life a little sweeter

Have I ever told you about my brilliant friend Becca?  When discussing my Thanksgiving meal anxiety with her a few weeks ago, we came to the conclusion that the success of the meal arriving to the table on time{my biggest anxiety point} completely lies in the gravy.  I told her I was intent on buying it instead of slaving over it. She suggested the gravy base at Williams-Sonoma.  She saved me many tears and hours of regret. 

I was at Williams-Sonoma 3 minutes after hanging up with her.  I will forever{maybe not forever, but for the next several years} be at W-S picking up a trusty jar before I host Thanksgiving.  While I was there I was ohhhed and ahhwwed by a million different holiday products.  Have you ever gone in there between October and December? It's nearly impossible to leave without buying a treat, a gadget, a trinket.  

 I decided to treat my kitchen to a new little something something.  I mean, it is a well deserving kitchen after such a facelift.  This whip creamer is awesome!  Sugar, whipping cream, plunge and enjoy some decadence on your dessert.  It made me happy, like paper bag happy... but more fattening.

While I was there I was forced to pick up these

Somewhere along the way my children have been completely indulged{how did that happen}.  They don't drink hot chocolate over the holidays without one of these to stir their marshmallows.  Little spoiled funky chickens. Life is good.

found: joy in a paper bag

Praise God for joy found in the little things.  Don't get me wrong, I find joy in the big things too{a big diamond on my 11th wedding anniversary would give me a whole bunch of joy}, but sometimes nothing makes me happier than making exactly what I need with materials stuffed away in my craft closet.  Paper bags and pieces of left over ribbon are my favorites, along with the obvious cardboard{I get excited about the box and the thing inside of it when the UPS man arrives} and book pages, oh and twine{obsessed much}.  My advise to you is never throw away{recycle} a paper bag, always save your ribbon scraps{no matter how small} and buy something at Pottery Barn this Christmas season just for the paper shopping bag{the possibilities are endless}.

Birthday treat bags are  no big deal with paper bag tags and something else I always keep on hand-buy cellophane bags every chance you get.

A pie good enough to give as a gift{recipe here}, and a paper bag tag to wrap it up tight.  Now, who wouldn't love that!?

in the bag

I am happy to report that Thanksgiving dinner was a success!  In fact, dare I say, fun.  The company was of course the best part, as my sister Kit and her husband  were visiting.  Many parts of me would have preferred sitting on the couch and reading magazines all day, but I have clearly had years of that considering this is the first Thanksgiving dinner I've made.  Instead, I enjoyed the chaos in the kitchen.  My turkey turned out well, the sides were yummy{one hiccup with the potatoes-if you make PW's mashers make sure to stir them up before reheating}, the pies were perfect and my husband...surprised{apparently there are a few dry turkeys in his past}.  I'll be ready next year to perfect my menu even more unless that is, we get an invitation to someone else's house-I'm no dumby.

 Arranging the flowers was my favorite part.  I told you I was more into the decorations.

Boy,  I look tired in this picture. I think it had something to do with the early morning wake up to bake a breakfast ham, but the turkey looks fresh.  That's all that matters. Could someone pass me the lipstick!

Did I mention what a great time we had with Kit and Bob{love you guys!}.  An early Christmas present from them got us in the holiday spirit.  I'm off to deck the halls....

if the moss fits

Working on a few odds and ends this week.  Gearing up for my Christmas decorating.  Are you one of those people who can start crafty Christmas projects in July?  I can't start until after Thanksgiving and craft right up to Christmas. Better under pressure I guess, something I really wished I had mastered{or for that matter realized about myself}in high school. 

I have yet to be super inspired by anything I've seen, clearly I am not spending enough time on Pinterest.  Last year I did a wire hanger wreath{among other things}, two years after they were popular. I'll probably be covering things in coffee filters because it was so last year.  I am from Iowa, being two years behind trends is nothing new to me ;)  Hope you're having a good day. I'll be back next week.  Happy Thanksgiving!

the best laid plans

Do I ever wish that I could just organize my way through Thanksgiving.  I think I would be pretty successful, but no, you have to stop and cook.  That's where I think my best laid plans will go astray.  This is my first Thanksgiving dinner to make.  I have never cooked a turkey. ever.  I'm thinking this could be bad.  My people around me have been answering my calls, consulting their people, supporting me through my anxiety.  Yes, I'm having anxiety, but I want to do this.  It's about time I do this.  

I'm keeping it simple{I think, I pray}.  My friend Tisha asked me if I'm doing a traditional Thanksgiving.  Yes, I said, and then realized that maybe I wasn't.  I guess my lack of cooking Thanksgiving dinner has given me a lack of traditional dishes.  My kids don't know{yet} that many sides at Thanksgiving should have marshmallows on them{I'm regretting that I'm not making one but no chance I'm changing the menu now}.  Thanksgiving at our house growing up wasn't spent at a house at all, but was dinner at the Country Club my Dad managed.  It was the only way we would see him on holidays.  I'm thinking my mom was pretty lucky to forfeit to a restaurant.  I'm thinking I might be strange.  Here is my menu:

Turkey

Mashed Potatoes{pioneer woman}

Stuffing

Cranberry sauce

Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots{sounthern living}

Fried Confetti Corn{sounthern living}

Apple Pear Salad with Maple-Pecan Bacon{southern living}

Rolls

Pecan Pie{Pioneer Woman}

Pumpkin Pie

 Becca told me she was most concerned about the decorations, I'm with her on that one.

