GINGERBREAD HOUSES

It’s finally the Christmas season. I will admit I’m one of those that gets excited when the stores start putting Christmas out even though it isn't’ even Halloween. I bought Trudi some ornaments I found the first of Oct. They were perfect for her tree so I had to do it. Then every time I go to a store I go through the Christmas isles again and again. As I cleaned house on the Mon. before Thanksgiving I figured I might as well put fall away and Christmas out as I took things off to dust. I LOVE Christmas!!!!

One of our family traditions is making gingerbread houses. I am going to make them with the grandkids this year. But since they all live a ways apart we will be doing it multiple times. I’m so excited, it will be so much fun.

Christmas Ribbon Table Runner

Now that Thanksgiving is over, well except for the pies :), it's time for Christmas.  I love Christmas!

A couple of years ago I found a lot of great ribbon for really cheap after Christmas.  It's always nice to have some on hand for wrapping.  A few days ago as I was working on another project, I came across the ribbon again and had a light bulb go off in my head.  Why not weave them together to create a table runner.  So here it is, my Christmas ribbon table runner.  I love how it turned out.

Thanksgiving Day

We had a great Thanksgiving and hope all of you did to. There are so many things to be thankful for this year. We were only missing one family this year. This is one of the first years we didn’t have more than just our family. But we had a great day. We thought we would share our dinner with you. Everyone has food assignment that we choose about a month ahead. 

Some items we make ahead and some get made that morning at the home we have it at.

 

 

 

 

 

Appetizers are ready!

Cheese Ball and crackers, Spinach Dip and Sour Dough Bread, Veggie Tray and Ranch Dip, Mini Rolls with Assorted Spreads (Lemon Dill Butter, Cream Cheese Pesto, Roasted Red Pepper Humus).

 

Everyone was chilling’ and watching movies or playing games or munching on appetizers while the main course finished cooking.

 

 

The table is set and the food is ready. We were in Carrie’s new condo and used the counter as our buffet table. As with lots going on that morning the extra chairs were forgot so we sat some at the table and some sat on the sofa in the living room. The little girls loved having their own table.

This year the menu was: Brined Turkey, Cornbread and Regular Dressing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Cranberry Relish and Jellied Cranberries, Frog Eye Salad, Brussel Sprouts, Homemade Rolls.

We finish up with an assortment of homemade pies, which has been a family tradition for generations. This year we had enough pie for each person to have half a pie each. We had 2 Pumpkin, Cherry, Pecan, Coconut Cream with a caramel nut bottom, Dutch Apple, Key Lime, and Lemon Meringue.  There is no such thing as too much pie.

We hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, but I will be honest I can’t wait till Christmas.

Cranberry Relish

Cranberries are a must at Thanksgiving and this recipe was shared with me from my Mother-in-law who received it from her Grandmother.  I love recipes that have been in families forever.  I can only make this recipe when I have others to share it with or before I know it, I have eaten it all.  I guess it is okay since it is healthy!

Thank You!

Just a quick great big THANK YOU! to all of our current followers.  I can't believe we already have 75.  Also, for those that just haven't clicked the "Follow" button, but like to check in regularly, we are planning our first giveaway at 100 followers!  So, if you haven't yet, become a follower so you can enter to win.

Turkey Napkin Rings

I will be the only sister not joining the rest of the family for Thanksgiving this year.  So I have to make my own decor and fun.  I'm not a super entertainer (especially when it's just going to be our family plus one), but I wanted to have a little something to spice up the table.  So I came up with some cute little turkeys (well, in addition to the 3 I take care of every day) to hold our napkins.

Fall Leaf Chargers

This year I have been very inspired by the beautiful leaves around my house turning into all shades of fabulous this fall.  The idea of the leaves changing just screams fall to me, so what better way to decorate your Thanksgiving table then with these beautiful fall leaf chargers.  I love the look of natural wood and thought it would be a beautiful accent to the reds and yellows of the leaves.

They took a little bit of time (mostly waiting for each layer to dry), but they are fantastic and make my formal Thanksgiving table look perfect!  I am so excited to share this tutorial...