{boys- enough said}

Thanksgiving.

The time for family and being together.

Josh came home from college to spend it with us.

And what did his younger brother want to do to welcome him home?

yeah that's right

Go out in the backyard and wrestle.

  

Boys are such dorks.

{place cards by sophie}

For the past couple of years we have tried to make place cards for the big family dinners.  

One year I made them for Thanksgiving and my sister said- thanks set the bar high.

She then made adorable ones for that Christmas.

This year Sophie made them.  They had done some at school and she asked her teacher for a copy of the pattern.  She did them all for our meal.
   

She is very serious when concentrating. And can't do a thing without that tongue out.

  

So THANKFUL for that little stinker.

{cookie time}

Well we had to bake cookies for that Holiday open house so I got the kids involved.

You know - why not make it messier and more fun?

  

Yes, Jack is a future tv host. 

  

She has the method of one on the cookie- one in my mouth.

do you bake with the kids?

{ my helper }

The Carolina Artists' Colony had a Christmas Open house and of course I volunteered to do too much.  

It was the evening of the day Liz went home - so I was a bit bummed but we had to get it all there and set up.

My little helper and partner in crime- Sophie came to help.

She got bored once it was all set up so one of the artists - Taylar painted her face for her.

  

She wanted a butterfly. 

  

I think she likes it.  Don't you?

  

{eat in area Christmas decor}

I had big plans on getting a lot decorated this year but then with the booth and kids - well that all changed. 

I decided to do "less is more".  

And I have to say I am enjoying the small displays that just shine on their own without any over the top, elaborate scheme.

Our small eat-in area off the kitchen has so much light that I just wanted something small and simple.

I thought just a stick in my champagne bucket and put something on it...hmmm what?

Then I received the most amazing gift in the mail from my Canadian friend Heather from Inspire Me Heather. We met on the Cottage Living boards that then switched over to Cottages and Bungalows boards. We have sent gifts and surprises to each other for a couple of years.  This year she sent me a bag of miniature vintage mercury glass ornaments.  

LOVE THEM.  

And they are just what my little stick needed.

 Aren't they just adorable? 

Thanks Heather so much- I love them.

Now the stick, limb, twig whatever you call it- was from a dead dogwood.  

I just sprayed it with some white paint to lighten it up.  

Stuffed it in a piece of Styrofoam and covered it with some burlap.

All and all - simple.

Just what I was going for.

Are you decorating simple this year?

tammy

{hmmm...}

Just wonder what she is thinking.

Kind of scares me a bit.

   

{visit with Liz}

Every year since we have moved to North Carolina we have been so fortunate that my best friend Liz from Texas- God's Country, has been able to come out and visit.  

She usually has come twice a year- spring and fall. 

She has been here right after Sophie was born and a couple of times with her hubby. 

 Most times she has planned them around my Cameron Day shows but this time her baby got married then so she came out around Halloween- beginning of November.  It is always a great time but is usually so short and believe me I cry every time we take her back to the airport.  

We are always so busy and forget to take pictures- well and she and I hate having our pictures taken- haha

But I got this one before we left to take her to the airport..

   

 gosh I miss her terribly