I hope everyone had a wonderful day like we did today. To walk off our meal, we headed out to the trails to enjoy the outdoors - snapped a few of these while we were there.
Feeling very blessed and Thankful this Thanksgiving!
While everyone is busy preparing for tomorrow, I thought I would share what's on menu tomorrow. I hope everyone enjoys the company of family and friends, stays warm and thankful.
At our house, setting up is something that is done at least a month in advance. We bring out all of the boxes, and start decorating to taste. This year, the kids were able to help with our family Thanksgiving Tablescape. It seems like each year we add something just a little different, and this year was no exception. I love the rustic warmness it creates, and I can't wait to sit down on Thanksgiving and enjoy it to it's full potential!
Unlike last year, we will not be hosting Thanksgiving this year, which I am a little bummed about. Oh well, at least I'll keep a clean kitchen :)
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ours was unique for sure, but it turned out great! More importantly ... what was one every one's menu? Monday I'll be sharing our tablescape, but for today, I'll show you our menu ... I made it totally last minute, but I think it turned out great!
Anyone else create a menu for Thanksgiving? Wish me luck, I am leaving the house at 12 AM for some holiday shopping with friends ... better yet, pray for me :)
Well ... how did you all fare out today? Was it everything you dreamed it would be? :) I had a little interesting turn of events, so it wasn't at all what I thought it would be. I went to bed, and set my alarm for 4:00 AM. I knew I didn't need to be the first one in there, but I wanted to share the experience with everyone else :) This was about 11:00 ... 12:00 comes around and Bayler wakes of SCREAMING, and pretty much has the flu. It took me till 3:00 in the morning to finally get in to go to sleep, and by the time I got him down, I was exhausted. I knew if I left his side, he would wake up and Ryan would have to deal with both crying babies ... so .. I opted out :( The things we give up when we are moms! It didn't turn out bad though. I woke up early and did some online shopping with free shipping and was able to get half of the kids shopping done. Around 10:00, Ryan and I packed up the kids and headed to target to see what all was going on, and to finish up with the kids gifts.
I eneded up getting ALL of the kids gifts, my mom done & Ryan's mom half way done. Woowho! I didn't think I would get all of that done by 11:00 after the night I had. So ... I don't have that much more to do. Isn't it funny when you go shopping for someone else, you end up finding EVERYTHING you want :)
I found some great finds today ... *wink* *wink* honey ... here are some ideas :)
1. These beautiful Steve Madden Boots
2. Some Uggs
3. There Beaded Trays from Target
4. This Pretty Black Bag
I hope everyone had a great Black Friday ... now ... who's ready for Cyber Monday? j/k :)
Happy Thanksgiving from the Imhoff's! We have SO much to be thankful for here. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family, which includes two of the cutest boys I know :)
Hope everyone was able to spend the holiday with family or friends, ate WAY too much and had safe travels!
Here is a little taste of what our day looked like ...
It was a great day, with some REALLY yummy food! It was the first time Ryan and I held a dinner at our house for the holidays, so it felt like a big deal. I was able to get some tables and chairs from my dad. I created the the tablescape for 23.00 total. Ryan cooked all the meat by himself ... and.it.was.amazing! I was able to cook up some green bean casserole, corn bread stuffing & apple crip. I also picked up a pecan pie from The Upper Crust Bakery. My mom brought rolls, mashed potatoes & corn casserole. And Ryan's grandma brought over the gravy & sweet potatoes. I think everyone ate until they were uncomfortable!
Afterwards, it did take Ryan and I about 4 hours to clean up. If you remember, we don't have a dishwasher and I refused to use plastic or paper plates :) It was worth it!!
And on a side note, we have been teaching Braeden about Thanksgiving while going around and saying what we are thankful for. Ryan always starts by saying I am thankful for Braeden, Bayler, Mommy, Charlie & Tank. Then I start in and say that I am thankful for family, friends, and a warm house. Braeden ALWAYS says the same thing ... "I am thankful for my blankie, my TV and my bean bag. Well ... atleast he is thankful!
