Give Thanks 2010

I've really been neglecting the old blog lately. There's just so much to do!
We're hosting dinner for 13 tomorrow so I've been running around like a whirlwind the past couple of days.

This year, I made these little placecards for the table. They're just some precut wood ovals from Michael's that I painted with chalkboard paint. (The holders came from The Christmas Tree Shop a few years ago.) Kinda cute, huh?



Other than that, I've almost got the rest of the table set & ready to go. Just lots of cooking remains. (The pies are done though. My mom, sisters & I made 7 pies today!) Of course, this year (thanks to my committing a design sin) I have this wonderful item on my kitchen counter:



to enjoy this:



Have I told you that one of my most favorite parts of Thanksgiving is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? I've watched it faithfully every year since I was a kid. I also cry (although I'm reluctant to admit here) when the Rockettes dance. Awe struck, I am!

Since I inherited Thanksgiving dinner two years ago from my husband's aunt, with all the cooking & such, I could no longer watch the parade. I would DVR it, but somehow watching the parade hours after it occurred really took all the fun out of it. It was never the same. Thanks to my little kitchen TV, I can now watch the parade live & still cook. See, there's something to be thankful for everywhere!



So with that, I would like to wish all my blog friends & their families a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! I hope it's a happy one and filled with lots of blessings. Please know that I am thankful for each & every one of you!

Happy Mail Day

It's been quite awhile since I had a Happy Mail Day.

When I was an avid scrapbooker, I used to have Happy Mail Days all the time. You know, the ones when your friendly mail man (or lady) delivers a package filled with all the scrap crap that sets your heart aflutter? Yes? No? Maybe you don't know the feeling of a Happy Mail Day.

Anyway, today I decided to take a half day off from work. I had not been home for 10 minutes when suddenly, I heard a "thump" at the back door. I curiously ran to the window and spotted my mail man walking away. For the life of me, I couldn't imagine what he delivered that would have gone "thump."

I ran to the back door and sure enough, I was delighted to find a package. It was the Better Homes & Gardens Holiday 2010 book that I ordered. I then turned to the mail box and found another delightful sight...the Matthew Mead Holiday book! Two in one day! See what I mean? A Happy Mail Day!



So here I was, home from work, with any number of grueling tasks to do, but somehow, somehow, the Mail Gods decided to send me a diversion...a wonderful, happy, diversion.

Just need to grab a cup of hot tea & cuddle up in this spot.



Ahhh, thank you Mail Gods...I owe you one!

Dreaming of Tablescapes

I seem to have disappeared from blogland for the last couple of weeks. October can do that to me. It's such a crazy, busy month for us. Half the time I didn't know whether I was coming or going. My entire calendar was filled with birthday parties, anniversaries, games & practices, Halloween parties...ugh...can I just say I'm relieved that October is over?

Phew!

Anyhoo, I've been dreaming of tablescapes. Thanksgiving tablescapes to be more specific. I have amassed quite a collection of pictures for inspiration. Wanna see some of this inspiration?










**all photos from Better Homes & Gardens


I think I've got a little too much inspiration going on here. I've got to narrow it down & make a decision as to which direction I'm going in. Do you host Thanksgiving at your house? If so, have you planned your tablescape yet?

Another Shot of Halloween Fun

May I share another Halloween tabletop with you today? It's only the second one I'm sharing, but still I don't want to bore you to tears with Halloween tabletops or anything.

I never was a huge fan of Halloween until I had kids. Then still, I was not a big decorator when it came to Halloween...you know...just a few things here & there that my kids enjoyed.

Lately however, I find myself enjoying Halloween more & more.

Just so you know, when my hubby asks why he carried 2 Halloween totes down from the attic at the begininning of the season and now carries 4 Halloween totes up at the end of the season, I'm blaming it on all of you in blogland. Deal? ;-)

I have this display set up on the yellow desk in my hallway.

Meet the witches table.



The ever important Eyes of Newt.



You never know when you might have need for some Zombie Virus or silver glitter skulls to make a potion.



Watch out for that orange glittered spider! I hear they're venomous.



I'm linking this up at Marty's blog (A Stroll Thru Life) for Tabletop Tuesday. Go on over to Marty's & take a look at all the inspiration.

Anyone got an antidote for an orange glittered spider bite? Ouch!

The Witches Book of Spells

Last year, I got my craft on & made a book, but never shared it with you, so here goes. (Warning: I'm no crafting maven.)

I thought it would be fun to make a Book of Spells for Halloween. I bought one of those cardboard type books at Michaels. (or maybe it was Joanns?)

Before:


Then I painted it black & glittered it up because witches need to be glitzy sometimes you know. :)

Next, I made a title on my computer & printed it out. I took a candle & burned the edges to make it look old & worn. I adhered it to the book, along with a cute sticker & faster than you can say "abracadabra"--The Witches Book of Spells!

After:


I added the black crow to make it extra spooky. I have to tell you that my hubby hates that bird! Heehee! It creeps him out. Scaredy cat!
(Oh I shouldn't tease him, it's his birthday today.)

This was fun & easy to make and I think it adds a little whimsy to my Halloween decorating. I think I'll link this up at Debbiedoos's fabulous Before & After Party. To check it out & join in on the fun, see here.



Happy Wednesday!

My fall mantel

Somehow I managed to miss The Nester's Fall Mantel party (Fantel)this past week. (Don't you hate it when that happens?) However, I thought I would post some pictures of my fall mantel anyway.

Sort of like my own, lonely, Fantel party. Sniff sniff. Sigh.

Oh heck! Maybe I'll link up to The Nester's party anyway. So what if I'm number 3,492 to add a link! ;)

My mantel was not cooperating this year at all. I've literally been adding & removing & exchanging things on the mantel for the last 4 weeks. I guess painting the living room & going from orange walls, paneling & the huge mirror over the fireplace to this new light & airy look was what was throwing me for a loop! (Living Room Before & After here.)

Thankfully, I think I've got it. Or at least I've stopped adding & removing & exchanging things for a few consecutive days now. That's gotta be progress right? lol











So if you need a little fall mantel inspiration, head right on over to The Nester's party. Inspiration abounds there.

A Halloween Tabletop

I don't know what it is with me this year, but I'm very indecisive with my fall/Halloween decorating. However, I thought I would share a Halloween tabletop with you today (at least I'm pretty satisfied with this one. As for the rest of the house...I shall continue to tweak 'til I get it right.)



This is the vignette I created for my dining room hutch.



Adorable vintage-inspired pumpkin people ala artist Dee Foust that I raised up on pedestals.



Debbie Mumm Halloween plates that I've had for many years, along with pretty flatware & a few other misc pieces to pull it all together.



And there you have it.



I thought I would join the lovely Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday. If you get a chance, head on over to Marty's to see what the others have shared today.



Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day!