Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving...

Ok, so is it just me, or are there way too many favorite foods to try to cram into one meal on a Thursday in November?

Last week, when I asked my kids what what they were wanting to see on our Thanksgiving table, I started to feel a little overwhelmed. Their favorite Thanksgiving meal is a little different than my family's menu plan, and even though I have tried to cram it all in in the past, I think I'm past that point. For the amount of work that's involved, but also because there's just too much food when we try to cram it all into one meal. Why stuff so much in to one day?

Thus the development for another holiday meal plan at our abode. This year, we're going to have some of our favorites (mainly my kids favs) and then tomorrow, we'll take our traditional sides and desserts to our families feasts.

Here's our plan...feel free to start your own new tradition! I'd love to hear what your Thanksgiving Eve line up would be!

Remember the Veggies...

I've been kind of quiet ever since 31 days. Partly because I feel like I said everything in the world that I could ever say about celebrating. But, partly because of birthdays and drama. Either way, all of a sudden, I realized Thanksgiving is this week, and I've barely chatted about it here!

As I looked for Thanksgiving recipes the other night, my husband standing over my shoulder asked, "Why is it always turkey?" Which is actually a great question. I love having turkey for Thanksgiving, and look forward to the traditional meal every year. However, for those of you who would rather not have the same old thing every year (or for you vegetarians like my hubby), I came across these fun ideas for more meatless dishes to have at your Thanksgiving.

I can't tell if I like the recipes or the pictures better, but either way Martha Stewart knows her stuff.

There aren't as many pretty pictures here, but there are a ton of vegan and vegetarian dishes to peruse.

And, here's a great article about how to accomodate both vegetarian and vegan guests without having to recreate your entire dinner.

Sometimes it gets intimidating to think in "vegetarian" terms when it comes to meal planning...especially if you're like me, who feels like it's a foreign word. But, the more I've lived with the meat "constraints", the less I feel like it's a complication.

In the spirit of helping you celebrate this week, please check out my tips from last year's Thanksgiving 101... there's a whole week of tips on celebrating one of my favorite holidays!

Giving thanks for you this week!

Day 24: Worth the Wait

Sometimes without knowing it, I'll catch myself humming a familiar Christmas tune. Then, I hear myself, and gasp, and tell myself to wait!

I think I've always been one to savor the moment. On trips I always want my last day of vacation to be spent going out one more time to enjoy wherever we were. I hate just packing up and leaving...it feels like wasting the entire "day" that you could have still been wherever it was you were.

The holidays are no different for me. Last year, I did a whole series on this principle! So, yes, I agree 100% with Nordstrom's policy, and am glad they took my advice last year.

All this to say, that this last week of our 31 days journey, I'll be sharing some fun tips to fall festivities around the home. To celebrate this wonderful season we're in, and to encourage you not to miss the glory of Fall around your home. See you tomorrow!

StC: For Everything Thy Goodness Sends

thank-ful

adjective | thank-fel |

pleased and relieved; expressing gratitude and relief:

an earnest and thankful prayer

When I think about putting into words what Thanksgiving is all about, I can't help but hear Marcie's voice inside my head...

"You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown."

Even though it may surprise you, I will say, that it's not always easy to celebrate and give thanks. Sometimes people that we want to be with, cannot be there. And sometimes the ones we're with, don't always make it easy to be with. Sometimes things happen that we are not thankful for, and feelings of thankfulness seems far off and unreachable.

Last night, just before I was getting ready to go ice skating with my daughter, I realized that my mom's ring, that I wear constantly, was gone. I had lost my mother's diamond ring. The ring that she designed the same year I was born, that I used to spend hours counting all the tiny diamonds in it, just to make sure that all of them were there...is gone. I've gone and looked at every possible spot it might be, and its. just. not. there. Even though it's just an object, it's so much more to me than that. It feels like I've lost another piece of her. A piece of her heart, and who she was.

My sweet, optimistic little girl said on the way home, "We can spend all day tomorrow looking for it." I sighed and said, "No, we can't. Tomorrow's Thanksgiving." And nothing in me felt like being thankful for what today is.

But then, I look around. I see the faces around me that are only there because a good God decided to give me the most tremendous people to have in my life. My amazing, God-loving husband, my beautiful and precious two children, my parents and my husband's parents, our sisters and brothers, our nephews and nieces, our cousins, our grandparents, our aunts, our uncles, our friends. Their faces flood my mind, and I realize how truly grateful I am. I realize that's what Thanksgiving is all about.

I hope that your day today is full of rest and peace. Take the time to enjoy celebrating with your sweet families, and don't forget to give thanks...even if it doesn't come easy.

