And Now For the Food

Let's start off with side dishes, shall we? You can make a lot of these in advance and freeze them to have ready for your feast. This first one I'm considering trying...

Green Bean Casserole

This is one of my all-time favorite dishes. True Southern soul food.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Every year I want to try a really fancy stuffing, but I never do. Maybe this will be my year!

(Probably not, though)

Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing

And not just regular mashed potatoes, but fancy mashed potatoes.

Holiday Mashed Potatoes

Ok, the name, not so good, the recipe, sounds AMAZING!  I just may have to rename it before I try it.

Broccoli Pudding

Sittin' At The Kids' Table

My kids love it when they have their very own table. That was kinda said in sarcasm. My teenagers think it's humiliating but the younger two don't mind at all. Especially if I give them activities and their own decorations. Here are some really fun ideas...

Photo and instructions here

Photo and instructions from here

This should keep them quiet for a while. If you fill them up with candy everybody has a better time!

Photo and instructions here

To remind them what the day is really about.

Free printable from here

They can work on this activity while waiting for their dinner and then enjoy the glow later when it's time to pass out from the turkey-induced coma.

Photo and instructions from here

 If you need some fun coloring pages go here or here.

And here are some Thanksgiving word puzzles for the older kids.

Silverware Chandelier

I know this isn't necessarily Thanksgiving-y but I just saw this and had to share. And it would look fantastic above your perfectly placed Thanksgiving table, would it not?

Photo from here

Set It Up

Now you need to surround your beautiful centerpiece with matching place settings. Or if you are like me, mismatched vintage china picked up at thrift stores over many years. Which I think is just as pretty.
 Just please try and avoid the traditional American Thanksgiving place settings of Chinet and red plastic cups.

Photo from here

Photos from here

Photo from here

Centerpieces

I know the centerpiece is the least essential part to the Thanksgiving celebration but it sure makes the table pretty.  I'm especially loving the centerpiece with the old family photos. Wouldn't that be a fun conversation piece? It would be even better with little stories attached to the pictures. Eat yummy food and get to know your ancestors. That's something to be thankful for!

Photo and instructions from here

Photo from here

Photo from here

Surprise Inside!

Isn't this idea adorable? I know my kids would love digging in to this turkey.

Full instructions found here.

I'm going to try and post as many fun Thanksgiving ideas as possible between now and the big turkey day. I love Thanksgiving and think we all need to celebrate our beautiful day of gratitude even more.

Why, Yes, I Do LOVE

Found here

Up And Coming Photographer

My daughter, who I love to brag about, is getting very good at photography. I thought I should show off her skills. Someday I'll have to get a nice camera and then let her loose on the world!

And my favorite....Mia's self portrait....

My Ugly Chair

At least that's what my kids say. I think it's pretty. In an old lady kind of way. Who cares if I found it by a dumpster and I had to unload half a bottle of Febreeze on it after steam cleaning it?! I still like it and that's all that matters, right? Tell me you like my chair.....please.

Gifted

Do you ever go on the amazing blog Creature Comforts? It is beautiful and full of the prettiest inspiration pictures. Now it's even better! Ez, the author/blogger, just introduced her new magazine, Gifted.

There is so much in this magazine. Not only the best gift ideas I've ever seen, but gorgeous pictures and interesting articles and free printable tags. You can't beat that. Go pour through the pages, over 200 of them!
I really like the "Art Brooch" on page 154. Just in case you were wondering what was on my list.