We’re talking Homemade Magic today.💖 Do come along, won’t you? MUSICA!
Thought I would talk about the magic of this season . . . We’re all going to be making some this next week (and month)!
We’re cooking up some magic at home and taking it to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving this year! I’m making my heavenly Pumpkin Cheesecake (you can make this gluten free by making one change in the recipe, use gluten-free ginger snaps for the crust, and voila!)
I’m also making my Sweet Potato Casserole ⬆️ a wonderful recipe which I sometimes serve in mini pumpkins . . . 
But this time I’m just baking it in a casserole dish so it’s easier for travel. (Like my apron? Quite the garment! No mistaking the holiday!)🎃
I’m also providing the cranberry sauce which I almost force them to let me do because I love this simple recipe so much, to me it sparkles ~ plus I’ll make extra for my must-have-for-the-holidays, Christmas Jam. Both recipes are below:
I get to jump over it this year, because they are making the turkey!
And we’ll taste someone else’s “idea” of stuffing 😱 but we’ll be brave, it’s good for us, makes us better people. But Joe has gathered the ingredients to add some extra gravy to the general good.
I’m not making Rainbow Jell-O this year because we’ll be all adults (and one new baby!) but if you’re having kids at your table, this is a wonderful recipe for them to put in their forever memory banks. It’s kid food, and they know it and I believe, feel grateful for it. But trust me, big kids like it too! 
This was our dinner last year, the leftovers looked almost as good as when we put the dinner on the table! We tried to make enough for every one to have leftovers to-go!
I thought you might like a few photos of Holidays-passed, of some of my decorated table ideas . . .
This was a casual dinner we had at the kitchen table using my old mix-and-match pottery collection, and the antique black-iron candlesticks I found somewhere along the way. (No marks on the bottom of these, I’m sorry to say, would love to tell you where they come from!)
Candlelight makes everything look better! More romantic, prettier colors, softer light, the food even tastes better in candlelight! And a little poem or a prayer written on a menu stand helps to set the tone. Because Thanksgiving is so wonderfully about gratitude and memory.
Cookbooks, wooden spoons, and recipe boxes (with mom and grandma’s handwriting on recipe cards) make evocative Thanksgiving table decorations. I love using stuff I have around the house. A table with lots of little framed 
photos works too. Makes for lots of happy conversation. Also, you can make placemats out of old photos (enlarge on copier), that’s fun too ~ you can even use them as place cards, “find your photo and that’s where you sit”. (I’ve forgotten to take pictures of my table settings in the past, I try not to let that happen anymore!)
Pile together a few of your favorite things, collections, or family memories, interesting things to look at that relate to you and yours . . . the little shoes, remember from my book? I wrote how I found them in the attic at Holly Oak, left behind by Agnes, my secret guardian angel. Now there she is, on our Thanksgiving table.
More found objects . . . Leaves and pinecones make perfect place cards!
Small low vases of flowers are good too, you can see over them! See the candlestick with the star bobeche? I found those bobeche years ago and LOVE them, I bring them out any time I need a starry night!🕯
I always use them for the holidays, but in the summer too, under the stars . . .
I looked for them for years to put in our web store, but never found them. Off and on, I’ve managed to get people to make them for us, but they’ve been very hard to get. See how you set the bobeche on top of the candle stick?⬆️
And then the candle slips through the hole and into the stick ~ 🕯
Voila! Anyway, I finally found a new manufacturer! And this time I had them made from lightweight acrylic, just like the ones I found so many years ago. In case you need some starry light on your holiday tables!🕯
Bobeche! Here’s how they look without the candles. And, something special, to celebrate this wonderful season . . .
For YOU! YES, leave a comment at the end of this post, and we’ll have a drawing, and see who is going to be the winner of this pair of starry bobeche!
I love it when they play Little Women on TV on Thanksgiving. It’s such perfect background “music.” Reminds me of simpler days and the things that really matter. The smell of dinner cooking is enough to set the entire mood of the day. And isn’t it wonderful, it’s not about gifts?! Only the little ones that really count. Like home. And P.S. Something special for PLU (people like us) . . . LOOK what’s coming this Christmas! 
