Random thoughts on a rainy Saturday morning:
1. Y’all. Y’all. Y’ALL. Thank you SO MUCH for all the helpful advice and hints and words of Thanksgiving wisdom because this year….
….I ACTUALLY COOKED A TURKEY.
Now, I totally underestimated the size of the turkey for the number of people that we had and everyone ended up with approximately 1 Tbsp of turkey.
But none of that matters because they were eating turkey that I actually cooked.
It was an amazing feeling.
Next year I think I might cook again.
I just need a 20 lb turkey instead.
2. In between all that turkey cooking, I got so much shopping done online, too.
It’s like I can’t remember a time before I clicked something and future presents showed up at my door.
3. We played the best family game this Thanksgiving. It’s called Codenames and it’s a thinking and a strategy game, too. The cheapest place I found it was at Target. You can see it here.
4. It was an amazing week on the blog. We decorated the front of the house and figured out where to put bows on a wreath and I showed y’all my new bedroom with its painted plywood floors and I shared some of my favorite Black Friday finds along with these AMAZING earrings that I got for 40% off.
5. We are going to see the Nutcracker today. The twins were raised on the Nutcracker—it’s a family tradition.
Twirly whirly skirts are the best.
And now?
Here are a few of my favorite things I found from around the internet this week.
I’m all about this mantel.
It’s the perfect amount of plaid and greenery.
Aren’t these the cutest gingerbread cookies?
You make them with a molded rolling pin.
I love this simple garland of magnolia and evergreen.
It’s a Christmas classic.
You can see more of the mantel here.
Need more magnolia ideas?
Here’s a fun post I wrote on adding magnolia to dollar store trees.
Love these personalized Christmas ornaments.
They are so easy to make.
See the DIY here.
And in random news this week:
These Christmas decorations made from nature
This simple Christmas DIY
This simple mantel
This amazing ode to handwriting
These creative ornaments
This tour of the HGTV dream home
This looks like the sugar plum fairy lives here
This creative garland
Simple ideas for using wreaths in your holiday decor
And these printables.
They are FREE and seriously the CUTEST.
See them here.
And one more for the road.
This is still one of my favorite Christmas house tours ever.
Happy random Saturday to you
You are so sweet to feature my clay ornaments!! And just for the record, many years ago I was a Sugar Plum Fairy in the nutcracker. Sadly, I don’t think I have a photo. At least I am pretty sure one doesn’t exist. Thank heavens.
No offense KariAnne but I think your Christmas House tours are the ever! xoxoxo p.s. I just have to make those cookies!
Wait, wait- what? I read your great blue & white bedroom post mentioned today., I thought you painted your CONCRETE floors! Did you cover them with plywood first and then paint that? Please advise! I was thinking about trying this!
I knew you could do the turkey!! I am so proud of you!! Busy today clearing out the confusion... fall in the kitchen and entryway, ...Christmas in the living room! Our icicle lights have been hung for a week and I love that they are on timers. They make me happy. Enjoy yhe weekend, friend! Those little sweater cookies are adorable!!
Hey, Karianne, Not sure if this is an everywhere thing, but in upstate/CNY New York (not the city, the real New York State) we have shop local day today, the Saturday after Turkey Day. So I hit the little, locally owned places and came away with some real treasures, that might just help keep the little people owned places alive and in business. Such lovely things, reasonably priced. and I got to talk to the owners! As much as I love my Walmart, Big Lots, Home Goods, and online shopping, have to say, today was wonderful right here in my little town. etc.,
ALWAYS love your Saturdays! Thank you for all your work in putting then together. And I forgot. The other day. Suggestion on cooking the turkey. I start out putting it in the oven upside down (breastside down). Halfway through, I turn it over. Seems to keep it juicier. :D
I am so proud of you baking your first turkey! Bet there was too much to eat so no need to worry about a small quantity. Will be a great story! As always, love your Saturday posts. But, there is always something about these days and too few weeks before the Christmas holiday. Just added the sweater cookie cutter and speciallty rolling pin to my Christmas list and can't wait to try them! I have added an additional rolling pin quite similar to norwegian rosemaling as well! Hope there's still room in Santa's budget to "surprise" me on Christmas morning!
Wow!!!!! Your first turkey!!!!! You go KariAnne!!!! Thanks for the Saturday round up!!! Took me all day to read it all, between the HVAC repair person, husband taking off with grandson to enjoy the Polar Express train ride which hubbie thought was tomorrow, so it was a crisis getting everyone where they needed to be, herding our rescue dogs out of the way for HVAC person to work, cleaning up after rescue dogs once HVAC person left without repairing .....we need a new system.... so it was a joy to finally sit down and enjoy the round up!!! So many beautiful ideas-thank you!!!!
We play codenames also! It's so fun!! xD -Izzy
Hi there, Thanksgiving is my holiday to host. Yes I cooked the same amount of food for 7 that I did for 15 last year. That I have to work on. The best recipe for turkey is to cook it upside down for 3/4 if cooking time. Then the nail biting to flip it. I take fresh poultry seasoning, mince it blend it with two sticks of softened salted butter. You have to get personal with the turkey. Spread the butter mixture under the skin. I put onion, carrots apples and half lemons in the cavity and cook it as I said upside down. Never a dry bird in the house. Enjoy Debra
Congrats on cooking your first turkey! I’ve cooked many in my time. You said you will need a bigger turkey next year.....I cook a 14 lb turkey on Thanksgiving and the day before Thanksgiving I cook a 8-9 lb turkey breast. It’s so nice to have the turkey breast cooked the day before. I rest it, slice it and just warm up a bit. Works perfectly. Something to consider for next year. And I brine them both!!
Karianne, Congratulations on baking your first Turkey! "Mr. Ed" states the 'secret' to a prize winning baked turkey is all in the basting. . . and in talking to the bird! Ha! Sounds like a picture perfect Thanksgiving day! Pat
Yay! You conquered the turkey! I always say ANYONE can cook. Don't be afraid of your kitchen! And yes, always buy the BIG bird, haha! We like Codenames too! It'll really get you thinking! Happy day!
I'm glad your turkey had everyone wanting more, haha!! Happy December KariAnne!!! xoxo