Our Thanksgiving Home Decor

In our home, many of you know hubby does the decorating and this year I want to share our Thanksgiving Home Decor. Hubby is very strict no Christmas until after Thanksgiving. 

A mix of country prim Thanksgiving decorations set our home for the holiday. I hope you enjoy Dean's Thanksgiving decorations for this year.

Our Thanksgiving Home Decor

This is my favorite Thanksgiving vignette and I added just a couple little items from a fall Hobby Lobby trip this year.

We love primitive decor and it mixes so well with fall decorating.

I collect a lot of Pilgrim couples and they get tucked in all over the house.

You can see the tour of our farmhouse fall in the kitchen here.

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7 Tools You Need To Cook Thanksgiving Dinner - My Favorites!

Cooking Thanksgiving is an overwhelming task to many. I have learned the hard way how to make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier. Shop early and start smart with my 7 tools you need to cook your special meal.

My Favorite Tools for Cooking the Thanksgiving Dinner

1. When cooking your turkey, a large granite ware roaster is my favorite pan to cook the turkey in. Nothing fancy. You can buy the insert rack to put the turkey on but I don't have one. I just throw stalks of celery, halved onions and carrots across the bottom and set the turkey on top. It flavors the drippings nicely for good basting and delicious gravy.

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2. Any kind of meat thermometer is nice so you know when you turkey is fully done. I have had batter operated and the old dial kind. Both work well.

3. A turkey baster is nice to have for easy basting. That oven gets hot and it is the safest way to get the hot juices and baste that turkey.

My Favorite Tools for Serving the Thanksgiving Dinner

4. Turkey lifting forks are to me, the easiest way to lift that hot heavy turkey onto your platter or carving board. I inherited mine from my mom but they are inexpensive.

5. A sharp knife. From dicing and chopping but most importantly carving the turkey, a sharp knife is necessary for serving your meal.

6. Throw away aluminum pans. For really simplifying every step of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, you cannot beat these disposable pans. You can cook and freeze in them and then reheat in them and when the meal is done, just toss. This meal is so much much work that I will do trick like this to save me time in the kitchen so we can enjoy the day more.

7. A crock pot is a must have now too. As I learned to start cooking my meal one or more days ahead, have a crock pot is must have for my mashed potatoes. I cook them on Wednesday, adding a bit of extra milk. On Thursday I put them in the crock pot or slow cooker at least 4 hours before the meal and turn on high adding some pats of butter. I stir a few times but they come out light and fluffy and bubbly. No mashing the day of Thanksgiving is the best.

Read my previous post on how to organize and simplify your holiday meal prep.
And watch my video:

Monday Musings And What is With All The Christmas Decorating?

Now I don't intend to cause any controversy but I am noticing more and more people already have their houses decorated for Christmas. Now this may make me a bad blogger but we do not and here is why....

This was a darling Christmas vignette at a local store. I snapped a pic and bought the candy canes for hubby to recreate as I already have the tree, candle and gingerbread boy. Isn't this sweet?

Why We Don't Decorate Early For Christmas

1. The plain and simple reason is my husband, as you know, does all the decorating and he refuses to rush any holiday. I suggested maybe just getting a few things up early this year because we are throwing a big party in December for his birthday, and he said no way. Enjoy each month and holiday at a time is his philosophy.

2. Putting up the decorations too early makes me tired of them by the time the holiday arrives. Anyone else like this?

3. I can easily get overwhelmed with all the Christmas decor hubby puts up so one month of it is all I can visually handle.

So there are the reasons and I am content to savor each holiday. My kids look forward to each holiday's decor coming out. But if you are an early decorator, and I know some folks have lots of trees that take tons of time, go ahead and enjoy and share cause we all love seeing your inspirational photos.

Let me know, are you an early holiday decorator?

Thanksgiving Prep Ideas

A short video sharing how I plan out my Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving prep ideas the help keep the meal preparation organized.

Pre-Holiday Room By Room Cleaning Plan - The Kitchen

Here is the newest post in my holiday cleaning tips Pre-Holiday Room By Room Cleaning Plan - The Kitchen.

While the weather is still warm I like to plan ahead for a more organized Christmas. Getting the holiday deep cleaning done early, makes me less stressed come November and December.

**Now the list may seem extensive but it is just that, a list. Do what you can or what seems to be most pressing. I like to print it off and check off what I can but I usually never get all done but this holiday cleaning plan helps keep me on track.

