Start with Turkey, End with Zombies

On Thanksgiving morning, I embarked on a morning run through the neighborhood. Other than folks letting their dogs out to do their business, I encountered no other runners or joggers. I was really surprised that I was the only turkey trotter out and about. Perhaps most folks were preparing their Thanksgiving feasts, or smart enough to stay in bed an extra hour. Oh, well, I enjoyed the quiet along my route and smiled at the thought of having the next few days off.

I, for one, didn’t get up at the crack of dawn on Black Friday to shop. I don’t play that game. Do you? Miss E. and I did head out later in the afternoon while the boys went to the barber. I supported some local merchants and avoided being crushed or pepper sprayed by the hoards of humanity. It was a good day.

So, after a few days of parties, play dates and overeating, as well as three days in a row of running (woo hoo!), I ended the weekend by watching the finale (or mid-season finale as they kept hyping it) of “The Walking Dead.” Shew, that was quite the episode, wasn’t it?

Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes in AMC's "The Walking Dead," killing the zombies in last night's episode. 

Hubby has been a fan of the “Dead” since last season, but I didn’t start watching it until recently. I became a regular viewer once I realized that the lead character, Rick Grimes, is played by Andrew Lincoln from the film “Love Actually."

Andrew Lincoln's character, Mark, declares his love for Keira Knightley's character in "Love Actually." Sigh.

Yes, it was Lincoln who drew me in, but the storyline and those crazy zombies kept me coming back for more. Anyhoo, last night’s episode was shocking and sad. Anyone see that coming? The second half of the season begins in February.

Hope you had a great weekend, friends. It’s hard to get back into the swing of things, especially when it’s cold and rainy like it is here. But, I only have three weeks left until Christmas vacation, so that keeps me forging ahead.

♪ It’s the most wonderful time of the year…♪

Images from care2.com, IMBD and AMC.

Thanksgiving and Small Business Saturday

Happiest of Thanksgivings to my friends in Bloggerland, and to your families as well. I hope you enjoy a day full of laughter, love, good food and a nap or two. We all have so much for which to be thankful this year. And for those of you going through trying times this holiday season, please know that we are thankful for you and wish you the very best. 

For you brave souls who venture out for Black Friday, best of luck to you. I'll be snuggled warm in bed while you're getting great deals for the holidays. Although, have you noticed how much earlier stores are bumping up Black Friday? Many retail outlets are starting the madness on Thanksgiving night, which I think is wrong, wrong, wrong. Give your employees a chance to enjoy the holiday with their families! I mean, do we really need to score a new iPad or game station at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, as opposed to 5 a.m. the next morning?

One of many wonderful items available at The Urban Farmhouse Market, a new gift shop in Louisville.

I've heard that there's a movement to label the Saturday after Thanksgiving "Small Business Saturday," to encourage people to patronize local "mom and pop" shops. I think this a FABULOUS idea. I always find the most wonderful items at such places. In fact, there's a new shop in town that I can't wait to visit, The Urban Farmhouse Market.

It's across the street from my son's preschool and every day I pass by looking longingly at their beautiful store window. I hope to drop by on Small Business Saturday, and if you have similar shops in your town, consider doing the same. Shop local! (Whether branding this day picks up steam or not, I still like the idea.)

Should I awake from my food coma and have the urge to blog over the weekend, I will do so. If not, again, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours and I'll chat with you on Monday!
Images from Style Blueprint Louisville and The Urban Farmhouse Market

'Turkey for Me, Turkey for You'

My kids are already in the holiday spirit, can’t you tell?

On the way to school this morning, Adam Sandler’s “The Thanksgiving Song” came on the radio. I laughed and started singing along while my daughter looked at me as if I had three heads. When I pulled into the school driveway to drop her off, Miss E. said, “Mommy, turn down the radio; the kids will think you’re crazy.”

So, it’s official. I’m the crazy turkey lady. And my 6-year old is already trying to prevent me from embarrassing her in front of her classmates. Oh, darling girl, this is only the beginning of embarrassing parent moments. Bwaa haaa haa!

“Turkey for me, Turkey for you…”
Image property of A Place to Dwell blog

Random Thanksgiving Thoughts

Did you vote today? Our gubernatorial election, among other state/local races, is today. I stopped by the elementary school in our neighborhood and cast my vote, behind the woman in line with her pug dog. Really, lady?

After that, I made a quick stop by Fresh Market to pick up a bag of cinnamon pinecones to be placed in a decorative bowl in our foyer. I love the smell of these pinecones and I was so excited that Fresh Market featured them again season. They carry a very harvest-into-holiday smell. You know what I mean.

I also placed our order for Thanksgiving. Yes, friends, we’re having a Turducken for the big day. If you’ve seen Paula Deen’s Thanksgiving special, you’re familiar with it. If not, here’s the 411: it’s a boneless duck breast, stuffed inside a boneless chicken breast, stuffed inside a turkey breast. Herb stuffing and Andouille sausage are layered throughout. Hubby also will make his grandmother’s oyster stuffing recipe. Jealous?

If you're looking for a Thanksgiving-themed centerpiece, consider one of these decorative turkeys, available at Cartwheels in Louisville (the owner is a former classmate of mine).