Because magic can come in very small packages. It doesn’t have to be fancy. All this decorating is nice, if you have the time, and are in the mood, but there are no rules. Just one little pumpkin on a porch or a kitchen table is lovely and festive and says it all. That, a roasted chicken, a baked apple, a little candle, and a prayer is all we need.
And the day after Thanksgiving, while filled to overflowing with gratitude and contentment and pumpkin pie, and blessed by everything we have, feed your soul in nature on Green Friday. I fear we are teaching our children greed by celebrating consumerism the day after Thanksgiving. Instead, teach magic, take your spirit and your kids to the sky . . .
Because God made the dirt roads, the woods, and the critters and gave them to us has His gift. And it’s our job to take care of them for Him. Honor them for Him.
Quiet places with wind and bird sounds fill your heart with thanks and wash the stress away. (Would you like to read my Love Letter to Martha’s Vineyard? In your spare time!)
A wonderful gift from the sea, free! And we didn’t have to stand in line under klieg lights to get it!
The pause that refreshes. The sound of snowfall is good for you!
The gift that keeps on giving. Other things to do besides 
hugging trees that cause magic: have a turkey-sandwich, pumpkin-pie picnic outside, or surprise the lady down the street and have your whole family go to her house and plant bulbs. (I’ll give you my address!) Bring someone who’s stuck inside OUT, and take them to nature. Adopt a new petty pet! 💖 Or,
Cuddle in front of a fire . . .
Dreaming of a better tomorrow? Let it show in everything you do.💞 We are so lucky!
Here’s a Thanksgiving Prayer bookmark, for you to print out, just click there. I’ve memorialized the childhood prayer Joe “sang” to me when we first met. (Suzy, Nosey, Inky, and so on, were his family’s pets!❤️)
And don’t forget to leave a comment for the starry bobeches. Blessings on you and yours darling friends! Have the MOST wonderful Thanksgiving.🎃 
Thank you so much for giving me ideas for a blessed Thanksgiving. I love the way you write and the beautiful art that accompanies it! Thank you again for helping me to slow down and enjoy the holidays. Your starry candles are lovely! Praying you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
You and your creations make my heart happy. Thank you. ❤️
Charmed and smitten by the days before sew wear mittens
Susan, I always love reading your posts. This one reminds me of Thanksgiving years ago, when we celebrated with grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. My memories come flooding back to me, bringing thoughts of how blessed I am to have grown up with such a precious family. I would never have thought to put old books on the table as part of the centerpiece. I love the photos you shared. Those star bobeches are pretty special. May you and Joe be blessed with a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan & Joe & Jack.
I love Joe’s childhood prayer and I believe it was answered. He’s a very good boy! I’m grateful to have met him.
Have a very happy Thanksgiving with those you love even though you won’t be having your grandmother’s dressing (or do you call it stuffing?).
I call it both! My Grandma was definitely a dressing person!
Love the star bobeches!
I will hedge my bet and will order them just in case!
Love the clear candlesticks ( not included in the order for the bobeches and candles).
I have collected clear candle sticks for several years; thrift shops, garage sales, etc. short ones , tall ones, thin and fancy or fat and plain. I have some bobeches but none with stars!
During the Thanksgiving holidays, I may set them on mirrors and use ivory or any fall color candles and march them down the center of the table or group them on an old silver platter surrounded with tiny pumpkins, leaves, acorns, etc … things found in the yard…put them on a nearby table or buffet.
Christmas I do the same but with greenery, berries, etc and battery operated clear twinkling lights buried in the greenery.The choices are endless and I rarely pay more than a dollar or so for these odd candlesticks.
The starry bobeches would be a great addition to this fun way to decorate!
Loved this blog and the recipes!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for your autumn reflections. Your blog is always fun to read.
