Apothecary Jars-Thanksgiving

A few weeks back, I posted how Roberts has a great selection of inexpensive apothecary jars.  For my Thanksgiving decor, I filled the two smaller ones with foam beads from TaiPan and the larger one with gourds from Rod Works.   I unified them by tying the same ribbon around each one and put picks from Hobby Lobby at the bottom.  All of their Thanksgiving decor is 50% off right now.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Pinecone Place Card Holders

 I loved the idea of using pinecone as placecard holders for your Thanksgiving Table.  I used cinnamon scented ones, but you could easily send the kids outside to gather their own.

I used the same pressed paper as used on the journal for the placecards.

Doesn't it make it look complete and oh so charming?  Thanks to NBC's show "Parenthood" for the idea!

In All Things Give Thanks

 This year, I wanted to add a tradition to help us remember what we have to be grateful for from the past year.  I found this quote from Thomas S. Monson and loved it.  I simply printed it on pressed scrapook paper that I've had for ages.  Glad I had it as its colors are perfect for Thanksgiving.

I picked up this photo album from Target for $6.99.  It has a spot for 2- 4x6 photos stacked on top of each other.  My thought was to take a picture of everyone at our Thanksgiving dinner this year.  I will also hand them a 4x6 card to write what they are thankful for this year.  Then, I will place their photo and handwritten card in the album.  We always go around the table and say what we're thankful for, but I never can remember what I said the previous year.  By doing this, we are journaling our families' grateful moments.  To affix the quote to the front, I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive.

It will definitely be going with us to Grammy Jill's this year!

Napkin, Napkin, I Need a Napkin

Target has all of their napkins and napkin rings on sale this week.  I found this one yesterday and thought it was the perfect color scheme to add to my table.

Cloth napkins are a must for any fancier table setting.  I got the four-pack for $7.19.  I loved how the green added a new color to my table.

The Perfect Hostess Gift

I'm sure that most of us are headed to someone else's house this Thanksgiving for dinner.  And, do I have the perfect hostess gift for you to take: Your Own Vintage Cloth Bag!

I filled mine with my favorite hot cocoa.  What a great treat to give any hostess to say thanks for putting on the biggest dinner of the year!  Here's how to make your own:

Find any Thanksgiving themed towel.  I found mine on Etsy.  Flour sack cloth ones work best, but terry cloth can also work just fine.   Fold the towel in half and cut it to size. 

(7" wide by 14" tall.  Make sure to not cut the folded side.) Sew the 14" tall seam shut.

 To make the top hem, fold over and sew around.

 Fold over again and sew around.

 To sew the bottom hem, make sure your image is centered and sew shut on the wrong side of the fabric.  Flip the fabric to the right side, and voila: You have your own cloth bag!

 Fill a bread bag with your favorite cocoa, labeling the flavor.   If you feel extra ambitious, you can make your own.

Hot Cocoa:

5 cups dry milk powder

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer

Place inside cloth bag, tie with ribbon, and you have the perfect way to say thanks this Thanksgiving day!

Divine dinner rolls

I received this recipe from a nice woman at a family member's funeral.  I hadn't attempted homemade bread of any kind and was skeptical I could get them to turn out without a mixer.  Gladly I was wrong!  These are so delicious...here's what you need and how to do it:

Ingredients...
1 cup water
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup cold water
2 (.25-ounce) packages yeast
1/2 cup warm water
4 eggs, beaten
7 1/2 cups flour
Butter for spreading on dough

How to...
In a 6-quart pan bring 1 cup water to a boil. 
Add 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, sugar and salt.  Remove from heat.  Add one cup cold water.
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water (NOT HOT!)
When first mixture is luke-warm, add yeast mixture and beaten eggs.  Stir briefly.
Add flour and stir together. 
Cover pan with lid and refrigerate overnight.

This is what it will look like in the morning

When ready to roll out, divide dough in thirds.
Lightly flour surface of bread board (or counter!).  You may need to add a little bit more flour to the dough here if it's too sticky.  Don't add too much or it will dry it out!
Roll each third out in a large circle about 1/2-inch thick (mine are always thinner!)

Spread dough lightly with butter.  Cut dough into wedges. (I get 16 out of each rolled out dough ball).  This works best with a round pizza cutter.

