Friday Friendsgiving

As we were eating our 3rd, and what should have been our final, Thanksgiving dinner up at the cabin, I told Carl I needed more. Just one more turkey dinner, with all the fixings, and I'd be set. I decided to buy a turkey when we got home, invite a couple of friends over and enjoy Thanksgiving one more time!

I wasn't going to do anything with the table, but at the last minute just dressed it up a bit to welcome in the Christmas season. I just used things I had from last year and regular season items as well. Just goes to show you can entertain any time for any reason. It was a mix of fancy and casual and completely delicious!

The menu was seriously traditional:

• Roast Turkey and Drippings Gravy
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Sweet & Savory Stuffing
• Green Bean Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce
• Wine
• Ice Water

My day went a little something like this:

2:30p start the stuffing and prep the turkey
3p: Start the turkey (8.5lb turkey to be done about 6:30p in time to rest and carve)
5p: peel and cut potatoes, put in water to keep from browning
5:30p put together green bean casserole
6p: set the table, wine in the decanter, ice water in the carafe
6:30p boil and mash potatoes, take turkey out and cover with aluminum foil, put casserole and stuffing in the oven
7p: light candles, guests arrive, carve turkey, get everything on the table


If you are hosting this year, here is my quick guideline for entertaining.

1-2 weeks out: Choose the Menu
2-3 days before: Grocery Shop
1-2 days before: Prep your table to be sure you aren't missing anything
1 day before: Do as much cleaning as possible
Day of: Start cooking early, be sure to leave time to get ready and enjoy!

Football Fashion

I haven't done one of these in awhile, probably because I haven't worn anything cute in quite some time ;) I've actually been wearing this outfit a ton because it is really versatile! I wanted something that could get me through all my errand running and then to a small party later on tonight. I've also worn it shopping and out for the evening. The boots are super comfortable!


Brown Leather Boots: Aldo
Olive Matchstick Cords: JCrew
Navy long sleeve tissue T: JCrew
Multi-Color Scarf: Old Navy
Brown Leather Purse: Coach

Sundays With Santa's Little Helpers

Do the holidays make you light up with excitement? Do you burst at the seams just waiting for their arrival? Are you just nuts about decorating, baking and family parties? Well, if you answered yes, stick around! You are about to be bombarded with holiday goodness! But wait! If you said no, don’t go anywhere either! Why you ask? Because there is a good chance I know why you aren’t excited. Does the thought of the holidays make your skin crawl? Are you nervous and anxious at the same time? Does the chaos, entertaining, decorating, baking and cleaning make you want to hibernate with the bears? Well then you should stick around too! Sit back, grab a cup of spiced cider, hot cocoa, hot toddy or whatever else you like, for we are about to embark on a holiday challenge like never before!

I’ve teamed up with Kristen at The Working Woman’s Guide for Domestic Success and Gia at A Life in Progress to bring you this series of posts in order to make your holidays painless. Starting next Sunday, we’ll each do a weekly post with the same theme and pump you full of knowledge while challenging you to do some of the same things we’re doing!

Are you as excited as we are? If so, post in the comments and tell me you are committed! We are going to conquer the holidays one week at a time, and it’ll be enjoyable- I PROMISE! And make sure to stop in every Sunday (well…you can stop in every day if you’d like…I’d like it…) and join Santa’s Little Helpers during the most wonderful time of the year!

Transformation Thursday: Shedding a Tear

This Transformation Thursday makes me just a little bit sad. It is really the end of warm weather around these parts, and with that comes some (brace yourself) winterizing. With the harsh weather we get, leaving all our patio furniture outside is just not acceptable. So to maximize the life, we move most of it inside, into the basement. However, it is just not feasible, nor necessary to move the large table inside for the winter. So, instead, we tarp it and use bungee cords to secure it. It keeps the table safe from the elements all winter long until the snow melts and we can once again bask in the sun.

Before, look how bright and sunny and shiny it all is!
(at least one perk is that nasty dead tree over there on the right is no longer there, yippeeee!)

And....after.
At least...sniff sniff....she's safe. Sniff sniff.

But on to the positive, with the close of this warm season comes my favorite time of the year (next to that whole basking in the sun thing I was talking about up there). The HOLIDAY SEASON! Woo hoo! Bring it on, I'm ready!









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What? Too early for Christmas inspiration? Nah...never!

Do you have any winterizing projects on your list? We've still got a few to do including the sprinkler system. Guess it's really time to get moving on it all!

Pics courtesy of BHG