Oh if only I could go back to the 60’s in Hamilton, Ohio and be with mom, dad, grandpa and my precious grandma just once more. The parade, the special fork and biscuits I got every year and the yellow 50’s table. I had the best family. I was truly blessed.💗
Wouldn’t that be wonderful? If we could just push a button and go relive these moments! I guess that’s why God gave us our memories . . . as they say, so we can have roses in December. 😘
Melissa, I have lived in Fairfield all my life. I too remember parades and large family gatherings.
I simply adore your blog. I live in a 1906 house in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. So.. I totally LOVE how you decorate your wonderful home and how you teach us to appreciate what we have. I’d love a pair of bobeches.. I have a serious candlestick addiction.
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*H*A*P*P*Y* *T*H*A*N*K*S*G*I*V*I*N*G*!*!*
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Teresa 🙂
That is so cute Teresa, I just showed the Girlfriends on Twitter!
I wish you and Joe a most happy Thanksgiving! Many Blessings!
On this coming day of thanks…and all year long…I am thankful for people like you who are willing to stand up for what’s right, speak power to truth, who offer and celebrate kindness to all, and who know that nature restores our souls. And who also have the best recipes! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours ♥
😘😘😘
Your recipes always sound so good. I am going to try the sweet potato casserole recipe this week. I always make a small turkey meal on the Saturday after Thanksgiving so I can have sandwiches. I love cream cheese and that sonded yummy!
I love the idea of green Friday! It is disheartening that all the commercials are how to beat the Friday shopping.
They are constantly selling us on something…up to us to figure out how and what to resist!
So enjoy all your blogs. Happy Thanksgiving!!! (from north Idaho)
May the festivities of the season bring you joy. Thank you for cheerful perspective!
Love your blog posts always makes me appreciate all the simple things we have around us and the joy of celebrating family together. Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, thank you for you.
Hi Susan… What a wonderful Thanksgiving message from you — this is my favorite holiday, surpassing Christmas, but I’m not sure why. I do think it’s a more forgiving holiday, since there isn’t the pressure of gifts and wrappings and decorating and trees (although I do love all of that as well). All of your photos are so wonderful and cozy… a very Happy T Day to you and Joe… I make your cranberry sauce every year and the family loves it…
Sharon in Houston
As always so enjoyed your blog post. I feel like I just returned from a lovely vacation in Martha’s Vineyard! Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thank you for remembering all of those whose holiday may be limited by financial circumstances. Keeping it simple is ok too. 🍁🍂🍃
Sometimes it’s better, when it includes old movie, blanket, contentment, gratitude ~ I know from experience, a baked apple makes a delicious Thanksgiving dinner ~ watch The Man Who Invented Christmas and cry your eyes out. xoxo
Happy Thanksgivng to you and Joe. We’ll be having our favorite ” Corn pudding”.
Love you hugging that beautiful tree. I’m feeling the magic.
Thank you for who you are, and what you give. I can almost smell his blog ~ filled with aromas that touch my very soul. Happy Thanksgiving!
I was very excited to see your name in my inbox, I knew that there was a new blogpost to read, so I quickly changed into my pajamas and curled up on the couch with my throw blanket and my laptop. Thank you for and lovely blog post, they are always inspirational and uplifting. I am from Chicago, but have been living in Southern California for about 20 years now, it took a long time to get used to not having the dramatic change of seasons, so to give myself that holiday feeling I decorate. I, as well, love to take inspiration from nature, so i recently grabbed my gardening clippers and embarked on a hunt around the neighborhood for interesting trees and plants that I could take cuttings from and incorporate into my holiday decorating. I found plants and trees I had never seen before. Living in a urban setting, I was very surprised by the interesting cuttings I was able to find. It confirmed for me no matter where you live (city or country) nature is always beautiful and full of surprises. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃.
Brilliant, Krista, that is SO true. Beauty is out there just waiting to be noticed!
Just what I needed to put me in the mood to start getting ready tomorrow for a busy week ahead.
Thank you for putting out a wonderful blog encouraging us to truly celebrate this best of days. So good to have you underline my wish that we would all take the time to be truly grateful between the candy holiday and the gift one, as Halloween and Christmas have become.
Many thanks, and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your friends and family!