Thanksgiving Preparations

We are deep in Thanksgiving preparations around here. Thanksgiving shopping has been done and today baking and more sprucing of the house. I have a true fear of the grocery store crowds on Thanksgiving week. Does anyone else have anxiety about crowds and long lines and grumpy people in a rush?  So for probably the last 20 years, I do my shopping early in the morning on Monday. Just me and the folks stocking the shelves.

 But before the family comes and I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. Usually we are just our own little family, but since Elle Cottage sold, I am hosting the entire family plus many of their friends so we are almost 20 last count.

Normally I set a nice table with all the china but this year I am going rebel style. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought pretty paper plates and napkins. I know for some of you that is unthinkable and to my mother in law it would be too, but honestly I am giving myself permission to make Thanksgiving as simple and easy as possible. I do not want to see a huge stack of dirty dishes and silverware that has to be hand washed. The girls could do it but I want us all to be finished and able to enjoy company. So easy is trumping style this year.

My brother in law will deliver a fresh turkey today and tomorrow it will go into our apple cranberry turkey brine. We barbecue our Thanksgiving turkey. Hubby does it beautifully and this year I will photograph how he butterflies the big bird and grills it to perfection. Grilling the turkey frees up my 60 year old oven for the ham and the smokey goodness he achieves using apple chips is amazing. We will never go back. Grilling makes the best turkey I have ever had.

So from my home to yours and especially this year with the heavy news we are all hearing lately around the world, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving. Prayers for safety and that our very important men and women who work to keep the public safe, are able to do so. Enjoy your family and friends and may your table be overflowing with good food and good company.

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas and Thanksgiving Wishes

Wanted to share some Thanksgiving decorating ideas from the hubby. The man

never decorates for Thanksgiving or any holiday the same. But he says if you mix some chubby turkeys, a few pilgrims, fall pictures and lots of pumpkins you too have simple Thanksgiving decor down.

Here's my contribution. I turned the page on the calendar to November. Vintage Thanksgiving images are my favorite. By the way I tried the buttery mashed potato recipe on the Gooseberry Patch calendar, and they were so good.

My job around here is to compile the menu and ingredients for our meal. 

Really though, if you just decorate your Thanksgiving table with a meal of turkey and the fixings, that is all that is needed to make a great holiday. Thanksgiving is about family, sharing a meal and most of all thankfulness. When we feel thankful and focus on our blessings than we are more content. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! You can see his decor for fall and Thanksgiving in our fall tour.

Turkey Vegetable Tray Appetizer

My girls are creative and last year made this cute turkey vegetable tray appetizer that is the perfect Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvre. Why not start of the Thanksgiving meal with a healthy appetizer.

Turkey Vegetable Tray Appetizer

1. Wash and slice:
2. Pickles
3. Celery
4. Carrot sticks
5. Cherry tomatoes
6. Radishes
7. Green and black olives
8. The face is made of a carrot cut flat with a half of an olive slice, a bit of red radish for the waddle and a cucumber triangle for the nose. 
9. The feet are julienned carrot pieces.
10. Provide ranch dip on the side.

Servings : A large group
Prep time: 30-45 minutes

Happy Thanksgiving

Cranberry Apple Turkey Brine Recipe

If you have never brined a turkey before, you have to start. We have been brining our turkey's for years now and the process gives you a moist tasty turkey every time. Here is how to make a apple cranberry turkey brine that is perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

*This recipe is for a very small turkey so if you are cooking an average to large sized bird you need to double this recipe. When I am done brining and getting the bird ready for the oven I still prepare us usual but you do not need to salt it as the salt in the brine will give you such good flavor. I rub mine with butter and sprinkle generously with sage and pepper.

Cranberry Apple Turkey Brine

Ingredients

• 1 quart water
• 2 cups apple cranberry juice
• 1 apple cut up
• 3 large sprigs rosemary
• small bunch fresh thyme
• 4 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup kosher salt
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
• 2 oranges sliced

Cooking Directions

1. Place the water and salt in large stock pot, bring to simmer. Add all the other ingredients and simmer on low for half hour. Set aside and let completely cool. Place uncooked turkey in brining bag and pour in brine. Seal and set in large pan and place back in refrigerator until time to prepare and cook turkey as normal. Make sure to turn turkey over a few times during the brining period at least 24 hours if you can.
2. If you want to soak turkey fully in brine then double or triple recipe but you will need a large clean plastic bucket to soak it in. I use the bags because we butterfly our turkey for grilling but either way works wonderfully.
3. **Remember the brine is very salty so no need to season turkey with salt when you prepare for baking.

