It’s time to join in the garland fun at The Nesting Place!

After I saw Nester’s garland and read her how to post, I KNEW I had to make one of my own. You all probably remember that I’m going all out this Christmas, so an over the top garland seemed just right!

I have had SO MUCH FUN decorating this Christmas.  Don’t worry, I still remember the real reason we celebrate but, I sure am enjoying all the sparkles around here!

Here are the photos of my garland.  I made it from things I had around the house and things that were given to me.  Shopping the house is so much fun!

This is our Family Room and yes that is a harp to the right.  I’m learning to play…

Here is a close up of the garland.  It’s full of faux pine, fern, real feathers, pine cones, red and gold swirl ribbon, red and gold ornaments, icy branches and berries.

Like Nester said, just keep adding!

This is another close up, this time of the center of the garland.  You can see three sparkly pomegranates under the feather tuft.

Hope you enjoyed the garland parade!  Go see what everyone else has done in the Mr. Linky at Nesters.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  There will be pictures coming in a few days.

How did you all celebrate this year?

Yesterday we took all our Christmas things out of the attic and I started making the flower arrangements.

We had our first Christmas in this new house last year, but since we had just moved I kept everything very simple.

But that was last year…

This year I’m wanting to go over the top!  All out, glitz and glam, sparkles everywhere!

Maybe I can blame it on Nester…

She has inspired me to make a garland over our mantel.   That’s on the top of the list for today.

I am SO EXCITED!

Happy decorating, see you tomorrow!

“Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven, who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth…”       -William Bradford

I’m joining in on the Thanksgiving fun going on at The Inspired Room, head on over and see all the great ideas everyone has posted!

Our family has enjoyed doing versions of the “thankful tree” for a long time.  It’s really sweet to look back and see what everyone has written over the years.

This year we will be using leaf cutouts and hanging them on a small bare tree I’ve put into a planter.

Each person can write what they are thankful for and hang the leaf on the tree.

It really helps us to stay focused on why we are celebrating!

(I’ll be sure to take pictures of our Thanksgiving and show them to you as soon as I can.)

Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home is hosting a give thanks celebration! One of the things we can post is our Thanksgiving menu, so I thought I’d post one of ours.

We are hosting for both my family and my husband’s family this year.  I’ll be sharing the menu I have planned for when my husband’s family comes over.

We are having:

Stuffed Pork Chops

Wild Rice With Mushrooms

Green Beans With Sautéed Onions

Baked Sweet Potatoes With Butter and Cinnamon

Cookie and fruit trays for desert

Hungry yet?!

I’m so excited to host my very first Thanksgiving!

I’d like to share my Works For Me Wednesday tip with you.

When my husband’s family comes over for Thanksgiving we are having cookies and fruit for desert.

One of the most unappetizing things to see is a tray full of brown fruit.  Yuck!

An easy way to stop the browning is to immerse the cut fruit into a bowl of lemon water for a few minutes before drying and serving.

Put the juice of  one lemon into a large bowl and fill with water, soak the fruit and you’re done!

Since my parents moved we have started having all the extended family gatherings at our house.

So…I’m always really excited to find good resources on entertaining.

Here are a few articles that have been helpful:

Thanksgiving Table

Table Settings Ideas

Use What You Have

When the busy holiday season starts one of the greatest blessings to a homemaker is the….CROCKPOT.    Just spend twenty minutes in the morning to have a peaceful dinner later.  Here are a few recipes that you’ll want to try.

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