So, for those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving in the good ole’ US of A, what’s on your menu this year? Will you be hosting? Heading out of town? For many of us, it will involve eating ourselves into a food coma and falling asleep in front of the football game on TV. Ah, the holidays!
Images from Fresh Market and Cartwheels Paper & Gifts

Give Thanksgiving Its Due

Courtesy of my brother.

I totally agree. I must have my turkey and dressing on Nov. 24 before turning my mind toward Christmas. Of course, I'll start pulling out the Christmas decorations and playing my "Charlie Brown Christmas" CD on Nov. 25. But, not before then. I will wait!

It's Friday, friends. Can I have an AMEN?
Image from the Bare Knuckled Pundit

Thanksgiving is Over; the Christmas Season Begins

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, full of food, fun and family. We ate until we about popped. Good times, for sure.

Hubby made some delicious turkey and stuffing and I baked some tasty biscuits. My parents, my brother and sister-in-law, and my mother-in-law brought even more food and we dined like kings.

Before our Thanksgiving holiday weekend ended, I was determined to get a photo of the kids to use on this year's Christmas cards. The weather was nice on Sunday, so we headed outside to get some shots. The "photo session" started out pretty good...

With the kids being sweet together...

But then they started getting antsy, having had enough of Mommy and Daddy constantly saying "Cheese!"

 

It then devolved into a wrestling match...

And that was the moment when we decided to call "Cut!" and head inside. Luckily, we did get some decent shots, and one in particular we plan to use for the Christmas card.

A little later, while Hubby and I were viewing the selection on the computer, the kids came into the office, having yet again used each other as a canvas for their creative coloring. They looked like scary clowns (is that redundant?), so I had to scrub their faces yet again. Ugh. 

Now we're onto Cyber Monday to search for some great online deals. The holiday shopping season is officially here - best of luck to one and all!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, it’s been quite a year for our family and we have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The most significant one being my mom’s continued recovery from the illness and subsequent strokes that inflicted her in the late spring; and for my dad’s strength to shepherd her through this ordeal.

 

Miss E. and my mom during Miss E.'s second birthday party.

My son as a baby with my dad, aka Grandpa.

I am thankful for this man, my wonderful husband, who donned a UK sweatshirt at a football game, even though he wasn't a big fan. He's coming around,  though.

My beautiful kids - I am so blessed to have them.

I’m thankful for my loving husband, my amazing kids and the life that we have together. I’m thankful for my kids’ wonderful schools and the guidance that their talented teachers and caregivers provide to them. I’m thankful that my brother and wife are expecting a baby in March and all has gone well with her pregnancy. I’m thankful for our lovely new home and all of the friends and family we have welcomed to it.

I am also thankful that in this economy, I still have a good job, I like what I do and enjoy my coworkers. I’m thankful that I’m healthy and blessed with such a bountiful life.

I am also thankful for all of you wonderful readers and fellow bloggers who stop by each day, and leave such kinds comments. It’s because of you that I continue to write about everything and anything. Thanks for your support and know that I am also thankful to be part of such a great community of bloggers!

I hope you and your families have a safe, happy and healthy holiday. Enjoy the food, parades, football, Turkey Trots (for you runners) and everything this holiday has to offer. And for those of you planning to shop on Black Friday, my the Force be with you. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen

P.S. - I also am thankful that this Thanksgiving and Christmas, I will not be flying anywhere, therefore I won't have to endure a full-body pat-down. Blech.
Image from Charles Schultz, via Google Images and JMW collection, not available for use elsewhere.



What's for Thanksgiving Dinner?

Hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is next Thursday. How did that happen? And, as usual, the Christmas holidays are sneaking up far too quickly. I've already seen two houses with Christmas trees displayed in their front windows, and as I was driving into work this morning, the downtown tree lot was setting up shop. Holy cow.

So, before we jump straight into the Christmas frenzy, let's savor next week's holiday and all it has to offer. It's a time to reflect on the year and give thanks for our many blessings. And, it's a time to eat ourselves into a food coma. Woo hoo!

So, dear friends in blog land, what are you doing this Thanksgiving? And, what is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? My favorite dish is my husband's oyster stuffing - delicious! But, this year we won't be cooking. Instead, we're dining at Churchill Downs and watching the races with members of our family. Churchill does an amazing Thanksgiving feast so we're going to dine on good food and then enjoy betting on the ponies. Hey, it's Kentucky. That's what many of us do. ;)
Image courtesy of Marth Stewart Living

Over the river and through the woods...

Safe travels to all of you hitting the roads or skys this Thanksgiving holiday! We're packing into the wagon and heading to my aunt's house, but just for the day. That reminds me, better take the travel DVD player for the kids (and my sanity).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't forget Thanksgiving

I love the holidays. Decorations, Christmas trees, lights, beautiful gift wrap, egg nog - it puts me in the best mood. But, I feel that each holiday deserves its time in the sun. I'm amazed at how early the stores began putting up their Christmas displays this year. Halloween and Christmas items share shelf space now. Poor Thanksgiving just gets lost in the shuffle. I've already seen homes decorated for Christmas and yesterday, when driving into work, I saw trees had arrived at one of the tree stand locales. Too much! So, as much as I love Christmas, I will wait to decorate until after our turkey and pumpkin pie are eaten and we've given thanks for our good fortune.