Grateful Garland ..., Bottled Blessings ..., Grateful Hearts

I think it would be fun to do something unique with our Thanks Giving moments on Thanksgiving Day.  Some families take turns telling each other one thing they are thankful for as they sit around the table.  I have posted (here) about a vase we filled throughout the month with pieces of paper rolled up in a clear vase, each had something that we were thankful for written on it. 

It's always good to be thankful.

Here are some ideas that I thought were fun and exciting and different than I have done before. They are not in any special order, and I haven't yet decided which is my favorite. When selecting these ideas I had in mind that dinner guests would each participate in the giving of thanks, but this could be done as a daily or weekly thing through the month of November, or just once at the beginning of the month and then used as décor for the rest of the month.  Here are some great ideas.

Grateful Garlands 

Let each guest write something they are grateful for on a piece of cloth or ribbon or tag or other item and tie it to a string or rope or ?, creating a garland.

I found this look on Pinterest.

and this next look is found here

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Thankful Tree

This idea comes from Simply Vintage Girl.

The Cooke Family showed her version of a Thanksgiving Tree, and had this cute bowl of paper tags too.

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Hanging Mobiles

Write on each of the leaves and hang on a mobile like this one from Enjoying The Small Things

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Paper Spinner

Create a spinner - make the opening whatever size you need for the number of guests you have, and let each guest turn the spinner to find a place to write one thing they are grateful for. The host could then read each at the table if you so choose.  This look is from Tip Junkie

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Grateful Board or Wall Display

Each guest could write on a chalk board with chalk, or on a poster board or sheet of paper with a marker. From This and That Creative

Or write on pumpkins and place them in a frame to display like this from My Blessed Life.  Instead of PUMPKINS written at the bottom it could say THANKS or GRATEFUL.

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Place mats

Simple paper place mats make a great place for each guest to write on. Seen on pinterest

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Bottled Blessings

Much like I did with our vase of blessings, fill a jar like this from Martys Musings.

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The good old paper chain garland can be a fun idea too. This can be seen on Pinterest. It could be strung in the middle of the table to add to the décor.

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Give Thanks!

The Tablescaper has a nice look using a name card look.

Maybe you would like to give each a little match book notebook that they can take home, and make sure you tell them you are thankful for them on the first page, and maybe add one of their awesome character traits or talents that you like about them. Their names could be written on the front of the matchbook or on a tag attached to it so each gets his/her own book.  These are seen on Lasso the Moon

buy them - like these from Easy

or make them like these made from paint chips as seen Hardly Housewives

FYI - years ago I bought some from OTC, but I looked today and only found these on a quick look, but they could be covered with pretty paper.

Maybe you'd like a different book, like these cute homemade books seen The Long Thread.  If you choose, each guest could decorate their own as part of the activities of the day.

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GIVE A HEART

Okay, this might be my favorite, mostly because I like the idea with these hearts.  It is very thoughtful and creates thoughtfulness within your family.

I posted it here, not to be used the way they use it at Lasso the Moon, though I love that way, but to give each of your guests a heart. Maybe you could pin a tag to it with something written on it that would tell them how thankful you are for them. But, don't overlook the way they use these hearts, because it's pretty awesome! It's a great way to help create A Grateful Heart.

Happy Thanks Giving!

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Content and Secure!

To be content with what we possess is the greatest and most secure of riches.

 



image from a past ME calendar



 

  "When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

In seeking to overcome debt and addictive behaviors, we should remember that addiction is the craving of the natural man, and it can never be satisfied. It is an insatiable appetite. When we are addicted, we seek those worldly possessions or physical pleasures that seem to entice us. But as children of God, our deepest hunger and what we should be seeking is what the Lord alone can provide—His love, His sense of worth, His security, His confidence, His hope in the future, and assurance of His love, which brings us eternal joy.

 

  “Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted” (2 Nephi 9:51).

 

I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us. “Fear not,” He said, “for you are mine, and I have overcome the world” (D&C 50:41)." 

 

Complete message by Robert D. Hales Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually

 

Gold and Glitter, Flowers and Leaves

We have enjoyed seeing the beautiful colors of the leaves in Seattle this fall, but they are almost gone. 

Shimmering glittery gold or silver, bronze and copper look lovely on these leaves (pinned here).

A lovely look for fall.

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I saw this shiny bouquet(and pinned it) and wondered what it really would look like ..., it could be beautiful for fall or winter. 

Just spray baby's-breath gold or silver.

Lovely!

 

 

Thumb Tack Magnets

This idea is a great idea for a few fun things on the wall, especially if you want to change them with the seasons.