Love your blog. Thanks for sharing your life and home.
So many blessings in our lives ! Glad that we have a day to be reminded of them.
As always you make each season and holiday (and day, for that matter!) a little brighter and more special with all the ideas you share about ways that we can make our lives a little more special too! I am thankful for the many many years you have been a part of my life!
Looking forward to your new book in 2020. The photos of your Thanksgivings decorations are heart warming, and I love your walking path to the beach. In these times of turmoils and chaos, your blog is a retreat of calm. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
Hope now your hand is totally healed
Thankyou for your inspirational little quotes
With all the rancour & pointing of ‘blame’ fingers here in the U.K. is SO important to
Count our blessings … of which there are MANY …. we just need to acknowledge…
…& think to ourselves’It is , despite all, a WONDERFUL world ‘ 😊🎵🎵🎵🥰
Well said, Corriba!
I’m going to have to try the cranberry recipe, Looks great! Your table settings inspire me to be creative! Recently started walking a 3 mile trail in the woods , so relaxing and stress just melts away. Must be how it once was in the garden of eden. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happiest Thanksgiving, dear Susan! (And Joe & kitty,too!)
I think that I cried just about all of the way through
this post today. We are so blessed and grateful to have
you in our lives. Honestly don’t know what I would do without
you…and I am sure all of our Girlfriends feel the same way!
Hope you have a wonderfully magical and blessed holiday season! <3
And thank YOU so very much!
<3
Happy Thanksgiving Susan, to you and Joe and all those you love! Although Thanksgiving is not a “holiday” over here, I celebrate it every year with gusto. To me it helps to usher in the holiday season in the best possible way! Hate Black Friday and it annoys me to no end that they have embraced that over here in the UK without embracing Thanksgiving??? It does not make sense. Here’s to GREEN FRIDAY! Love that idea, its so, So, SO much better! Thank you for that! All of your table decorations, your recipes, THIS post bring me joy and peace in the knowledge that there is still so much good in this world to enjoy and we need to cling to that rather than give the other even a second thought. As we pause to give thanks for our many blessings this year, I want to let you know that you are one of mine and have been blessing my life since I first discovered your lovely artwork in the 1980’s. I was a young wife and mum, married to an army man, away from my family and it helped to bring a sense of home sweet home into my heart. It has always warmed my heart. I am so grateful for the many talents you share with us. A quote to share with you and our kindred spirit friends and sisters. “It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy!” This is so, so, so true. A life filled with daily gratitude is a happy life indeed. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Perfect quote Marie, so true!! Thank you for your sweet words, we’ve shared the planet together all these years, kindred spirits. Happy Thanksgiving!! xoxoxo
I always love to read your newsletters – I feel transported to a quieter, slower place and it always makes me happy 🙂
Thanks for sharing so much of you and the Vineyard! The bobeche are magical. Best wishes for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! Terri
I have all your original books and read through them periodically. I love all the recipes and drawings and love all your current posts as well.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Susan, Joe and all the people whose lives you enrich with your warm, happy, lovely messages. God bless you.
Pat,
Are you from Portland, CT?
I have always loved those star bobeches!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and sweet Jack.
Have a blessed day!
I am thankful for so much. That includes your posts. They brighten my day thank you.
You remind me to take a deep breath, sip some tea and slow down. Thanks for that. Please keep doing what you’re doing. I love your writing and watercolors.
…and if all your hopes survive… destiny will arrive…. I’ll bring all your dreams alive…. for you
Lovely post, always uplifting to visit your blog, read your books.. see your pictures and try your recipes, too! Thank you for your generosity of spirit, always.
I learned it wrong, but I like the wrong better . . . If all of your hopes survive, destiny will arrive, keep all your dreams alive, for someday . . . Have to believe we are MAGIC . . . I just love this song, now you have me singing it! First thing in the morning, it’s a good sign. Thank you Karen!
I enjoyed your blog so much ! Happy Thanksgiving !
A very Happy Thanksgiving Sue, Joe, Jack and all the girlfriends! Safe travels to all who will be traveling over the holiday.
