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.