A Haven for Vee

Friday, November 29, 2013

The Day After


Thanksgiving eve with the dishes washed and ready for the table and the tree up. We put it up on Tuesday taking our chance to get a skip ahead of things. This could start a new tradition around here; although, I am reminded of the cartoon of the Pilgrims chasing Santa Claus with drumsticks in their hands. 

That apple pie was the best idea I've had in months. The town library had its annual pie sale and I made sure that I had a book to be returned on the very day. John was obliging and came home with a pie. ☺ Little did I know that he had come home with our daughter-in-law's mother's pie. Win-win! I didn't have to make it and it is delicious!

And that's all I have to show you concerning Thanksgiving. Not one photo beyond that one did I take. The grands are not happy to have their photos taken any longer so I didn't push it. We had a lovely dinner. I made a Slow Roasted Turkey following Deanna's directions *here* and it was delicious and moist, my daughter brought all manner of goodies and a crudite platter; my son made the rolls (heavenly) and a delicious pumpkin pie. I made Trisha Yearwood's Pecan Pie, and a chocolate cream. That's four pies for seven people! Just the way we like it. 

We watched a Christmas movie in the afternoon, snacked a bit, and parted ways sometime after eight. A lovely day all in all. One thing is certain, I must work on getting a larger table. The boys are growing!

The pile of dishes rinsed and ready for washing was simply too overwhelming last night so I left them for this morning when I thought I might have more energy. 


 Then I thought I'd do a lot of decorating, but in the end I am too tired yet. It's come down to having John bring home this sweet vertical birch log centerpiece he made for me and hanging a wreath that a local family makes and sells door to door. I am happy that I was able to buy another one this year. It makes the third year.



So minor moves toward Christmas decorating. I have smashed a few pumpkins for the squirrels and birds and have a few more to go. The bittersweet must be pitched. Darn. I do love it. Wonder what it would look like with evergreens. How bad could it be?

And how is your decorating going? Did you go Black Friday shopping?

45 comments:

  1. Looks so beautiful, Vee, and sounds wonderful. I had a serious mishap and am confined to my couch. I barely made it through the day, really don't know how I did it. Not sure I am ready to blog about it. xo

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  2. Oh I'm a bit jealous to see Christmas trees up and pretty. Too bad the tree elves didn't come and put one up for me last night. Glad you had a banner 4 pie celebration. I think we only had 5 pies for 45 people but there were other desserts, too. I'm so tired today because I was the kitchen help for my friend and scrubbed oh so many pots last night! I slept long into the morning and I'm still sitting doing nothing but watching our rival college football game and typing away...in my robe...

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  3. My decorating is all but done, (you know we all like to tweak it a bit through the season!) and I NEVER go out on Black Friday. The worst day of the year to shop if you ask me. I am home in my stretchy pants recovering from yesterday's dinner and browsing the gifts online. Bliss:>) I'm glad you had a wonderful day!

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  4. Vee...I just posted about the mess on my dining room table...all the fall decor ready to be put away for another year. Christmas is still boxed up but at least the boxes got into the house from the garage. I have some bittersweet that I plan on keeping for next year,,,let's see if it makes it :) Actually, it might be pretty with the greenery!

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  5. You are ahead of me with the Christmas decorating. I love John's centerpiece. A fresh wreath on the door is so welcoming.

    We are being very lazy today. Can't muster up any energy to replace all the burned out lights on our trees.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  6. Your tree is beautiful. It sounds like you had a perfect day. Except for the dishes. I do hate dishes but luckily my sister knows and never makes me feel guilty for just watching.

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  7. Your home is looking beautiful! Gracious, all those pies! Sounds like you had a feast and a good time. Our decorating is done. And no Black Friday shopping here. I might break down and make an internet purchase or two after dinner tonight. But no, we don't venture out into the madness.

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  8. Very pretty Vee!! No shopping here, flat broke till Tuesday. We have to get a Christmas tree, ours finally bit the dust after 20+ years..Very lovely photos, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Between a family wedding Saturday, Sunday a birthday Wednesday and Thanksgiving Thursday, I am whooped also. What a wonderful time however to enjoy all those we love and such good food. Loved your post for today,.

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  10. I think the bittersweet is perfect for Christmas - your tree lovely!

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  11. This is the first year my big tree didn't go up the day after Thanksgiving either. I managed to get my 4 boxes of autumn and all the Thanksgiving dishes put away - and my little skinny tree up in the loft and a very few little things out for Christmas but that's it. Thought my niece was coming today so I kinda waited for her, then I took a nap because I didn't sleep well last night - and have been exhausted too all day. SO that's as far as I got. I am disappointed in myself, but tomorrow is another day. Who knows maybe I will get a second wind after eating the dessert I just consumed, we shall see.

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  12. Well since we celebrated Thanksgiving just today I am in the chair rather exhausted. I made the turkey ahead, over night as you did taking Deanne's recipe. It fell off the bone so I may have overcooked it. No Christmas here yet but maybe tomorrow…we'll see. I have some nieces here for the weekend so it may be good to in list their help, they have lots of energy!

