Thanksgiving preparations underway

A very happy Thursday to everyone!  I am in “full-speed-ahead” mode with Thanksgiving preparations underway!

I promise to share more tomorrow, but I am so excited to officially say…our master bath remodel is DONE.

However, I want to move back in with purposeful intention to better organize and weed some items out.

Around all of this, I am in a Thanksgiving preparations speed of light pace.

I love hosting Thanksgiving for our growing family and keeping my autumn decor out until after the meal. 

I understand you see many bloggers who have moved quickly to Christmas decorations, but I love Thanksgiving and want to enjoy it before diving into Christmas…which I think goes away too soon!

So, join me today as I discuss a few Thanksgiving preparations.

THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS: TODAY’S OUTFIT

When I saw this long sleeved peacock crewneck tee at Talbot’s, I really liked it for a fun casual style.

I am also wearing a Talbots vest I have had in my wardrobe.

One more note on the tee, it is also cute with a blazer or cardigan….I love all of the colors In the peacock.

My feet are happy today in my gold sneakers.  Here is a SIMILAR SHOE.

I also want to call attention to Banana Republic Factory.

There are some amazing prices and some of you will be so glad to discover the quality of items!

Here are a few things, I have my eye on for gift giving….

THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS: SITTING ARRANGEMENTS

We are thrilled our family continues to grow and I love bringing all of our in-laws into one place.

We purchased this outdoor table last year from Wayfair, and it is a great table to have…but weather doesn’t always cooperate. 

I have wanted a folding table to use as an additional table for the growing Christmas village…with table cloths you can make anything attractive.

So, I was excited to find this Fold-in- Half adjustable table at Walmart.

Mr. B was excited that it is easy to store, and it does come in white as well.  

I plan to decorate it for the meal and place it near the main table in the dining room.

Then if we do not need the outdoor table this will work. 

THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS: MEAL CHANGES

Here I am last year working hard in my kitchen preparing the majority of the meal.

This year, I have conceded that including more people to participate and bring food is helpful.

My oldest son will be smoking the turkey and ham at his home…he loves to smoke meat.

To reward him for taking on that task with his family of three young children, I will make his favorite dessert.

It is the traditional Kraft Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie….he loves it. 

Since I am not roasting the turkey at my house, I will need to make sure to cook extra turkey stock in my crockpot for the dressing and gravy.

I toss in a couple of turkey legs, applewood bacon, chopped onion, chopped apple, chopped celery, two large cloves of garlic, and seasoned with Himalayan salt,  white pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning.

I will cook two rounds and store in the refrigerator to make sure I have what I need.

I write this often, but write it again….THE STOCK IS EVERYTHING!

Part of this week’s Thanksgiving preparations are to make certain I have all I need in a well done grocery list.

THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS: THE DECOR

Traditionally, I pull out my specific Thanksgiving decorations right after Halloween.

This is a little pillow on my front bench that I found at Goodwill San Antonio.

You can never have too many reminders to BE THANKFUL.

I pull out a few family memories to be placed near the table.

These little ceramics were our first Thanksgiving purchase over 37 years ago…at a five & dime….they were $1 each.

At the time, I thought that was pricey!

They have survived the years and appear every Thanksgiving.

I miss the old five & dimes?  Anyone else?

NOTE:  On my porch you see that I purchased ceramic pumpkins this year over the real ones (which I prefer), but the uncertainty of the bathroom remodel had me thinking that buying the real ones this might not be prudent.

I am glad to have these two ceramics now, but next year will plan to bring back the real ones as you see in this picture from last year.

I found these at our local grocery store….HEB.

As you can see, the Thanksgiving preparations have me pretty busy…but this is the type of busy I really enjoy.

Please ask any questions or make comments…..and get ready….tomorrow is the bathroom reveal!  Hope to see you then…join me as we……

KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

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