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february Craft weekend sponsors

March 7, 2015

title
each Craft Weekend we ask our favorite companies if they would like to be sponsors.
our sponsors are artists, authors, small business owners and big businesses too!
some have brick & mortar shops… some are completely online… some travel to markets and fairs.
they are hard working creatives that i adore.
thank you to each sponsor for the generosity that you give to Craft Weekend.
thank you for taking the time to make it… to ship it… and for the discounts for all my readers!

please enjoy shopping in ALL of these shops…. follow them on IG… read their blogs.
these are awesome people!

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yourwords aren’t these the cutest?! each one had a different word and all in the same perfect yellow color!
Your Words Cuffs makes metal stamped cuff bracelets in so many different cuff patterns.
She stamps “your words” onto the cuff of your choice. They are rad!
Use the code: WCW10 for 10% off your order through March 31st.

@tracicuffs

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organic
i think The Organic Bloom is now my favorite frame company!
every single color was amazing! i wanted ALL the colors!
You can follow them on Instagram @theorganicbloom to see their products and get great ideas.
They are a wholesale company BUT if you go to the Vendor Locator on their website you can find a Photographer in your area to purchase from!

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ike
We love these rainbow bracelets from Ike & Co.
the little Kansas & sunflower charm is so cute!
Use the code: MEG25 for 25% off your order.

@ikendco

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Jennifer Dahl Designs makes very fun jewelry!
You can choose your charms to fit you perfectly.
Use the code: CRAFT25 to get 20% off your order.

@jenniferdahl

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salty
OH MY GOODNESS i have loved Salty Bison signs for several years!
they are artsy and fun and primitive at the same time.
They sent this cute little signs for our guests and we set them on their beds to welcome them.
Follow their Instagram account @saltybison to see everything they are working on… i love their feed!
Use the code: whatevercraft for 10% off your order.

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curly
Is there any cuter chocolate bar you’ve ever seen in your whole life?
Curly Girl Designs makes fabulous cards, artwork, gifts and now… chocolate! 🙂
She has a unique and cheerful style in all of her work that always makes me smile.
Go check out all the goodness in her shop!
Use the code: CGDCW2015 for 15% off your order (excluding the Love Delivered subscription)

@curlygirldesign

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hello
these these cute signs are made by Maddie and her mom at Hello from a Girl.
100% of her proceeds go towards Maddie’s mission trip to Haiti!
How fun to be a part of helping her dreams come true.
Use the code: CRAFT25 for 25% off your order through the end of March.

@hellofromagirl

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stella
Stella Bella Boutique makes sparkly pretty jewelry.
she sent our girls these druzy earrings in all different colors… so fun!
Use the code: whatever15 for 15% off your entire order!

@stellabellaboutique

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Kellyn from Blessed Moments Studio sketched these drawings while she was at the Craft House!
each one was so sweet and captured so much of the “FUN” at the House.
go check out her other work in her shop!
Use the code: CRAFTWEEKEND to get 20% off the Craft House prints.

@kellydon

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Dayspring is awesome! They send us the best books!
I love being able to send home these kinds of books with my new friends… knowing they can pick it up and read about how much God loves them anytime makes me love Dayspring even more!
Use the code: WHATEVER25 for 25% off your order at Dayspring through april 1st.

@dayspringcards

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i love the different cuffs jennifer at The Turquoise Tomato comes up with!
These are so colorful and happy!
Use the code WHATEVERCRAFTWEEKEND for 15% off your order.

@jenniferallred

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clean
Crunchy Clean makes earth friendly, all natural detergent.
All of our CW girls got their own bag to take home!
It smells SO good!
All the proceeds from this sale go Jeremy & Ashley Brummer (the creators & makers of Crunchy Clean) adoption fund.
Use the code: whatever20 for 20%off your order!

@crunchy_clean

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burlap
The Burlap Bag makes the yummy smelling and creative candles.
They sent these two scents to help The Craft House to smell even more lovely.
You have got to see what other kinds of scents they have made… you will love it.
Use the code: CRAFTY for 20% off your order.

@theburlapbag

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spunky
Spunky Fluff is not only fun to say but they make really cool signs!
each sign is painted in the most fun colors.
Kristen’s 100+ signs are inspirational, humorous and look AWESOME!
Use the code: MEGBLOG for 20% off your entire purchase.

@spunkyfluff

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lemon
Sasha is the Lemonade Makin’ Mama who makes pretty water color art!
Go check out her shop to see her pretty designs of farm life & quotes.
Use the code: CRAFT20 for 20% off your order.

@lemonademakinmama

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pitter
Laura is a rad blogger… amazing artist… super mama!
She is the artist at Pitter Patter Art.
You can contact her about custom work on her website.
and trust me… you’re going to want to read her blog. it’s good. 🙂

@pitterpatterart

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linen
isn’t this so great?! I love this print from Linen & Ink!
Her shop has mugs, prints and notecards with Carly’s hand lettered designs.
You can use the code: CRAFT20 for 20% off your order.

@linenandink

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school
THIS BOOK!!! you need this book. 🙂
Shea Henderson wrote this book for anyone who wants to learn to sew.
she broke it down and made it fun while keeping it beautiful.
you need this book. (did i say that already?)
You can order her book School of Sewing right here on Amazon!

@emptybobbin

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jenni

Jenni Horne Studios sent prints of her happy bicycle paintings.
i love Jenni’s style!
i love her color and whimsy!
Use the code: Craftweekend for 15% off your order in her shop!

@artsyorange

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natalie
Natalie Creates is a blog filled with farm life… creating… and happiness.
Her shop is ever changing with cute colorful goodies that sell out almost immediately.
She loves to gift our guests with her talents. 🙂
Her blog is worth the click over… Her Instagram @nataliecreates is too!
Thanks Natalie!

