksgiving.
Precious memories now.
LOVED any gathering at my Oma’s house. She set a beautiful table, and taught me proper table setting. She was also very strict about table manners. No elbows on the table!
Love a beautiful tablescape, but love the thought of friends and family gathering for the love…from food, fellowship & fun being together! Can not wait to receive your book!
My favorite gathering was for my sister in law. She was about to have her second baby and was feeling a little down and didn’t really want to have a baby shower. She wanted to have more intimate time with close friends before the baby came and felt like a baby shower was going to be mentally and physically exhausting and not very deep. Instead, we threw an intimate dinner party to celebrate her with just a handful of her closest friends! It was my favorite event I’ve ever planned. I loved everything from creating the menu, to decorating the table, and all of the fun little surprises we planned to make her feel special. It definitely showed me my love of hosting and creating spaces and opportunities for gathering !
My favorite gatherings were always at my grandparent’s house. It was fun at their house and the food was simple but delicious. Such precious memories!
Impromptu gatherings are my favorite and fun to just pull everything together on a whim with those we love!
My purpose for a thoughtful table scape is to show honor for my guest. I Have a small chalkboard and I look up a specific scripture of encouragement for my guest.
Congratulations on your book! I am looking forward to getting my copy! My favorite gatherings are when my family can be together (usually Christmas). It doesn’t happen often since we all live in different states currently. I just had my first baby a few months ago, so they will be coming to my house for Thanksgiving this year! It’s the first Thanksgiving in years that we will all be together. I am definitely looking forward to this gathering and celebrating the new life in our family (he’s the first grandchild, nephew and great-grandchild on my side of the family!)💙
My favorite was my first Friendsgiving after I moved away from home! All my new co-workers showed up and helped everything come together perfectly! I couldn’t have gotten through the move without them!
I am so excited for you and can’t wait to get your new book and take in all the wonderful ideas you have laid out! I love creating a welcoming table to seat my guests.
Thank you SO much!! I hope there are lots of new ideas and inspiration for you 🙂
Just ordered my copy on Amazon! Can’t wait to read all about your inspirations.
AWW Thank you Amanda!!!I hope you SO enjoy it!!
My favorite gatherings are casual, relaxed get togethers with family and friends with great food and a beautiful setting. I like entertaining to be planned but look like it was effortless.
My favorite memory is of family thanksgivings, everyone eating turkey at the table together.
Congratulations! All your beautiful, hard work has paid off!
Thank you SO much Paige!!
So happy for you, Bre! What a big step! I loved the dedication to your grandmother. I can’t wait to see the rest of the book. I’m freshly inspired to host dinner parties again 💗
Thank you SO much Nancy!!! Means the world to me 🙂
Congratulations on the new book I cannot wait to read it. I love having all my family together at my table. Two of my four kids have moved out so having everyone home is a gift to me. I look forward to using your book to enhance our time together.
My favorite was our very large family gatherings- our family loves an occasion to eat! Good old fashioned home made food. Sigh.. I miss those days. Congratulations on your book!
I love setting the table for any family dinner? Wether it be just our small family dinner or dinner with the whole extended family. It just makes me feel like home. My mother also believed in setting a table so I guess she just instilled that in me.
I love hosting family dinners at my home. Can’t wait to get your book to help me make these gatherings even more special.
Not one family member missed holiday meals at my Grammy’s! She was a wonderful cook. She would put the turkey in those huge turkey
roaster, that were used in the early 60’s. Her kitchen was so small, she had to roast it on the back porch! The smell was heavenly.
The book photos look amazing! I live in CT, looking forward to getting your book, and learning!
OHH Thank you so much!!! Feels so surreal to have it out in the world!
I love your style, simple and elegant. I ‘m a blue fan and the picture on your front cover is outstanding. I will try to replicate it (I need to buy some blue glass… or maybe I will be lucky with your give away… 😊) All the best for your book
gisella
OHH Thank you SO much Gisella!!! I am such a blue fan too, and so glad it resonates with you as well 🙂
Looking forward to the book, beautiful photos!
