Turkey Day Centerpiece

I am visiting my sister this year for Thanksgiving and since she knows cooking is not my specialty she put me in charge of the centerpiece. I may have taken the job a little too seriously and came up with a few different ideas for the dinner table, serving table and dessert table. But all are very thrifty!

Dining Table Decor:

I found several old and tarnished brass candlesticks at a thrift store. They ranged in price from $.50- $2! Then I used three different metallic paints to give them a fresh look, gold, bronze and copper. I used Martha Stewarts gilding paints but a spray paint would work just as well and be much easier. (I'm staying away from spray paint right now since I am pregnant)

I just used simple white candle sticks and let the fall colors of the holders really shine.

Ribbon Wreath- GO GATORS

Here is a super simple craft project I did for our friends/neighbors for football season.  Just used a store bought wreath form (this one was straw but foam would work better), you can find them at most craft stores.   I found several different fun ribbons in Gator colors but I guess it would work for any team or holiday.  Secure the ribbons on the back with pins and start wrapping randomly, making sure to keep the ribbon pulled tight and pin periodically.  Would look great in red and green for Christmas!

Baby News

I announced a few days ago that we are expecting our first baby in just a couple months!! This will be the first grandchild on my husband's side so we knew they would be excited no matter how we told them but on my side this will make grand-baby number 12! To make sure the 12th baby was just as exciting news as the first 11 we came up with a clever way to announce the news to my parents.

My husband bought a dozen donuts (and even coordinated a different kind for each family) and I printed a picture of each grandchild to put on them with our little 'sweetie' as the 12th. For the first time ever, we had to force my parent's to open the box (they usually can't resist a donut) and it took them both a minute to process what was happening but the end result was exactly what we hoped for. Tears!! Success!

I would love to hear the creative ways you made a big announcement to your family.

Please ignore the mess in the background. These pictures were taken during construction of my parent's new house (which I will be sharing more pictures of soon)

Grand kids in order- Ella, Clayton, Owen, Isabella, Anna, Caleb, Carter, Charlie, Amelia, Lucy, Harrison and Our Baby (name tbd) - don't ask me all their birthdays.

Tears from Papa!! Very proud of our tear jerking announcement.

Fort Carter- Moving Box Fun

Make the most out of that moving experience for the whole family.  Before you throw out those used moving boxes, have a little fun with them for the little ones in the family.  My nephew really enjoyed his own Fort Carter for a few days.  The best part, it was pretty much a free toy.

Simple Fixer Upper- Burlap Stool

I found this great, sturdy little stool at a thrift store and couldn't pass it up. The finish is a little blah and the fabric was pretty awful but I could see it's simple potential.

First- I removed the legs (just screwed into the bottom) and wrapped burlap right over the existing fabric. Just pulled it tight all the way around and stapled it along the bottom as I went. Just make sure the burlap is smooth as you go but don't worry about the bottom being pretty. I folded another strip of burlap and stapled underneath to give the edge a clean look.

Once everything was secure I simply trimmed the extra fabric.

Next step was painting the legs. I used push pins to hold the legs onto a piece of cardboard and sprayed away. I used a flat black paint from Krylon and highly recommend using a spray paint gun to make it much easier and cleaner for your fingers. (don't worry, I did this before I was pregnant)

The last steps were just to re-attach the legs and add nail head trim to finish off the look. You can find the nail heads in a variety of sizes and colors at your local hardware store. These were in the nail section at Home Depot.

Thanksgiving Care Package

Since I can't send my husband a real home cooked Thanksgiving dinner overseas I had to get a little creative.  I tried to pick some of his favorite Thanksgiving staples and found ways to send them that were not only non-perishable but could also be easily prepared in the microwave.  

Thanksgiving dinner includes:

- Instant mashed potatoes

- Canned cranberry sauce

- Stove Top dressing (can be microwaved)

- His favorite Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

- Mac n Cheese

- Canned yams w/ marshmallows

- Gravy (hopefully they have some turkey for them but if not can be used on potatoes)

- Sweet Tea Mio (just add to water)

- Mini Graham Cracker Pie Crusts with pudding to fill and make his own pies

- You could also add turkey jerky but I didn't bother since I know my husband doesn't like it.  

I would love to hear any other ideas you may have for Thanksgiving Care Packages.  

Back to Blogging

Sorry that I disappeared for a little bit.  My husband recently deployed overseas and I decided to take a little break to spend time with him before he left.  But that isn't the only BIG news in our family, we are also expecting our first baby in just a few months. Our baby boy  is due February 1st so I will be sharing some details of his room soon.  

3 Months pregnant- Daddy saying bye for a few months.  Baby was the size of an orange.

   I am back now and have a long list of tips and tricks to start sharing.