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GGT
Gabriel’s Good Tidings makes the cutest lip balm holders for your keychain.
she is also making essential oil holders too!
Her shop has loads of design choices!
Use the code: WCW40 to save 40% and free shipping! WOW!

@gabrielsgoodtidings

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lori
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Lori Danelle defines herself as a Maker of Art & Things. 🙂
i like that.
she makes lovely artwork with pen and ink and also she is a fabulous paper cut artist!
Use the code: CRAFT20 for 20% off your order.

@loridanelle

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crave

have you ordered CRAVE Popcorn yet?!
The white chocolate oreo is craaaazy good!
i’m thinking that this popcorn would be perfect to snack on during the NCAA tournament coming up!
or maybe you need it for your spring break adventure?
Use the code: CW15 for 15% off your order.

@cravepopcornco

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katy
this new design from KatyGirl is so good! i love it all… the colors.. the words… the flowers!
her shop has beautiful prints in lovely colors with such encouraging words!
there are several prints i need to order like this one… and this one… and this one too. 🙂
Use the code: WHATEVER15 for 15% off your order.

@katygirldesigns

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Stacy - After reading this post and then reading the wrap-up of the Craft Weekend/February, I’m going to go out and purchase School of Sewing so I can learn to do a cute ruffle apron! Looks like y’all had a BLAST!

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happy monday.

March 2, 2015

so far it’s been a good one.
i got myself into workout gear and did my Pump workout.
i really wanted to skip. but i had skipped the day before so i couldn’t do that again.
i knocked that out of the way and now i’m working at the Craft House.

last week we had the best date night!
and it was for craig’s work… so technically not even a date.

Avett Brothers came to wichita again!
they are in our top five favorite bands. (probably in the top two…)
this was our third time to see them in concert.
i was smiling all night.
i love those avett boys.
i just watched a ton of youtube videos trying to find the perfect one but i always end up back to the 15 minute session on NPR.
it’s just my favorite.
the BEST part is Seth at 4:30 (ha ha ha)
they don’t sing it like that on the album but ever since i saw this video a few years ago i insist to craig that it be sung that way in the car and with great volume.
🙂
and at the concert… THEY DID!!!

and i bought my first concert t-shirt!

wait….that’s not true.
i bought one at a sandi patty concert in 6th grade… i borrowed money from a friend to buy it…and still owe her that money.
and oh how i wish i had a photo!!!
it was a GIANT oversized shirt with i think a rainbow colored scribbly kind of drawing of SP singing.
it went fabulous with my perm and stir-up pants.
i feel like i’ve shared too much….

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anyway…
craig left the next morning for a ski trip with his friends.
i asked for group selfies and he sent me several. 🙂
i have decided the my love languages are (i have several)
1. going to the movies
2. going to concerts
3. group selfies
4. bringing me hot coffee in the morning

HA.
i am so darn happy that he is out having a good time!
he works hard at everything all. the. time.
this guy deserves a break and time to just have fun!

FullSizeRender

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with him gone i was in charge of getting annie to her first basketball tournament.
oh boy.
the weather was AWFUL and i was a mess but we made it.
i may have even started crying in the car when we finally arrived safely.
i was mad for several hours at the weather but that does no good does it?
annie did great!
i can’t believe the love that has built in my heart for kids basketball in the past 10 years.
i am so grateful for that.
because if i didn’t have it… these tournaments could be great dividers instead of uniters.

they are 10 years old so everything is still about learning how to play.
everything she said about losing or frustration or missed shots i would answer with some form of:
“you’re learning a lot in every game”
“i liked how you stayed feisty”
“just keep trying”
because you know there are so many parents out there that break your heart at those games.
it’s rough you guys.
they get craaaaazy.
it’s the most bizarre thing to watch go down.

bottom line: she loves basketball.

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this is what happens when you forget to collect the eggs in freezing weather…. bummer.

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lastly…. i HAVE to tell you about a big giveaway with Marta over at FourFitSisters.com!
They are giving away a Les Mills Pump program!!!
that’s worth A LOT of money and also… it’s no longer available!
what a super prize!

Go over to FourFitSisters and enter to win the whole PUMP program!
it’s my favorite workout i have done.
i am getting stronger every workout!
i love knowing i will be strong enough to add all the weight on eventually.
i KNOW IT.

hope your monday is going well.
craft house laundry is half done… planning my meals & workouts for the week… waffle has a haircut today… and a huge list of emails need to be written.

blerg.

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Mindy - Oh for the love of stir-up pants. I had a red pair that I wore with an over-sized white shirt that had red, blue and green full sized handprints all over it. I seriously hope there are not pictures…I can still hear Sandi Patty talking about wanting to be Barbara Streisand – so funny. My first (and only) concert T-shirt is a Steven Curtis Chapman. I wore it out. Lucky you with your recent concert! Since it is far from Monday I will wish you a happy weekend : )

Melissa - Hey Meg,

I wanted to get your real opinion on this workout. I have been over to their site and I was looking at the Pyro workout. My friend which is an exercise instructor said it was really hard.

Do you really like this one you are doing now?

I am not a fan of exercise, but I feel better when I do it. I need to find an exercise program that I can do five days a week just to stay in shape and be able to eat sweets!

So I would appreciate your thoughts.

Warmly,
Melissa

Michelle Deckert Richmond - Kids sports….where we spend a good chunk of our time. I read somewhere the best 6 words to say to your child….”I love to watch you play.” They smile everytime I say this to them. I have 3 girls in hockey and one girl in horseback riding. Michelle from Canada.

jen - Stir up pants! I totally forgot about those….I wore them A LOT and loved them! And I totally agree with you, some of these parents are CRAZY! My son is 9 and into basketball and some of the parents are jumping up and down screaming at the poor kids. It’s insane.

Barbara (WA) - I always cried at Sandi Patti concerts – and I was already an adult 🙂

jill - I think “stay feisty” is going to be my new life’s mantra =)

Lynn - Use those eggs to make hard boiled eggs. They will peel SUPER easy!

