A Simple Thanksgiving

Dancing to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade



Perfect ending to a great day - cuddling with my little guy after naps.

Doug and I both come from large families so family affairs can be quite fun, but simple they are not. The shear volume of food needed is not a simple task. This year, though, we stayed at home and my youngest sister drove up from Auburn to share in our small and simple feast. It was quite delightful, not stressful, and honestly pretty relaxing. We had a simple menu of turkey, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce and gravy. Dessert was our favorite Derby pie (a chocolate chip pecan pie - and yes, it is DELICIOUS. I will post the recipe soon) and apple pie - another favorite.

We watched the parade that morning while the turkey cooked and enjoyed lounging and eating most of the day. Don't get me wrong, our family was missed - it is never easy for me to not have them around during special times, but the day truly was splendid.

Black Friday/Cyber Monday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I will have pictures to post the first of the week, but ours was quite lovely. Quiet, simple, and laid back. My youngest sister, Emily, came in from Auburn and our menu was small, but delicious. We basically lounged around, ate, and lounged around some more.

I have never been much of a shopper on Black Friday - don't care for the crowds, lines, and early waking hours - and had no idea what Cyber Monday was until I opened an online shop. So while I won't be doing much shopping personally over the weekend, I hope you enjoy a little savings from yours truly - Free Shipping will save you AT LEASE $3.00 on your order - depending on what you buy. Not bad if you ask me. So enjoy and I will see you back here on Monday!

Family Cards

So since this week is centered on my family I thought I would share one of my newest notecards - my family logo notecard. My friend Joy commissioned me to do something special for her sweet family and this is what we came up with. I must admit, for some reason my creative juices just weren't flowing when we got started, but we kept tweeking it and tweeking it until we were both very satisfied. These will be making their way into the shop and I personally think they would make a wonderful gift for the holidays - don't you?

Project Bless Update

This is the last week of our little family project. We have managed to pretty much stick to schedule, and overall I think the kids have enjoyed baking our goodies and taking them to our recipients. They are both still a little young to grasp the concept, but I would like to try again next year and see if they "get it" a little more.

It has been fun to see the surprise on people's faces as we bring them our thankful gifts. Personally I have been going through some stuff, so accomplishing a thankful attitude was hard at times and needed. I guess that is what I love about looking to bless others. Usually when I am down, struggling, or just plain being selfish refocusing my attention on someone else just seems to redirect my attitude. Besides, I really can't be grateful enough for all the wonderful people and things in my life - and all those great individuals who serve me and don't know me personally.

I hope you were able to find a way to bless someone this month - whether with a note of thanks, words of kindness, collecting goods for the needy, or just baking some bread for a neighbor. I would love to hear you stories!

Family

With this being Thanksgiving week I am more centered on what I am thankful for. The kids have been a little under the weather, so it has been a reminder that I am so thankful when they are well, but ultimately, this year, I am thankful for my little family. I take them all too much for granted. I get tired of ALWAYS being mommy without a break - the laundry, meals, really the monotony of motherhood. But I am SO thankful for my hubby, my two kids, Charlotte and Douglass Charles, and the opportunity to stay at home and serve all three of these wonderful people. Don't get me wrong, I have my days (Doug would confess a few more than usual lately) and I don't always do it with a smile or without complaining, but I am really, really thankful for my family.

Hope you enjoy these pictures of my little family - done by the ever great Suzie of Split Second Photography.

The Belle of the Ball!

We celebrated Charlotte's birthday last weekend with a few of her little friends. As always there were a few that couldn't come, but the number of children there was quite managable. Doug and I pondered over whether to make her third birthday a "big deal" with more elaborate activities and decided that a quiet affair at home would be quite nice with lunch, cake, presents and simple play. As most know, cake is enough to get three year olds quite excited.

I kept it pretty simple. Charlotte was determined to have a princess theme and I obliged, but tried to keep it sweet and not cheap looking. I was amazed at all the tacky princess stuff out there when we went shopping. Her cake was made by a good friend of mine - Red Bilbo. Charlotte was absolutely thrilled with it and I thought it was not only beautiful, but quite delicious - thanks, Red.

At the last minute I decided to make cupcakes. We didn't really wind up needing them, but it was fun to get to use my cupcake toppers for the first time.

All the children were asked to come dressed as their favorite hero - and I honestly think that was one of the highlights of the party - having an excuse to dress up. I know Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed it.

