Life Lately…
Thanksgiving
Although our Thanksgiving celebration was small, like many families this year, we still had an absolutlely beautiful day. It was just us, the kids, and my mother-in-law, and we still used every mitigation strategy possible.
We are fortunate to have enough open space in our living, dining, kitchen area to all spread out when eating, rather than gather around the big table like usual. Instead, I set up individual tables, kind of like a restaurant.
Leaf in the table for the most distance between couples.
My mother-in-law had her own table the furthest from everyone.
When we weren’t eating, everyone wore their mask the whole time.
It was a nice day, so we had many windows open, as well as an air-purifier, and we still kept our distance from each other, just to be on the safe side.
We had all our family favorites for dinner, plus PIE.
Pumpkin Apple Cranberry
And we were treated to an absolutely stunning sunset at the end of the day.
Despite all of the struggles of 2020, there is still so much to be thankful for.
On to Christmas Things
Once Thanksgiving was over, I was anxious to get my tree out. This is the new 9-footer I bought last year, with a new-this-year tree collar. As I write this, the tree still has no decorations…. 😂
Have you guys seen these? I love the smell of fresh pine, and when you have an artifical tree, that is something you don’t get to enjoy. These Scentsicles hide way back in the branches, and make your tree smell REAL. So glad I stumbled across these. I got mine at Lowes, but you order them from Amazon, WalMart, and Target, too!
The day after Thanksgiving, I made sure my parents had a little Christmas decor at the cemetery, too.
In Case You Missed It…
It’s a been a busy holiday week, but also a busy week on the blog!
Christmas Trees from Scrap Moulding
I made these Christmas trees from oak leftover from a kitchen remodel at my parents’ home many years ago, and gave a set to each of my kids. I love that they will have a little piece of their grandparents’ home to keep with them for always.
Farmhouse Christmas Basket Pinterest Challenge
I participated in a fun Pinterest Challenge with 19 other bloggers. You’ll definitely want to check out all the amazing Christmas baskets and crates.
Cozy Christmas Touches
And we finished up the Let’s Get Festive Blog Hop with a little home tour, where I shared the Christmas touches in my home office, including my DIY ornaments with vintage dessert forks.
Holiday Gift Guide Round Up
And finally, I rounded up all my best shopping ideas into one place, to help you get some things checked off your lists!
The Weekly Features!
Now, on to the weekly features…
Two Christmas crafts and a Christmas cocktail are featured today. Seems about right and a good match up for how I’m feeling lately. Cocktails and crafting? Yes, please. 🤣🎄🍹
Christmas Bag Wall Art | Fresh Vintage by Lisa S
I need to try this! They are stunning and look so easy. Brilliant idea!
Christmas Barn | The Apple Street Cottage
Does it get any cuter than this? Such a sweet and Christmas-y farmhouse look.
Reindeer Mule | Living on Cloud Nine
Andrea is speaking my language with this one! I definitely need to mix up one of these.
All this week’s features have been pinned to the Sundays on Silverado Pinterest Board!
There were so many great posts to look at this week, that I can’t wait to see what you’ve got for this week! I am continually amazed at all the creativity and talent y’all have. Thanks so much for sharing!
So glad you guys had a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving together, Niky! That sunset is beautiful and I love all the Christmas ideas you’ve shared so far too. Thanks for hosting – have a great week, CoCo
Thanks, CoCo! And thanks for linking up at the party again! 😃 Wishing you a great week!
Your individual tables look so cute and festive too!
It looks like you guys made the best of Thanksgiving despite the circumstances! So sweet & thoughtful of you to bring some Christmas cheer to your parents as well. Sending you all my best this holiday season. xo
Looks like a lovely Thanksgiving. Hope that you have a wonderful week.
Thanks, Patrick. Wishing you wonderful week as well! Back to teaching from home–for at least 2 more weeks around here.
It looks like you had a lovely Thanksgiving under the circumstances. I like the individual tables idea. I’m not sure what we will do here for Christmas yet, the UK government seems to be suggesting a relaxation which a lot of us are not comfortable with, we might even steal your table idea if we do have any family round for dinner.
I’m with you, Julie, in hoping things work out for seeing family at Christmas. We will definitely keep it small again, and wear masks nonetheless, but I need to see my kids.
Your Thanksgiving looks perfect! Can’t wait to see your decorated Christmas tree! Have a wonderful week and thanks for hosting.
XO- MaryJo
Thanks so much, MaryJo. I always appreciate your lovely contributions!
Thanks for hosting on a holiday weekend! We had a Thanksgiving dinner for three instead of a dozen but didn’t skimp on any of the fixings or the decor. Although we did limit desert to two choices!
Thanks for stopping by, Sandra. I always love seeing what you share–it never lets me down! 🙂
We are in lockdown again and not allowed visitors in our homes without facing a $1000 fine. Keeping our fingers crossed that the numbers go down before Christmas so we can host Christmas dinner with our kids and their families. Great idea having individual tables!
I love your galvanized bucket with the tree and reindeer! And how very smart and sensitive you were for the separate eating areas for your family dinner. Thanks so much for having us over this weekend. Have a great start to the Christmas season!
Thank you for featuring my Christmas Barn, Niky and I loved reading about how you handled Thanksgiving this year – very creative! Have a wonderful week!