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smoothies (and margaritas)

January 8, 2015

i got the Ninja Kitchen System Pulse for Christmas from my mother in law.
i asked for it because i thought it looked kind of cool.
i have wanted to try the cup system for our daily smoothies.
then…we didn’t use it over christmas break at all?!! (who are we?)
after school on monday annie got it out and OH. MY. GOODNESS!

we were totally amazed!
we geeked out completely.
it’s fast! it’s easy! it’s so super rad! it’s even fun to use!

then on tuesday i had her make a video to show the world how EASY it is to use!

how cute is my annie girl?!
no script even!
just preaching to the people about smoothie awesomeness.

this is what i got for christmas…
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Ninja Kitchen System Pulse

so i checked all around and it’s the same price at Target & Walmart as it is on Amazon.
i love amazon.
i love target too (of course!!!) but Amazon is so darn easy to navigate!
and the returns through amazon have gotten so ridiculously easy that it blows my mind!
you just ask them to come and pick it up… AND THEY DO!
you don’t even have to tape the box shut?! What the what?!
For reals.
Have you returned anything to them recently?
They are WINNING at customer service.

anyways… that was off topic.

back to the Niiiiiiiiinnn-jaaaaaa. (say it like oprah would)

I got the big mama Ninja blender for my birthday over a year ago.
it’s technically called the “Ninja Professional Blender 1000”
(they would probably sell more if they used my name…)
i didn’t know at the time that you could buy it with the cups… Ninja Professional Blender with Smoothie Cups
71Qu5EQm0PL._SL1500_
had i known…. i would’ve gotten it all at once. 🙂

i’ve used that big ninja blender almost everyday for smoothies the past year and a half.
and I’ve loved it.
It’s so powerful!
it’s kind of a pain to clean every single day but i did it because it worked so well!

i still love the BIG ninja.

craig makes pancake batter in it almost every saturday.
you can click here to see him making them with tiny little annie & talby.
this is the recipe his mom used to make pancakes for him! pancakes1
it’s genius to mix it in the blender because then you can just pour the batter onto the griddle!
only one thing to wash!

my most favey-favorite use for the Big Ninja is making Margaritas.
🙂
this is what we serve at Craft Weekend to welcome our new friends to the Craft House.
always.
i got this recipe from my mom!
You need Tequila, Triple Sec, a can of frozen limeade mix and a beer.
and ice.
(oh yes i did just make margaritas on a thursday morning! who needs coffee?!)

*also i used a Gluten Free beer because i am {{{trying}}} to get the wheat out of my diet.
you can use ANY beer you prefer…. any brand, any style, whatevs..

Fill the blender 3/4 with ice.

pour in the limeade mix.
Use the empty limeade can and fill 2/3 full with tequila.
Pour it in the blender.

Using the same can fill it 1/3 full with Triple Sec.

Blend until it sounds like all the ice is chopped.

add the 12 oz. beer.
can we all just admire the label of this beer for a second… such great colors!
good job New Grist.

Use the pulse setting to mix it not the number settings because it “may” explode all over from the foam in the beer.and pour into margarita glasses (or any cup!)

if you want it more icy/frozen we put it in the freezer to set up a little more.
just like 10 – 20 minutes will work.
when we have these at home… craig & i don’t usually finish a whole Ninja blender of margaritas in an evening.
so i pour what’s left into cups with lids and stick that in the freezer until the next time we want them.
you can just pull it from the freezer and they thaw out to perfect slushy frozen yumminess in about an hour.

and obviously you can buy it ALL together and get everything….Ninja Mega Kitchen System
but i like to do things the hard way and build my collection slowly – HA!

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i love the smoothie cups!
they are EASY to use… easy to clean…. and FAST.

Now…. i know a bunch of you are going to say “i have a vita-mix and it’s even more powerful and amazing!”
and i believe you.
but this is 1/3 of the price.
so there is no vitamix in my future.
not happening.
(did you ever see the SNL skit about the vitamix… it’s awkward & uncomfortable & very dry humor – which i love)

OK.
info-mercial is over.

i will go drink my margarita.
and try to figure out where to hang pictures on my walls….

i am crazy for family photos obviously.
but seeing annie’s hand with the frog (and probably from watching old videos of her recently too)
i want to add in more of those “life moments” kinds of pictures on the wall too.
not just faces.
even though i love their faces so stinkin’ much.
i want to grab their kissy cheeks and squish each one of them.
there are about…. 1296 more pictures i want to put on my walls… this poses a problem for me.

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Julie Zull - Are those canvases? where do you print from?

Jen - Your Annie girl is hilarious…and adorable. And should probably be staring in Ninja commercials. I loved the video and my girls did, too!

s - I have the ninja system and do love the single serve option but the thing scares me – it is super loud and washing it is a test of keeping my fingers intact! I had the bigger spiral blade drying on the counter and sliced my hand when I accidentally brushed against it! Big mama ninja and I have a love hate relationship!!

lorelei eurto - Hmmmm Annie is cute as a button. And I think she’s got me convinced. I may just have to try one of these Niiiiiin-jaaaaaaahhhs out. 🙂

Beth F - I’ve got Celiac and trust me, New Grist may have a cute label but it’s not a great GF beer. If you like light, go Damn Daura, or New Planet. If you like craft, go Omission beer. I found Grist is okay in stews though. The Ninja sounds awesome.

Susanne - I got a Ninja Blender as well – not the one you did, just the blender itself and OMW! My life has been changed! It wasn’t on my Christmas list and I didn’t even know I wanted one, but I’ve had SO MUCH fun with it! I’ve been weirding all my co-workers out drinking green based drinks – from a ball canning jar – every single day. Not to mention just using it in general cooking – – love love love love it!!!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - This is such a funny and happy post. Love it. Love you.

