Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, 

but the parent of all the others.

                                                           -Cicero

While today's celebrations began as a result of thankfulness to God for surviving in a new land, I would say that the heart of the matter today is about an attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude for the lot in life we've been given, for the family we have, for the food on our plates, the roof over our heads, the food in our bellies, the internets on our computer (!)....We may have it "rough" some days, but I know that I am surely blessed.

As the doxology that I loved to sing as a small child states, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."

And that is that. Nothing good that I have is a result of much more than a God who loves me, despite my flaws and failures. Sure, hard work and chance and timing and all that. But, truly, I know that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...." (James 1:17).

I hope that your Thanksgiving day is full of happiness and joy, butter and carbs, laughter and hugs. I hope the same for me. And I hope that, at its heart, my Thanksgiving is full of an attitude of gratitude---for the little stuff and the big stuff. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

More Harvest Table Decor

I thought I'd share the rest of my "tablescape" as Sandra Lee of "Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee" calls it! Total sidenote: I really dislike that show. Her food scares me. Her decorating and wardrobe are fun, but I don't think I would call what she does "cooking." I digress...again.

Here is what I ended up doing for my Thanksgiving table. The flower arrangements and votives you saw yesterday. The bowl in the center I scored at Goodwill for $3 and filled with gourds I had. Easy!

Tablecloth: Walmart. $9!

And for the kidlets?

They get this adorable little table I re-habbed for Little Miss' 1st Birthday--a $10 score at a garage sale + elbow grease, spray paint and a sander!

I like the tiny gourd under the marble cheese plate. Classic.

Harvest Table Decor

I set the Thanksgiving table a bit early this year, so that it's not a frantic rush on Thursday. I had gotten two lovely bouquets at Costco---one of brown and golden mums and another a fall medley with roses, lilies, eucalyptus, mums and berries. I set my sights on making two arrangements out of these in low, rectangular vases so they wouldn't block conversation at our table. I also added votives. The set up was lovely, but just not complete.

I remembered a stash of burlap I had purchased at Hobby Lobby over the summer. I knew instantly what I wanted to do!

To decorate and "harvest" up any vase, jar, votive or even a pillar candle, you'll need burlap, double stick tape, ribbon and scissors. I used ribbon I had on hand---1/2" brown satin. I would've preferred wider ribbon, but didn't want to run out to the store.

I planned on "shabby-ing up" the 2 rectangular vases and 8 votives.

 First, I cut two strips of burlap, about 3" wide and long enough to wrap around the vase. Using two rows of double stick tape, I attached the burlap to the vase, about 2" down from the top---which covered perfectly the surface of the water that can get scummy looking. Yeah!

Next, I measured a length of ribbon that could wrap around the burlap twice---in order to beef up my skinny ribbon. I tied the ribbon in a bow and, voila! Done!

For the votives, I took a long strip of double stick tape and pressed it onto the burlap. I used the width and length of the tape as a guide for cutting the burlap, which also helped minimize the burlap fraying and shedding.

I attached it to the top of the votive and was done! A super easy project and I am quite pleased with the results!

Blessed beyond Measure

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blessed beyond measure.

 That's a way I often explain my circumstances. I don't think that it is a guarantee in this life that you find your soulmate. That you love what you do (laundry notwithstanding!). That you love your parents and have a great relationship with your sibling and his wife. That you get to be a mama to three beautiful healthy babies. That you love your friends and your church and your country.

 Simply experiencing one of those things would be enough for more than a lifetime of gratitude. And yet I have all of them.

Blessed beyond measure.

That's me.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to spend a moment daily to put pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard to take stock of what God has blessed you with in your life, whether it be your house, your health, your honey, your haircolor. Taking inventory of all of these "haves" in my life makes it impossible to remember that there are any  "have nots." 

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 31:19

photo credit: olivia wagner photography

On Turkey

Yesterday I mentioned that I haven't always loved the month of November. Now I adore it, mostly due to this fella:

 

Little Man and his November birthday made me really come around about the eleventh month of the year. (PS His eyes are even more blue now, but he doesn't drool. Except when he's sleeping sometimes.) He was quite a cutie, no? He still is. See evidence below.

I also haven't always LOVED Thanksgiving. We celebrate Thanksgiving with dear, dear friends. In fact, one of my best friend's and her family. We kind of adopted each other when we were celebrating away from families over 10 years ago. Now, we're all grown up and having our own kiddos, but we still celebrate together, alternating locations every year.

Our Thanksgiving meal has gone to very traditional---plain (and maybe dry!) turkey, simple sides, and pumpkin pie. Over the last several years, though, we've gone foodie! And I LOVE it.

This is the turkey we have made when my mom has hosted for the past 2 times:

 

image courtesy of martha stewart.com

It is a Cranberry Glazed Turkey with Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing. It is to.die.for. SOOOO very, very delicious.

So, since Little Man came around, I've been a huge November fan. And since I discovered this turkey, I may just be November's biggest fan. Think about adding this beauty to your Thanksgiving menu. You won't regret it!