Happy Thanksgiving Thoughts

I am sitting here putting my feet up an hour and half before my hubby's family is coming over for dinner so we can visit with an out of town cousin. The house is ready and we are getting pizza so I just need to clean up a bit and make myself presentable. I am goofing off here and relaxing for a bit.

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. I took this picture of our little sign and knew it would be a perfect card for you all. So here is my Thanksgiving greetings.

I am so thankful for such a good life. This is a perfect week to focus on our blessings don't you think? This year my daughter's job as a hospice nurse, constantly reminds me and smacks me in the head when I start to feel a bit down about the small stuff. It really reminds me of the BIG stuff.

Our week will be simple and I have finished my shopping. Yay!! The market was already crazy busy and I saw a few rude people but I just smiled and remained patient. What is the point of being annoyed and rude too. Dear rude people, don't come out and spoil the hustle and bustle of our preparation for a holiday that is supposed to have us being thankful not RUDE!

The older I get, the less I seem to be able to tolerate the crowds so next year I will shop early Monday morning before Thanksgiving.

Blessings to you all and safe travels and wonderful times with your family and friends. 

Tips to Organize and Simplify Your Thanksgiving Meal Preparation

I love Thanksgiving. Simply a day to gather around the table and eat good food that evokes lots of memories. The meal though can be overwhelming, so here are some tips to organize and simplify your Thanksgiving meal preparation.

 Right now, at nine days out from Thanksgiving, I am compiling my menu and grocery list. I do this simply. Take a notebook sheet of paper and and write your menu on the left side and on the right side of the paper start your grocery list. As you add or remove dishes from your Thanksgiving menu you can list the ingredients you will need from the store.
When it comes time to shop you will just cut the sheet in half and take your Thanksgiving shopping list with you to the store.

You can see at the bottom I also keep a to do list for only my meal preparation. Our meal is low key with just our immediate family and maybe a couple extra guests so other than keeping the house picked up that week, I do not have too many major projects to finish before Thanksgiving.

The week of Thanksgiving, I have come up with a system that keeps the work evenly divided between the days of the week leading up to the meal, but also keeps me from getting really stressed on Thanksgiving day. Here is how I plan my week beginning on Monday for a low stress Thanksgiving.

Monday:
I always do my grocery shopping for Thanksgiving this day. It is not so early that my fresh items are compromised, but early enough to avoid the crowds the rest of the week. Check your pantry for items you already have or pantry staples you will need like sugar or flour.

Come home and put away ingredients in the house and garage refrigerators and pantry.
Thaw turkey if needed.

Tuesday:
I will prepare the brine for my turkey. Once it is ready and completely cooled, I will put the turkey in the brine and put out in the garage fridge to sit until Thursday. Here is a basic brine recipe but our favorite is cranberry apple turkey brine recipe.

Chop all veggies for meal and store in fridge. If you saw my recent post on freezing chopped onions, those will all be done for you.

Wednesday:
I have found the best way to insure that I enjoy Thanksgiving too, is for me to make lots of food ahead of time. Wednesday is my day to do that and we will usually pick up something for dinner or hubby will take me out. You know how Thanksgiving leftovers are so good? Well, reheated dishes are often I find better the next day.

On Wed. I will make my dressing, put it in the dish I am using, and next day just heat in oven.

I also make my mashed potatoes today too and store in my crock pot dish in the refrigerator. Next day, top with some butter and turn the crock pot on early in the day to heat and they are wonderful and steamy this way. Just stir about once an hour to evenly reheat.

I also get most of my sweet potato dish done this day including baking it. I then let it cool and cover and store until Thursday where I will reheat in microwave and then top with marshmallows and pop under the broiler just before the meal to toast the marshmallows.

Make pies.

Wed. evening I set and decorate the Thanksgiving table.

Thursday:
Of course all the rest of the prep is today but three main dishes and pies are already done.

I hope you found my tips for a more organized and less stressful Thanksgiving meal helpful. Let me know if you have any other great tips. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Warm and Cozy November Decor

Well after a rough week we are up and at em today and I am looking forward to Thanksgiving but I really just love the simple decor this time of year and the warm and cozy colors of autumn decor.

My friend Shelly gave me this "to bed with the chickens" sign and I knew I had to put it up in my bedroom and gather together my chicken decor in the room.

I find the colors of fall to be my favorites; russet reds, pumpkin organge, harvest yellow and cocoa browns. All my faves.