Becky - Ive been thinking Id ask for this for my birthday. Your post helped me make the decision.
Then! Ugh! Amazon had it for $169.00, I walked away and came back 2 hours later and it is $199!!!!!
🙁

Linda - are those pictures canvas? They look thicker than normal?

kelly - Annie’s demo is too cute!!! We had smoothies last night with our dinner, and my kids were pumped! (Really just trying to get in more fruits/veggies, but they felt it was a major treat!)

Ali - O.J. “It’s code for Orange Juice.” TOO CUTE!

Lori - Cheers to Thursday morning margaritas! Sounds like your Ninja is awesome 🙂

Jenna - Annie is hilarious! I loved the “oj – that is code for orange juice!” And I of course have Ninnnnjaaaa stuck in my head – thank you! 🙂

kathy - Thanks Annie, You inspired me to get out my Nutribullet, which is the same as the Ninja, that i paid $220 for and have only used approximately 3 times since i bought it in August!

I had all the stuff in the fridge, used frozen berries, real blueberries, a banana and milk. I added a bit of IKEA dark chocolate because I deserve it.

I think you have a career in TV.

Katie - Can’t wait to see where those pics end up!

Tanya H - I agree 100% on the photos problem. I shared two solutions in this post, haha…but my photos are not printed nearly as gorgeously as yours!
http://tanyastampsnthings.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-project.html

And also, I have a blendtec because my parents bought it for us, and I have used it 449 times since we got it a year ago. (I know because it has a counter) It is my favorite thing EVER and I am SO grateful I have it and that I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. 😀

Beth - “Yes, the nut butter…” loved it!

Amy M - OMG, Annie is the cutest!

I have a Ninja that I bought back when I was on a smoothie kick, after I fried my cheapo blender. Haven’t used it much lately, except as a pseudo-food processor. But I got one of those for Christmas, so now I’m thinking it might be time for some margs!

Kristin S - Oh that pancake pic with bangs-Annie!

Super fun post.

I do have a Vitamix and I do love it but I travel a lot and that little Ninja would be perfect for that. Vitamix was a gift and cost more than my mortgage!

Tina - I have Christmas money burning a whole in my pocket for one of these! Thanks for the info!! Starting Sugar Detox with Marta next week and I’m super excited to get started and learn. Thanks for introducing us to Marta! Love Annie’s video!!

Rebecca - I can’t believe how grown up Annie is getting to be!!! And, she’s so beautiful!

Cassidy - YAY for gluten free! (:

Adrienne - Are those all canvases? and where do you print from?

Tracy - I know the beer is yummy in the margs but if you don’t have any (or don’t have any gluten free), try using Fresca or Diet sprite or 7up. Tastes great too!! Wish I was drinking a marg with you right now!!!

Kelly - Meg, thanks for the good laugh on this Thursday afternoon! I’m not sure why I’ve never seen that skit, but it is hillarious! We are a Ninja family too 🙂 (literally).

Carrie - niki, try adding a little more liquid to your smoothies. Mine don’t blend properly if I don’t have enough liquid in them, so I will keep adding until I see it all moving along in a little tornado through the whole blender. I also make sure to add all the soft stuff to the bottom first (yogurt, applesauce, juice, bananas, etc.) so that all the big chunky frozen stuff gets hit by the blades sooner, then I add more water or juice as needed through the pour spout as its blending. Love my ninja, pretty much only use it for smoothies, I would love a vitamix, but the price point (even at Costco) is just tooooo much! I should get some smoothie cups so I can get rid of my magic bullet, which I only use for six months or so when I am making baby foods….

Christy - I love my Ninja & I recommend it to everyone. Mine has the small & large blender atatchment, now I am coveting the smoothie cups (hello, eBay!).

Love the family photos & capturing the every day. 🙂

Nikki - I recently bought a Ninja because it’s big enough to make a smoothie for my whole family at once. I like it, but I get chunks of ice and things every time! I’ve yet to get a totally smooth smoothie. My $40 Oster used to have no problem with this at all, I’ve never had chunks, so what am I doing wrong? More ice, maybe?

Jessica Cornman - I would cover every inch of my walls with photos if I could! Photo canvases everywhere!

Sabrina - I also got a Ninja for Christmas. It’s the Mega Jumbo Everything System (that is my name for it!) I love it so much! I got rid of my blender and my Magic Bullet because the Ninja does everything so much better. I did keep my Cuisinart Food Processor though. Although the Ninja does a good job at processing some things, the blade on my Cuisinart is much lower to the bowl, so it gets everything chopped and processed way better. That is my only “complaint” about the Ninja processor. The blades are too high to get at the bottom of the bowl. Otherwise, this thing is a dream!!!

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2014 in photos

January 2, 2015

2014four 2014eleven 2014fifteen 2014five 2014eight 2014fourteen 2014nine 2014one 2014seven 2014seventeen 2014six 2014sixteen 2014ten 2014thirteen 2014three 2014twelve 2014TWO

what a fun way to remember!

i was going through Instagram and Facebook, seeing so many posts on what they learned this year.
and their word for the year.
i felt blank.
i thought… did i learn ANY thing?
my brain was feeling like mush from the holiday crazy schedule.

then i looked through these photos.
i see love.
and being loved.
color.
life.
dreams.
strength.
JOY.
courage.
creativity.
focus.
change.
FUN.

this year i found out how to love my kids deeper than i ever have.
this parenthood stuff is HARD and crazy amazing all at once.
it’s no joke.
and i am so proud to be their mom even when things get hard.
I’m happy to walk through life beside them too.

this year i realized i had dreams in my heart i hadn’t validated.
after a little working through what that means… 2015 is the year to make them happen.
i feel like jesus is saying “enough stalling Meg!”

what i reflect on again and again is that through it all God is so good!!
that doesn’t mean everything is perfect.
it’s not.
life is messy. (sometimes a complete disaster!)
everyone has struggles.
no one is alone in that.
but God’s Grace covers all of it.
He takes our offering of brokenness, weakness and failure and FLIPS it upside down.
He says “i love you. You are mine. You are new.”
we are not our mistakes.
we are not our past.
we are not what people think of us.
we are made new through Him.
God is good. He gives me HOPE. He carries me through.

bring on 2015.
i am ready.