I don't know about you, but I just get giddy thinking about all the sales going on the day after Thanksgiving. Although I hate the long lines & the ridiculously early morning, I do enjoy a good deal ... in fact, I am pretty sure I get a high off of it :) Last year since I had a new baby at home, I decided it best not to go out, and do the online thing instead ... nope, not for me. I ended up just sitting at home thinking about all the deals out there, and how I was missing out. It's the same feeling I get when I can't garage sale, and someone I know comes over with their great finds ... ugh, I hate that. Or, even worse, getting to the garage sale late and seeing the item you have been looking for, in the hands of someone else in line to pay ... grrr!
So, this year ... watch out, I'm back! :) And since I know a lot of you will be out there with me in all your glory ... I have created a few tips and tricks for your shopping pleasure. Good luck girls (and guys!)
Natalie's Tips for Black Friday:
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH Yes, this takes time and patience, but sooo worth it in the end. Pull up the ads of all the stores you are wanting to go to. I usually do this party online, since they post faster than Thursday's paper. In fact, the iphone has the app now, and its FREE, so go get it! Know where it is that you are wanting to go, where in the store it is. If you do your research online, also know that stores put coupons in the local paper on Thursdays, so check these out as well.
2. CREATE A GAME PLAN I usually try to stick with 3 or less stores, otherwise, it's CRAZY. Since I already know what I am going to go and get, and where the best deals are, half my job is done. I then decide what it most important, or what I think will go the fastest, and that is where I go first. In other words ... know the times for special savings, door busters, hours of operation, or scope out ahead of time. It is also helpful to keep a list handy in your purse for all the people you are needing to buy for.
3. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM This can be tricky. The key is to find someone who is serious about Black Friday. Someone who also does their research ahead of time, and is fast and quick. Make it a game! I tend to have one person stay in line, while the others grab the items. Wait ... what if the other sees a GREAT deal, and you are stuck in line?? Don't worry, I have you covered. The most serious shoppers (like myself) use walkie-talkies ... oh yes we do! We don't waste ANY time.
4. THE MORNING OF Be sure to dress comfortably. Hey, I have been known to go in my pj's ... but please only do that if they are appropriate! I don't worry about hair or makeup ... just about getting out of the door. Tennis shoes are a must. Also, if you are thinking how much fun it would be to take along the whole family ... don't. I mean, unless you REALLY want to of course. But for me ... it's all about keeping the kids (and the husband) at home ... While getting out of the house with his wallet :) And probably the most important tip ... don't try to shop if you haven't had your dose of caffeine ... I like myself will be indulging in a holiday mocha from Starbucks ... ahh, now that's what Christmas is really about!!
5. HAVE FUN and of course ... have fun. It's shopping!!! Hopefully we will all go home with our arms, legs and hands tired from all the Black Friday madness!
Oh ... and in case you haven't started working out for Friday (aka shopping bag curls and black Friday lunges) ... we'll then you should watch this Target Video!
Since we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, I have been working hard gathering and creating everything I will need for next Thursday. I created these cute menu cards to go on the table. What do you think? What's on your menu?
Yep ... Ryan and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year! I am extremely excited ... however, we do have to overcome some obstacles ...
1. No Dining Room 2. No Dining Room Table 3. No Dishwasher
Even those these are HUGE obstacles to overcome, I just know it's going to be great. And you all know how much I love to entertain!
Here is my inspiration for our tablescape ...
I just bought this table runner ...
And I found these perfect Mason Jars at the antique store on Friday!
This week I am planning on making the menu, menu cards & assigning food. Can't wait to keep you all posted! What are your plans for Thanksgiving this year?
Hi! I'm Natalie "aka :: The Pampered Mom", thanks for stopping by Team Imhoff! When people ask me how I landed on "The Pampered Mom" I always tell them ... because like anyone who's pampered I have everything I need with just my husband and my two boys by my side. I am pampered by Love!
Who am I?! A Wife, Mom, Designer, Event Stylist, Photographer, Organizer, Hostess, Lover of Southern Entertaining & a Mompreneur