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  13. The wreath for your door is beautiful. I hope I can get a live one this year, too. We can open our door and just have the glass storm door closed and enjoy the scent inside part of the day, too. Enjoy your weekend. Didn't we just have a weekend? heehee! Hugs!

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  14. Sounds like the perfect day with your family and your photographs are so beautiful Vee. Your tree looks gorgeous. It was just the two of us so I made a smaller version of a traditional turkey dinner...it was quiet but nice....oh but the dishes....I only had a few compared to you and thank goodness....because wouldn't you know it....the dishwasher decided to die so I'll be doing them all in my dishpan for a while now. Guess there was a reason I didn't have a lot of people...I'd probably still be at the sink. : ) Hugs

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  15. Vee, Such lovely pictures..and your Thanksgiving sounds near perfect..I think you are ahead of me since I don't even have a wreath on our door yet. I am too tired from the Thanksgiving prep, etc..maybe tomorrow..
    Love,Mona

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  16. The tree looks nice Vee. My decorating is finished, such as it is and I really like the birch log candles John has made. I'm making an apple pie for dessert Saturday night and hope mine turns out yummy.

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  17. I love the photo of your Christmas tree. Beautiful! Sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and lots of pie too. I think the bittersweet would look pretty with the evergreens myself. Add a burlap bow or ribbon and it would be really country style. ;) I didn't go shopping today and I hear there was a huge crowd at our mall so I'm glad I stayed home. The sales here will continue all weekend. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. We have snow coming for Sunday. Do you? Enjoy your weekend.

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  18. Aww Vee - sounds like you had a piefect, I mean perfect Thanksgiving! Just started the decorating this afternoon and evening - no Black Friday Shopping for this gal today - yes, we even are starting to have it here in Ontario!! I am happy to have "begun" the decorating - I was afraid I wouldn't have the energy but now I'm feeling better about it all! Have a relaxing weekend my friend.

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  19. I've done a little shopping online today, but haven't left the house. Thanksgiving was wonderful as always and I'm hoping to start a little decorating this weekend.

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  20. Hi Vee,

    I love all these pictures, but the first one is just gorgeous! I love the tree with the white lights, the crystal goblets sparkling in the light from the tree, your pie stand with homemade pie, your wonderful bookshelves, and the blue hour showing through the windows in the background. What a perfect scene you captured. I also LOVE the birch log centerpiece that John made for you; what a dear man. It sounds like you had a perfect day of family food, togetherness, and being thankful. I hope you'll feel more rested tomorrow.

    I'll have to remember the cartoon about the pilgrims chasing Santa Claus -- too funny. :-D Have a wonderful weekend, Vee.

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  21. Everything looks beautiful at your place!

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  22. It all looks so beautiful Vee. You have a special touch that gives us a longing to to pop in and stay a bit.
    Now.. I want some pie. It's a good thing I made a pumpkin pie yesterday for our American Thanksgiving. I think there are two tiny pieces left.

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  23. Your home looks so bright and lovely. How wonderful that you described your day to us - it sounds wonderful, relaxed and full of love. The pies, oh the pies! Deliciousness quadrupled. I'll take a piece of pecan if there's any left.

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  24. Meant to get our tree up yesterday...but, too tired. It IS out of the closet, along with tubs of decos and will get to it this morning, after breakfast.
    I never, EVER go shopping on Black Friday.....we don't even get out of the house.
    I wish we had someone coming door to door with beautiful, real wreaths. Yours is just beautiful, as well as your tree.
    Glad you had a good Thanksgiving...we did, too. Such a blessing.
    xoxo

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  25. No shopping, but I was tempted by Half-Price books. I'll hit the stores -- to look-- next week. I love looking at all the decorations. Sounds like you had the perfect Thanksgiving -- 4 pies! Apple pie is my favorite -- hands down -- all time. I've never been fond of pumpkin, but I'll eat it. ;0) Lovely tree. Mine are up but not decorated -- I'll start today. Happy Happy with a little Joy Joy Joy!

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  26. Your photo looks so inviting with the lit tree in the background Vee. Love your apple pie story! very smart. We are enjoying the company of my brother from out of town this weekend and stalling our transformation til Monday. We'll have it all up and ready for the "sweetie girls" to decorate next weekend when they come for the whole weekend. It will be fun and chaos I'm sure.

    Loved your post on our pilgrim heritage. Was it not for our ancestors that decided to come to America our lives would have been quite different - born in a different country. I shudder to think about it.

    Blessings, Edie Marie

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  27. Vee, you had the perfect day. Your photo is lovely - really beautiful to me.

    I've done some decorating but the rest will be done today. The tree may wait until Monday.

    Emily and I were out yesterday for groceries - we could live on leftovers alone! We also were able to do a bit of shopping at one store we were at already. Good prices, and thankfully not crowded nor were there any ridiculous people!

    Deanna

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  28. Your photos are just enough to let us know that love and warmth (along with some delicious food) was shared at your home on Thanksgiving. Your son makes rolls and pies? Whoa, I'm impressed and may need to let my own sons read this post.
    Your early touches of Christmas are so pretty. John is very talented at turning birch logs into beautiful decorative pieces.
    No Black Friday shopping here yesterday, but I got a pretty good start on the Christmas decorating.
    I'm still looking at a bowl full of gourds and a few pumpkins. I'll have to follow your lead and get out there and do some smashing.
    Hope you are now enjoying some time to relax.

