Yesterday, I successfully pulled off our pre-Thanksgiving. The plan was to eat dinner when Garrett got home from work (after 11:30pm ha).
Leading up to the actual day, I felt like I had everything under complete control. Recipes were picked out. I got everything I needed from the grocery store. And I had even spent time mapping out my timeline for cooking everything.
I got started mid-afternoon and basically didn’t sit down until we actually ate dinner. I definitely grew up “helping” my mom with Thanksgiving but looking back it was mostly whipping up a dessert, setting the table, or helping with a side dish. Basically, something super easy. Thanksgiving dinners are so much work. I knew it would be a long day, but I definitely was overly ambitious about the whole thing.
Miraculously everything turned out great.
(Only one last minute trip to the grocery store and about four calls plus 16 text messages to my mom. Not too bad.)
I felt pretty relaxed about the whole process until I had to pull the neck out of the turkey. Then I started to doubt myself completely and felt like I should just throw in the towel. But I kept going, dressed the bird, stuck the thing in the oven, and crossed my fingers.
The hardest part of the preparation was the timing of everything, figuring out what could be done ahead of time, what had to wait for something to get off the stove, what would stay hot with tin foil, what needed to go straight to the table.
Let’s just say, this year I will be extra thankful for my mom and dad who handle Thanksgiving like pros.
Very impressive!! I have yet to cook more than two dishes for Thanksgiving. I'm also terrified of cooking a turkey. Our place is truly too small to host our whole family, so we will be going to my sister-in-law's house again and I'll be bringing my homemade sweet potato casserole and baked mac and cheese!
Somehow yesterday felt like a week, last month was last year, and last year was a decade ago… but then time is simultaneously going by so fast too. The past ten weeks have gone by in a blink! Everyone warns you it goes by fast and they’re not wrong…. The days are long but oh how I wish time would slow down a bit? Or that maybe I could bottle up a tiny bit of these precious boys at every stage so I could revisit them down the road 🤍
I have grown to LOVE baby wearing. Not only do I think it’s such a nice and cozy way to bond with baby, it’s also incredibly practical, especially when you have a toddler to keep up with too! The @wildbird aerial carrier was a treat for myself- and I’m so obsessed with it. 👶🏼 Leave a comment “wildbird” and I’ll DM you the color I have as well as my personal review of it (including some troubleshooting tips).
Some top level things I like; - it’s easy to put on! - it’s so, so comfortable (for me AND baby!) - the little flap is seamless and provides extra support while baby naps and privacy when we need/want it
This affordable rechargeable LED lamp is cute and then made even cuter with this wicker lampshade! 💡✨ No cords needed- just charge and place wherever you want. (Will be extra perfect for dining outdoors this summer!) 💫 Comment “lamp” and I’ll send you links to the LED lamp ($38 for a pair!) and the lampshade (available in a few styles- including a darling blue).
Not really in the mood to be in photos right now, but I keep telling myself I’ll want to look back on these moments and remember them. (Right?!) when I look at these photos in 10, 20, 30 years…
I hope I remember Jack “rescuing” Rory from a windy tent, not how I stood in front of my closet with tears in my eyes.
I hope I remember watching Jack roll down hills and play hop scotch and scoot down the sidewalk with his besties, not that I caught a glimpse of my reflection and didn’t recognize myself.
I hope I remember sitting outside with my friend happily watching our kids play (while watching the minutes until bedtime tick by), and not that I spent too much time zooming in and examining every new wrinkle on my face.
I hope I remember the pure joy of these early warm days with my little family whom I love so much 🤍
The weather is warming up and I’m feeling slightly more comfortable in my skin every day ☀️ Here’s what I wore last week as a mom of two. I have a two and a half year old toddler and a two month old so I need outfits I feel good in, can chase a little guy around in, AND that I can breastfeed easily while wearing. 🔗 Leave a comment with “OUTFITS” to get links to every outfit I wore!
This room is so very special 🤍 The little cars sprinkled everywhere (watch your step!). A tiny sock, never two, peeled off and tucked somewhere hidden away. Piles of books that grow almost as quickly as the little boy who sleeps here. Outgrown pants and shoes to grow into mingling in the closet. Often messy, and a little cluttered, but a little boy lives here. 🚘☀️🐶📚🧸
(Rory is still in our room, but eventually the boys will share. I can picture their little twin beds already!)
About ten days ago, I noticed that today’s forecast was looking WARM. I told Mike, “We’re walking into town and sitting outside and I’m getting a beer. Put it on your calendar.” It ended up being warmer than forecasted (almost eighty degrees!) and let me tell you, it delivered. Today felt like the beginning of The Season™: dinners al fresco, beers/fries/ice creams, and late bedtimes. Indulging in it all because the kids are only getting older and we’re the grownups (somehow) and we get to make the rules ✌🏻
Dress is @tuckernuck & sweater is @kiltecollection
@pennylinndesigns and I hosted a “learn to needlepoint” class this past weekend and it was everything ✨ Needlepoint has been such a bright spot in my life over the past five years- and it’s gotten me through some difficult times. Because it’s helped me so much, sharing this hobby with others has turned into a mini life mission of mine. To sit in a room (my beautiful office space designed by @clare.sull!) with pro stitchers and needlepoint newbies alike was one of my dreams come true. I loved seeing women chatting, meeting, and bonding over this beautiful craft 🪡 Honestly, the needlepoint world is (sadly) filled with a lot of gatekeeping and competitiveness; this weekend proved that it doesn’t have to- and shouldn’t- be this way! It’s for EVERYONE. Whether you’ve never picked up a canvas in your life or you’re working on heirloom stockings for your family, there’s room for everyone at this table.
📍 Leave a comment saying “needlepoint” and I’ll send you my go-to resources for getting started with needlepoint!
Wow, props to you for cooking all that! Impressive!
Love,
Ane | Basque Prep
Please share that zucchini bread recipe! 🙂
Good for you! Cooking big meals isn't easy but it does get easier with practice.
Very impressive!! I have yet to cook more than two dishes for Thanksgiving. I'm also terrified of cooking a turkey. Our place is truly too small to host our whole family, so we will be going to my sister-in-law's house again and I'll be bringing my homemade sweet potato casserole and baked mac and cheese!
Your pre thanksgiving looks so fab and delicious!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
So impressed! I could never cook all of that!