 All the "How To" time lines I consulted suggested putting out all your serving dishes several days before.  I blame my dad for the labels.   He ruined me{in a good way}.  You should see the man's linen closet.  Just saying Dad.  Did I really need to label the gravy dish!? Feel free to say a little prayer for me.  You know, something like..."Please Lord, don't let Sarah's head pop off before the turkey even makes it in the oven."  Thank you!

treasured

{red letter words}

Todd is our D.J.

My husband{the one who gets upset about never making this blog}is crazy about music. He comes home every week, if not every day, with a list of songs to download.  "You've heard this one haven't you??" he says in his slightly arrogant tone we have all learned to love over the years.  "Ummm nope", I say, "You clearly confuse me with someone who doesn't drive around with little impressionable people!"  He then "educates" me on the happenings of music in the world that I am not currently a part of.  He has eclectic taste and I like it. He plays his music loud, the kids dance, sometimes he says the words remind him of me, I then decide I like the song a little more.  He is our house D.J and he does it well.

Last week we had a date{gasp}night seeing one of his favorite bands{from college}, The Pixies.  We had a great time.  He was excited to see a fabulous band, I was happy to get out of the house.  Live music is always inspiring, even when your not a die hard fan{I am a 90's failure as I knew not even a single song}. He will continue  to school me on music. I look forward to the day when concerts happen more than every 4 years, and vow to stay cool for my kids sake{and Todd's!}.

Some crazy guy was nice enough to take our pictures.  It was fun to be back in the black clothes and tattoos crowd.

Todd would like to educate you as well{I mean why should I be the only one}.  Enjoy The Pixies...or don't...it's not his concern. One thing I've learned about D.J.s is the playlist isn't made for you{or me, or anyone else for that matter}.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R_-3w_Iwk0

This monkey is going to bed.  Good night.

I'm back! I really did not intend to take such a break.  But, guess what? I've been busy!  I know, the story of all our lives.  Between visitors{my mom, and then my dad and Ellen, next my sister and her husband} I've been able to do a little work on the kitchen.  My mother has requested updated pictures:

 Handyman Pat was back to trim the back splash.  It was looking all a wreck, but with lots of white paint{and a considerable amount of caulk} I do believe it has come together nicely. Is this picture blury?

Now some work on the problem areas.  I love having a lamp in here, but what to with the cord?? I really can't stand seeing cords

The bottom shelf is driving me crazy.  I'm struggling with how to make this space family friendly{ie:  school work, to do lists, misc garbage that should go directly into the recycling} without looking messy.  This is not my idea of working, so back to the drawing bored. Open shelves seemed like such a great idea, and I don't regret having them, but it is taking some major tweaking to make them look like anything.  Something to consider.

I WILL be back this week{I'm really trying to convince myself more than you}, so we'll chat then...

faux is fun

Not much progress has been made in the kitchen.  We still need trim, still need to paint, still have plenty to do.  But, when my mom was here we got busy on a faux roman shade for the window.  It would not have turned out so well without her help-thanks mom!  I love the fabric, and although the window still looks all weird without the trim pieces and stuff, I love the shade.  I thought this was a pretty brilliant way to spend very little money on a window covering.  I think the Nester would be proud.  This is certainly a window mis-treatment.  Here is the blog I stole the directions from.

 I used four spring poles and about enough fabric to cover half the length of the window. I would say the whole thing cost about 50 dollars.  I think that's awesome considering a roman shade in fabric that I would have been settling for would be at least 150.00! Hoot Hoot for no-sew faux! 

{the next two pictures fall into the "wreck me up" category}

Speaking of my mom and her amazing ability to get the job done for me. We miss her! We had so much fun with her, not to mention she helped me decorate and she cleaned my windows!  Love you Gabby! We are all thinking about you! 

This little guy is especially feeling her absence.  She has been gone a week and he is still talking about snuggling with her. What a little lover he is{after you chase him down and demand he take the time to kiss you}.  This is his school picture for the year.  I'm in love.  I was actually considering a haircut for him today until I say this photo.  Some dork called him a girl at church and I was thinking it just might be time to get rid of that precious messy hair, but now I think he can wait a little longer. 

Hope you are all having a fabulous week.  I'll be back soon...

things that wreck me up part 2 {the cute, the sad, and the just plain frustrating} and Halloween 2011

 Every year the classrooms at Rocky Hill make a t-shirt for the kids to wear on outings and special days.  Look at Asher's self portrait.  He's so darn happy that his smile has run into to his eyeballs.  Loving that boy like crazy.  Too cute!

 This came home the other day in Holden's folder.  It took me by surprise and made me sad{Drake is Holden's BFF in Iowa}.  I miss our friends in our old neighborhood at least once day.  Still.  I was just hoping that it wasn't so fresh for the boys.  I guess it is.

 Can we talk Christmas cards.  Every single year I struggle with these darn things but love them all at the same time.  When my mom visits in the Fall she tries to get our family picture so I have it for cards in December.  OUR PLAN NEVER WORKS! This picture is pretty darn cute don't you think. Kids are all smiling.  The house in the back isn't ideal although I could have made it work. BUT, what the heck is my husband doing??  There best be a naked person walking down the street.  That would be the ONLY good excuse for taking your eyes off the task at hand!!

 Happy Halloween!  Look, the same naked person has caught Asher's eye.

This raggedy group was excited to be out on the town last night.  We were the only group out trick or treating.  To say we have an un-lively street is an understatement, but I will say that there were a lot of porch lights on.  Three times as many as last year.  I think it safe to say that the boys at 1504 have woken this sleepy neighborhood up!