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

StC: Traditions Shared

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

So, I've been thinking and wondering, what do other people do on Thanksgiving? I've wondered if having football games and the Macy's day parade on in the background is a thing of the past, or if it's still as popular as ever. Do you eat the same exact menu every year, or is it always a new and exciting selection? Is it filled with lots of baking and eating or do you head out to eat? Do you dress up and take your annual Christmas card picture, or do you hang out in comfy clothes all day? Do you sit around and talk about all you're thankful for, or do you pop in a favorite movie?

There is such a richness of life that dwells in each person and it makes each of our own families and traditions exactly who we are. From the way we were raised, to how we decorate our homes, to what we make for dinner, and how we raise our children. We each have our own lives, and it's so fun to get to share those things with others. So, do tell! What are your favorite things to do on Thanksgiving?

And, just in case you wanted some more fun embellishment for your celebrating tomorrow, here's an awesome blog with free printables! LOVE them for letting us get in on the goodies.

Linking up with Imperfect Prose.

StC: A Few of My Favorites

There are so many things that come to mind when I think about what "home" really means. But more than anything else, it is the shared experiences that we celebrate there. And being together, is always accompanied by eating good food. We like planning menus, fixing it, baking together...we'll even be at one meal, and before you know it we're planning the next! And, when it comes to Thanksgiving, I don't really feel right without having at least 3 pies as dessert options. I'm so embarrassed, but that really is the truth. Usually, I make a pumpkin and a chocolate pie, and my sister makes her pecan pie...so so good. Here are our beloved recipes! (You still have time to add at least one of them to your Thanksgiving day line up...maybe all three!)

Chocolate Pie

(recipe makes 2 pies)

2 deep dish pie shells

3 c. sugar

1/2 c. cocoa

1 stick butter

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 lg. can evaporated milk

Mix sugar, cocoa, butter and eggs together. Beat lightly. Then add vanilla and evaporated milk. Beat together. Pour into 2 unbaked pie shells. Bake at 350 for an hour.

Traditional Pumpkin Pie

(recipe makes 2 pies)

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

(hint: you could always use 2.5 tsp. of pumpkin pie spice to simplify the spices)

4 large eggs

1 (29 oz.) can pumpkin

2 cans evaporated milk

2 unbaked deep dish pie shells

Mix sugar, salt, and spices in a small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shells. Bake in preheated 425 oven for 15 min. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake for an additional 40-50 min. or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hrs. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

The Far Superior Pumpkin Cheesecake

(adapted by Smitten Kitchen)

Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 c. white corn syrup

1 c. dark brown sugar

1/3 tsp. salt

1/3 c. melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1 c. heaping whole pecans

Directions:

Combine syrup, sugar, salt, butter & vanilla. Mix well.

Add beaten eggs.

Pour into 9” unbaked pie shell.

Sprinkle pecans over all.

Bake at 350˚ for 45 mins.

Cool and top with whipped cream or ice cream.

And since the first two recipes make two pies, you can always use one to bless your neighbors! They'll appreciate it...I promise. :)

StC: Thanksgiving:101: Thankful Tree

I love being able to make concepts come more alive for my children. I've learned how allowing them to create something, truly helps make it stick in their minds more. For instance, we talk a lot in November about being thankful. But, this year, we're going to help them to see how much we really have. This is a simple object lesson that also doubles as a fun and interactive centerpiece.

Step 6: Be Intentional About Being Thankful

1. Find a small branch in your yard, and trim it down enough to place in a vase (I like how river rocks look at the bottom of my vase, and they also stabilizes the branch from shifting - you can find bags of them at the Dollar Tree). It can still have several small branches coming off of it, as it will only add to the display you're creating.

2. Have the kids help you cut out lots of "leaves" from colored paper. If you want to get exact leaf shapes, here's a free maple leaf template, or an oak leaf template. I like the more whimsical look, so we just kind of cut out what we felt looked like a leaf. You can use construction paper, or scrapbook paper...whatever you have &/or like. We punched a hole in the end of the leaf, to be able to use ribbons to hang them on the tree. However, you can also just punch an ornament hanger through the paper, and hang that way.

3. Place the leaves, crayons/markers, and ornament hooks nearby the tree.

4. Each morning or evening, take the time to ask each family member one thing they're thankful for. After they say (or write) what they are thankful for, hang that leaf on the tree.

5. Watch as your tree grows to be full of blessings.

6. Then, on Thanksgiving, take each leaf off your tree, announcing what the blessing was. This is especially sweet to all the extended family, that will get to hear what little ones have been thankful for.

I think this will be a fun tradition for years to come. It will be precious to save the leaves and be able to read them years from now. There is such a sweet faith in little ones, and many times it is only vulnerable and transparent for a short time. I'm soaking those moments up while I can!!

Speaking of awesome ideas, I found this blog, and she had so so many fun links to great Thanksgiving projects, I had to wrap up our Thanksgiving: 101 by sharing the goodness! This week has been so much fun. I hope you're feeling more excited about Thanksgiving than ever...without all the stress taking over.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow for our next giveaway!!

