I Guess This Means on to Christmas

The Thanksgiving countdown is over, which means good ol' turkey day came and went (in a flash, mind you). So, I guess that means Christmas is next. sigh. It's not that I hate Christmas, it's just...oh, I don't know. I think I just have a weak Christmas spirit is all. I try to puff it up...listen to some holiday songs, put up some pretty decorations, eat chocolate (OK, technically, that's all year), but there's something inside of me that makes it still all feel a little forced.

But, with that said, I'm hoping that having my own house and getting to decorate it with old and new decorations will help the teeny Scrooge in me to see the light. Whip Up had a link to Sweet Paul's cute idea for an advent calendar. Maybe I'll need to give this a try...then again, I don't think I have that many matchboxes. Hmm...maybe it will be nice just to look at it online. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amazingly...it all got done! I'm so thankful for so many things, and I'm glad there are days like today to remind us all of that. Enjoy this special day! Gobble, gobble!

A made place cards this year. I thought they turned out pretty cute.

The dining room all set for family.

I spy fabric pumpkins! Didn't they turn out sweet?

And something for the boys...a bacon-covered turkey. A first for us. It smells like ham in here, though. =)

Last Day...Lots to Do

Clean the bathrooms, vacuum the floors, move Dexter's crate, iron the tablecloths and napkins, make the stuffing, make the three-cheese mashed potatoes, make 3 dozen cookies...and the list SERIOUSLY keeps going and going. I'm not freaking kidding. And people are coming tomorrow? What the hell did I get myself into? And yet, despite all those things to do, I'm still considering whipping up these cute little fabric pumpkins to decorate the table with. Yes...cuckoo-cuckoo.

I found the tutorial through a link on Whip Up. And now you too can add one more thing to your Thanksgiving Eve to-do list. Just go here. Ain't crafting life grand?

And now just one more night until the Great Turkey delivers gifts to all the good little boys and girls....oh, wait. That's another month away.

2 Days to Go: That's Entertainment

TWO DAYS?!?! How the heck did this happen? I'm not ready. Then again, I never feel ready. And then everyone gets here and it all goes off without a hitch. Thanksgiving is all about the meal for most, but once that is all done and semi-digested, that's when the real entertainment begins. Below is a nice pictoral recap of what could and most likely will happen in the Anton household this turkey day.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles: This is one of the only true Thanksgiving movies that I can think of. Most others are more Christmas. Favorite phrase: "Gobble, gobble."

Another classic movie, but one I have to admit that I've watched TOO many times--and not at my choice. I still laugh when I see it, but I sometimes cringe when I see it come out.

Hours...and I do mean HOURS...of entertainment. This game only ends after I have no voice, a splitting headache and a husband who never wants to play another game again.

This game is getting added to the mix this year. I've played it at other places, but never with the family. Should be a good time.

Knitting...of course! It's the only way I can stay awake during the umpteenth showing of Christmas Vacation and my SIL is still learning, so I'll be giving lessons.

3 Days to Go: A Bathroom for the Guests

As I said before: If it weren't for people coming over for the holidays, pictures would never get hung on the walls. So with 4 days til turkey day, Shane and I spent part of Sunday finishing up the "temporary" makeover of the bathroom. Last weekend we painted the room Behr's Dolphin Fin gray. This weekend we put the finishing touches on by rehanging the roman shade, hanging a new towel bar, and hanging some new pretties on the wall (well, not new, but new from the box they were packed in).

The bads (the medicine cabinet, the counter, the shower doors, etc.) still exist but they won't be replaced until the real makeover, which is about a good year out. In the meantime, this is so much more doable than it was!

My favorite angle of the room.

Notice the new brighter overhead light thanks to the new ceiling exhaust fan light.

Pictures on the back wall and the new towel bar.

4 Days to Go: The Peanuts Tradition

Another TV tradition for the holiday is "A Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving." I still think the Peanut's Halloween and Christmas movies are better, but this one doesn't disappoint.

Could Woodstock be any cuter?

My favorite part about their meal is the popcorn and how ticked Peppermint Patty is over it, despite the fact that she invited herself.

5 Days to Go: The Parade Tradition

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. My brother might laugh if he reads this post, because when we were kids, I would pitch the biggest fit about having to watch the parade. In fact, I believe there were years that I flat out refused to watch the parade because I didn't "believe" a parade should ever be watched on TV, but instead only in person. My 6- and 7-year-old self was against the parade if I could not be live on the scene.

I really have no clue where this came from. I can only suspect that it's because most parades give out candy, and I'd assume that a TV-worthy parade would be giving out the mother of all candy. But, yet, I don't recall candy being in the thought process.

My brother, on the other hand, LOVED the parade. He and my mom would watch it together at the kitchen table while mom was preparing the meal and would both cry when Santa came. I don't remember when I jumped on that bandwagon, but I now do the same in my home (minus the TV in the kitchen...damn having to run to the LR while cooking!). Yes, the parade is about the cheesiest thing around--with all it's lip-syncing and what not, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. I also always call my brother during the parade so that we can still watch a little piece together.

One of my favorite "classic" balloons. Snoopy...I love you!