I DO enjoy your posts! I shall be using your Cranberry Sauce recipe. Thank you for sharing your table settings and heart warming art.
So thankful for you and all the blessings you bring into our lives. The memories you bring fill the soul with joy! Thanks for making Thanksgiving very special!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING SUSAN! Love your blog. As soon as I see a new one in my email I stop everything and settle down to read it. Thank you for all the times you have made me smile and laugh out loud. Hugs to you. 💕💕💕💕💕
On this Saturday before Thanksgiving, with so many things to do, it’s good to remember to go outside. To be in the fresh air. See geese fly overhead. Hear kitties purr as they rub against your ankles. Listen to our chickens making fun noises in the their pen. Walking thru the leaves scattered everywhere, just to name a few. May God bless you, Joe and Jack today and always. Happy Thanksgiving.
I look so forward to your blog posts- they are beautiful and lyrical. I’ll be making your cranberry sauce for my younger son who is actually the only one who eats it. Maybe with homemade sauce someone else will venture to try it.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your blog—just like an actual visit with you!
Happy Thanksgiving all around! 🦃❤️🦃
My head is swirling with things to say, instead I will simply say THANK YOU Susan for all that you do for so many !! I, too am a loyal fan from the ’80’s and have shared YOU with my 39 year old daughter over the years….now you get “bunches” of love from both of us !!! xoxo
What a wonderful post. Thank you for the wonderful Thanksgiving recipes. I just love how your posts are filled with drawings and pictures and wonderful quotes. I always jot down the quotes that speak to me in my journal. Thank you for bringing a bit of joy to my day! Thanks for the chance to win those super cute star candle toppers! Love all the holiday table settings from past years, not quite sure how I am going to do mine this year, but you have given me lots of inspiration!
~Ginny K,~
I LOVE bobeches on my candles.
It’s fun to remember Thanksgiving celebrations through the years. Happy Thanksgiving!
…good morning, Susan !…this is such an amazing post; everything you’ve shared is so heart felt !!…it’s called perfection !!…thank you for sharing your magic !!…so many of your recipes have become part of our Thanksgiving tradition…in fact I made your molasses cookies last week and they are already a sweet memory !..not only have you influenced my life so much, my youngest daughter is a huge fan as well…yesterday when your post went up I texted her at work and said “S.B. alert” and that makes a red letter day for both of us !!!…thank you !!…I want to wish you and Joe and of course Jack and all your loved ones a very memorable and happy Thanksgiving!…with love, as always…oh, and please enter me in your giveaway.. I love stars too !!!…thank you !!
Thank you Mary, I love every word you wrote. Send love to your daughter for me! Happy Thanksgiving! xoxoxo
… I just showed her what you wrote (I’m living with her now)…and she smiled big !!.xoxoxo…thanks again, Susan !!
😘 for you, and 😘 for her!
Happy early Thanksgiving to you, Joe and Jack! Thanks so much for posting your cranberry recipe again I love it and always seem to misplace it when I need it!!! You are wonderful and a mind reader!
To you and Joe and Jack a very Happy Thanksgiving! I have memories of past Thanksgivings with family who are now gone but relish the company of those still with us. Wonderful blog and great recipes to try. Thank you for being you…
I do count my blessings everyday, but I love your gentle reminders, A very Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and Jack.
My husband and I visited your beautiful island for the very first time in October. We started our drive immediately after doing the dishes from our own Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. Wishing you joy and peace for your holiday gathering – best one in the calendar year!
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe! You make everything so beautiful and special. Lifts my soul.❤️
I love how magical you make every single moment. Thank you.
What delight fills my heart to see a new post from you! Thank you for all the beautiful seasonal tips and recipes for the table, but most of all-recipes for LIFE!
Happy Thanksgiving!
😘😘😘
Thank you for such a beautiful and uplifting post. I’ve been enjoying your autumn book this week, and marked several recipes to try. Thanks for sharing the Little Women movie. I’m a bit out of the loop, so will keep an eye out now. Wishing you a most lovely Thanksgiving!
