Thanksgiving Preparations

With the holiday fast approaching, I'm sure we are all making our menu plans and choosing our table settings. We host Thanksgiving every year in our home and I truly enjoy preparing for the day. This year I'm going with a cream and silver theme. I'm bringing out my well aged ironstone and tarnished silver.

I've inherited 2 sets of antique flatware from two different sides of my family tree and I love mixing them together. Blended, just like families.

Most of my silver has tarnished from lack of attention. When I was younger I used to be concerned that it wasn't polished, but now I enjoy the patina of the pieces. Hmmm, or maybe I'm tired of cleaning it.

We have several family traditions during the holidays and one I thought I'd share is our "I'm Thankful For" tradition. When each person arrives, they are given a card and have to write something or someone they are especially Thankful for during the previous year. Sometimes they are funny, other times so poignant that it brings us to tears. All the cards are then put into a bowl which is then passed around the table. Each person will read a card out loud and then we all guess who wrote the note. It is so wonderful to focus on how we are all so blessed by the people who love us but sometimes don't take the time to say.

I'd love it if we all play along today. Please leave a comment stating something or someone you are Thankful for and let's all be blessed by what we are most grateful for!

I'm Thankful For.....

Comments

[Maggie]

I am so thankful and blessed to have such loving and wonderful parents who brought me into this world and who have been the greatest role models in my life. God has richly blessed me greatest gifts in my life, my children and my husband; they rock my world and are the best part of who I am and bring out the best in me.

I am so thankful to be richly blessed with so many special family members and friends and to you, my new friend Heather. Heather, it meant so much to me to meet you in person and you are as lovely as I believed you to be. Thank you for your new friendship.

XOX Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

Maggie

[Sara Duckett]

My friends, family and health, as well as the new opportunities I received this year.

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving! I love your ironstone and silver, just beautiful!

[naturegirl]

I'm thankful for my wonderful family that is well and happy and for the fact that my dear aging mother is still here to share with me the festive season approaching!
Heather this is a very nice family
ritual! Have a blessed Thanksgiving..
hugs NG

[Tara]

LOVE your new banner Heather, your photography is beautiful! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!~xo

[kelli]

Thank-you - Carol and you have both made this holiday brighter for our family - you both have allowed me to open new doors and now I am honored to have met the both of you - two spectacular ladies - Happy holidays and many blessings -

[Tracie]

I am thankful that I grew up as a child with all my grandparents & three of my great-grandparents.

I was blessed to have these people in my life and have happy memories of them - my 82 year old great grandpa swiping my Mom's bike and her running after him down the street and him giggling while he passed all of us kids, that's a sweet thing.

I am thankful for my husband who grew up without family and looks at pictures of these people with me & listens to my stories with genuine interest & love.

Tracie

[Vicki Grobels from Silverbella.]

Heather -
I love the new banner!!
I'm thankful for my friend Cody who was there when I needed someone. He pulled me out of a dark hole I was falling into.

Happy Thankgiving darlin'
V.

[Sherri]

Awwww....I just wanted to comment on the Post Below me - Brenda - be safe and happy this season - Keep all of your Good Memories stored away, bringing them out as you need them. Best Wishes, Everything will be alright.
xoxo Sher

[Brenda]

This is the first year that I recall not being with my family. A tradition of years.As each child has grown and left the next we must move on.It hurts very bad.
But today I want to thank God for a mom and dad that are still alive. Three children and two grandkids that are healthy.For a husband that has put up with me when no one else would.
Family... I love you

[hoganfe]

Thank you for this lovely post! God has given me so many blessings each day I am truly thankful

[hoganfe]

Thank you for this lovely post! God has given me so many blessings each day I am truly thankful

[karla nathan]

Shall I go along with what Carol says and say that I am thankful for meeting my new peep and fellow Toaster Club members THE Heather and Carol? Actually, I am very thankful for my freinds, old and new and am lucky to have them.

I am also thankful that I have such a great family and life, that it is almost impossible to pick just one or a couple things out as the best. Its all good. Better than good.

[Jen R]

I am thankful I don't have to polish all of that flatware. ;)

[Amy]

I am so so thankful that my first pregnancy is going well. It is such a blessing!

-Amy

http://craftingbycandlelight.blogspot.com

[Lynn]

I am so thankful for the good news we got on my daughter-in-laws health. I love your blog and will visit often. Come see me. Have a wonderful week and Thanksgiving.

[ACottageIndustry]

Great post, with fabulous photos (as always!)
I'm thankful for so many things. This year in particular I am thankful for my growing family! (3 weddings within 12 months! OK people, I am ready for grand babies anytime you are...)
Tracey

[Raised In Cotton]

Just love, love your blog banner! You are such a talented designer as represented by your recent article in Romantic Homes. Cheers to your Present and Past designs Ms Sparkles.

Hugs,
Carol

[Angela (Cottage Magpie)]

I'm thankful for the usual things, family, etc.., but I'm also so thankful for all the gorgeous blogs I get to read every day that give me inspiration!
~Angela :-)

[Stacey]

Great new banner!
I am thankful for being able to get up everyone morning and do whatever I need too. I am thankful for life!

[Teresa]

Beautiful settings cream and silver. I am thankful for God's grace and love each day.

Teresa
xo

**and i love your new banner, beautiful photography!

[Rosemary]

Hi Heather,
Sounds like it will be a lovely day at your house.
I am Thankful for my wonderful husband, daughter and new son inlaw. I am thankful that I have so many nice friends and family.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Rosemary

[Michele]

Your silver is so beautiful, just like your blog. Thank you for sharing. I am thankful for each day. A day that will never come agin, so I have learned not to waste a moment. To always say all the I love you's and take all the hugs and kisses and to be thankful for each.
Hugs to you!
Michele

[Jill]

good friends...
children's laughter...
puppy dog kisses...
warm cozy blankets...
brisk winter air...
eyes that twinkle...
I could go on and on...
Thank you for reminding me of all these wonderful gifts!