A newer goody!

Did I mention the cheese factor? Oh yeah, and throughout junior high and part of high school, I was convinced I was going to be a Rockette. Then I heard you had to be at least 5'9" At 5'7", I was 2 inches short of my dream. Now I wonder if that height requirement is for real.

Oh, Santa! Bring on the tears. I believe in you!

6 Days to Go: A Thanksgiving Baby

My friend and co-worker, Miss Camela, is pregnant with her second baby. In addition to her day job, she and her husband also have their own farm. The baby is due November 30. In honor of a Thanksgiving baby and to pay homage to a new addition to the farm, I knit up this little sweater complete with funny felt carrot and tomato. Come to think of it, neither of those veggies will be on my Thanksgiving table, but they were cuter (and easier to make) than green beans and corn.

Here is a link to the Mossy sweater pattern. I changed the sweater so that there is no zigzag pattern. I just wanted something plain to be able to add the felt cuties to. The yarn is Lions Brand Organic Cotton in Olive. It is SOOO soft and cushy!

7 Days to Go...Another Garland--MINE!

Well kids, we're down to the final week. How did that happen? Fall has been flying by a little too fast for my taste. I think time flies when you dedicate so much energry toward a puppy and painting. But despite those distractions, I buckled down and decided to make a garland of my very own instead of just talking about how much I would like one. It's nothing super fancy, but it helps to dress up the hearth.

Festive, right?

This is in the living room, which is now not going to get painted until December. This room is basically a holding area for furniture and excess decor, so it was nice to have a little nook to make prettier. You can see the fireplace from the dining room table, which will be nice on turkey day.

8 Days to Go: Turkey Hats

At Christmastime, people wear Santa hats. So I think it is only fitting that on Thanksgiving, people wear turkey hats!

Irina's pattern (for Ravelry members)

Loom Lore's pattern

goingcrafty's pattern

9 Days to Go...Giving Thanks Today

Thanksgiving is about being thankful. So today is decidated to Dexter. He brings Shane and me so much so much laughter and fun...and sometimes stress...but there isn't a day that doesn't go by that we're not super grateful to have him in our lives!

Naptime for Dex and me. Yes, we really were sleeping like this. He started out down by my legs and this is where he eventually wiggled up to and conked out.

Even the moments where we want to kill him, we love him.

10 Days to Go...Let's Talk Garlands

I've been pretty smitten with garlands lately. Maybe because I have a fireplace now to hang one on, or maybe it's just because they're so festive. Either way, I'd like one for my turkey day festivities...now it's just a matter of making one of my own. Why is there not more time? Why didn't I think about making a garland in the summer? Why do I wait until ten days before the big day to get great ideas?

prettyfickle's shop

bluemoonstudios's shop

craftysweetheart's shop

thebannersisters shop

bekehjenning's shop

mycreativesideKG's shop

cardsncandy's shop

11 Days to Go...Dreamy Dress

One of the reasons I love Thanksgiving at my house is that you can come to the table in your PJs, and it would be perfectly acceptable. However, as I was driving past Ann Taylor Loft the other day, I saw the Ruffle Shimmer Dress in the window and had daydreams of wearing this to a holiday meal. Kind of a chic version of the Norman Rockwell version of Thanksgiving...or Christmas. I think I love you, dress. But alas, I will resort to something more comfy and something that doesn't require taking the turkey out of the oven in heels. Still, a girl can dream.

12 Days to Go...Table Settings

A few weeks back, Miss Tiffany over at Peanut Blossom had passed on the recommendation to sign up for Martha Stewart's Everything Thanksgiving e-mail. And like a good Thanksgiving day planner, I did. A weekly (I think?) email comes out with planning tips and ideas. Most of the meal stuff wasn't that helpful since I pretty much have the same menu every year (and every year I question if that is a bad thing). But this week she sent out table decorating ideas. Not sure if I'll use any, but I thought they were super cute none the less.

Pom-pom and felt turkeys.

Thanksgiving finger puppets.

Trivia placecards (there are questions on the front of the feathers and answers on the back).

Go here for more ideas!

13 Days To Go...Chandelier Reveal

I told you I was painting the dining room this past weekend, and we did. As I mentioned, this is to get ready for Thanksgiving, making this OK to post for my countdown! ;) The full paint pictures aren't that great, so I'll try to get some in better light later. But I was very excited about my lighting makeover though, and wanted to share those now.

Here is the ugly wood and brass chandelier as it was.

Another view.

And here it is after a $13 spray paint makeover! It's a cranberry/burgundy color. (You can kind of see the tannish color of the walls in the back...for what it's worth.)

14 Days...Knitted/Crocheted Pies

OK, when I said countdown yesterday, I didn't actually mean that I'm going to post something turkey day related every day counting down to Thanksgiving. I'd like to think that I could, but I know myself better. Still...I'll do my best.

As someone who is gluten-free, the Thanksgiving meal can be a tad tricky. Over the past couple of years, I figured my way around most of it, but not so much for pies. Until I do, I will just have to enjoy these slices of little yummies.

She's my cherry pie.

Big blue.

Got to have pumpkin!

I heart tart pies!