downhill slide

I never mind coming back to reality after Thanksgiving break. There's just something about knowing I only have 3 ½ weeks of work until a nice winter break. However, when I think about these next 3 ½ weeks, I do feel a small twinge of stress. There is a lot to do at home - holiday decorating, shopping wrapping, baking (even though a lot of that is fun) and a lot to do at work as well. My next few weeks at work are packed and where as my days usually begin looking like this:

they often end looking like this:

My goal is to try to prioritize my work load and my home load so things don't become too overwhelming. After all, this is a great time of the year and it should be enjoyed, not rushed.

For some inspiration on how to approach the holidays in a more simplistic fashion, check out this post at one of my favorite blogs, Small Notebook.

black friday good reads

A friend of mine (thanks, Miranda!) informed me Amazon is having a Black Friday sale on some great magazines...a subscription for a year for just $5! That is a pretty amazing deal if you ask me. Check out the eligible magazines. Following my renewed love of Real Simple I took care of that subscription last spring but here are a few I am eyeing...maybe a nice Christmas present to myself (or from you, Hubby).

set the table

We aren't hosting any holiday family gatherings this year. Not quite sure I'm ready for that big responsibility yet! Someday, I'm sure Hubby and I will open our door to family and friends and I know I'll not only be thinking about the food we prepare but the décor displayed to welcome family and friends.

I've noticed a few of my favorite blogs have made recent mention of decking the table for the holidays.  John and Sherry over at Young House Love published a post last week showing the many ways they can snaz up their table.  Check it out here.  Liz at It's Great to Be Home shows here nifty homemade place card holders here.  And over at Hostess with the Mostess you can view many creative table décor inspiration.  To see, click here.

I decided to do a little scouting of my own over at ever-reliable Better Homes and Gardens.  I like them because they look easy enough to be a DYI project.  Maybe you'll be tempted to do a list minute DIY project before the big day!

Have a warm and safe Thanksgiving!

yum

I want to make these:

They look so delicious, especially paired with a strong cup of coffee.  Oh yum.

time

I thought this was a good image for a Monday.  ;)
Hope you had a happy stress-free weekend.

{via Home Sweet Home via copperkitten via prettyworld}

happy happy sunday

I'm a lover of the Sunday paper. It's become quite the ritual that on Sunday mornings Hubby and I make a big pot of coffee and pour ourselves over the various sections of the paper. There's just something about that Sunday paper - browsing the ads, checking on some book, movie, and travel reviews, reading the House and Home section, and skimming the headlines of the area and nation. Today's Sunday paper, however, is one of my favorites. Each year, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, my beloved House and Home section has a "double issue" entirely devoted to Thanksgiving. Now, I love Christmas as much as anyone but there's something about Thanksgiving that I absolutely adore. Maybe it's the long weekend spent with family and friends, maybe it's the warm fall decor, maybe it's the delicious food we eat only at this yearly meal, or maybe it's the anticipation of the start of the holiday season. Whatever it is, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and time of the year.

Anyway...back to the paper. This Sunday I am loving the pages devoted to going green with tableware (for those who choose to use plastic), pretty table settings from the dishes to the napkins to the centerpieces, food that will make your mouth melt, and tasty spirits that will pair nicely with the courses. I wish I could insert links to all the helpful articles and attractive pictures but I can’t so you’ll have to take my word for it – it is well worth the read!

i heart dishes

Some friends of mine are going to a Waechtersbach dish sale this afternoon and I may tag along.  I have wanted to go for years but always seemed to have a conflict.  I'm anxious to finally go and see the goods.  I did some online browsing, just to see what might be tickling my fancy and am looking forward to what this sale holds.  Here are a few fun items I found...

My goal is to just browse but if there is a bargain I can't resist I may resort to buying - I have a thing for dishes.

wreath around the door

Do you decorate with wreaths?  The first year Hubby and I lived in our home, we received a beautiful (live) wreath from our realtor for Christmas.  I was a little unsure hanging it - our space between our storm door and front door is tight - but it actually fit.  I've tried other door decorations but they have proved to be unsuccessful.  I need something thin and simple if I want my door to close.

