Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Saga Continues

Well my friends, the saga with our Christmas trees continues.
You know it's serious when Hubby straps on his headband flashlight!
We changed out dozens of burned out lights.
Still no lights on the tip top!
Next step, recheck each light.
I will not show the trees again until they are decorated. 
 I promise!

Today's project is putting lights on the bushes.  This is the weekend to do this job because the weather next Saturday is going to be frightful.  

Have a wonderful Saturday!
Carol 

Friday, November 29, 2013

Tale Of The Christmas Trees

We had a great Thanksgiving day!  Food & more food.  Enough leftovers for the next few days.
I've always wanted to start a tradition of decorating the Christmas trees on Thanksgiving evening.  So, that's just what we did tried to do.
As you can see the trees are not decorated.  The reason is because of many burned out bulbs.  We need to replace many bulbs.  This is not fun!  
You may have noticed in the first picture a couple of white ornaments.  The grandkids found them in the tree bags.  I guess you could say one tree is decorated.  LOL!
Stand by for updates.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, from our home to yours!
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Carol 

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Turkey Day Menu

Home for turkey!
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Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizers
Veggie Tray
Chips & Dip
Clementines 
Grapes
Strawberries

Deep Fried Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Green Beans
Corn on the Cob
(Ethan requested corn on the cob & broccoli.)
Garden Salad
Hot Rolls
Dilly Bread

4 Pies
Chocolate
Coconut Cream
Pecan
Pumpkin
Iced Tea & Water

Hubby ordered the chocolate, coconut cream pies & rolls from some ladies at work. The pumpkin & pecan pies come from Sam's.
Speaking of pies, take a look at these adorable mini pumpkin pies.
My sister, Susan, made them & displayed them on her vintage children's stove.  
Thanksgiving
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No more words are needed!
Carol 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Gathering Around The Table

The Thanksgiving table is already set.
This morning I decided to go ahead & set the table so I wouldn't be rushed Thursday morning.
We have family dinner almost every Sunday.  Special time together.  When it's time for Thanksgiving I have many memories of family dinners from my growing up years & 37 years of marriage.
I know you're probably as busy as I am with 'Turkey Day' preparations.  I'm baking cornbread, toasting bread & chopping celery & onions today for the dressing.  I'm going to pace myself & enjoy the reason we gather together.

Carol 
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Monday, November 25, 2013

A Winning Weekend

Win #1

I am happy to report that our team, Oklahoma State University, defeated Baylor Saturday night.
OSU 49 - Baylor 17
We had a great time watching the game in the comfort of our living room instead of freezing in the stadium.  Which leads me to . . .
Win #2
When we turned on the gas logs in our fireplace Saturday afternoon the flame kept going out.
Hubby was able to clean out the thermocoupler with compressed air dust remover.  Worked like a charm.  
Win #3
We enjoyed sharing a home cooked meal with our kids Sunday afternoon.  It's so much fun playing with the grandkids.  
Emma proudly wear her OSU outfit.
Ethan is always happy when he's playing on Daddy's IPad.
They know more about an IPad than I do!  

Happy Thanksgiving week!
Carol 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Words That Inspire

“Perhaps no custom reveals our character as a Nation so clearly as our celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage, the practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow.”
President Ronald Reagan, Thanksgiving Day, 1986

Wishing you a Sunday full of celebration . . .

Saturday, November 23, 2013

BRRRRRR

My goodness, it's COLD! 

 Snow is predicted for our neck of the woods tomorrow.
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We bought our turkey & all the other 'turkey day' essentials this morning.
Now, we're back home snuggled in for a day of football.
Our team has a big game tonight at 7:00.  
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We'll be cheering from home.
Let's go Cowboys, beat Baylor!

Friday, November 22, 2013

Kid Friendly Thanksgiving Decor

I collected several items through the years at craft shows for decorating our home in country style.
  My decorating style slowly evolved into traditional warm & welcoming, cozy. That's a decorating title I made up.  HA!  
 Little did I realize, 20 years ago, that these would become kid friendly Thanksgiving decorations for my grandkids to play with.
They had a great time last week helping me display the decorations.
They like to stack up these little Amish ladies & watch them tumble down.
They enjoy playing with the wooden pieces.  I don't have to worry about anything getting broken.
It makes me smile to see them having fun with everything.

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Tradition

This is the 5th year I have shared this bread recipe. It's worth repeating.  It really is that good.
My Mother started making Dilly Bread for Thanksgiving & Christmas dinners back in the 70's.
It's a tradition, I'm so thankful she passed the recipe on to me.  She always baked it in a round Pyrex.  Sometimes I bake it in a loaf pan, but I like it best in my antique Pyrex bowl because it reminds me of Mother.
Dilly Bread
1 package yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup cottage cheese (heated to lukewarm, I do this in the microwave)
2 T. sugar
1 T. instant minced onion
3 T. butter
2 tsp. dill seed
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. soda
1 egg
2 1/4 cup sifted flour

Soften yeast in water. Combine in mixing bowl cottage cheese, sugar, onion, butter, dill seed, salt, soda, beaten egg and softened yeast. Add flour to form a stiff dough, beating well after each addition. Cover and let rise in warm place until light and doubles in size, 50 to 60 minutes. Knead down dough and turn into well greased 2 1/2 qt. casserole. (If you don't want to take the time to knead the dough you can make it in your bread machine.  Very simple!)  Let rise in warm place until light, 40 minutes or so. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes until brown (crust will be dark brown). Brush with butter.
The combination of dill & cottage cheese really make this delicious.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

November Note Card Party At Vee's Place

It's time again for Vee's note card party.
It's always a lot of fun to see everyone's beautiful pictures.
Click on the picture to visit Vee's place.

I'm keeping with the season of Thanksgiving for my note cards.  All the photos are from previous blog posts.  Click on pictures to read the original post.
This will be the theme/box cover.

Gather 'Round the Table

Family Gathers Near

Turkey Under Glass 

Harvest Time

Thanks so much for coming by to visit!  Hope you come back soon.

Carol 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Let's Talk Turkey

Here are a few of my special turkey gobblers.
This turkey is supposed to be poked into a pumpkin. 
 This year I decided to stuff him in this fall arrangement.
He looks very important on the entry table.
Here is a special little turkey created by Grandma Ruby.  Ceramics was one of her passions. 
Cute gobbler place mats for the Thanksgiving table.
I found these vintage salt & pepper shakers at an antique shop in my hometown.

Since we're talking turkey, what is your favorite way to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey?
Roasted in the oven, smoked or deep fried?
We like deep fried turkey.  We got hooked on it when my brother-in-law, Howard, fixed one for our feast when we celebrated 'turkey day' in Houston about 20 years ago.  It was so delicious he made another one the day after Thanksgiving.  

We used to use one of these to fry our bird.
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When we moved to this house 9 years ago, there really wasn't a good place to fry without danger of catching the house on fire, so we bought one of these.
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You can use it indoors, but if the weather is nice we use it on the patio table.  Works like a charm.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Stained Glass & Vintage Postcards

I really enjoy decorating for each season.  Our kids will be here on Thanksgiving day so I have done a little more decorating than I did last year.  
I tweaked the Thanksgiving vignette on the piano.
A stained class turkey light was a surprise gift from Hubby several years ago.
I also added my small collection of vintage Thanksgiving postcards.
The turkey light provides & nice warm glow when the sun sets.  

I'm linking with . . .