 The glow of lights on timers at night just makes me feel so good to see as the days get shorter and the evenings longer.

Here's a cozy tip. I took one of my vintage thermos' and put tiny marshmallows in to keep handy for hot chocolate. The marshmallows stay nice and fresh in the thermos.

The marshmallows would be great too on top of my recipe for homemade white chocolate peppermint mocha, a frugal Starbucks knock off I came up with.

Thanksgiving 2013 and a Thanksgiving Tree

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did. It was very small. Just seven of us. 

I wanted to show you my Thanksgiving Tree I did in the front room of the house. I took a small tree and placed it among the crocks and put brown ornaments on it and stashes of autumn leaves. Today it was transformed into a woodland Christmas tree.

I do almost all the cooking for Thanksgiving on Wednesday. That way I just reheat and pop in the oven things at the last minute. I even do my mashed potatoes the day before and just scoop them all into the crock pot and refrigerate until the next day. A few hours before I place them in the crock pot base and turn on high stirring a few times. The kitchen is much less messy on the day of and I can relax more and enjoy everyone else.

My oldest is a hospice nurse and was called out for a couple visits but managed to make it just in time to eat. I was so thankful she could sit down with us.

It has been a very good year full of lots of good changes for our little family and we are so thankful to have our girls and a loving home.

November

The month has been rolling along. Each day busy with everyday things but also trying to get my holidays in order. I am eager to start wrapping the gifts I already have. Carving a time each week to do that is a priority. My goal is to be done before December but I am pretty sure I won't make it. Oh well.

I went to another pinterest party where we made adorable Christmas crafts. A tree has been brought out to tuck among the fall decor. Thanksgiving is fast approaching. A day out for frozen yogurt with mom.

Cleaning my stove burner grates in preparation for the holidays. In the midst of painting the den linen white and my brother has built us a brand new brick porch. 

Early mornings of solitude, a new succulent garden planted, coffee making on a Sunday morning and the most gorgeous pink sunrise I have ever seen. Brought the kids out to see it it was so beautiful.

Thanksgiving Decor

Despite the 90 degree temps outside, our house is all ready for Thanksgiving. The pilgrims and turkeys are set and all that is left is for me to do the shopping for the actual dinner.

The dry sink is host to pumpkins and a pilgrim couple to watch over them.

This is a favorite little corner to dress up for the holidays.

Ceramic pumpkins help dress up some crocks for fall.

The sun has been warm and bright everyday. I am hoping for some cooler temps as the holiday approaches.

How is the weather in your neck of the woods?

Gobble Gobble

 

My family has needed a 100% of me this week. Nothing major just visiting family, some aching this and that so I have been fully concentrating on the house and the people in it. Getting lots done. I am excited to show you our Thanksgiving decor. I love decorating for this holiday more and more.
 See you this week.

Thanksgiving Check

I am all set for Thanksgiving except for a trip to the store this morning.

I literally have a fear of crowded grocery stores and avoid them like the plague.

So for as far back as I can remember, I have always done my Thanksgiving grocery run the Monday morning prior.

No crowds and everything well stocked. I do enjoy this shopping though. Everyone with their Thanksgiving fixins tucked in their carts. Such a wonderful family holiday.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

As we prepare for Thanksgiving which I didn't even realize was just next week, I always get a little nostalgic. In our house it is a very quiet holiday with just our family. My in laws are always gone to their cottage so we have become accustomed to our quiet day. I cook a full meal with all the trimmings.

Of course I now cook most of it the day ahead so I am not dead tired on the actual day and what is it about Thanksgiving leftovers? Reheated they taste twice as good. I cook my mom's exact menu and never vary from it. It would not be allowed in this house. My husband always loved my mom's cooking so it is a little like  being with her again in some little way.

When I smell the sauteing celery, onions and sage in preparation for the stuffing I am swept back to Thanksgivings as a child and getting up to my mom who had been in the kitchen for hours. I even prepare it in the same pan she did. My connection to the past is important but I want my kids to have the same warm memories of the holiday prep I did.

Our day is very informal and we always watch A Christmas Story after dinner. Then the day after, the madness starts. The countdown to Christmas and all the shopping, wrapping and baking beckons.

There is one little tradition I started a few years ago that is so perfect for the holiday. I gave everyone a notecard and pen and told them to write on it what they were thankful for and then we share them at dinner. Now each year they are placed on the table for us to re-read and laugh over. Some of those were touching but also funny when written by a young kid.