(i think… maybe just a quick nap first)

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Kellyn - just thank you. Thanks for being you!! that is all 😉
have a blessed craft weekend!

Lori - I never get tired of your beautiful photos!

Courtney - Those photos are soo great! It was the motivation I needed! I have to print mine out and take more in 2015! Time just slips by way too fast. Great documentation of your year! Congrats!

annette - great post – i think taking pictures really helps us remember where we have been… wondering where you got your ‘Jesus loves me’ t-shirt?

Sue Linse - Love the pictures Megan! (does anyone call you ‘Megan’ anymore?…or is it just Meg. Anyway – only comment – love any picture of Stanley – SO cute. And Annie is freaking Adorable – should be modeling for GAP or something. Miss you as always 🙂

jennibell - Wow. What a beautiful, reflective post. You are inspirational to so many Meg!!!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - So many beautiful smiles! And I can’t wait to watch your dreams unfold!

Melissa - Amen! Here’s to 2015

Carol S. - I like your photos and perspective. You’re one of my favorite bloggers…real…colorful…most important, faithful. My blogging schedule has been reduced to one a year, lol. I don’t know how you do it, but sure am glad you do. Jealous of all your adorable pics with hubby. My husband ducks when camera comes out!

Kimberlee Jost - I loved all of the pictures!

amy jupin - i share so many of these same thoughts and emotions, especially in the message i keep hearing from jesus.
“don’t be afraid. stretch, grow, follow your passions!”
i push it down again and again.
what does it possibly mean?
what if i blow it?
we need to follow his lead and fight for our dreams!
they are important. so, so important!
i am with you, friend.
i am for you too.
happy new year meg!

Tammy - Happy New Year! Thanks for always being such an inspiration Meg!

Amy - Cheers to 2015! I’ve loved following along with you here and on Instagram. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Lisa - Well said! Here’s to 2015!

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our gigantic list of favorite movies

November 30, 2014

our family is kind of crazy for movies.
we always have been.
i have loved to watch movies since i saw my very first one…. ET.
i have told craig “movies are my love language”
i love escaping into a movie.
one of my favorite places is a dark theater… two hours with nothing to do but be entertained.
i have even started going to movies by myself because i just want to see one and i have the time.
my plane ride to and from africa had personal tv screens in the seat backs with 100s of new movies to choose from and i thought it was absolutely fabulous! 10 hours with nothing to do but watch movies. i was SO HAPPY.

every year in my kids stockings i add new dvds.
we have a pretty big collection of dvds.
i asked them which were the ones they liked the most out of our choices.
the list was long.

so… maybe this will help you with stocking stuffers?
or an idea for a movie night?

i didn’t add any big Disney movie because we all know about those.
Frozen, Tangled, Toy Story… yada, yada, yada – they are all awesome and everyone knows that.
these are other movies, some new and some old and we let our kids watch these.
maybe you wouldn’t… but you get that choice of course. 🙂

I’m pretty sure that at least 90% of these movies are under $10 too.

Cheaper by the Dozen Jumanji Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

The Parent Trap The Sandlot Shrek

Father of the Bride Night at the Museum Napoleon Dynamite

Evan Almighty Nim’s Island The Little Rascals

Holes Facing the Giants Herbie Fully Loaded

Annie National Treasure The Emperor’s New Groove

Here Comes the Boom The Blind Side Back to the Future

School Of Rock Earth to Echo Journey to the Center of the Earth

Chestnut: Hero of Central Park The Princess Bride The LEGO Movie

Matilda The Goonies Jurassic Park

The Karate Kid Eight Below Around the World in 80 Days

The Pink Panther Ramona and Beezus The Chronicles of Narnia

The Avengers The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Spider-Man

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone Enchanted

my kids are older… these movies are mostly for that next stage after animated movies.
probably the most bad language is in the Goonies… 80’s movies are dumb like that.
but it’s the goonies!!
i had to put it on the list.
what is your favorite family movie?
what did we forget?
is there a movie i need to know about?

let’s hear it.

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Maya hoffmann - i LOVE emperores new grove

Jenny Mullins - I love this list! I feel like my family 11 year old boy and 9 year old girl would enjoy movie nights at your house! We love fairy tales. So here are two movies we recommend Ever After – A Cinderella Story with Drew Barrymore and Mirror Mirror with Julia Roberts.
I also love Little Women with Winona Ryder or any version of this story at Christmas time.
So really I have 3 recommendations.
Thank you for this list, there are few we haven’t seen and I know we will enjoy soon!

Jenn - The Great Outdoors! My whole family loves that movie 🙂

Rachel B. - Apollo 13—my 7 year old and 4 year old love it!

Stephanie - Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken. Disney made it and it is based on a true story about a “diving girl” (diving horses off of a pier in Atlantic City) in the 1940’s. Fabulous family movie. Buy it! Watch it! You’ll love it!

Michelle Whitlow - So many of those are our favorites, too! Goonies, ET, Back to the Future, Matilda…etc. In fact, we went to see the Goonies house in August when we were in OR 🙂 I’m getting my son The Last Starfighter & my oldest daughter Quarterback Princess (I probably haven’t seen that one since the 80s!). We’re big movie fans in our house, too! And Guardians of the Galaxy will be making it’s way to our home this month as well!

