8 Thanksgiving Dinner Must-Haves

As many of you know, I am European and have celebrated Thanksgiving only for a few years since I have moved to the US. Even the ones I did celebrate here, there were always prepared by my mother in law. Last year was the first time we were going to celebrate Thanksgiving by ourselves. However, I had a moldovan friend visiting and we just ended up making moldovan food. This year however, I am resolved to try a real american Thanksgiving feast and to keep myself accountable, we will probably have friends over. I had to google when Thanksgiving is and also what a traditional menu consists of.
So I put together a list of the must-haves, mostly for me, since I have no idea what I am doing. 

1. The Turkey!!! 

The star of the show. Lots of recipes out there and I am pretty intimidated by this part. I have the feeling I might end up just buying a ready made one. I don't know...haven't decided yet.

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2. The Gravy

Not much to say here - it pulls the meal together, and anything 

with some gravy can taste extra yummy.

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3. Sweet Potato Casserole

This is definitely my least favorite, but hey...it's traditional and most people like it.

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4. Mashed Potatoes

I didn't grow up with Thanksgiving, but we sure had plenty of mashed potatoes. I like to think of myself as an expert when it comes to mashed potatoes. I may have to post my recipe soon.

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5. Green Bean Casserole

I love this casserole and it is so simple to make.

I've made on so many other non holiday related occasions.

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6. Rolls

I am still looking for a gluten free recipe for rolls, so hopefully I'll have some on the my Thanksgiving table.

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7. Cranberry sauce

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8. Pumpkin Pie

I am not a big fan anything pumpkin or pie related (gasp), but I am pretty sure my other guests will enjoy some. I may do some sort of variation of the classic pie...cupcakes anyone?

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Do you have any yummy recipes you use for Thanksgiving? Did I miss anything? Share in the comments. 

Not to freak anyone out, but Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, 

and then we can decorate for Christmas!

Hugs and Thank you,

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Crochet Farmer's Market Bag {Tutorial}

Crocheting a bag is very simple and a fairly fast project to make. It took me just one evening to make, while I was watching Arrested Development (forgive me, friends that have strongly recommended this show, I just can’t seem to get into it).  I love this bag because you can pretty much do your own thing and it’s hard to mess it up. If you use cotton yarn, it is machine washable and dryable.

It’s also pretty versatile in it’s use – take it for a stroll at the farmer’s market and it’ll fit right in with all those hipster/boho farmer’s market shopping people. It works really well as a beach bag, as all the sand can just seep through the mesh. Ok…ok…you caught me…I don’t go to the beach that often and actually use this bag for my daughter’s sand toys when we go to the play ground. Classy…I know.

Supplies:

• worsted weight cotton yarn (you can use any cotton or acrylic yarn. I wouldn't recommend wool, as it will shed and get all fuzzy)
• Size H crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in

Crochet Bag Pattern

Step 1: Start with a magic loop. Ch 3 and work 11 DC into the loop.Ch 3 counts as first DC throughout. DO NOT TURN. Do not join. Use a stitch marker and work in the round.

 Step 2: HDC in the ch3. DC in the same stitch. 2DC in next DC and all around.

   Step 3: *1 DC, 2DC* all around. Place stitch marker.

Step 4: *1 DC in next 2 DCs, 2DC in next DC* all around. Place stitch marker.
Step 5: *1 DC in next 2 DCs, 2DC in next DC* all around. Place stitch marker.

You can stop here or make the bottom as big as you want. I added a couple of more rows before working on the body.

Step 6: *1 DC in next 3 DCs, 2DC in next DC* all around. Place stitch marker.
Step 7: *1 DC in next 4 DCs, 2DC in next DC* all around. Place stitch marker.

Step 8:  Here I’m stopping the round work just for this row. To join, make a HDC, then a SC and then Sl St.

Step 9: Ch 5. Skip 2 stitches, SC in the third stitch from hook. Repeat Ch 5, sk 2st, SC in third stitch all around. (working in the round again)

 Step 10: Join with a Sl St in the beginning Sl St.  * Ch 5, SC in previous Ch 5 space* repeat all around until your bag is the desired height.

Step 11:  CH 2;  HDC in next CH5 sp, HDC in next SC  * HDC in next CH 5 sp, HDC in next SC;  repeat from * around, join with a Sl ST to top of CH 4
Step 12: CH 2; HDC  in each HDC all around, join with SL St to top of  CH 2
Step 13:  CH 1; SC in each HDC around, join with Sl ST to first SC, CH 2

First Handle

Row 1: Ch 1, SC in each of first 2 sts leaving remaining sts unworked, turn (2 SC).
Row 2: Ch 1, SC in first st leaving last st unworked, turn (1).
Row 3: Ch 1, SC in next st, turn, until Handle measures 10″ or whatever length you like. Fasten off.
Skip next 38 sts on last rnd of  the Body, sew end of Handle to next 2 sts.