StC: Thanksgiving 101: Serving Central

Yesterday, we made our lists for our Thanksgiving groceries. Today, we are venturing into serving options! You definitely don't want everyone to show up with the food, and have no place to put everything. Or the other headache, having people ask you, "Where does this go?" And not really knowing the answer! Plan ahead, and know right where everything will go!

Step 3. Plan Your Serving Stations

1. Customize to Your Space:

If you have a small kitchen, you can always station different food in other rooms. Dessert could be stationed on a side table in the living room. Or a drink station in your den. This way, not everyone is crowded into the kitchen, making the chef crazy! If you have the space, setting the food on a buffet is always really nice. You can use a variety of dishes to serve from and just mix and match what you like/what people bring. Grab what you like, and what holds food in the most functional way and you won't go wrong!

2. Decide if you will use all your own dishes, or just have enough spots, trays, and trivets to put other dishes on. I will say it's much simpler to just keep the dish it came in, even if they don't all match just right.

3. Label your dishes (or spaces for dishes) with the names of food that will go in them, to make a simple buffet spread. That way when guests arrive and see "cranberry sauce" they'll know right where to put it. If you're taking a dish somewhere, label your dish, just in case it gets left, you'll be sure to get it back!

*HOSTESS TIP: Make sure you get a few disposable containers or ziploc bags to be able to send leftovers home with your guests.

See you back here tomorrow for more Thanksgiving 101. You can do it, I promise!

picture credits: www.goodhousekeeping.com/food/holidays/easy-organizing-thanksgiving-table

StC: Thanksgiving 101: The Lists

I always seem to have random lists in my pockets, or jackets, or crumbled up in my purse somewhere. They definitely serve their purpose in keeping me straight, but sometimes, they can be overwhelming. Too many things to do in one day. Too many people to call back in one 15 min. car pool line. Or too many groceries to get in one trip. All this to say, DON'T plan on getting all your Thanksgiving groceries in one trip to the store.

Step 2. Make Your List(s)

After choosing your recipes, make your master list of everything you'll need for your feast. Take a quick inventory of your staples, to make sure that when you go to grab the sugar for that pie you're making, your sugar's not scraping the bottom of the canister.

Separate your perishables from your non-perishables. On your next trip to the store, go ahead and get your non-perishables for your upcoming recipes. Then, the week of, go back and get your turkey, cheese, eggs, milk, etc.

(Hint: Before you go to the store, clean out your fridge of everything but the essentials...that way when you come back with all the food, you'll have the space to pack it in!)

There's no reason why you need to get everything for the meal in one day. Take your time, and organize your thoughts. Your stress level, and your wallet, will be thanking you!

Something to Celebrate: Thanksgiving 101

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday. I think it might be my favorite holiday...probably because I get to eat all my favorite foods! It's so glorious and beautiful...and oh my gosh, it's 2 weeks away! With decorating, baking, traveling, grocery shopping, gifts, how do you even know where to begin? Well, I'll tell you!

Each day this week, I will be giving a step for how to prepare for Thanksgiving. So, don't worry...we'll do it together one step at a time! (Breathe...just breathe.) I would hate for you to not be able to fully enjoy this season, simply because you had to rush to get everything done at the last minute. Even though I'm the world's biggest procrastinator when it comes to my own life, I love being able to slowly work my way through my Thanksgiving preparation, so that when the day comes, I can simply...be thankful.

So, where to start? It might be obvious, but...the food!

Step 1.

Decide if you are doing a Pot Luck Thanksgiving, which I have to say is my personal favorite, or the Traditional Feast that one person "whips" up. (Yeah, right!). Whether you're making everything, or only taking a side dish somewhere, you can decide now, so that the stress is removed from the week of.

If you are the host, I would decide on the menu, and then ask people to bring specific dishes. (i.e. Nancy, will you bring a green bean casserole?) You could even offer a recipe that you already know is delicious. Or, they could enjoy exploring different recipes. Either way, they know that they are in charge of that particular dish, rather than having no idea what they should bring. People like simplicity. The easier you can make it for your guests, the better.

If you are going to be a guest this year for Thanksgiving, DON'T wait for them to call you and tell you what to bring. More times than not, the host doesn't want to feel like you're being burdened with anything. So, call them, and ask what you could bring to contribute to the meal. This way, you can begin to prepare, and feel good about lifting the load off the host.

Here are a few links to deciding upon the menu for your Thanksgiving Day Feast!

Thanksgiving Potluck Guide (Real Simple)

13 Thanksgiving Day Menus (Sunset)

Thanksgiving Menus for Everyone (All Recipes)

Over 100 Thanksgiving Day Recipes (Foodnetwork)

Thanksgiving Handbook (Delish)

If you are somewhat local, and haven't already linked up for this week's giveaway, go do it! It's a delicious one for sure! And, make sure you check back tomorrow for Step 2!

Linking up with Tuesdays Unwrapped!