November 5, 2009

Is It Thanksgiving Yet?

Everyone has their favorite holiday. Most people when asked would say Christmas is their favorite. I love Christmas for all of the obvious reasons, but I am one of those people who finds the Christmas holiday stressful. Todd and I have such a busy Christmas break that I have in years past created a spreadsheet to remind me where we needed to be when. One year we visited 9 homes in 3 days. It doesn't get much more stressful than that. Add on shopping and the horrible feeling of not knowing what to buy friends and family, it can be overwhelming. The true meaning of Christmas can easily be overshadowed by the busyness.

Thanksgiving, however, is different. No gifts to be bought, no parties to plan, just quality time spent with family over wonderful meals. People actually stop to think about what they are thankful for, and in some ways, this holiday can be as special as Christmas because on Thanksgiving we are reminded that above all else, we should be thankful for a Savior who died to set us free.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving is sitting at the dinner table while each person shares what they are thankful for. It's a great way to sum up the past year and give praise to God for his many blessings. Like a couple of years ago when my dad had a major health scare; after a successful surgery, he was back to normal. Not one of us forgot to give thanks for that. This year we will be thankful that Todd's mom beat breast cancer and in a down economy, we still have our homes and jobs we love. The list goes on and on.

Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday to host and decorate for. This year we will be going to Missouri, but last year we hosted dinner at our home and had the best time. I dug up some pictures to share.

TD


TD2


TD3


TD4

I would have been completely fine not hosting this year until I saw the Thanksgiving issue of the Pottery Barn catalog. Have you seen it? It will make you want to host Thanksgiving dinner in your house every month of the year. I love the wineglass placeholders and the framed menu. I'll have to save those ideas for 2010!

PB Table


Because Thanksgiving is my favorite, I can guarantee this won't be the last time I write about it this month. Hope you don't mind!



5 comments

  1. I am totally with you on why Thanksgiving is the best! Beautiful table setting. I want to do that frame idea!!

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  2. Loved this post Tara! Such great reminders and absolutely loved the way you set the table last year!

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  3. we should just stay home this year.
    :-)

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  4. I really love thanksgiving. when I was growing up we drove in the snow every year to my grandma's house in spokane. The whole "over the river and through the woods" thing. I love traditions and this was my favorite ever. But they're old now and live here now to be next to my mom and auntie in case something happens. I have a lot to be thankful for this year, don't I. But in that I also am not as into holidays as I used to be. They certainly have always stressed me out as I try to make everything perfect. Not this year. This year I'm just grateful to have my family!

    Love the place card idea and your table setting is beautiful! Have a wonderful Sunday Tara!

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