[Lorrie]

Lovely table settings - warm and welcoming. I'm so thankful for my sweet husband and my wonderful children.

[Karla Smith]

Like your new banner, Heather. You inspired me to gather my things for Thanksgiving and the reason for the season with expressing what Thanksgiving means to all.

I'm truly Thankful for many things in my life. My daughters, both living in the nest and hearing them laugh alot. My husbands support and encouragement to express my creative self.

I'm Thankful, not to be in the hospital, for the first Thanksgiving, in three years.

I'm Thankful in meeting you and so many other ladies, and feeling all new friendships.

Thanks for being you..... !!! You are NICE!

G'day and Hugs,
Karla Smith

[Elaine L.]

I'm especially Thankful for my dad and mom. My father is 85 and beginning to have failing health. I
really didn't expect him to be here this Thanksgiving, but he's actually doing much better.

I'm especially Thankful for my mom, because it's with her patient care and monitoring of his diet and diabetes that he is doing as well as he is.

~elaine~

[cd&m]

I love the look of tarnished silver but have to confess that sometimes mine gets so bad it is almost black. Did I really just tell lots and lots of people that, oh the shame of it....

[Mosaic Queen]

2 of my girls will be away this year, which makes me sad, but I'm thankful for our good health and I'm thankful for good friends.
Please come pay me a visit at my new blog.
Michelle

[traci]

i am thankful for family and friends - generic, but i believe they are the two greatest gifts. love your new banner!!!

[nelda]

What a beautiful post! We have some things in common. My mother had the very pattern of silverware you show. I also love the patina of tarnished silver. We have a tradition of telling what we're thankful for at the table, but your idea of using cards sounds like more fun. I am thankful we still have my mother, who is 86 this year, and she is still in good health.

[Denise]

I agree with Kimberly...I am thankful to have a God who is there ALWAYS when I need him and always when I forget I need him. It's amazing the love he gives us on a day to day when sometimes I feel so unworthy..

[Julie]

Just popped over from Cottage on Doe Hill. I saw the name of your blog and immediately I was drawn to it. There used to be an antiques shop of sorts in town here called Past and Presents. She sold the most beautiful things and I loved it. After her divorce she closed the shop. I love your blog...and I'm thankful that I found it.

Love,
Julie

[Stacy]

I am thankful for friends. The ones that hang around in the good times and the bad. The friends who encourage and support me and listen to me when I go on and on. Old friends, new friends and those who are like family to me.

[Diane at Petticoat Junction]

I am sooooo very thankful that God brought my wonderful husband my way! I am grateful for so much I would have to write a book! I am grateful I found your blog.
xoxo
Diane

[Frenchgardenhouse]

What a beautiful post, Heather! My family has this tradition, too, I love it each year.

I am thankful for each day, being married to my sweet man, my children, my friends, and every opportunity to share a few moments with those I love, including you, sweet blog friend!
Lidy

[Mary]

I am so thankful to have married such an amazing, supportive husband. He is truly my best friend.

[Raised In Cotton]

I am Thankful everday for my sweet husband and three kids who continue to support me in whatever I choose to do. I am also Thankful for meeting you Ms Sparkles~my kindred spirited peep:)

Hugs:)
Carol

[Dana Smith]

I am most thankful for my wonderful husband and daughters but also thankful for the gift of appreciating vintage finds. My grandmother, an antique dealer, bestowed that gift on me as a young child. It serves me in many ways....from the pure joy of the "find" to the feeling of comfort as I surround myself and my family with things from days gone by.
Dana in Virginia

[Lisa]

Beautiful place settins and wonderful pictures. What a great time of year when you can pull all these pretty pieces out and put them to good use.

[cindy ~ My Romantic Home]

I am thankful that I have wonderful parents who raised me very well and by their example have made me a better parent.

[Missy]

I'm thankful for benign tumors!

[Alice dR]

I am thankful for my son, Morgan. He is a gift from God and my ray of sunshine. I am lucky to be his mother!

[Joy]

Heather, what a lovely idea that is! I think I will have to borrow that. :)

Today I am thankful for all of the lovely blogs I visit, I always feel blessed to be able to interact with like-minded women from all over the globe.

p.s. Cream and silver theme? YUMMY. What time's dinner? ;)

Joy
xo

[Teresa @ PlumWater Cottage]

Beautiful silver, tarnished or not. I'm thankful for my parents and daughter. I could only hope to be as good a parent to my daughter as my parents were to me. They're kind, caring, and at 75 years old, they run circles around me when it comes to work and "chores."

[Erin]

I'm so thankful for my husband and two boys - we are happy and healthy! Also for my sister and her family - although they are many, many miles away we are close at heart! Thank you for your inspiring photos

[Victoria]

I am thankful for my mum, it's only as I get older I realise how much she has done and given me and that I would be lost without her. As with most things in life it's the little things she does for me.

[Tracy]

Aside from my family, friends, health, etc. I'm thankful for wonderful bloggers who let us into their homes & hearts, sharing glimpses of their lives and projects with us. Such a treat and so inspiring.

[Angie]

I am thankful for my daughter, she truly is a blessing my life!

[Sandra]

I am so thankful for my mom who always has a kind word no matter what the day. She is so full of life and has truly given me the gift of loving people. Even though times have been rough for her as a caregiver to my dad, she never waivers with her love for all her family and friends. Bless her, she is the best!

[jamie]

Thankful that my Family is in Realatively Good Health. Without Health What do we Have. All the Money in the World cant buy Good Health. Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving...