Thanksgiving was held at our house last week and was lots of work, but well worth it.  There was so much food (oh my goodness, the leftovers) and lots of good times had by all.  I especially love how all of our family is together at Thanksgiving, not just my side but my husband’s family too… and to me, they’re all our family and all so special to us both.  There was lots of cooking and baking (I decided at the last minute to stick to my tried-and-true Oatmeal Raisin recipe but I do have to try Smitten Kitchen’s recipe soon) and of course, my favorite part was dessert.  My husband and I ordered a delicious turkey from Wholefoods and it was his first time carving the holiday bird (and he did a great job, thanks to a few videos from youtube!).

After Thanksgiving had officially passed this weekend, we decided to get going on Christmas decorations since it’s not that too far away.  We spent this past Sunday night relaxing in our pj’s and decorating the tree; or rather, I decorated it while my husband sat and read a book on the couch.  However, it was still a sublime evening with Christmas music playing, a fire blazing in the fireplace, homemade soup and hot apple cider for dinner, and our kitties joining us for the relaxing evening too.  It’s past all the hustle and bustle of the holidays to these special moments at home with my loved ones that I really enjoy and always pine for.

I hope you made lots of wonderful holiday memories with your family this past week too!

{for more of my photos, check out my Flickr}

Although it’s a day early, I wanted to wish all of you that celebrate it a very happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.  I’ve got lots of work to finish up on before I begin my crazed cleaning and cookie-making mania tonight.

I will be taking Thursday and Friday off this week from blogland, and will be back here on Monday.  Enjoy your time with friends and family, and hope you eat lots of delicious food and make lovely memories!

- Colleen

This Thanksgiving I’m on baking duty: specifically cookie duty.  Not everyone is a huge pie person; wait, let me restate that.  I’m not a big pie person and only recently learned to like pie, but only apple, blueberry, and fruit-of-the-forest… no pecan or pumpkin for me (my sister would call that complete crazy talk).  With past Thanksgivings in mind where pie was the only option, I’m making some finger food desserts that are sure to please everyone, one of which will be oatmeal raisin cookies.  I have a great recipe already, but this one from Smitten Kitchen is making me think perhaps I can try an alternate.  My brother-in-law has been asking for me to bake oatmeal raisin cookies for about two years now, so they’ve got to be good (or else).  I think with my most recent recipe from Smitten Kitchen being a success, this one will definitely do the trick.

Thick, Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (via Smitten Kitchen)

{image shown belongs to Smitten Kitchen}

Hooray!!  One of my favorite illustrators and stationers, Rifle, finally opened their shop, and it was very much worth the wait.  Anna Bond’s lovely greeting cards, stationery, holiday items, and lots of other types of paper goodies are waiting for you to scoop them up.  Just in time for holiday shopping too!

{images shown belong to Rifle Paper Co.}

Fantastic (and yes, bold) screenprints that I’m coveting from Bold & Noble over on Etsy…

{images shown belong to Bold & Noble}

With Thanksgiving being only a week away, I’m thinking of simple and beautiful ways to dress up the table.  Of course, Martha is always full of ideas: from placecards, to centerpieces, to table decor.  I’m really liking those squirrels… too cute.

{images shown belong to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.}

I am a BIG stickler for love notes, and I often stick them in with my husband’s bagged lunches.  However, he’s not so much a card person… when I ask what was in his lunch bag he’ll simply reply, “oh ya, thanks for the note.”  I’m always slightly disappointed because I want him to know how much I love him and to be touched by my thoughtfulness.  And as much as I’m writing a note to him simply because I love him, I have to be honest and admit that I would like to receive one in return!

After reading about these letterpress love notes by Truly Smitten (via Oh So Beautiful Paper), my heart has seriously melted.  An very romantic husband had these printed for every time his wife works an overnight shift at a hospital, where he always writes her a note to come home and read.  How sweet is that!  And, these are beautifully printed.  Love notes and letterpress?  I’m over the moon for this.

{images shown belong to Truly Smitten}

With fall winding down and cooling into winter (it’s not that far off), I’m enjoying these atmospheric images from bloom-grow-love’s Flickr group, Harvest.  Alicia Bock is such a talented photographer.  Check out her Etsy shop too.

{images shown belong to bloom-grow-love and Alicia Bock}

I am in awe of these photographed portraits of jellyfish, captured by Guido Mocafico (found via paper tastebuds).  He also has some stunnning images of snakes and incredible interpretations of traditional still lives.  Definitely look through his entire portfolio.

{images shown belong to Guido Mocafico}

Looking outside the trees are bare, the sky is grey, and the wind is howling.  But inside, I am toasty warm and cozy, thanks to my cup of fantastic hot cocoa.  I’m on a kick lately with making things from scratch, cutting out preservatives and any unnecessary ingredients, and hot cocoa is one of those things that is so simple to make I’m almost embarrassed I used the packet-stuff for so long.  Sugar, cocoa powder, and milk… that’s it!  I have a few cocoa powders that I love: Green & Black’s, Lake Champlain, and Droste (from Holland).  The following recipe is from the Droste box:

• 2 tsps cocoa powder
• 2 heaping tsps sugar
• 1 cup milk

Mix cocoa and sugar in a cup or mug.  Add just enough milk to stir into a paste.  Add hot milk and stir until mixed.  (*I heat the milk in a small saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly so the bottom doesn’t burn).

This is a super quick and easy way to make a fabulous cup of hot cocoa.  I’d say for me I have a cup in about 3-5 minutes, about the same time it takes to boil water for the packet-stuff.  I also use a battery-powered electric whisk to mix everything well and get a perfectly frothy top.  Definitely treat yourself to the good stuff… you won’t be going back.

{for more of my cooking photos, check out my Flickr}