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  29. What a lovely feel to your post .
    I got some great ideas too Vee.
    Those birch wood candles are great.
    Now I am off to smash those pumpkins and set them down back for the squirrels :))

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  30. We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, eating late because one of my sons had to work. I did almost all of the cooking. Then I spent all yesterday working a jigsaw puzzle and being lazy. We won't start Christmas decorating til next week. We get a real tree, but that needs to wait til payday:)

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  31. Everything at your house looks lovely. I have not ventured out of the house since before Thanksgiving. I finished putting all the Fall up in the attic yesterday and decided not to bring down the December totes. Not sure why. I'd love to get ahold of some of those birch pieces.

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  32. Vee,
    Started our decorating this morning and just doing a little bit at a time. The trunk of the tree is not completely straight but we will live with it.

    The meal was wonderful. I shall finish the turkey for lunch. Now to plan the Christmas meals! Love this time of the year!

    And NO to shopping the past few days.


    Carol

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  33. I ran to HL which was crazy! got my main tree up....with my hubby's help....the rest will come a little each day.....Ii am learning to just enjoy what I can do, when I can do it. So glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  34. Sounds like a lovely Thanksgiving and you had any early jump on Christmas.
    I'm waiting until after family is gone and then I'll start on Christmas. They are leaving in the morning. I've LOVED having them here, but am ready to get the house back to ourselves. : )
    No, no shopping for us. We've been having too much fun!!

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  35. Your tree is beautiful Vee. I just started decorating yesterday. Our tree is up and partially decorated, the boxes of Christmas decorations are piled all over the den. I plan on spending the next few days decorating.

    No black Friday for me!

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  36. i may copy your idea next year and put my
    tree up befoer thanksgiving. i love that you
    no longer take photos of the grands, because
    they don't like it. they must LOVE you!

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  37. What a perfectly lovely Thanksgiving!! I love those birch log lights! John is so talented!
    We brought all the pumpkins from our porch as well as Amber's down here to the ranch to feed to the goats and chickens.
    Black Friday? I should think NOT!

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  38. Sounds like you had a lovely Thanksgiving, Vee. We had four pies at our feast, too. I'm loving those vertical birch logs that John made. Now, it's on to the beginnings of our next holiday. xo

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  39. Glad you had a fine time with your family on Thursday...and a yummy meal, by the sound of it! We were away at a conference in the city...and had a 'gala' turkey dinner on Thursday night. I'm sure the menu was chosen to honour your Thanksgiving. So we celebrated and gave thanks with you!

    There's not much decorating happening here yet...other than the outdoor lights. I'm preparing for our Christmas Cookie baking class next week...so the decor will have to wait.

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  40. It sounds like a perfectly lovely day! I love that you simplified your life with a purchased apple pie...and with saving the dishes for the next morning. I am finding that I need to simplify in this season. I am making conscious choices to do just that. It is not in my nature...but I am feeling the relief when I choose to simplify things.

    I love, love the first photo in this post. It has a magical quality! You have a great new header too!

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  41. Your Thanksgiving sounds lovely, Vee!

    We began decorating the outside of the house today as the weather was warm enough for no coats! We are expecting a big temperature drop by the middle of the week when an arctic blast comes down, so we hurried to get it all done. I will slowly begin to decorate inside during the week. V will be in NYC this week and I'll be here busy babysitting, but I hope to get a little done each evening. We will get a live tree next weekend, but we will also have a house guest that weekend so I probably much won't get done as far as decorating the tree. I am also writing my Christmas cards this week.

    No black Friday shopping for me --the crowds are too crazy to deal with! I love to shop online :)

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  42. Hello dear Vee
    A very streamlined Thanksgiving - how lovely you are thinking of getting a larger table to accommodate the growing grands!
    Your photo of the sideboard laden with goodies for the table, the twinkling Christmas tree and the books is one of my favorites - evokes everything about a family gathering together - it's beautiful.
    Our television news had a piece about Black Friday shopping - it looked hideous with the crowds of people pushing and tugging - I can't cope with that sort of thing any more!!!!!!!!!
    We have similar sales on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day) and many people wait to buy their Christmas presents on that day....... to them it's only about presents and not about His presence.

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  43. I came h ere the other day Vee and meant to come back and comment. This is the coziest blog, it made me even more excited heading into December. I still think John's birch log candle holders are amazing. In Texas, we have nothing like that. I think he could sell thousands of them down here!!

    I had to chuckle at 4 pies for 7 people... just the way we like it! :)

    No Black Friday for me... earlier and later, but not on that day!

    I love bittersweet, another thing that is rare in Texas, it would be beautiful with fresh pine. Do it!

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  44. Hello Vee, I think I am always the last one to leave a comment on every single blog! Yet, I do not feel late, just maybe a slow typer! LOL
    I am so glad to know you, and I think our Lord is close in His second coming...
    I will wait or meet Him when my days are done!
    Blessings and His Peace, Roxy

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