Thank you !!
Congratulations! Ijust started following you and love your beautiful tables
Ohh Thank you Lori!! Welcome!! So glad you are here 😉
Congratulations!! I have been a HUGE fan/blog reader/Instagram stalker for many, many years! I am so excited and can’t wait to delve right into it!
AHHH Thank you SO much Tina!!! Seriously I love hearing that!! It means so much to me, and to know you’ve been here for such long time 🙂 You encourage me to keep going 🙂
Absolutely beautiful Bre, the book, the dedication…all of it! My favorite gatherings were always holidays spent at my grandmas with the whole family. Good people, HUGE laughs and amazing food (she could COOK)! As much as I miss those times I’m pretty fond of the new memories with my kiddos! Thanks for the opportunity! 😊
OHHH Thank you !!! I really just wanted the entire book to feel like one BIG gift 🙂 Thank you so much!
Congratulations! I can not wait to purchase your book! Your book dedication to your grandmother is so touching. You are very blessed to have had a grandma like her. My sister and I’s Motto is that our tables have to be pretty so can’t wait to learn more from you!
OHHH Thank you SO much Priscilla!!! I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful grandmother and role model in my life!!
Congratulations on your book! It looks perfectly lovely!
I always love family dinner when we’re all together. These days, I sometimes feel like there is no more special occasion than being together with everyone sincegetting older and going their own ways!
I love the scripture that inspired you. Can’t wait to see the real thing!
OHHH Thank you!!! It truly iss the inspiration for all my gatherings!
Congratulations, Bre! Looking forward for a chance to read your book!! Family gatherings are the best! Love the love and laughter and memories made!! ❤️
It looks like a wonderful book!
You have a true gift, Bre! The table on the cover of your book its soooo beautiful. Congratulations!
Can’t wait for this Saturday at PurpleRoseHome and being able to meet you. I’m a new follower and seeing who you dedicated your book was so sweet because I had an amazing relationship with my grandmother who also was the hostess of the mostess and loved a good dinner party and just all the family gatherings.
Love I also Love entertainingabd yrs have been a very creative fragile Table Designer forever. Congrats on the Book !
I am so excited for you. Your book looks amazing and I really teared up when you were reading your dedication to your grandmother. My mom was the best hostess and loved to entertain. She passed away a couple years ago, but I am attempting to fill her void by taking on some of her holiday entertaining traditions.
Congrats on the book! I cried like a baby at the dedication! Your Grammy is so proud! I just know it!
I’m so excited to see your book and display it for my guests to see and read. Your tribute to your grandmother is beautiful!!
I’m so excited for your book and can’t wait to meet you at the book signing on Saturday! I loved hearing how you dedicated the book to your grammy on IG stories! She sounds like she was a wonderful lady and inspiration! xoxo
Wow! Congratulations! These are such beautiful items you’ve chosen as well!
Beautiful and Excited for you!
What a wonderful prize! This would be perfect for first family Thanksgiving we are hosting. Thank you for the opportunity . Ps. Can hardly wait for the book!
Bre, I’m so excited to get my hand on your book! It looks just beautiful! Thanks for all your support and for being so inspiring.
I loved the holidays at my grandparents house when my grandma was alive. She had the prettiest hutch, silver, and plates. And she knew how to set a table nicely, unlike me. Lol.
That’s so awesome!! Sounds just like my grandmothers house growing up 🙂
My favorite gatherings around the table are the last minute family dinners where we just all get in the kitchen and make it happen.
Can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I live in MA and would love to come to one of your book signings! I hope I can!
OHH It would be SO great to meet you!!! I hope you can too 🙂 I’m so excited for the Purple Rose Home event this Saturday 10/5 from 4-6pm. It’s going to be so much fun!! Thank you again for your sweet words!!