The warmest of Thanksgiving blessings to you, Joe, Jack, and your home! 🦃🥘🥧
May your cupboard be full
Your sideboard have plenty
Your table be gracious
Your guests be many!
Dear Susan,
Thank you for the lovely give away! I have never seen anything like these, and they really are CUTE! Would love to win a couple!
But I think we might have to buy fake candles, with our 2 small (not tiny anymore) very curious little darlings running around “investigating” everything!
What does Jack do, with sparkly lights etc…??
Where was that HUGE tree you are hugging? Anywhere near the Island?
Thank you and lots of hugs and kisses to you both, from Holland
Nicoline
OXOXO
So far Jack doesn’t care about candles. We’re so lucky that way. But I wish he’d stop eating leaves. I need to give him more veggies! That particular tree was in England, but where, I’m not quite sure.
Thank you for putting so beautifully into words what I could not. “And the day after Thanksgiving, while filled to overflowing with gratitude and contentment and pumpkin pie. and blessed by everything we have, feed your soul in nature on GREEN FRIDAY. I fear we are teaching our children greed by celebrating consumerism the day after Thanksgiving. Instead, teach magic, take your spirit and your kids to the sky…”
Again, thank you for this beautiful thought!
🙏🙏 It’s my prayer.😘
Dear Susan, I would love so much to win the starry bobeches…. how magical and twinkly they look. What a prize!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe.
Thankful for you Susan and the wisdom you share. I love the idea of “Green Friday”. Nature heals so many woes (and news reports!).
Happy Thanksgiving!
Well Susan, what can I say that hasn’t already been said, hmmm
Maybe I will be asked to say Grace before we eat on Thanksgiving…..
I will simply say “Grace”.
Sending you holiday happy prayers.
Love your table settings Susan! Bobeches are the best too, I love them! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and all friends & family!
Thanksgiving blessings to all. Thanks for such a fun blog about one of my favorite holidays. You always have such helpful ideas. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the prep. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just happy!
Hi Susan,
Yesterday I received your donut tray and have your recipe for the cider donuts waiting. My husband loves them and when we went to the place where we usually buy them, the line was so long that we left. Then I saw your blog with the recipe and you had the donut tray now available. This will be his birthday “cake” next week and he is impatiently waiting.
I got your Willard and still have all the ones that you used to mail out to us!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Ann Miazga
Happy Do-nutting, and Happy Birthday to your husband!
What a wonderful post!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
A wonderful Thanksgiving Message! Thank you Thank you!
Its so important to focus on what we have been blessed with…especially nature!
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and all your Family and Friends
Thank you for inspiring me today. I love the starry breeches, getting a pair for me and for my sister!
Of all of your messages on the blog this has to be my favorite…loved the recipes! Can’t wait to try the cheesecake…
Love the starry bobeche! Could they be mine? Thank you for the beautiful post
And reminder that Thanksgiving is about Thankfulness. Happy Holidays to you and Joe!
Ooohhhh….stars in my eyes and my heart, just love. Happy Thanksgiving, Susan, thank you for your posts that are so enjoyed by many. xo
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe and all your family and friends. I have to say I am happy about the new Little Women movie….I was in Barnes and Nobles last week and saw the cookbook that came out from the movie…it’s called The Little Women cookbook. I bought it immediately and can’t wait to sit down and relax and read it like a novel…Once again Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe and Kitty!
I always loved those bobeches but the dining room table was always too full with food! Unfortunately, this year we’re not having our traditional dinner – our son-in-law (who is 6’8″ tall) had surgery on his right ankle (three injuries to it over 20+ years that changed his gait) and he’s off work for two months! Our daughter, his wife, usually cooks Thanksgiving dinner (and I cook Christmas dinner) but this year we’re doing a simple dinner on the Sunday after Thanksgiving (our youngest granddaughter’s birthday falls on the holiday this year so we’re celebrating her birthday instead!). Thank you for the change in the recipe for the pumpkin cheesecake – both our granddaughters have some type of genetic disease to where they both have to eat gluten-free but the youngest cannot eat any grains – including rice! We really have to be careful! She will be sick for hours and turn completely white plus dehydrated! Happy Holidays!
love, Love, LOVE❤️❤️❤️. Thankful for you and your ideas again this season, Happy Thanksgiving to you and Joe!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and Jack, and all your extended family dear Susan! Love your happy post and love Joe’s bookmark and prayer! What a good boy to ask for those blessings…great choice to marry this sweet man!!!