Thumb tacks as magnet attracters.

(not sure where I found this)



Maybe you have several thumbtacks you need to do something with.

Maybe you don't want to cover them all.

Maybe you just wanna say something.

Maybe you would choose this look (pinned here).

So many fun and creative ideas.

Way to repurpose a thumb tack.

A Thanksgiving Package

Today is A Grateful Heart Thursday, where I share one positive thing that happened this week - a happy thing, a kind thing, a tender mercy, a small and simple something that happened, bringing a smile to my face and to my heart, helping me to recognize the hand of the Lord in every minute of my life.

 

 

 One day last week we got a call that made us feel very special and loved.  We did not know the caller, and she did not know us, but she was so happy to call and talk with us.

We are at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance because my husband is undergoing a stem cell transplant, and a member of the clinic staff called saying that someone had suggested that we might like a Thanksgiving package, and she was calling to offer it to us. 
It crossed my mind to say "thank you but go ahead and give it to someone else who might need it more than we do" but then I remember how I feel when others accept a kindness I try to offer and decided to graciously accept the kindness that was being offered to us. It's a strange feeling when someone tells you they do not want the gift you are freely giving them, and she was so kind and happy to offer it, I did not want to ruin that feeling for her either.  If no one received there would be no opportunity to give, and giving brightens the day.  It certainly brightened ours. 

Just the call itself was so pleasant and brought a warmth to our heart making that day feel like a special day.  I don't know who put our name in the hat, but we were picked and happily accepted.

We feel loved! We know that our Heavenly Father is aware of us and knows what we are going through, and He is with us every step of the way.  There will be tough times, but He will help us through them.

The Thanksgiving package arrives today -  delivered to people who live in Pete Gross House, others will pick up their package at the Resource room at the clinic.
How can we be so lucky? 
 Is it really luck?

(Updated with this photo later in the day)

It is Love! Freely Giving! Gratefully accepted!

I just found this in my Reader, and it fits so well with this post.




I'll do my best to help make somebody else's life better, as others have done for me and mine.

 

My Pain ..., My Laugh ...,

 I love this quote:

"My pain may be the reason for somebody's laugh.

But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody's pain.”

 

 

   

What is funny to one, may not be to another.

If we have to explain that we were just joking, it must not be a good one.

 
So, let's laugh today, but not to cause another pain!

 

Yellow and Natual Place Setting

Love this place setting from Centsational Girl

LOVE the NAPKIN

It would be lovely for Thanksgiving, Easter...,  anytime!

Judging Others

"We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His Children."



Complete message by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Merciful Obtain Mercy

 

Advents

 

Is it too early to think about Christmas?

I don't want to skip Thanksgiving, but it might take some time to collect the pieces to create this, so I'm posting it now.

 

A wonderful Christmas Countdown from here

 

 

 

Here is another advent calendar idea from here

 

 

 

This second one would be cute with fall colors to count down to Halloween, or with birthday or celebration colors to count down to birthdays ...



Ironing Board Cupboards

How do you like your ironing board?  Do you keep it in a cupboard?

Is it your cupboard? Check these boards from Montgomery Ward

 

 

 

 

Clever!

This is surely the next DIY project. Somebody can repurpose a dresser, shelf unit, or cart into an ironing board.

 

 

Thanksgiving Day ... early

Today is A Grateful Heart Thursday, where I share one positive thing that happened this week - a happy thing, a kind thing, a tender mercy, a small and simple something that happened, bringing a smile to my face and to my heart, helping me to recognize the hand of the Lord in every minute of my life.

 

 

 

We aren't going to be home for Thanksgiving this year due to our stay in Seattle for stem cell transplant. And this is the year that our married children spend Thanksgiving with the other side of the family, so our Thanksgiving Day is going to be very different than usual.

 

Our son and his wife came home last weekend for a visit (from Southern California), and we were able to be home too, so we decided to have a Thanksgiving meal with them here.  It turned out lovely! 

 

The girls helped with so much and made it a special day.

It did feel like Thanksgiving and my heart is so happy to have that feeling to help carry me through the 28th Thanksgiving Day.

 

I have such a one track mind lately, with this transplant on my mind, and I wasn't even the one that thought up this wonderful idea to have this dinner while our son and daughter were here.  This idea was planted in my mind the previous weekend when I was talking with a friend and she asked if we were going to have a Thanksgiving meal while they were here.  Well, that was a glorious idea, so I used it.  I am so grateful that we had that conversation - it was during a doctor visit I had for myself because of a sinus infection that I was wishing didn't have to be.  Now I think it was a tender mercy.  

