The week is here...

Yes, it is the week of Thanksgiving and preparations are under way here. I completed the shopping yesterday, (yippeee!), and even started some baking last night. Today I will continue assembling dishes to cut down on 'day of' prep. I love entertaining and having a house full of friends and family. This Thanksgiving will be really special because we will be hosting (for the 1st time) DH's extended family.

So, along with my pies to bake and turkey's to brine, I have also started the Christmas decorating! DD and a friend put her tree up on Sunday. Today I will do DS#2's tree and hopefully get started on DS#1's tree. I have a system where as I attempt to start the Sunday before Thanksgiving doing a tree (or more) a day that week. That way at least the upstairs trees are completed before Thanksgiving, which will only leave the 2 for downstairs to be done after Thanksgiving.

This year my family is so excited about the holidays! We are always big holiday people but this year it seems ratcheted up a bit. I am not sure why. Maybe it is all the dreary, depressing news we hear and we want something more positive to focus on (???). Last year I was sick during the holiday season so we didn't do alot of the little things we have always done and I do think they missed it. It isn't about gifts either because all three seem pretty hard pressed to come up with anything they really want (love that!). It truly seems to be that everyone is just looking forward to the traditions we have (and to have children actually verbalize this makes me so happy). Either way, I am not complaining, just enjoying the spirit of the season.

So, no matter what your plans are to celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope this week finds you feeling blessed and with a thanks filled heart.

Don't you love this ribbon?

Isn't it pretty? Now, y'all know I love almost all things Ballard and this is one of their holiday offerings this year. Anyone know where I might be able to score some of this at a less-than-Ballards price?

Frugal Friday Finds...

Look at my fantastic Frugal finds! I got these 2 great wooden chairs and 6 glasses for only $36.00 (the glasses were $1 for all 6). Yard Sales, hooray!

Please Vote!

Strangely correct....

Ok...I am not normally one who puts much stock in those fun online quizzes but this one was very spot on:

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Jackie!

You are a Jackie. "I do everything the right way."

Jackies are realistic, conscientious, and principled. They strive to live up to their high ideals.

How to Get Along with Me

* Take your share of the responsibility so I don't end up with all the work.

* Acknowledge my achievements.

* I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine the way I am.

* Tell me that you value my advice.

* Be fair and considerate, as I am.

* Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It will help me to forgive.

* Gently encourage me to lighten up and to laugh at myself when I get uptight, but hear my worries first.

What I Like About Being a Jackie

* Being self-disciplined and able to accomplish a great deal

* Working hard to make the world a better place

* Having high standards and ethics; not compromising myself

* Being reasonable, responsible, and dedicated in everything I do

* Being able to put facts together, coming to good understandings, and figuring out wise solutions

* Being the best I can be and bringing out the best in other people

What's Hard About Being a Jackie

* Being disappointed with myself or others when my expectations are not met

* Feeling burdened by too much responsibility

* Thinking that what I do is never good enough

* Not being appreciated for what I do for people

* Being upset because others aren't trying as hard as I am

* Obsessing about what I did or what I should do

* Being tense, anxious, and taking things too seriously

Jackies as Children Often

* Criticize themselves in anticipation of criticism from others

* Refrain from doing things that they think might not come out perfect

* Focus on living up to the expectations of their parents and teachers

* Are very responsible; may assume the role of parent

* Hold back negative emotions ("good children aren't angry")

Jackies as Parents

* Teach their children responsibility and strong moral values

* Are consistent and fair

* Discipline firmly

http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/are-you-a-jackie-or-a-marilyn-or-someone-else-mad-menera-female-icon-quiz">Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

Random Fall Photos...

This is where I grew up.
Lovely reds

My grandparents owned a hotel that used to sit on this very spot but is now a summer camp.

Off the beaten path

The view from my window (while sitting at the computer).

Getting Fireproof...

Saturday DH and I took a road trip north to attend the Fireproof My Marriage simulcast http://www.ccn.tv/fireproof/ at a church in Franklin, NC. It was a great day. I have to admit I didn’t know how much I would enjoy a simulcast as opposed to a live event but it was super. The speakers were fantastic (Dr. Gary Smalley, Dr. Les Parrott, Pastor Michael Catt, Ted Cunningham, Alex Kendrick, and Stephen Kendrick). Every presentation was something that touched me and really showed me where I need to do some hard work in my relationship. Isn't God great? He knows what we need, when we need it and how to get it to us. The host church, http://www.fccfranklin.org/, was very sweet and hospitable and made us feel so at home. They also provide a super lunch that kept us going through the day!

DH and I started working through The Love Dare http://www.lovedarebook.com/ last week, so this event came at a perfect time to really cement our commitment to focus more on our marriage.

Afterwards, we took a side trip over to Highlands, N.C. to do some shopping and then headed to Cashiers, N.C. for dinner at Carolina Smokehouse BBQ which, by the way, has been one of our favorites for almost 15 years.

The drive over was great; there were some wonderful colors still left on the trees.

Having 3 children really doesn’t lend to many nice days of focusing on just each other so this day was such a gift!

I love this man.