Friday, November 25, 2016

CASology Featured Designer Final Post, and Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a pleasure to have been November's Featured Designer over at CASology. A huge thank you to Melissa for having me. I've enjoyed sharing with you all. Be sure you make time to play along with their challenges; you'll find Melissa and the whole Design Team as wonderful as can be, and the Cue Cards are always inspirational.


By today, all my American friends should have tummies full of turkey, dressing and all the fixings. And pie...Oh yes...pie! We're celebrating our Thanksgiving today; some of the children or grandchildren had to be elsewhere yesterday, so we're dishing up today. I have made Thanksgiving Dinner for more than 35 years. Hosting small dinners, or full-on feasts. This year we'll be 16 only. Poor Tad and his family had to attend a wedding in Cancun...isn't that just a shame...? Missing out on cold, wintery blasts in Minnesota/Wisconsin and having to spend time on the beach instead? And no pie! Don't worry, though. We've decided to have another "Thanksgiving" type meal at Easter time so he doesn't miss out on mom's delectable dressing and the rest of his favorites!

Last year, when all the little ones were here, they wanted to help grandma with the meal. Now I love my little helpers, but pans full of boiling potatoes and such aren't conducive to their help. So I have them do other things; they set the tables, they fill relish and veggie trays, and still they want more. Last year, a light bulb went on in my head and I made up place cards that they could color, put together, and write names on. I managed to grab a few after the meal. Most of the family and guests took theirs home. What a delight to see all those little ones in my craft room having a blast. Here's what last year's place cards looked like:


They were so proud! And I was delighted to have them feel like such an integral part of the festivities. Gotta love Kaylin's pink turkey!

We've also started the tradition of an olives on the fingers photo. Here are all those little helpers from last year:


Back to front and left to right:
Carter
Grant and Drew (my little ginger-haired boy)
Kaylin, Samantha, Lily and Avery.

Like most families, the kids sneak olives from the time they're set out on the table until we sit down to eat. I keep enough on hand to refill the dish several times, and just laugh, remembering all the olive snitching over the course of my life. Several generations now...

I have one last photo for you. Again it's from last year. This was one of three tables set up, and it was the kid's table. Guess which table grandma sat at? Mmm-hmmm. The kid's table!


Drew loves grandma's cooking; I think they all did. And see those three big granddaughters on the rightish? Guess who helped with dishes? Aren't they wonderful?!! I couldn't find a shot of the whole table where you can see everyones face, but Drew's face...too cute not to pick this one! That's my dil, Katie on the far end. I sat next to Drew and Lily, about where Jess is. I'll be at the kid's table again this year and it will be lovely. 

DH and I have been blessed with a large family. We are very thankful for our children and grandchildren, and all of our families and friends. We are very thankful for all the blessings God has given us. I hope your holiday was filled with family, friends and delicious foods. You are blessings in my life and I am truly grateful to count you as friends. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!



16 comments:

Maria Rodriguez. said...

There is nothing sweeter than to see your grandchildren at your house, running around, playing, eating, smiling and showering you with hugs and kisses, all year round but specially during the Holidays.
Your grandchildren are beautiful, how blessed you are to enjoy them and for them, nothing can be sweeter than grandma's cooking.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful pictures of your family.
Big Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Too sweet. Lovely to have fun activities and new traditions.

~amy~ said...

I love this post...look at all of your beautiful Grandchildren.

Shelly said...

Sounds like your Thanksgivings are always wonderful, no matter how big or small. ;) And boy do I remember putting olives on my fingers when I was a kid! lol Thanks for sharing and such beautiful photos! Hugs

Joyce said...

What a festive post, and your grandchildren are all so adorable. Thanks so much for being our Featured Designer at CASology and Happy Thanksgiving.

Nora Noll said...

Oh I Love hearing about how others spend the holidays. The olives on the fingers are just too cute and I know I will be wanting to sit a kids table when I have grandchildren!! Adults are boring!! Thank you for all your inspiration!!

Rose said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! You have so many gorgeous grandchildren! Lovely photos Bev.

Jacquie Southas said...

I've looked forward to your Featured Designer posts all month, Bev! Thanks for sharing these wonderful holiday memories. Before moving away, we had many Thanksgiving meals with my husband's extended family and the kids' table always filled up first!

Anita in France said...

What a joy to have a glimpse into your wonderful family, Bev ... those grandchildren (big and small) are all beautiful ... it must've been so much fun to be the only grown up at the kid's table!! Hope your late Thanksgiving was filled with every blessing, my friend! I'm thankful for you ... I'm thinking of you ... and I'm missing you! Big hugs & bisous, Anita :)

Brenda said...

Nothing better than to have all the family around on a holiday Bev and I am just loving the photo's!!! I had to laugh about the olives, I've been know to steal all the olives! lol Your photo's are just too precious and I thank you for sharing them with us! Big hugs, Brenda

I Card Everyone said...

I am an olive lover, so I'm inviting myself to Thanksgiving next year, BEv! I'd have one on each and every finger! Thankful to call you friend, and that we each have a Drew in our lives is a bonus, right? LOve seeing these photos each year!
=] xx

Bobby said...

Such wonderful family photos and precious memories, Bev. I'm glad Tad was well enough to travel and I'm sure as nice as Cancun was, they missed being with you and the rest of the family.

Judy1223 said...

Bev, what a joyful post! I love the pictures of your grandkids at dinner and with the olives on their fingers...they will treasure these memories for their whole lives! What a gift you are giving them, year after year! (I do love traditions!) I also love that you had them make the place cards...and so wise to keep them! More treasures. I hope you enjoyed your time this Thanksgiving with your beautiful family. (This year I was at the "intermediate table," in between the kids and the grandparents/great aunts and uncles...also a fun table!) It has been so wonderful having you as our featured designer this month at CASology!

Geri said...

HEARTWARMING POST! I'm 100% positive I could smell all the delicious cooking/baking flavors from the guaranteed delicious meal you prepared! It's amazing how much all the kids look alike! Gotta love Kaylin's hair!!! Thanks so much for sharing a part of your world with us :)

Darnell said...

I've had a busy few days and am finally catching up on my favorite blogs. This was - as Geri said - a truly heartwarming post, Bevie! Everyone of us is so happy for you to have this big rollicking family to love on and to love you! And I'd be lying if I didn't add that at least one of us is jealous that you get to play with so many little uns! Thank you for sharing!! Love and hugs, Darnell

Kara Lynne said...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your beautiful family, Bev! We only had nine on that day, but 22 the weekend before and a group of 35 the Friday after. I love your idea with the place cards!!