 

Even good things can come from the bad and this time having a sinus infection that sent me to the doctor gave me the inspiration to prepare a Thanksgiving meal when so many of us would be together. 

Tender Mercy indeed!

 

It was a lovely day!

A lovely weekend to keep close to my heart.

 

Because of our short time and not wanting to create a bigger mess I'd have to clean up later I didn't decorate with centerpieces like I would have liked to.  I did however get to use my assorted china and goblets to help create a look I love. 

 

Even with the lack of fancy center pieces I was happy because the best thing at the table was the family around it.

(this image was from Pinterest, but I have it from a calendar, previously shown here)

 

 

Be Determined!

 

Be determined to be cheerful and happy ...

the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances by our disposition.

 

 

Awesome quote by Martha Washington.

 

 



Thanksgiving quotes tags.

Great quotes for Thanksgiving, from Finding Home

 

 

 

 

Sliced Wood Chargers

 

Would anyone like a slice of wood?

I would!

This woodsy look from Wedding Chicks - would make a wonderful fall / Thanksgiving setting.

The clear plates over the wood slice is a great look.

I love the squash too.

 

 

Fall Down to Find Something

REMEMBER THIS -

("Sometimes we fall Down because there is something down there we're supposed to find")

image from here

 "I promise you that you will one day stand aside and look at your difficult times, and you will realize that He was always there beside you."
Complete message by Thomas S. Monson, We Never Walk Alone

"If we place a little more patience in the process and a greater amount of faith in the Lord, our challenges will find their way toward successful conclusions."
Complete message by Val R. Christensen, Overcoming Discouragement 

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

 Michael Jordan

 "To lift our spirit and send us on our way rejoicing, the devil’s designs of despair, discouragement, depression, and despondency can be defeated in a dozen ways, namely: repentance, prayer, service, work, health, reading, blessings, fasting, friends, music, endurance, and goals."
Complete message by Ezra Taft Benson, Do Not Despair

 


image from here

Outdoor Lighting

I snapped a photo of this park in Southern California because I wanted to remember the string of lighting over what I think was a senior center bocce court, if I remember correctly.

This was last summer and I had forgotten to post it until going thru photos for scrapbooking recently.

 

It is not very easy to see in this photo, but it was a great look to remember. 

Maybe I'll have a need for this look sometime.

Booking It!

I like the idea of homemade books and I have seen a few (online) that are awesome.

Here is a cook book / scrapbook from Furloughed Time

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And another style from Wedding Chicks - sew this one up.
I really like this look.

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And if you don't want to make your own, but love the homemade look, how about this one from Etsy - you'll find so many great looks there.

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Lastly, the book itself isn't home made, but the message on each page is definitely original.  I love this idea from The Twinery 



Kindness Hugs

Today is A Grateful Heart Thursday, where I share one positive thing that happened this week - a happy thing, a kind thing, a tender mercy, a small and simple something that happened, bringing a smile to my face and to my heart, helping me to recognize the hand of the Lord in every minute of my life. Sometimes it's hard to limit my post to just one, but just one is my goal.

 

There have been so many kindness shown to us this past week that it's hard to limit to just one.  So I will not attempt to limit to one specific kindness, but instead I will just say how grateful I am for all the kindnesses shown to us and other members of our family this past couple weeks.

This one mention of kindnesses includes cards, words, foods, and deeds, all kindnesses that have touched our hearts and made us smile as we travel though these tough times. 
These kindnesses are like warm hugs that help us feel loved. 
These kindnesses are surely inspired by a loving Father in Heaven who loves each and every one of us - those of us receiving the kindness and those giving them, because in every case of a kindness performed, both are blessed.

I know I've used this image before (here), but it is just so perfect for what I need.

Kindness Hugs to Everyone!
We are grateful for those sent our way!  They are touching our hearts with great force.

 

A Terrible Warning!

 

I thought this was cute - found on pinterest 

 

"If you can't be a good example you'll just have to be a terrible warning."

 

 Did it make you smile? 

 



Tags in Bags

 

These tags in bags in a box (or a drawer) are really cute.  They could make a great advent calendar.  Find it here, at Loveology.

 

 

 



Awesome Family Tree

 

I happily pinned this awesome family tree found here.

I'm getting more familiar with Pinterest and enjoying it.

Isn't it lovely!
It's just missing some names and dates.

It could make a lovely Thanksgiving or Christmas gift.

 

 

Revenge vs Forgiveness

"Hello, My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!"

Have you watched Princess Bride?  It's one of our family favorites!  There are several lines from that movie that our family loves to quote, and that line is one of our favorites to repeat, especially when we see Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya) on another show.  It's so fun to say, though it really doesn't mean anything to us personally. It doesn't ever bring out the evil in us, instead it brings a laugh and fun moments to share together once again.

Because we like this character and that quote so well, we checked out the interview that was found on the Yahoo Home Page the other day. (HERE)

It was well worth the time.  We got to hear him say his line again, but we heard something else that was important and profound.

There is another line in the movie, that may not be as fun to say, (though I think we've quoted it a time or two too) but the message behind it is important to learn.

 "I have been in the revenge business so long, now that it is over, I do not know what to do with the rest of my life."

The actor expounded a bit more, saying (if I heard him correctly) "the purpose of revenge ... is completely worthless and pointless, and the purpose of existence is to embrace our fellow human beings, not be revengeful, and turn our darkness into light."

It is always awesome to hear good things from actors and actresses that we enjoy so much.  This is a good message to remember, and now maybe we will be able to recall that message and quote another line when we think about the movie Princess Bride.

Maybe we can become more aware of what business we are in and make sure it is something that we want to do with the rest of our lives.
It would be best if revenge had no part in it.

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"When we are out for revenge we blame, accuse, and provoke others to wrath and then we blame them for it."  
This quote from A Change of Heart.

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Revenge is returning sin for sin!


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“We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings. It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us ‘to forgive all men’ [D&C 64:10] for our own good because ‘hatred retards spiritual growth’ [Orson F. Whitney, Gospel Themes (1914), 144]. Only as we rid ourselves of hatred and bitterness can the Lord put comfort into our hearts. …

“… When tragedy strikes, we should not respond by seeking personal revenge but rather let justice take its course and then let go. It is not easy to let go and empty our hearts of festering resentment. The Savior has offered to all of us a precious peace through His Atonement, but this can come only as we are willing to cast out negative feelings of anger, spite, or revenge. For all of us who forgive ‘those who trespass against us’ [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 6:13], even those who have committed serious crimes, the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort”
(“The Healing Power of Forgiveness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 69).

Complete message found here.

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Lovely Flowers and More

This lovely bouquet from Style Me Pretty is beautiful by itself, but has strands of pink beads laying beside it that adds so much more loveliness.

Aren't the colors so beautiful - soft and lovely pinks and whites.

I found some more lovely flower arrangements at Green Wedding Shoes
I love the addition of fruits (figs, pomegranates, pears, peaches, and the berries of course).  I Really Do Love This Look!

These colors are awesome, the place setting is wonderful ...

Of course I love the bottles ...

The drinks are even lovely aren't they!!!
I don't know what their drink is, but I would love this look with a Cran-Raspberry juice.  I'd love the look and the taste with those fresh berries.

And the cake is great ...

And this swing is awesome too ...

 Gorgeous!!!

I've pinned a few other bouquets and arrangements on my Pinterest Board - Flowers, Bouquets ..., - take a look if you'd like.

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Double Belgian-Waffle Maker

This is not a paid advertisement - it's just a review of one of my favorite things.
This is one of those things that I'm grateful for, because it makes life a bit easier in simple ways.

 This is something new to me, but it only took one use to find that it was a favorite.  I've always been intrigued with the waffle irons at motels that rotate to cook.  I don't know why, but I've always wanted one, but because they only cook one at a time it just wasn't ever a good purchase for me, with such a large family.

Well, times are changing, my family is shrinking when it comes to breakfast time, and hubby and I are on our own for a few months for a stem cell transplant and we need to stock a kitchen with things to help us cook good food.  We still have children at home to use what we have there, so I have to purchase a few things that I don't have two or more of so I can have one too.  Setting up a second kitchen can be expensive, but it's so fun. (well, fun for me, not so much for hubby)

 I bought us one of these ...

Waring Pro Double Belgian-Waffle Maker

I am loving it. 
I haven't used it enough and I look forward to using it over and over again with different recipes.  It is a favorite new toy of mine.
If you have a favorite waffle recipe you'd like to share, please send it my way.

FYI - I ordered mine from Amazon, which is also the image source.

 More FYI because I don't want to send out the wrong impression -
Our second kitchen is partially stocked, but not completely.  And, some of the items it does have are just not working correctly or aren't clean enough or the right kind of item that I like to use. Lucky for me, there was no waffle iron.  I'm smiling!

We had waffles here before I purchased this maker, but they were the frozen waffles that we pop in the toaster, and I must say that we do like those, and they smell so yummy while they are toasting.

We've even used them as a bun when we didn't have a bun in the house, and they weren't too bad that way.

 



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