And love the bobeches…that’s such a fun word, and I hadn’t heard it for sooooo long❤️
Jackie
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Joe and sweet Jack.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year!!!!!!! I’m making your cranberry sauce this year and love the idea to add orange marmalade on the 2nd day for a delicious jam. Yum!!! I love the bobeche with dangling stars. I’ve always used little scalloped glass bobeche to catch the wax drips. If I don’t win the drawing, I’ll just have to pop over to your webstore. 🙂 I was recently bummed because i had a pair of acrylic bobeche that are about 2-3 inches tall and hold water and have a top with tiny holes in it…….so that you can have little baby’s breath springs surrounding your candles……and one got broken. I bought it maybe 40 years ago???
Terrible! I hate it when that happens!
My husband and I are going through some “stuff” today and this post came at just the right time! Remembering to be thankful for all the little things because they really are the big things.
Tara
Happy Thanksgiving and I love the bobeche! My sister is still “borrowing” my glass ones 🙂 and these are lovely–so glad you found a manufacturer!!! I’m making the pumpkin cheesecake!!
Happy Thanksgiving!♥
The Cranberry Christmas jam looks delicious to me. I will be Maki g that.
And the Star bobeches-beautiful. What a nice sparkle.
Happy Thanksgiving. 🍁
Good Morning Susan,
Wow! A blog post and a Willard all in the same month . . . you are spoiling us and I have enjoyed every word, every photo and every quote! Thank you for indulging us.
Winter has come early to our little piece of Vermont. My husband and I are hoping to finish the last of the “buttoning up” the house and yard for the winter before the freezing rain returns tomorrow. Once that is done, I’ll be in
full holiday prep mode which I enjoy very much.
I thought of you the other day when I borrowed my husband’s travel mug for my tea. I was disappointed when I took that first sip because it tasted like coffee, no matter that I had hand-scrubbed it and put it through the dishwasher. I decided to put a travel mug on my Christmas list for my use only and then that’s when it came to me . . . I wonder if Susan would ever consider creating a travel mug for her girlfriends. Just sayin’ how lovely that would be.
I love the star bobeches! Years ago when I managed Linens ‘n Things in Hyannis, we sold them but none of them had stars dangling down from them. I will be looking for some in the future.
Off to tackle the last gotta-dos. Bless you for your kind heart and generosity.
Happy Thanksgiving to you & Joe and extra cuddles and scratches to Jack!
Franny R
I will look into that Travel Mug for you Franny! Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving Susan and Joe! So thankful for your beautiful blog and all of our f.o.s.b.
I would like to share a story about a young boy here in my hometown of Santa Clarita/Saugus California where the school shooting took place over a week ago. Our community has been amazing in coming together but this young boy, we are so very thankful for. He asked his dad to take him to the bank so he could take out his savings because he wanted to buy blankets for the students at Saugus High. The story was shared to our community and now blankets have been donated for each and every one of our students at Saugus High. So when our students return to school after the Thanksgiving break, they will all receive a blanket and a hug.
Saugus Strong!
Blessings to all,
Debbie R from Valencia, CA
Saugus Strong dear Debbie. 😢 That any of our communities are forced to bear the unbearable. Thank you for sharing that lovely story. Blessings on you all. A memorable Thanks Giving. xoxoxo
I love to read your blog and see your decorating. Those bobeshes are darling.