Charlotte was completely overwhelmed with all the presents and I was VERY tempted to hold a few things back and wrap them up for Christmas. I know, tacky, but I didn't - and besides, she wouldn't have known the difference anyway. She couldn't keep up with the generous gifts. :)

It was a wonderful birthday and quite thrilling for Doug and me, as this is the first time Charlotte has truly understood what was going on. I was quite pleased with her as well. She was a sweet little hostess and was on her best behavior and I believe felt like the belle of the ball!

My girl

November 13th, 2010
I watched you this morning as you played - how big you have gotten. It is hard for me to believe that three years ago today you came into my life. Your presence that day fulfilled a life long dream - to become a mother. What I didn't know was that I was going to be your mother. There is a big difference in becoming a mother and becoming your mother. You see, I did not know you in my dreams. I had not met you. I had no idea just how special you would be to me, nor did I know how lucky I would be to hear you say my name.

You are precious to me, child. I hope you always know that. You are beautiful both inside and out. Unique in your personality and beauty. I love your red hair and your blue eyes and the spunky personality you bear.

You are my little chatter bug and I love that you are always ready with something to say. Always asking me, "Mommy, I talk to you now." You love to read, color, converse, make friends, and just be on the go. You love ballet and everything princess. You also love your family - "very, very much!" as you tell me every day and I am so thrilled that you do. I hope you never lose that love for those who are so close and so special to you.

Your personality mirrors your ole momma in so many ways. It scares me sometimes, and also gives me insight into myself. You and I, we already butt heads a bit, but we love one another dearly. We are too alike: bossy, opinionated, proving our point, sensitive, emotional, people pleasers, and lovers of people. I fear for the hurts you will one day encounter because of your sweet personality - because I, too, have felt them. But, my dear, I will always be here to talk with, cry with, and understand. We live in a cruel, hard world, and thankfully you and I have been blessed with family and friends who care and will love on us in spite of ourselves. Just remember, that God has blessed you with many wonderful quailities and regardless of hurts or trials, it is important to share your love and talents with others.

So, my sweet girl, on your third birthday, I hope you feel like the princess you dream of and that you know to me and your daddy, you are the belle of the ball. I love you and Happy Birthday!

Mommy

Princesses On Ice

For Charlotte's birthday present, my sister-in-law, Mary Catherine, bought Princesses On Ice Tickets for the girls. Charlotte is all about anything princess so I was sure she would enjoy it, but seeing as we have never even taken her to the movies I wasn't sure she could sit through the show. Needless to say she was absolutely mesmerized. The LOVED it and is still talking about it - as well as "skating" around the living room.

Mary Catherine had princess outfits for both girls to wear so Adeline dressed up like Cinderella and Charlotte dressed up like Sleeping Beauty (or "Seeping Seuty" as she likes to call her). I was thoroughly impressed with the production. Does Disney ever disappoint? We had a fabulous time and so appreciate Mary Catherine and Owen hosting us at their house and treating us to such a wonderful gift.

Oh, and sidenote, I have a great giveaway going on over on one of my favorite blogs - Sarah Jane Studios. You won't want to miss it - or the recap of Charlotte's birthday party coming up later this week!

Round Two...

Here is the second set of recipe cards. I love these little cards and think they would make such a wonderful gift - with a family cookbook or favorite cookbook of course.

This week is crazy and I am kicking myself for not planning more for Charlotte's party - coming up this weekend. I have decided to get over myself and just keep it simple stupid! So... I am hoping a light lunch, a little play, and some pink princess decor will bless my little red-headed bundle of joy on her special day. :)

Happy Holidays...

I must say I do feel a bit disorganized this year. I am slowly adding invitations and my holiday line to the shop. I had wanted to get more completed this year, but it looks like 2011 will hopefully showcase some of my new designs - I can't tell you how long it sometimes takes for me to "finalize" something. Regardless, I hope you enjoy a few of last year's favorites that I have pictured here. Check back for the other set of recipe cards and Charlotte's trip to see Princesses on Ice. It was so much fun!

Beauty and The Beast

Finally, here are the halloween pictures. I thoroughly had a great time with the kids. I think I had more fun than they did. This was the first year that I have been able to take even Charlotte and we all went out as a family in our neighborhood to trick or treat. The kids had so much fun and once Charlotte figured out that saying "trick or treat" at each neighbor's door resulted in more candy she was game.

Douglass Charles impressed me with keeping his costume on the WHOLE night and Charlotte was thrilled with her ballerina princess costume - compliments of Nanna. She obviously felt so pretty and she has asked me multiple times since Sunday if we could go trick or treating again.

We are already looking forward to next year - now I really can't wait to see what the Christmas holidays bring.