Second Handle

Row 1: Skip next 38 sts on last rnd of Body after beginning of First Handle, join with SC in next st, SC in next st leaving remaining sts unworked, turn (2 SC).
Row 2: Ch 1, SC in first st leaving last st unworked, turn (1).
Row 3: Ch 1, SC in next st, turn, until Handle measures 10″, fasten off.

Fasten off, leaving tail long enough for sewing.

Make one of these and take it to the beach, since it looks like mine is getting the toddler treatment this summer.

What would you put in a crochet bag? How would you use it?

Hugs, 

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Mini Pods Thanksgiving Wreath

This is a wreath I made last year, but since I am all about reusing (and so totally poor), up it went for this year's Thanksgiving decor. I love the fall-ness (is that a word?) that it brings into my home; it is simple both to make and to display.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

1. Wreath form (I used a twine one that I already had)

2. A pack of mini pods (I found mine at Michaels)

3. Glue Gun

4. Ribbon

It's a relatively easy project. It is a little boring though. Just go around and glue your little pods to the wreath form, pressing tightly. TIP:  if you're watching TV or a movie while doing this project, make sure you look at what you're doing when using a hot like lava glue gun. Just sayin'.

Here's another close up for you. Add some ribbon and hang wherever your heart desires. 

You can hang it on your front door, or in front of a window or on the mantle. 

Here's mine one the mantle.

Hugs and many thanks,                                                                                                                       

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Fall mantle sneak peak

People have been posting fall decor for awhile now and I've had some of mine up for while now, but there's this one craft I've been meaning to do before I posted my mantle. Here's a sneak peek at my fall mantle

Check back later this week to see more fall craft ideas.

Hugs,

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Falling in love with Trees

Trees
I think I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast,
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
who intimately live with rain.
Poem’s are made by folks like me,
But only God can make a tree.
                                           Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

                                                                    Source: google.com via Tanya on Pinterest

Enjoy Fall,

Let's keep in touch:)

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Mini Crochet Pumpkins + Pattern

The air is cold, the leaves are turning, the pumpkins are asking to be picked, warm soup...

Um...no....it's still in the upper 80s outside. I know a lot of you are switching to fall decor now, and Pinterest has been invaded by pumpkins, so I too am adding little touches of fall decor here and there, but have not yet taken my fall decor box out of storage (and by storage I mean the box is stuffed in our little storage room on our porch still from when we moved here a few months ago, and I am afraid to admit that it is at the bottom with all the other boxes on top).

I have shared this project last year, but that was back when only me and my hubby (under much pressure) read this blog. So I decided to share these cute little fall pumpkins. They look great on my mantle and are just the perfect minimalist Fall decor.

How cute are they for gifts?! If there is any interest, I can share the crochet pattern with you guys. It is very easy and fast to make. Let me know in the comment section.

I think Pinterest deserves more pumpkin projects, especially reusable and eco-friendly ones like mine, so please don't hesitate to Pin and Share (pretty please:))

Are you ready to put away your flip-flops?

A little UPDATE - it is now raining here, which means it's FALL!!! ...and it means I have an excited daughter that is begging me to on her rain coat and boots to go play in the rain.

Have an awesome Wednesday, and as usual sending lots of hugs your way!

A little more UPDATE - on popular request here is the Mini Crochet Pumpkins Pattern

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn in orange for the Pumpkin body
Worsted  Weight Yarn in green or brown for the Stem
Crochet hook in size G
Upholstery Needle

Rnd 1: Make a magic loop and single crochet 6 times into ring.(6 sts). Draw loop tight. Do not join
rounds. Place st marker in last stitch to mark end of round.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each stitch (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (SC in next stitch, 2 SC in next st around0 (18sts)
Rnd 4: (SC in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (24sts)
Rnd 5: (SC in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (30 sts)
Rnds 6-10: SC in each st around (30 sts)
Optional: Depending on the size of the pumpkin, you can repeat rnds 6-10 again for a taller pumpkin.
Rnd 11: (SC in next 3 sts, dec 1 st in next 2sts) around (24 sts)
Rnd 12: (SC in next 2 sts, dec 1 st in next 2sts) around (18 sts)

I like to add the stuffing now as there is still room to do so.

Rnd 13: (SC in next st, dec 1 in next 2sts) around (12 sts)
Rnd 14: (dec in next 2 sts) around (6 sts)

This forms the bottom of the pumpkin. Fasten off and leave a long tail. Use the upholstery needle and make some stitches to draw hole closed.

Then stitch through the hole in the center of the pumpkin and out the hole. Bring it around the outside of the pumpkin and take another stitch through the center. Continue until you have created 5-6 “ribs.”  You can make it as tight or loose as you like,

Fasten off. Trim end.

Stem:

Leaving about an 8 inch tail, Ch 7
SC in each st
Fasten off leaving about an 8 inch tail

Using your needle, stitch each tail through the center, and tie them together at the bottom. Trim
end.

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