Thanksgiving Tweaks

For some reason, the area above the mirror just didn't look right to me. Guess I am used to there always being a seasonal "something" hanging there. I downloaded this banner from At Second Street, printed it on orange, added a bit of glitter and seasonal embellishments and strung it on twine. I think it balances the wall off just right.

The following two pictures were also downloaded and framed with old frames I had around the house - so, a "free" project. I did have to spray paint the one frame. It was floral and very 1980s. I had a hammered bronze paint and just gave it a few light coats and, voila!


Our weather has been picture perfect this past week. I love the cozy feel of the autumnal colors and lights, the smell of the autumn candles and the flicker of our first fire this season. I did notice that the A/C came on once or twice, but that is a small price to pay for the warm, fuzzies that autumn has to hand out. Can't believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Stay tuned.

Pieces of the Past

A few more tidbits of what turns my autumn decorations into Thanksgiving. I bought this plaque at Stein Mart a few years ago. It looked kind of dull to me - it was just black & white - so I used a few of my art chalks to add a blush of color. Like it much more.


I squeeze turkeys in wherever possible. The orange turkey above was found in a Tea Room gift shop in Tampa. I like him because he is different and adds a bit of bling. It's hard to make out but he has glitter on his wings and crystals hanging from his beak, wings and stand.

This is a cross stitch I did many years ago. I always loved that hymn. I can even remember singing it in music class way back in elementary school - yes, it is that old!. When I saw the pattern, I knew I had to stitch it. It hangs on the side of the pie safe as you enter the kitchen.

Then, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without my pilgrims. The candles above are very old, but still not the originals. I remember my mom - and just about everybody else's mom - having a set of these when I was very young. I have had these at least as long as I have been married. I think they may be the first Thanksgiving decoration I bought after we were married. Wish I had kept the box because they were probably about 25 cents each.

This set of pilgrims is from my ceramic-ing days. I still can't believe my eyes were good enough to paint their eyes not to mentions my hands steady enough to hold that small a paint brush!



I think everyone who lives within 10 miles of a Publix must have at least one of these pilgrims. I also have a spoon rest. They are kind of cutesy, but every time I think of getting rid of them, I remember the day I walked into an antique shop in Dade City and saw them for sale for a ridiculous amount of money! Think I'll hold on to them a little while longer - maybe they can fund our retirement! A proper pay back I think for being so lovingly cared for these many years.

That is about it for Thanksgiving. Every year I think I may just go straight from Halloween to Christmas, but as I look back over some of these things I have so many memories come flooding back. Most all of this has been around since my kids were young and I can remember them looking at them or helping me decorate with them. I guess that is why I like Thanksgiving. It is here only to remind us how blessed we really are and family plays such a huge part in that. I guess that is why I continue to decorate my house - it spurs those precious memories and reminds me why it is so important to press on to make new ones. Today's adventures may one day be remembered on a granddaughter or even great granddaughter's blog. Something to think about. Stay tuned.

Come Ye Thankful People Come

I always love the displays of "abundance" that I see this time of the year. I decided I wanted to do my mantle that way this year but I didn't want to buy anything new as I have ENOUGH stuff to last my lifetime. I just kind of gathered up all of the gourds I had (including the ones that spell BOO on the back side) and pushed them into the garland and lights. I had to really discipline myself in Hobby Lobby the other day because they have autumn decorations at 66% off and I wanted so badly to buy some new garlands and veggies - but, I resisted temptation!

This isn't a very good picture of the living room but I put it here mainly to show that my Thanksgiving decorations aren't far off my autumn decorations. I move things around a bit and than add in any pilgrims or turkeys that I have.

The hutch holds several turkey tureens that I have accumulated and some plates that I fell in love with last year at Home Goods. I only bought these four for decoration because: 1. we don't do Thanksgiving at my house very often and 2. I already have a full set of VERY SIMILAR dishes that I can use .... and somehow sanity did prevail that day!

I did notice that I have a fair number of ceramic items that I made back in the day when I had the time to do such things. Made me remember that I also made a set of corn plates and tureen done in Indian corn colors. Haven't seen that thing in ages. I remember it took FOREVER to paint each little kernel another color - several coats each. Guess I'll have to see if I can remember where it is "stored".





As you see, I don't go overboard on Thanksgiving although I am planning a few new crafts this weekend as time permits. We have another important Gator game and our grand dog is coming to stay for a few weeks as my daughter and her family travel to Italy once again. Well see how it goes. Stay tuned.

"Like Looking in a Mirror"

I can't believe it has taken me 3 full days to put away my Halloween decorations! I knew I had a lot, but REALLY!!? In any case, I'm just now getting around to finishing this post. It is a bit fragmented, but it will give you an idea of why Halloween is my absolute favorite!

Here we are at the pre-school costume parade. Hudson loves his headpiece - in fact, he doesn't want to take it off. Somehow he got the idea that he is the "Star Wars Rabbit" - don't know if that has anything to do with it or not but he is a happy camper with his ears and everyone else knows who he is!


They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So, I guess I can say that I was majorly flattered this past weekend! The best part of our party to me is the big costume reveal. Everyone always amazes me, but this year my oldest daughter and son-in-law put me away. They came as my husband and me. When my daughter first came down the stairs and I saw the beard and plaid shirt (I missed the can of Mountain Dew she was holding - a dead give away), I was thinking "Paul Bunyan?" or "Brawny Man?". My son-in-law then descended the stair case and I was met with a scary image of myself! They were my husband and me and were truly the funniest thing I have ever seen - like looking in a mirror - Ha-Ha! I loved it and don't know what it will take to top it in my eyes. They have had some really good costumes in the past but this one takes the cake!


Here is the whole family. Caitlin is a "stylized" Mad Hatter (she picked out all of the fabric herself and I think it turned out pretty darned cute. Her costume did have 3 separate pieces, but her sister only needed me to make her pants, so it evened itself out. Besides, no matter how short on time and stressed I am - and this year put me to the test - I do love sewing all of the costumes. It is one of the things I hope my grandchildren will remember about me long after I'm gone. Olivia is an accountant. Oh sorry, she's a nerd (inside joke as we have two C.P.A.s in our family).Everyone was amazed that she chose this costume as she is the bling and glitz girl and there wasn't a sequin to be found on her costume. Remember, she's the one who was the blinged out Dorothy last year. Thank goodness there was NO sewing on that sequined fabric for me this year!

This is daughter #3 with her family. Her husband is "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and she is his wife - a pretty scary looking duo if you ask me. Harrison is Luke Skywalker, Hudson is Yoda and Presley is Princess Leia - although most of the time Princess Leia was just a girl in a white dress as she hated her headpiece!!


Daughter # 2 and her hubby were cupid and his "victim". She wore her old prom dress back from the days when they were dating. I love the arrow through her heart. Hannah is the "Cat in the Hat" in a costume of her own design. Morgan decided to be Betty Boop and she looked so different in her dark wig that she almost doesn't look like herself. And, let's just say that Todd left us all pretty much speechless!


A picture of Presley and Nana watching the Gator game. It was a real nail biter and went into overtime but we won! Go Gators! Don't you just love the orange and blue tutu?


Here are a few pictures of the gang. We're all getting a little worse for wear at this point and we are using the timer on my camera for the whole group picture, so I think we did pretty well.



Guess that's it for this year. Everything is officially put away and Thanksgiving is out and looking very calm and autumnal. Do I still miss my orange and black? You bet! In fact, as I was putting it all away, I was already thinking of next year. I've got lots of ideas already. It can't be October 2011 soon enough for me! Stay tuned!