Here are some wreaths via Better Homes and Gardens (with a fall theme - Thanksgiving is only a week away!).

tags

How do wrap your packages?  Do you use fancy paper and pretty ribbon?  Do you prefer a gift bag with tissue paper?  For some reason, wrapping presents for the holidays takes a little more finesse and a fancy spin.  I found these cute labels on Esty.  Sure to add some fun to any package.

{via Elle's Studio}

a cup of warmth

This weather makes it feel like winter is knocking on the door!  I couldn't believe how cold, damp, and dreary it was yesterday and because of it, I sure had a bad case of the Mondays.  Running home to get into pajamas, turn up the heat, and curl under a blanket sounded like the ticket.  Unfortunately, work must go on.  I am, however, on this new cold, damp, and wet day dreaming of a mug of hot cocoa awaiting me at home.

{via a.d. miller}

tea time

Our coffee maker is on the fritz. I have bravely decided to wait to purchase a new one until Black Friday, hoping I can score a great deal on a nice coffee maker. So until then, Hubby and I will enjoy a morning cup of tea. We are frequent tea drinkers in the winter - I can't resist a cup of anything warm once it turns cool. Here are some fun and interesting teas found via The Dieline.

sad day

Sad day number two over here...now the treadmill doesn't work.  Don't they say these things happen in threes?  Wonder what is next...

Our coffee make did not click on today. After many attempts to jumpstart it (unplug, cleaning option, pressing the button a zillion times) Hubby and I finally came to the realization that it is just kaput. Not only were we disappointed in the fact we have had it less than 1 year but we desperately needed our morning cup of coffee to go along with our Friday paper. How will we make it until we break down and get a new one???? All I know is my budget will not support a daily trip to Starbucks...might be worth it to shell out the cash now and forgo the wait until Christmas!

Does anyone know if and where you can recycle a broken coffee maker?

it's not over yet!

This year, it didn’t happen until October. That is when I ventured into a store and saw my first glimpse of Christmas. Now, I love Christmas as much as the next person but October? It's just too darn early for that! We've had a streak of 70 degree weather - I cannot think of snow and Christmas carols!

I usually do pretty well – no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving and no decorating until after the 1st of December. I don't even do my shopping until December (maybe that's something I should work on...). But, it's still fall. There is still time to enjoy the warm colors, pumpkins, and great fall produce. My house is still decked in fall décor and I don't plan to change that for a few weeks. I'm even still eyeing some different pieces I could add to my home. This combo is from Pier 1 - I love the "fruit" and think they would look perfect in this shiny bowl.

thank you

Thank you, Hubby, for helping me learn about code. I wouldn't be able to do neat things with this blog without you! You're the best and smartest guy.

I heart you!

a special anniversary

For those who don't know, today is Sesame Street's 40th anniversary. 40 years!!!! I am just now realizing this show was created just 11 years before I was born - wow am I getting old! Not being a parent, I'm not really sure how many kids still watch this show but when I was a kid, Sesame Street was equal to eating. When there was a meal served - breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner - Sesame Street was on the TV. I didn't realize (or I guess, care) until I was much older that PBS replays the same episode of Sesame Street several times a day. And I watched them all. So sorry, mom and dad.

What is it about this show that makes it so great? The loveable characters? The real-life situations? The cameos by celebrities? The catchy sing-a-longs? I'm not sure what it is but I still have some very VIVID memories of this show and different clips. Here is one that most absolutely sticks in my mind:



And then of course there are the specials - Christmas Eve on Sesame Street was a family favorite in my home. This one is for you Ky.



Google has been leading up to the celebration, posting a different character in their search engine each day. It’s been fun to see what they have been displaying over the past week.

Hopefully I'm not the only Sesame Street lover out there. What is your favorite memory?

pretty piano

This picture makes me miss having a piano.  Check out the rest of this room - simply beautiful.

{via Home Sweet Home via Three Men and a Lady}

tea towels

I heart tea towels. My sister made me some super cute tea towels when I got married (use them every day!). Tea towels rank up there with dishes and aprons for me - I don't think you can ever have enough. Here are a few fun tea towels I found on Etsy.

If you like a particular design, hoover over the image and search the seller on Etsy!