Happy Friday.

Here are all the exciting things going on at Thistlewood this weekend:

  1. I’ve lost 40 pounds. WHAT IS HAPPENING? Seriously.
  2. I am decorating my third Christmas tree today. It has wooden ornaments and white ornaments and random ornaments we made together. AND I LOVE IT.
  3. I have a Christmas playlist and this song is at the top of it. If you need a new Christmas song that fills you with joy. This is the one.
  4. We are in full Christmas movie mode. Have you seen Winter Wonderland yet? It’s our favorite and we’ve watched twice already this year.
  5. We ordered the turkey already for this year. If you followed the blog last year, you know I bought the wrong size and everyone only got a tablespoon of turkey. But this year? I ordered a fresh turkey from Hirsch’s in Plano so I don’t have to worry about defrosting.
  6. I’m testing out recipes from my mother and my mother-in-law to practice and see if I can actually make them before I have to make them on Thanksgiving.
  7. It’s going to be a little different Thanksgiving this year, so I want to make it extra special for my little family.

WHEW.

That was a lot of random information about what’s going on around here.

And now.

Without further adieu or random information.

Here’s the round-up of the “12 Days of Getting Ready for Christmas.” I put all the posts together in case you missed one and you can just click on the link below to take you to the post.

I hope this helps make your holidays merry and bright.

DAY 1: 9 SIMPLE IDEAS TO REPURPOSE LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS DECOR

DAY 2: HOW TO STOCK YOUR PANTRY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

DAY 3: THE BEST PLACES TO FIND INEXPENSIVE CRAFT SUPPLIES

DAY 4: HANDMADE HOLIDAY: CREATIVE GIFT IDEA

DAY 12: 25 THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS

I hope you enjoyed the 12 days as much as I did putting them together.

It was so much fun.

Especially because I got to share this series with a friend.

Leslie, my wonderful creative amazing genius, I adore you.

Y’all be sure and stop by Leslie’s to see her 12 days in case you missed any of them too!

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: November 13, 2020

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  1. Image for david david

    These were all terrific - thank you (and I tried the sugar dusting of the pan on some pumpkin bread I made and it was great!). And congrats on the weight loss- that's terrific!!!

    Reply
  3. Image for Judy Judy

    Congrats on the weight loss...we need pictures!! Thank you so much for all of your uplifting posts. I can't tell you how much these mean to me during this crazy...not-so-fun crazy year. I can be down in the dumps, 'cause as a family, we have decided it's not safe to get together this Thanksgiving...and I open your post with so many fun ideas and I feel so much better. I hope you always know you are a gift to so many.

    Reply
  4. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    Doing the happy dance for you :) ! 40 pounds -amazing! Been watching Hallmark, UP and lifetime Christmas movies since they started at end of October. I record them and watch later. So many good ones this year. I agree with Judy -you always make me feel better....even when you make me cry :) xo

    Reply
  6. Image for Michele M. Michele M.

    Congrats on 12 awesome days of getting ready for Christmas! As for your turkey? You got this. Bigger congrats for losing 40 pounds. I think maybe I found them so let me know if you'd like them back, haha. Have a fabulous weekend. Hugs.

    Reply
  9. Image for Sherry Duff Sherry Duff

    Congratulations on your weight loss!!! Sounds like a new wardrobe is on the horizon!!!! You must share your secret and plan! I have really enjoyed all of the 12 Days if Christmas! Can’t wait to see your trees!

    Reply
  11. Image for Nancy Carr Nancy Carr

    You are the best! I rarely comment although I enjoy your posts. Great on the weight loss. Maybe you will share more. Many of us would benefit. Thank you so much for brightening my days..

    Reply
  12. Image for Cathy Cathy

    Wow! Congratulations! 40 pounds that is awesome. Please tell us your secret. Thank you for all the lovely photos. Keep them coming.

    Reply
  13. Image for Tracy Tracy

    Congrats on the weight loss!!! Yay! I love your posts and look so forward to them. Please tell us how you lost 40lbs. I have struggled with my weight for the past 10years! would so appreciate your secret! Thanks ;)

    Reply
  17. Image for Susan Johnston Susan Johnston

    Oh KariAnne! That song is The Best! And I’ve loved every day’s post as much as the day before❣️❣️

    Reply
  19. Image for Gail Cunningham Gail Cunningham

    You've lost 40 pounds!!! That is such an accomplishment!!! Great job, and I appreciate the added motivation for my own weight loss. Like you, I got off the sugar train last spring, and I'm feeling so good, as you must be too!!! Yay you!

    Reply
  20. Image for jillian jillian

    Well then. 40 lbs. is not chicken feed! You realize you will have to tell us how you did this. You are to be congratulated, that takes some effort. All of your Christmas posts have been fun to read!!!

    Reply
  21. Image for Lynn Mosher Lynn Mosher

    OH THAT SONG! It's wonderful! What made it even more specialer is that it started out with the recitation from Charlie Brown. My avatar for years has been Snoopy. So much so that people send me Snoopy images, links, and even gifts! I looooove that song! Thank you so much for sharing it. And I've enjoyed all your Christmas posts. I can't wait to see that lovely tree! Enjoy your decorating! 😁❤

    Reply
  22. Image for Jillian Jillian

    OH, and regarding the turkey. Here is my story. When I was 22 I moved to California with my then boyfriend. When Thanksgiving came I wanted to cook a turkey but had no money to buy a roasting pan. Some one said to cook it inside a double bag brown paper grocery bag. So, with much doubt and nail biting I buttered it up , slid it into the bag, stapled it shut, put it in an iron skillet and popped it in the oven. After the allotted time out it came, let it rest a bit and then removed the bag. Wow. Golden brown, tender and moist. The bag steams it a little. Still cook the turkey this way.

    Reply
  24. Image for Eileen Eileen

    Congratulations on the weight loss. I’m losing weight slowly. Intermittent fasting is really good. That amounts for me to stop eating by 6 pm and I usually have breakfast around 9:30, 10 am. I definitely feel better. Also, I stopped eating chocolate over 30 years ago and cake, pies, cookies and donuts about three years ago. I have sugar issues so smartest thing I have ever done, health wise.

    Reply
  25. Image for Rev. Suzanne Taylor Rev. Suzanne Taylor

    Congratulations, KariAnne. Good job on the 40 pounds down. Just imagine unwrapping and piling up 40 pounds of butter on your hips. That's what you lost! You, my dear, are amazing!

    Reply
  27. Image for Jan Fusco Jan Fusco

    4o POUNDS!! You go girl! I bet you feel so good. I myself am trying to loose some weight. I'm down 25 pounds with 30 more to go. Let's do this!!

    Reply
  28. Image for Jessica Jessica

    Congratulations on your weight loss. That is a amazing accomplishment!! And I am feeling more inspired by your list here. Time to put on the music and pull out the Christmas decor. :)

    Reply

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