Sarah - Life has been dreary lately with some teenager drama going on.
I love looking at your blog, with ALL the fabulous color combinations! It helps to brighten my days.
Anyway I just had to tell you how excited I am to start a new quilting project with rainbow colors! When I cut the fabric strips and made a nice pile, it reminded me of your rainbow of colors on your blog.
Thanks.

Brook - My oldest daughter and nieces love The Labyrinth with David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly.

Tanya - ET was my first movie too 😀 I wanted yarn bows in my hair like Gertie. 😉
We L.O.V.E Annie at this house and I just introduced the kiddos to the original Parent Trap this weekend. My mom intro’d us to all of the musicals really young and I plan to do the same thing.
Can’t go wrong with Goonies!!

Tina J - Great List!! Daddy Daycare, Dr. Doolittle, Adventures in Babysitting, the American Girl Movies!

Erin - Thank you for this post. I’m bookmarking it. My kids are 13, 11, 8, and 4. We are always looking for movie ideas (especially for the older 3). I had forgotten about a lot of these!

Jenn - My 13 year old daughter and I just watched Walter Mitty and LOVED it!

Have you seen “The Mighty Macs”? One of my favorites.

s - I love RV.

jaimie - home alone

Debi Meyers - AND … “Little Women” with Winona Ryder, Claire Danes… the Christmas opening is my favorite 🙂

Karen in NYC - Hi Meg, it’s Karen in NYC.

That’s so funny about Walter Mitty. I saw it in the theaters last year with 16-year-old Ross, and we loved it but felt like we were the only people in the world who saw it.

Your list is great. You and your family would also love these:

Must-See Adventure:
Star Wars (The original from 1977)
Raiders of the Lost Ark

1960s and 1970s Fun:
Freaky Friday — the 1970s version starring Jodie Foster
The Parent Trap – the 1960s version starring Hayley Mills

80s Fun:
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (which includes the swearing that so many 80’s movies have)
Big

Hilarious:
Airplane!

Top Musicals:
West Side Story
Sound of Music
Fiddler on the Roof

Comedies in Black and White:
Bringing Up Baby
Some Like it Hot

The Two Best Christmas Movies in Black and White:
Miracle on 34th Street (the old one starring Natalie Wood as a child)
It’s a Wonderful Life

I have a separate list of great movies to watch with teenagers, that I guess everybody but Annie is ready for.

Sarah - Thank you for this – perfect timing! The Chronicles of Narnia link takes me to the Goonies movie, but I could be doing something wrong. 🙂

Debi Meyers - oh!

“Cool Runnings” about the Jamaican Bobsled team 🙂

Debi Meyers - great list, Meg… Secondhand Lions! Holes! Here Comes the Boom!

If you are a family that enjoys slower, noble, great tenderness against harsh realities: “The Book Thief”, and “The Straight Story” (know your kid. My son at 7 loved it. contemplative)

Musicals:
Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver Twist, Sound of Music, Cinderella (so fun…with Brandy & Whitney Houston)

Boys Adventure:
Mark Twain’s “Roughing It” with James Garner

Christmas:
“A Dog Named Christmas” Hallmark movie
“The Homecoming” (pilot for The Waltons series)

Slightly ‘scary’ movies:
so for older kids, but again, excellent themes.
“Lady In The Water”, “Signs”, and “The Village” (<— this has a bloody scene, but is one of our favorite love stories of all time, and AMAZING SOUNDTRACK).
all 3 have creatures lurking in the dark… jumpy, tense… 🙂

heidi e. - What a great list! And I love the idea of a dvd in their stocking! We just watched Cool Runnings, and it was hilarious! Now we run around asking each other ‘Sanka, ya dead?’… hahahaha

Stephanie - Oh! I LOVED Second Hand Lions. And laughed SO hard at Over the Hedge. Thank you for recommending Earth to Echo. Maybe we will do that for our next family night. I feel like we are running out of acceptable movies. One I loved when I was a teenager was The Journey of Natti Gann. I haven’t seen it since the early 90s, but I love a good adventure.

Rachel - Nacho Libre!!!!!!! 🙂 Mary Poppins!!!!
Great movies listed!

FLWendy - Funny how your list is full of what we have in our DVD library. What about adding some Studio Ghibli films? We have Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. All great films. My children loved them when they were young and still love them today (late teens, early 20’s).

Brittany - Great list!! Our kids love the Nanny McPhee movies!

Jenn - Father of the Bride 2 and Sister Act 2!!!! Apparently, we love sequels!

Jill - We are huge fans of Christmas movies…. so many! But one that few people seem to know about is “Prancer”. A beautiful movie! You should watch it!

Cathy Shealy - We like Robots (also with Robin Williams) RV, again with RW, You’ve Got Mail, Holiday, Christmas with the Kranks (we actually wore one of these out a few years back). Ratatouille

Heather S. - Our girls are 10 and 12 and we are all gaga here over the National Treasure movies (and desperately hoping they’d get done with number three soon). And yes – totally agree on the bad language with Goonies. We watched it with our girls a year or two ago and just thought, “seriously, what is up with all the bad words?” Such a classic, though!

Stacey - All of those and Secondhand Lions!

Peg Graham - Prancer, Fly Away Home, Little Women, While you were Sleeping…

Amy - It’s super old but my kids think The Court Jester with Danny Kaye is the funniest thing ever. Its free on Amazon Prime. They also love Surf’s Up.

Colleen - Hook is a great film (with thoughts of Robin Williams,) Akeelah and the Bee and Flyaway Home (for Annie)

Southern Gal - You’ve got a great list! We would add Secondhand Lions! Superhero movies especially Thor and Captain America; animated, The Croods, Over the Hedge; Christmas movies Elf and Home Alone.

Libby Herwig - Elf!!!!!!! The first Harry Potter also. We like the rest but they get quite dark.

Angela - These are great! Some are new to us. I would add Mrs. Doubtfire and Star Wars- the original trilogy.

