Hi, friends! I pray each of you had a Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving!
Our Thanksgiving holiday was filled with scrumptious food, tons of family, and wonderful fellowship.
We kicked off Thanksgiving Day at our home with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and their sweet girls.
Since I was hosting, I opted for some shortcuts. I used disposable pans, scads of aluminum foil, and some lovely Chinet. My dining room wasn’t quite large enough to accomodate our group so we had two seating areas and several serving niches for salads, main courses, and desserts.
Salad and fruit table–I opted for simple.
On the menu: turkey breast, a Smithfield ham (my personal fave), mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, dressing, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and chocolate chip cookies! (And I’m sure I’m forgetting something else.)
The best comfort food EVER…Mashed potatoes!
The Friday after Thanksgiving our crew started decking the halls for Christmas. (We didn’t do the Black Friday thing, but more power to you if you did.)
On Saturday we traveled to my husband’s parent’s and celebrated Thanksgiving a second time. More delicious food. More calories. More laughter. A little more tired.
Yesterday (Sunday) we had a third celebration. At my parent’s home (which is, thankfully, almost within shouting distance from ours.) More food. More calories. More laughter. A lot more tired.
(Is it apparent in our family we’re all about family?!)
I’m thankful. And blessed beyond measure.
Still…by last night, I don’t mind telling you I was (happily) exhausted. But my husband and I soldiered on anyway and put some final touches on Christmas decorating.
Our Christmas tree! (Can you guess my favorite color?)
We didn’t do as much this year as we had previously, but our home radiates warmth and cheerfulness in anticipation of the greatest celebration of all–our Savior’s birth!
Our ceramic Nativity set is very old and the donkey is missing an ear (courtesy of child number one), but I treasure it. A dear church member made this simple stable some years ago. I had a star hot-glued above the manger, but alas, it fell off. I need to fix that and I may add some moss to the roof while I’m at it.
Our 29-year-old handmade Nativity set
Our dancing Santa…HO-HO-HO
Santa sits at the base of our Christmas tree. When we press his little button, he breaks out in a delightful holiday tune.
I’ve added a few festive touches to the rest of the house…
Colorful Christmas Ornaments on my hutch
My newest addition
Awaiting another family dinner…and colorful trays of Christmas cookies!
A decorative wreath to greet our guests
I’ll share more Christmasy photos in the coming weeks, but this gives you an idea of what’s going on in my neck of the woods.
Now…I want to remind you about my giveway that’s continuing.
Don’t forget…
Now through Saturday, Dec. 14th, every time you leave a comment on my blog posts your name will be entered into the drawing and you’ll have a chance to win a FABULOUS holiday prize! Consider it my Christmas gift to YOU.
If you subscribe to my blog (located in the sidebar>>>^^^), that will count as an extra entry.
Here are the GIVEAWAY RULES:
- Must be at least 21 years of age or older
- Must be a U.S. resident, due to mailing restrictions
- This drawing is void where prohibited
- Winner chosen by Random.org
You have until 5:00p.m. CST on December 14th to leave a comment. I’ll announce the winner on Monday, December 16th, at which time I’ll need your mailing address ASAP because I’ll want to get your wonderful prize to you in time for Christmas!
What will you win if your name is chosen as the winning entry? Well, I’m so glad you asked! (Here’s a sneak peek!)
(And I’ve just added another holiday movie and some other fun items that aren’t pictured yet.)
Here’s to a great week and a joyous kick-off to the CHRISTmas season!
******
How did you spend Thanksgiving?
What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
Blessings Always,
Comments 10
Thank you for sharing this – the words and the pictures.
We had a nice, low-key Thanksgiving. Watched the Macy’s Parade, the National Dog Show, and then a DVD of “The Mask of Zorro”. I wasn’t well enough to eat dinner; don’t know what Barbara had.
I have a favorite ‘offbeat’ Christmas memory…in 1999 I was project manager for research into why a bridge in California had collapsed. We were doing some large-scale testing at UC San Diego’s big structural; engineering lab, and I had to set up instrumentation on the test unit.
The building is a big open bay, with a ceiling height of about 60 ft, and a big roll-up door. The weather was nice (70s), so I opened the door and put on some Christmas music, getting some good acoustics, while I worked.
It was a good day.
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Andrew, I’m so sorry you weren’t able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner! (You and Barbara are in my prayer journal!) Praying blessings of joy and healing over you both…
Wow, you’ve led an interesting life! Thanks so much for sharing your Christmas memory! (I sense there’s a story in the making.)
Cynthia, we had a very low-key Thanksgiving, too. After suffering with allergies for three weeks + … it was nice to relax. I actually was able to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, too … it had been years. Our local drill team (the one I was in as a teen) was even in the parade! We fixed easy things, used disposable everything, too … then watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” and put up our Christmas tree. Blessings to you. Shelli
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Shelli, I adore the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade! When I was a little girl, that was what kick-started our Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing was open then and families truly enjoyed the day and each other.
I’m sorry you suffer from allergies! Glad you were feeling better by Thanksgiving–and I LOVE It’s a Wonderful Life!
Thanks so much for stopping by and blessings right backatcha!
Such a fun glimpse into your Thanksgiving(s) and your Christmas decorations! We had a fun Thanksgiving with family, celebrating here with family and friends-who-are-family. And yes, we watched football. And ate too much.
Not too much Christmas decorating happening yet … can’t get to the boxes until my daughter and son-in-love move into their new home! All in good time.
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Beth, glad you liked the photos! (Would’ve posted more of the food, but waaayyy too many to load! Lol)
We didn’t decorate as much as in previous years, and actually, I’m just fine with that. Enjoy your family and treasure this time together!
I love your blog! Its always so positive and happy! Looks like you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
We had a great time too! We went camping and cooked a great turkey breast over the fire. It was nice just to have family time where we all enjoyed being with each other. Later, my mother and I made bracelets together & of course we took tons of pictures 🙂
Now that its over we’re excited and looking forward to Christmas! 🙂
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Elizabeth, your Thanksgiving sounds great! Cooking a turkey breast over the fire and camping and family–fun! (Did you do the tent thing or RV? I must admit–I prefer a few modern conveniences. *blush*)
Thanks so much for visiting! Your name will be entered in my upcoming blog drawing! 🙂
We did do the RV thing (my mother and I like a few modern conveniences too 🙂 ) but we got outside & used the fire ring to cook the turkey 😀
And thank you! Your drawing looks like a lot of fun!
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Elizabeth, hear-hear to a few modern conveniences while enjoying the great outdoors! (Yay for RVs!)