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!