i give thanks for thanksgiving

I have to admit it, the Martha Stewart in me is kicking in and I'm getting super pumped for Thanksgiving this year. As most know, the AB boys are not allowed to return home for Thanksgiving. While they are off on Thursday, they are not off on Friday, and are not allowed to take off. So... no going home for the poor Lost Boys.

Good thing Wendy Darling is here to save the day! I've already been busy planning out the menu and cultivating recipes from the finest of sources. It's going to be a large undertaking, but I'm getting fancy this year. My menu includes: delicious turkey, mashed potatoes, fennel & sausage stuffing, green beans (regular, not casserole-d per Jim's distaste), fresh buns, butter pecan sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce with dried figs, maple glazed carrots, and apple pie with cinnamon ice cream. Mmmmmmm mmmm! Sounds great! Now if I can just make it taste great...

On top of planning a delicious-sounding and hopefully -tasting menu, I've been doing some searching around for table decor. Let me tell you, a holiday centered around yummy food opens so many doors for creative decorations. Here's what I'm liking...

I really love this place card idea. Moreso the pear than the weird prickly outdoor thing that you slip and break your ankle on. I think a brown pear on a red or orange napkin would look jawesome.

And now, some Thanksgiving scenes...

How hard could it be to make these leaf chains? I mean, what better things do I have to do on a Tuesday night? Answer: nothing. Leaf Chains it is! Plus, I'm totally into the cost effectiveness of this project. Fill up a wall for $5... I'm in.

Here are some more pears. I really really like the pears. If I had like $80 extra dollars I'd totally go out and buy these wine glasses and see-through orange plates. Actually, I was just in Pier 1 last Saturday and they had some stellar barware somewhat like this on sale... I may have to revisit and reconsider purchasing.

Now... these are two ideas that I'm already set on/in the process of creating: "Leaves in vases" and "Harvest Pumpkin Candleholders." I'm sure they have better names, but that's what they are and what I'm striving for.

I'll keep you updated on my Thanksgiving, unless it is ugly and sucks. Then I won't.

oh i wish i were a little bar of soap (bar of soap)

Living with a bunch of boys makes me really really want a pretty house. As much as I love Mizzou, I'm not such a super-huge fan of Mizzou mirrors and footballs and koozies everywhere. And yes, at my house koozies are considered decor. And of course I think Spudz McKenzie is cute - duh, he's a dog. But when a tin Spudz is the "artwork" greeting guests in your entry way, Mr. McKenzie starts to lose his pretty and becomes more of a pain.

So, while away from my boy castle I dream. I dream of pretty pantries lined with organized glass jars. Clawfoot tubs filled with pink bubbles and steaming water. I dream of matching silverware and, dare I say, cloth napkins (the kind not made by Brawny).

I wish I wish I wish