Roll each section up, beginning at the wide end to form a crescent shape.  Place on four greased baking sheets (about 12 rolls per sheet).  I must admit mine are never exactly the same size, but they all end up tasting the same in the end :)  Cover with saran wrap (sprayed with cooking spray) and let rise about 4 hours.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  (With my oven its 375 for 11 minutes.  Watch the first few batches to get the right time and temp).

Yields 3-4 dozen rolls depending on how big you make them.  We like them a little bit smaller because they end up a little bit denser.

I've been designated "roll maker" at Sunday dinner and now Thanksgiving dinner.  If you're not wanting that title, don't bring these to the table :) 

I hope everyone has an enjoyable, relaxing Thanksgiving week with their families...oh and I can't WAIT for Christmas!!!  We have lots of fun things to share.

The only way to eat yams

Trust me...these are the BEST yams.  And it might sound weird, but the caramely sauce is a great thing to dip a roll in :)

Ingredients...

1 large can Princella yams
1/2 - 3/4 cups brown sugar (to make the caramel sauce thicker, add 3/4 cup sugar)
1/4 cup butter
2 Tablespoons Karo syrup
1 Tablespoon whipping cream
Small marshmallows

To make...

Melt butter in saucepan, add brown sugar.
Add Karo syrup and whipping cream, stir to a slight boil.
Drain yams VERY well, cut into smaller pieces and place in 9x9 dish.
Pour sauce over yams.
Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
Take out, cover with marshmallows and broil for 1 minute, watching constanty so the mallows don't burn.

This serving size feeds about six people.  Let me know what you think after Thanksgiving dinner!  Enjoy!

Pilgrim Puppets

If you're needing something to decorate the kids' Thanksgiving table with, let them help you make these...

I found this idea on kaboose.com.  Here's how to do it:

Supplies...

• White, brown, black and yellow paper
• Two short cardboard tubes
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Peach and pink crayons
• Black marker
• This pattern

How to...

1.  Color 2"x6" inch section of white paper with peach crayon.  Cut in half so you have 2 2"x3" pieces. 
2.  Glue the peach strips (long way) to the top of the cardboard tubes.  This will be the face.
3.  Cover the remainder of the tubes black (man) and brown (woman), overlapping the peach a little bit.
4.  Cut two collars from white construction paper using pattern.  Wrap around top of shirt and glue in place.
5.  Cut woman's hair from yellow construction paper using pattern.  Cut man's hair from brown construction paper, about the same size as woman's hair. Wrap around and glue to the top part of tube, covering the top of the peach paper.
6.  Cut hat from black paper and bonnet from white paper using patterns.  Cut a small strip of brown for the hat band, cut small strips of white for the buckle and glue together.  Glue hat and bonnet to heads.
7.  Color rosy cheeks with pink crayon.
8.  Use black marker to add eyes and mouth.
9.  Your puppets are ready to play with!

Setting the Perfect Thanksgiving Table

 I am so excited with how my Thanksgiving placesettings look.  TaiPan is where I found everything.  The placemats were my starting point and cost $3.97.  I loved the gold and the jute, so I looked for chargers and plates that would work.  The chargers were $2.97, the cream plate $5.97, and the gold/yellow bowl was $2.97.  I loved the detailing on both the plate and the bowl.  I added the sprig of acorns for $2.97 and the gourd came in a bundle of gourds for around $6.

 For the chairs, I bought these sprigs for $2.97.  They had some hideous leaves that I hated, so I simply took them out.  Don't be afraid to dismantle sprigs and other bunched items.  I have found I always like it better when I put my own personal touch on it.  The gold ribbon was $2.97 for an entire bolt of 15yds.  Tying wreaths, and sprigs onto your dining chairs makes a world of difference. 

 I bought these turkeys a few years ago and love them.  Although TaiPan is sold out of them, they have other turkeys that are still 50% off.  Also, Real Deals in Lehi by KFC and Broadbents on 100 East in Lehi still have a good selection of Thanksgiving decor on sale.  I simply added the corn this year.  If you don't have a lot of decor for a holiday, start with getting a few key pieces and then add each year.

Here's my finished table.  I love setting my table for the different holidays.  It puts a smile on my face to walk into my kitchen and feel like I'm looking at a magazine page.