Thanksgiving 2012

My kiddos making the pies...pumpkin and caramel apple.

These aprons were made for my very first craft fair 4 years ago. It was the second item I sold, but three were left over, so I kept them...and we've worn them every Thanksgiving since then.

(the dog didn't move an inch until the cooking was done)

The kids set both tables all by themselves. The dining room table was set for Thanksgiving dinner and the coffee table was set for brunch, which we ate while watching the parade on Thanksgiving morning.

Laurel made pilgrim hat placecards for everyone.

The food was plentiful...the turkey lasted nearly a week...strangely the pies only lasted 2 days.

The homemade huckleberry sauce that we made from fall's late harvest berries at Settler's Cove came out GREAT! (but I was prepared with a can of back up cranberry sauce just in case...oh me of little faith)

I am so thankful for my family, without them I wouldn't be having such an incredible year. It seems like every holiday is better (and more special) than the last. And while I realize that these days of magical holidays with kids won't last forever...I'm thankful that they are here now (and for a few more years at least). I'm even thankful that my boy came to the table as both a vampire victim (puncture wounds on his neck) and a vampire (blood dripping from his lips) courtesy of crayola markers...because we just wouldn't be us without a little crazy at the table.

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Our Girl Scout troop was collecting food for a needy family here in town, and I wanted to make something special to put the food in. While looking around online I ran across a project for a paper bag turkey (filled with popcorn no less!) on MSL.com (oh Martha you clever gal) and loved it. So I modified it a bit and used a box for the body (sturdier for all the food going in it), and then made the legs as shown; using a brown paper lunch bag. We stuffed the legs with paper, put the paper fringe on and hot-glued it to the box.

Voila. As for the inside, it's just white paper folded like a fan, stretched back out and glued in place (it just seemed fancier).

(Plus each girl got a turkey leg filled with popcorn for a snack.)

So while we're all giving thanks this Thanksgiving, I am thankful that we have each other and plenty of food. And it felt so nice to get the girls together for a good cause. Especially in a small city like ours, the need is there, and we're glad for good organizations that make the connection between the needy and those who can help.

Rock on Love Inc. your work is so appreciated in this little corner of Alaska and we're glad to be a part of it!

Our girls also made blank place cards for the box and for their own families. They all came out SO cute!