Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah, yes. the first of the holiday meals.  Are you tired of turkey yet? Our holiday meals usually include friends as guests; the number varies, but I need a leaf for our dining room table, which is one of our few family heirlooms.  It was handed down from my grandparents, and I believe it was a wedding gift, it is said to have had twelve leaves originally because it was used for meals for the threshers.

Our menu this year included turkey, stuffing, gravy, baked potatoes, green bean casserole, corn muffins, cranberry sauce (whole and jellied), and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. That's pretty much our usual menu, though I miss the baked squash, the Mandarin orange jello salad, and rolls--and pies would be nice for dessert, but we really need two ovens because we have to switch dishes in and out. Btw, I've heard that a variation on the green bean casserole includes bacon. Sounds good to me. 

Holiday decorating ideas

I found some pretty and fun gift wrapping ideas in the December issue of HGTV Magazine. Use satin cord, yarn, overlapping ribbons (layered), wide and/or narrow ribbons, of course, and add candy canes, little ornaments, the giftee's initial, bead garlands, decorative tags, paper flowers (poinsettias are perfect), teeny pinecones (possibly gilded), and tiny branches from your own Christmas tree.  Lots of colorful furniture, home ideas, etc. too.

Storage ideas (link)

Here are some storage suggestions from HGTV. I especially like the thread idea--if you have the room:  Repurposing Everyday Items for a More Organized Home

Sparkle note: If you drag a treat from the box, and click on it again, Sparkle will jump up and catch it!

Quartz countertops (link)

I would love quartz countertops; I'm sorry we chose granite, which is a blurry mess: 19 Ideas for Quartz Countertops