Oh Susan! This blog is so wonderful and warm. Of course all of your blogs are! But this is as warm as the feeling of Thanksgiving. Memories old and newly in the making. Loved the Bach, the recipes, table settings, thoughts on the joys of nature and simplicity. It’s all warm magic. And, for Little Women….although I am blessed to have a husband who will want to see it, and we will, there should also be a gathering of girlfriends to see it together, and perhaps a pot luck afterwards to talk about it and relive the enjoyment. 😍 And, yes, it will give some bless-ed respite from the incessant media. THANK YOU. ❤️🍁🍂🏡🦃❤️
Yes, some normalcy and even, dare I, real life!🤣😘
Good Morning, Dear Susan! I’m sitting here in the morning quiet enjoying my coffee. My hubby, Bill, is snoozing on the couch next to me. I found him lying there when I woke up. He has the Yule Log video “burning” on the tv. He is so funny. I think he gets excited about the all the upcoming holiday fun and can’t sleep so he comes out here in the early morning dark to stare at the fire and dream. One of the many reasons I love him so much. He’s like your Joe and, oh my, aren’t we lucky?! He is all set to retire on January 2! He even has a countdown clock going on his phone! People ask me, isn’t it going to drive you crazy having him home all day? Nope! Not at all! I am looking forward to all the fun we’ll have together!
I have 16 coming for Thanksgiving! I bought all of my groceries yesterday except for little last minute things. My recipes are all lined up and waiting. I think today we’ll do some preliminary furniture moving around and some house sparkling. I have a big load of bittersweet that we picked and I’m going to put it around the house and polish Bill’s Grandma’s silverware!
My daughter, Sarah, is driving home from Michigan with her kitty, Meatball, tomorrow. I can’t wait to see her! She has had a bit of a rough year with her “boyfriend” that broke up with her the day after Christmas last year and then Her Grandma (Bill’s mom) passing away two day’s later. She is in hopefully her last year at the University of Michigan getting her PhD in Geology. I give her a lot of credit. She is working really hard and being brave going out to Michigan on her own to accomplish her dreams. She has Fallen in love with you as well. She read “Isle of dreams ” and so related to you and your story… another kindred spirit! We’ll watch Little women together. I adore the music and I just love having it on in the background whilst i putter!…No Stuffing for you this year? Oh my! I have my bread all purchased and ready to go! Do you think today is too early to start drying it out?
I have always coveted those adorable star bobeches! My hubby has been asking me what’s on my christmas list…I think I’ll add them to it!
Have a Happy Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Me
So right Mary, That fire Bill had on the TV is SO exactly Joe … I can just picture it! Yes, we are very lucky. Give my love to Sarah, I can see exactly why you are so proud. You’ll have her for Little Women, how perfect! I always put my bread out 3 days ahead, but I can’t imagine it would hurt if you jumped the gun a little! Happy Thanksgiving Dear Heart!
Simply put-Beautiful! And-Thank you! The quote ‘Many Hands Make Work Light’ is one our family says often. Loved seeing this in your account of Thanksgiving, as making a large meal for so many can be daunting without the help of others. Blessings to you at this time and always. Your writing is always a blessing to me.
Your post truly captures the Spirit of the Season and put me in the Thanksgiving mood. Was missing family long passed but feeling them with me after reading your wonderful post. Thank you and blessings on you and Joe and Jack.
love you books, because of the fun things and special art work.
The Bach music is divine! These concertos are my favorite classical music ever since Music Appreciation class in college. Perfect with your post which is also divine!
O hello Susan,
I have some old postcards somewhere in a box (we’ve recently moved, still haven’t emptied all the boxes). If I find them, would JOeY (that season is almost here) like to have them? As I recall the postcards have not been used. Is that the kind he likes or ones that have been written on? They are old ones with holiday themes.
He just recently gave away his collection as they were getting in the way of his OTHER collections!🤣 You are sweet to offer!😘
Thank you for your post, Susan. I always enjoy reading them. I hope your Thanksgiving is simply filled with lovely blessings!
My childhood prayer was very similar. “God Bless Mommy, God Bless Grandpa & Grandma, all my Aunts, Uncles & Cousins, and God Bless me, Nancy. Amen”
I always had my grandchildren say it when they stayed overnight! Great Memory.
One of the things I’m grateful for at this Thanksgiving is you! You and Joe and Jack are truly loved!