Amy - We love Second Hand Lions and we recently watched Million Dollar Arm and it was great! Thanks for the list!

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family photos!

November 28, 2014

this.
Blue Lily sent us our photos.
and i absolutely LOVE them…. every single one.
wendy you are SO TALENTED!!!!!

TYL_1749 TYL_1776

TYL_1796 ls2 st2 acm2 TYL_2064 mmom&boys TYL_2114 TYL_2025 asm TYL_2159 TYL_2145 TYL_2168 TYL_1997 TYL_2204 TYL_1817 TYL_1889 scott&talby-2
seanH TYL_2225 TYL_2283 TYL_1827 TYL_1916
squeeze

and now i need to order some!!

Blue Lily has made their 2015 schedule.
its WORLDWIDE.
i think you should get on their schedule!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
family photos are such a gift… you never know when life is going to change.
they freeze time.
we will have that night – that hour – forever.
and it was a really good one. 🙂

thanks again WENDY!!!

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Jeanie - Meg, you have a beautiful family! And I have to tell you – when I first looked at the pictures – I thought “where’s Meg?” You looked like one of the kids! How do you keep yourself so young – with so many kids, so many activities, schedules etc? I need your secret!

ellen patton - there’s a lot of love in these photos!

tracy fisher - love. just, love.

Debbie - I never get tired of looking at Bluelilly photos. I agree, all are very nice. You’ll be so glad you have these.

misty - wow! gorgeous! the 4th one down needs to be on a HUGE canvas! You have a such a pretty fam!! Love love!

danielle - These are gorgeous! You guys look great!

jen - Such great pictures! Thanks for sharing them.

Mindy - Beautiful photos done in perfect light. What a lovely family you have and great memories captured.

Kristin - Gorgeous pictures, with so much love shining out of them!

jaimie - beautiful! i love the poses, lighting and the outfit choices…you can tell from the pix what a lovely, tight-knit family you are! happy holidays!

iralee poore - these are simply amazing!!!! i love love love the lighting!!!

bethr - oh Meg, it was so fun to see all these beautiful photos of your family! The outfits, the light, the smiles and connection you 7 seem to share- all so touching!

Amy - LOVE!! You guys are gorgeous!!

Lori - Great pictures 🙂

Diana Yarborough - Beautiful family pictures! We need to do them like this one day!

On a totally different subject, is there a sewing machine you recommend? I really want to get one, but am obviously a beginner.

Leslie Humphrey - Absolutely beautiful – your family and the pictures. The love just oozes from each shot – thanks for sharing!

Stephanie - I have tears in my eyes for some reason. Good pictures do that. Your family is so beautiful and reminds me of my own in so many ways (we have seven kids). I love love love when big families are all captured in one shot–looking happy and in glowing light. You have quite a job picking one picture out!

martha - okay…so I’m just commenting to wish you luck picking your favorite picture! usually there is never a shot where everyone looks good and all of these do! ps. we don’t get a glimpse at your eldest daughter very often- she is just lovely! thank you for sharing your family with us!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Stunning!!!
The one of the girls together…or you and the boys. Agh! Such pretty people. And the stripes were the right choice.

Kristin S - What perfect light. How did you capture so many great shots at that perfect light?

I love that last one.

Jenn - What stunning photos of your beautiful family! Just lovely! These are indeed true treasures that you will cherish and look back on for years to come. Many happy blessings to you and your family this holiday season. I am a thankful reader whose life is enriched by the inspiration you share. Thank you!

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thanksgiving ideas….

November 26, 2014

thanksgiving is not my holiday… i am not a foodie…i’ve never made a turkey…. i don’t looove turkey… it’s always been a weird not-so-awesome day to me.
BUT i try.
i try to get into the thanksgiving spirit every year.

so here is me giving it the old college try.
maybe it will help you come up with a great last minute ideas too?

this stuffing looks DELICIOUS!!

i doubt i would ever take the time to make these cookies but they are super CUTE!!

i would LOVE this on a table! you are never too old to color. these would be awesome!
and this is a pdf download so you COULD get it today and print it at home if you wanted. 🙂

i like these ideas for conversation starters at thanksgiving. (from here)

Express thanks to someone in the room for something they did for you.
“I’m thankful for…” Finish the sentence.
If you could have the attention of the whole world for 30 seconds, what would you say?
One thing I’m thankful for about our country.
“I got in so much trouble…” Tell the story! This question is always a hit with the kids.
What is the key to success in life? Why do you say that?
Tell about a lesson you learned the hard way and how you are thankful for what it taught you.
What are some ways life is different now than in the old days?
Tell a story of a decision your ancestors made that changed the direction of their lives-and yours.
Tell about a lesson you learned by watching someone else.
“A person I would like to honor publicly is…”
“Time and money aside, I would rather be…”
Tell about an experience that changed you for the better.
Tell a story about something that started out bad but had a happy ending.
“My first hero was _________.”
Tell about a time when you showed courage.
Describe a teacher who had a significant influence on your life.
Tell about an invention that made your life easier.
“The most admired public figure when I was growing up was ____.” Tell a story.
Tell about a memorable event in your life.
“A famous person I’ve met is _____.” Tell about the experience.

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annie is feeling better today so we are pulling out the art supplies and making these turkey drawings.

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you could arrange your veggies like a turkey….

or your cheesbeall.
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butterscotch pie sounds as good as pumpkin pie to me.

this sweet potato casserole looks amazing and it’s even Paleo.

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we don’t have to overthink decorations.
leaves in glass containers = done

this pie looks yummy to me… not quite a pecan pie… not quite an apple pie.

these chalk place mats are simple and make a statement. 🙂

i love how they took this tea towel and framed it!
i saw it and thought “$22 for a tea towel? my kids would RUIN THAT in 10 seconds!”
but framing it and turning into a statement piece on your wall… game changer! I lOVE it.
so… i feel a little more ready for the thanksgiving weekend.
don’t you?
please tell me…

are you hosting?
do you make the turkey?
what is your favorite part of thanksgiving?

