Marmalade Glazed Turkey?? SERIOUSLY???
So the SUO DT challenge for this week was Thanksgiving tablesettings,,,,,almost made my lips freeze when I read it…until I decided I could make up a fake menu and decorate it with stamps…Okay, so who really makes Marmalade Glazed Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing? I have all I can do to get that sucker in the oven early enough to be cooked by the time everyone is half starved without glazing it with marmalade first!! And who on earth really starts the meal off with Butternut Squash and Apple Soup??? Martha Stewart? Paula Dean? Maybe Rachel Ray? But common folks like me??? I think I’m doing something because we actually use cloth napkins!! And it’s like real turkey, not like a Smart One or a Lean Cuisine!! Pumpkin Cheesecake, RIGHT…..like back in NY when I lived near a COSTCO! But now? Help mom, can YOU make the pies???? Jennifer, can YOU MAKE THE PIES??? I do set the table real purdy, but china??? I don’t own any…this pitcher below comes from my most fancy dish set and the one my table will be set with for Thanksgiving. And we will be in our cozy dining room with a reduced number of our family there….since it’s the in laws turn for Thanksgiving this year…..BUT that means we are all together for Christmas this year, and for that, I could not be more thankful. I am thankful for a cozy house with pretty pottery dishes and cloth napkins, and we will even take the good glassware out. I am thankful for 4 children with lovable spouses and 7 grand daughters who are the light of my life. I am thankful for a husband who remains my best friend after all these years. I am thankful that my mom lives close enough to celebrate with us now. And you know what? If we have plain old mashed potatoes instead of smashed ones with roasted garlic, and plain old turkey instead of one all rubbed up with jelly…..it just does not matter. I may never be Susy Homemaker, but the food will be yummy, (my family usually tries to keep me OUT of the kitchen) and the company will be lovely……and I will give thanks to HIM, the one 
from whom all blessings flow. But every once in a while it’s fun to dream and imagine I was the type who actually had the house all decorated for Thanksgiving and not the one who has sorry looking pumpkins still out on the front porch from Halloween…..but hey, this is who I am, and the truth is, though I sometimes dream of having a perfectly kept and decorated house, I’d rather be stamping!! Even phony menus are more fun then no stamping at all! So this year, don’t sweat it if your table would not make Martha Stewart proud. Just relax, be with the ones you love, and be happy being you! That’s what I intend to do!! God Bless you all!!!
Carol Dee
November 16, 2010Dearest KAREN,
God Bless you, I feel better already! Thanksgiving is here. With all the good and plentyfull PLAIN fixings. Just the way we like it! If I fixed something exotic the family would not eat it anyway. 🙂 I do have my Grandma's china. Which we bring out for special occasions. Grandson will be here. ( another due in December) They really are the light of outr lives.
Big Hugs and Thanks to you sweetie… CAROL DEE
Cynthia M.
November 16, 2010Don't sell yourself short Karen! Your pottery and the cloth napkins put my Thanksgiving table to shame! We celebrated Thanksgiving a month ago here in Canada, and this year we went with paper plates and paper table cloths. "Decorating" (with 4 little kids) was much easier. And clean up was a breeze. Martha Stewart I am not. 🙂
Your menu is gorgeous. And made me awfully hungry just reading it.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. May God bestow bounteous blessings on your entire family. Have a wonderful week and God Bless,
Cynthia
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Francie G.
November 19, 2010This is just gorgeous, Karen! Fab colors and design! Loved reading your Thanksgiving plans! You are so right. The older I get, I am learning not to sweat the little things. God and family is what it is all about. Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs!
Lana
November 19, 2010Karen Thank you for reminding everyone what Thanksgiving truly is about its not the fancy smancy stuff BUT the people and the love they share that is truly what it's all about. I love your blog wish you would write more often but sure do understand. And YES I love your cards too, they are always delightful to see and so inspiring. I wish you could have made it up to Wadsworth a year ago when we were trying to plan a get together so we could meet in person. God Bless you and enjoy your Thanksgiving!!!!
Hugs
Crystal
November 19, 2010STunning Karen!
Margie
November 19, 2010My house isn't full of fancy and beautiful things because it is not a house – it is a home and my family lives here. For that, I am fortunate. I thank God every day for my family and my home.
Betty Wright
November 19, 2010Karen, the card is beautiful, your story…priceless! Made me LOL and realize that we all have a lot to be Thankful for! I is not the dishes and the decorations that make Thanksgiving! Its the good food, good times, and memories!
Peggy
November 20, 2010Spectacular card Karen! Loved your story!
Marlene Salvato
November 22, 2010Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family! – I will be with my family too in a cozy cabin in Northern AZ – can't ask for anything more….xoxo Marlene
Vicki Dutcher
November 22, 2010Great story my friend! Great card– you have motivated (enabler you) and I am getting that embossing folder! I just love it!