Happy Thanksgiving!

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." - G.K. Chesterton

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation." - Brian Tracy

I LOVE Thanksgiving so much. Any holiday that is focused on giving thanks or gratitude has to be a good one, right?


Well it was so much fun to particpate in The Blog Nog series that Liz over @ Say Yes To Hoboken is hosting...lots of great ideas that Liz constantly comes up with. I decided to put all of my budget friendly ideas to create a non traditional Thanksgiving table. If you want to see more about my dollar store crafts then head on over here.

Also a special thanks to Michelle for all of the photography work that she did. Michelle is not only a great photographer but a great friend. Can you believe the pictures were taken in my home when it was dark outside....that is right no natural light. All of the above pictures were either from her camera or from mine but all under her direction.

Well folks, I hope every single one who celebrates Thanksgiving has a wonderful holiday.

xx - Christina

P.S. - What is the deal with "the storm of the decade" here in Utah? I was expecting to get snowed in or something.

Wow, Nov. 1st already..

Well, if this doesn't get you all excited for Thanksgiving, then I don't know what will (except pumpkin pie). I want that recipe for that turkey garnished with figs...oh and that is a yummy kitchen as well.

Christopher Baker shoots Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and her mother, Jackie Stept for @InStyle’s Nov. 2010 issue.

{found via here}

Thanksgiving table setting ideas

Since there are usually quite a few kids around during Thanksgiving we always set out a table just for the little ones. I thought the top image was so creative, simple and perfect for easy clean-up. You could certainly translate that idea for many other events as well. For more details go here.

Who knew brown craft paper and a marker could look so cute. I also love the idea of sending the guests away with their leftovers in a cute brown paper box with labels. Boxes found here and labels found here.

Lastly I came across the above fitted table covering and thought for the price point that they were brilliant. I am imagining taking trim and with a little no-sew glue making it look much more customized. There are three different sizes and one even fits a card table. Found here.

gratitude & abundance

The other day I felt like as was going to be on the verge of a mood.  My camera WILL NOT work in the sunlight.  Nope not on manual, not on TV, not AV and certainly not automatic. Playing in Nana & Bacca's backyard brought some beautiful lighting & the boys were so happy swinging, picking the metal cricket out of Bacca's garden (shhh) & playing catch but my darn camera would not operate properly.  I was pretty sure it was because the boys (or girls..either which grouping of children) dumped water on top of the camera the other day.  I went inside to see if the camera worked indoors.   

Hmmm, still a little blurry but much better.  The first place I went to snap a picture was Nana's dining room.  A room in the house that really only gets used a handful of times a year.  One being none other than that great day of thanks that is really just around the corner.  For some reason I had a little extra gratitude in my heart right then & there just thinking about celebrating Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving should actually be a daily occurrence in my opinion  You see, I have been given so much, an abundance in fact.  It's amazing how in an instance replacing gratitude for any negative thought can lift ones spirits or diminish thoughts that even are on the verge of going down negative lane.  After that I followed those cute little chipmunks around the house.  I am amazed & grateful @ the chance to be their mother.  Perfectly healthy normal boys who teach me so much,which I am grateful for (even if they break & ruin things).  Is it normal for little boys to live trucks up on a wall;-)

Of course it wouldn't be normal if I thought more about the food served on Thanksgiving as opposed to decorating the table.  I can't help it.

{1st image unknown, 2nd image Eddie Ross, 3rd Image unknown, 4th & 5th image Martha Stewart, 6th image studiohousedesign. 7th image,}

Speaking of giving thanks....thank you so much for anybody who has sent a nice email or left a nice comment.