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Kristin - I’m late to the party…we hosted, made the turkey, favorite part is family (and food)! I LOVE your conversation starters. I mentor a class called Education for MInistry, and we start every class with worship & then an on-board/check in question. Many of these are perfect for that…thanks so much!

Kimberlee Jost - Someone gave me that tea towel recently and a frame is the perfect idea. 🙂

Heather s. - So not.my.favorite. Really.

I could do without all the food, cooking for hours, overstuffed houses with overstuffed people. I’d rather just have the people I love over for brunch and maybe a Just Dance competition. 😉

KirstenP - Pumpkin pie, using the recipe on the Libby’s can and refrigerator pie crusts, and whipping the cream, is the easiest part. I do the simplest turkey – I rub softened butter on the skin and stick it in a Reynold’s Oven Bag and put it in a disposable aluminum pan. It takes less baking time too. Hate making gravy so I just add the dripping and broth to a can of cream of chicken soup. Enjoy making stuffing with sausage and sauteed-in-butter chopped apples.
Thanksgiving is a stressful holiday for me because I host and do all the cooking.I hate the last hour getting potatoes done along with all the last minute stuff.
I miss watching my mom making cranberry orange relish. The fresh cranberries and whole oranges(including the rind) are put in an old fashioned meat grinder. Love the sound of the popping sound of the cranberries.

CathyMA - Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. It always has been, and it’s probably because it’s right around my birthday. I’m hosting this year and you can tell because my house smells so good right now. 21 people will be here for dinner, then 9 more for dessert. This morning I ran our town’s Turkey Trot with my 10 year old son for the first time and it was so much fun, I will never forget it. It’s a stress free holiday for me where I can just be with family and friends without gifts, but lots of good food.

Kirsten J - Not my favorite holiday, either….probably mostly because my parents spend the winter in AZ and so my sister goes to her in-laws, and I always miss my mom. It’s been almost 20 years since I had Thanksgiving with my family. Wahhhhh. So I usually make my daddy a turkey dinner as soon as they come back up for Christmas. We’re going to my sister-in-law’s tomorrow. And….she’s not the greatest cook. This year, besides the turkey/mashed potatoes/stuffing (which is usually pretty edible) we’re having Yugoslavian sauerkraut and some sweet potato casserole – it should be an adventure! *ahem*

Paula Duey - We are staying home this year as it is Elk hunting season. My Dad came down to have turkey day with us and to hunt with the boys. Our middle daughter and Grandson( almost 2) are here too. I am the one who now makes the turkey dinner since my Mom passed away 4 yrs ago. I got the pumpkin pies made and the cranberry sauce today, yeah! My favorite part of the dinner (or late lunch) is the leftovers. My Grandma used to serve a late lunch turkey dinner and then we would snack off and on all afternoon and then have turkey sandwiches for dinner, yumm!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jena Selph - I love Thanksgiving! Time spent with family, delicious food, and no gifts or shopping for gifts…win win! Yes, I’m hosting but it’s a very small group. That’s ok, our small group will be together. 🙂 Cooking a turkey is seriously so easy! Try it, you will be surprised what little effort it takes. I’m off to paint turkeys with my girls, using your inspiration. Many thanks and happy Thanksgiving to you!

Lisa Biedebach - Why I like thanksgiving- it is the only major holiday that doesn’t involve gifts. It is all about be grateful to God for his blessings. Love that. I dislike how it is overlooked and crowded out by Halloween and Christmas. I will not decorAte for Christmas until thanksgiving is over. Plus I am a mayflower descendent so I feel it is more my holiday.

stephany - I have cooked a turkey and all the fixin’s every year that we have been married (that’s 14 years)!

I have hosted my parents at our house the past two years.

Since we moved to Oregon 9 years ago, we have spent Thanksgiving in Idaho, Colorado, and at friends houses here in Oregon.

Tomorrow it will just be our family of four…and one of Ryan’s cousins who just moved to Washington. We’ll probably invite our neighbors over for dessert and drinks, too.

I would LOVE to host a big gathering at our house every year. I LOVE cooking the meal and having our house filled with friends and family.

Nothing better than food, friends, football {and, maybe some wine} all day long!

The next day we usually go cut down our Christmas tree and spend the rest of the weekend watching more football and getting the house decked for Christmas.

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of all.

Julie - I love Thanksgiving! I have hosted before, but my parents have moved back to our home town and live in a large house (my grandparents’ old house) and they have room to host it again. Plus they are more centrally located for the siblings than I am. This year my mom is doing the turkey, stuffing, potatoes and gravy and I am doing the rest. So far I have done six pies, (one more to go), sweet potatoes, broccoli salad and the rolls are in the fridge. I still will make honey butter and one more pie today and then tomorrow will shape and bake the rolls and make crock pot corn.

Jenn - I love Thanksgiving! I love to cook and bake. Its the stress free holiday for me. I’ve baked a turkey once because of the amount of people we were hosting (we had 3 turkeys total). Most of the time, I’m just asked to bring sides. I’m sure in the not so distant future I will be asked to host again and baked the turkey…glad to do it! A new tradition that my little family has started is running in the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. This is my favorite part of the day. Its cold and early, but 1500 people are walking and running on Thanksgiving morning….its fun! Happy Thanksgiving Meg!

Christi {Jealous Hands} - Meg! Thank you so much for sharing these ideas – I had seen NONE of them, but I am going to be using some of them for tomorrow.

I AM hosting, yes – at least 11 people. We have an open door Thanksgiving & never know for sure who will be here (other than those 11).

I DO make the turkey – in fact, two 24 pounders (roasting only, no brine).

And my favorite part of Thanksgiving is opening our doors to whoever will come. Love it.

Happy Thanksgiving! xo

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