Happy Thanksgiving!

I know that I am pretty much repeating last year's Thanksgiving post but if you ask me it is a message that bears repeating!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hubby's Holiday Take Over

I, Hubby, have been given responsibility for today's post.  Simply to amuse myself I considered filling this page writing about things Eileen would find unappealing (beer, "The Godfather", reasons Virginia is better than New Jersey, the Redskins despite the team currently being unappealing to everyone, etc) but the juice probably isn't worth the squeeze on that one.

I was given this responsibility because Eileen has been in the kitchen cooking up a storm for most of the day. While she has always contributed to Thanksgiving we normally go to New Jersey to be with her family so in the past she has only had to make a few things. This year we are staying at home so it is basically the first time Thanksgiving has fallen solely on her.

Due to the reality that with a single oven there is only so much that can cook at one time on Thanksgiving itself Eileen has been very busy the last two days trying to make things ahead of time. So far she has made soup, two pies, mashed sweet potatoes (my favorite!) and stuffing. The stuffing, which is amazing, is exceptionally important to her because it is her grandmother's recipe. Thanksgiving is Eileen's favorite holiday in large part because she associates it so closely with her grandparents who always used to host the day for the family. Her grandfather has passed away and her grandmother is no longer having Thanksgiving at her house but the day still holds tremendous meaning for her. Making the stuffing with her grandmother's recipe, something I have no doubt Eileen will pass down to our kids, is a way she is able to maintain a connection to her childhood while we start new traditions with our own children.

What Thanksgiving foods or traditions do you associate with your childhood that you are passing on to your kids? Whatever they are we wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!

The Book Thief

When trailers for The Book Thief started running I just knew I had to read the book first. Are any of you like that too? If I know that a movie was based on a book I have to read the book before I can see the movie. Weird, I know but I digress. Simply put The Book Thief is a thought provoking young adult book about growing up in Nazis Germany.

Amazon says:  The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Honestly I could go on and on about this book. It might be a "YA" book but it is filled with lessons that all adults need to learn and/or be reminded of; words are powerful, beautiful things can happen during ugly times and if you stand for nothing you will fall for anything. 

A Big Old Mess

After having to put all projects on hold while L was not well I am finally getting things done around the house. The only problem is that I just seem to be making things worse not better! I moved all of the furniture around only to pretty much put everything back where it was in the first place. My painted mirror was finished and hung but now I am second guessing the color. Not to mention that I think I might have hung it too high. 

I am full of self-doubt and I fear it is holding me back. I mean really, we are hosting my brother for Thanksgiving. I should be putting the final touches on our house not tearing it apart!!!

Hopefully wise words from my father-in-law will come true....."Sometimes you have to burn the farm in order to save the village." Please tell me I am not the only one trying to do too much!

TGIF XIII

Can you believe that it is less than a week to Thanksgiving!?! To say that I have too much to do in not much time would be the understatement of the year. But have no fear, I have a plan!

{1} Blue & White Plus Orange

I am sure that it would not surprise you that I turned to Pinterest for some tablescape inspiration. I just love the Thanksgiving table setting that Jennifer put together! I have a feeling that I will love the way my Royal Copenhagen china looks with orange accents.

{2} Tom The Turkey

Last night I got our bird. I must have been quite the sight digging in the meat case looking for a turkey that weighed less than 13 pounds while wearing a dress. It was not pretty but I got what I wanted! 

{3} Thermometer

There is nothing worst than dry turkey meat on Thanksgiving! So to make sure that does not happen to me I ordered a new remote thermometer. In theory I will be able to leave the kitchen and socialize without over cooking dinner. Leaving the kitchen on Thanksgiving...a girl can dream right?

{4} Apron

I am a big fan of aprons! In fact I wear one almost everyday. They truly help cut down on the trips I make to the dry cleaners and the time I have to spend spot treating my wash. This year I will be wearing a vintage apron that my Gram gave me for Christmas last year but Anthropologie has a bunch a super cute aprons too!

{5} A Forgiving Top

I am sure it is going to prove that I am not a lady, let alone a Southern lady, but I plan to indulge on Thanksgiving. Truly this is my most favorite meal of the whole year! (The only close second is our lobster dinner at the Cape.) So I feel like this top with my pixie pants would be perfect for next week.

So what is your Thanksgiving game plan?

You can also find me at A. Liz Aventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life Blog

American Education Week

This week is American Education Week and my kiddos' school has held events every day this week. I look forward to this week each year since I love getting a glimpse of what my kiddos' school day is like. Oh and I might enjoy embarrassing them a little bit too!

At the beginning of the week the fifth grade class this year hosted a Math 24 tournament. Math 24 is a game where you are given a card with four numbers and the object of the game is to make 24. You can add, subtract, multiply and divide. Use all four numbers on a card, but use each number only once. Not a simple task if you ask me!

And I have a feeling that B's pattern might have been holding her back. Every time a card had a "2" and a "4" on it, L would shout out "24". In his mind it made perfect sense! I am just not sure the rest of the fifth graders saw it that way.

Then later in the week, the third graders hosted a "wax museum". Each third grader had been given the name of a famous American and was asked to do a research project on that person complete with a speech, poster and costume. M was assigned George Washington Carver.

It was just too cute to see all of the third graders standing still in the gym waiting for a parent to come over and touch their "push me" button. Then they came to life the read their speech. I may or may not have given my "waxed statue" a kiss. I simple could not help myself!!!

Trying Not to Get Ahead of Myself

Bad news - we are not going to be able to travel up to New Jersey this year for Thanksgiving. Good news - we are hosting my youngest brother for Thanksgiving. (Hubby's note- Better news: He is bringing beer and I don't have to drive anywhere!) So I have been cleaning like a mad woman to get our home ready for next week. It turns out that a family of five can make some big messes! 

Much of my day today was spent cleaning in our formal living-room. I have to be honest while I love this room, I just don't get to spend a ton of time in there. In fact for most of November I have only gone in the living-room to water the plants. After dinner....in the dark.

So imagine my surprise when I noticed that my Christmas cactus has tiny buds! Since I feel like everything is losing color outside I was so excited to see that soon my plant will be filled with beautiful, bright pink flowers. 

I can't believe I am going to say this but...my little Christmas cactus has put me in the Christmas mood before Thanksgiving. But don't go all crazy thinking that I am decking the halls and all that. One holiday at a time and in order...that's my rule and I am sticking to it!!!