Thanksgiving Recap

My Mom has it all, from the beautiful house to the mad cooking skills. As a result, Thanksgiving, like most holidays among our family, is a day where we just show up. Since I never seem to make much in the way of a culinary contribution, this year I tried to get creative and make festive pins for the women in the family. Also, at the last minute I decided to make some Spicy Pecan Pumpkin Bread for a morning after treat.

The table was a group effort, with my sister making the sugar cone cornucopias, I brought the pressed leaves and my Mom making the ice centerpiece.

My Grandma was able to join us again this year, which was a special treat. And the plates we ate off were the plates she has used for many many years at her cabin.

My family is a little camera shy, so this photos of us will have to suffice as evidence we were there and had a wonderful, festive time.

Happy Thanksgiving

Give "thanks"

For a quick last minute craft. Spell something out with wire and then wrap it up with yarn. I found my inspiration from here.

Family mottos

I have seen time and time again families adopt a theme or motto each year and then make special effort to focus on this idea all year long. Have any of you had success with pursuing such an endeavor? I think even though we do not have children, it would provide a great center of focus for us. I saw this phrase and not only loved it graphically, but loved the sentiment.

Whimsical Thanksgiving

Using items you might already have around your house like felt, scrapbook paper and a colored vase; you can easily create a festive tabletop in no time flat. Cut the felt into little leaf shapes, use your scrapbook paper as placemat and put a pressed leaf and twig into a colored vase. I was able to find these leaf bowls at Walmart for $1 a couple years ago and I already had the autumn plate from Pier One. A whimsical table setting without spending a lot.

 

Sources: Colored Vase, and Textured Glass

Modern Thanksgiving Table

Oftentimes when we think about Thanksgiving our thoughts turn toward the menu as opposed to table decor. Here you can see how relatively easy it is with a little planning to have your table scape reflect your personal style and taste.

Think outside the norm of gourds, turkeys and pilgrims.

Save money on flowers by collecting leaves from the yard instead. Press them a couple of days before hand to fill your vases.

Use items you have around the house for your table scape. This pumpkin from Glass Eye Studio added the perfect touch to the table.

If there is one occasion worthy of breaking out the good silverware, it would be Thanksgiving.

Add a little festive flair to your goblet, but wrapping a little colored thread around the stem.

Sources: Wish plate, Block Printed Napkin, Ceramic Egg Vase, Wood placemat, Classic Goblet.

Horn of plenty

Walking in a winter wonderland..... A mere five days ago there was two feet less of snow. We are loving all this cold weather and precipitation.

The whole time we were out it was snowing and then sticking to my wool hat and inside my hood. For some reason, I just hate wearing a hood when I am snowshoeing.

We know what kind of gear we like; it has to be stylish, affordable and highly functional. For the past two years, we have been digging Eddie Bauer's First Ascent line.

If you want to feel small and in utter awe, head up into the woods for a little snowshoeing.

This little beauty is awesome in the snow, its sister version also quite possibly saved my life.

Hiking transfers seamlessly into snowshoeing around here.

After a great time in the snow, it was off to my parent's home for some delicious food and good company.

The homemade ice centerpiece lets off a warm glow.

Runts in a sugar cone make for a delightful little cornucopia at each place setting.

We admit it, we are spoiled. We are always surrounded by beautiful scenery, people who love us and lots of delicious homemade food (thanks to my Mom) Although Thanksgiving is always extra special it is nice to know we do not have to wait another year for such a feast or festivities.

CJ flanked by the two most important and handsome men in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving

We try our best to give thanks all year long for our many blessings, but it is extra nice to have a day set aside for it too.

Thanksgiving 2009

The food was delicious and the company was delightful. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend too. We even were able to sneak in a little snowshoeing Thursday morning. Gotta work off that turkey!

"Give Thanks" dinner

In honor of celebrating the end to our thankful leaves I thought it would be fun to have a "Give Thanks" dinner. Cameron was quick to ask if that was not what Thanksgiving was for, but in my opinion you can never be too thankful or have too many good meals. Our meal consisted of salad with apples, feta and pistachios and Spicy Pork Loin with Acorn Squash. Basking over candlelight we each took turns reading the leaves and relishing in all we have to be thankful for this year.

Thanksgiving Inspiration

It has been blustery, rainy and downright cold lately, the perfect weather to stay inside bake a pie and search for inspiration on Martha Stewart. Just looking at these photos gets me excited for Thanksgiving. Here are some of my favorite table settings.