Giving Thanks

The month of November has arrived and with it comes the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. Over the river and through the woods, we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings.

It is time for the 2nd annual "Giving Thanks!" Many of you participated last year and it was so much fun! November 17-20 (Mon.-Thurs.), I will post a daily cleaning challenge (with before and after pictures!) a poem or prayer, and a Thanksgiving project (craft, recipe, decorating idea).

Everyone who participates and signs the daily Mr. Linky will be entered into a giveaway at the end of the week! Each day you participate, your name will be entered. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Here are some things you could post about:
-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions and memories
-Recipes
-Crafts
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

The prizes will be collection of gifts for you and your home, to welcome in the Christmas season. I will share pictures next weekend.

Feel free to use the "Giving Thanks" button on your blog. Here is the code:

<a href="http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1862088856_8b77801b21_o.jpg" alt="Giving Thanks" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></a>



I hope you will join me as we prepare for Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks

Tomorrow is the beginning of our ~Giving Thanks~ celebration. Let's take these next four days (Monday-Thursday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will share a Thanksgiving project, daily cleaning challenge and a poem.

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky will be available for you to sign and here are some things you could share:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions and memories
-Recipes
-Crafts
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Everyone who participates and signs the daily Mr. Linky will be entered into a giveaway at the end of the week! Each day you participate, your name will be entered. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all four days for four entries, etc.

The prizes are a collection of gifts for you and your home, to welcome in the Christmas season...




Two Christmas plates and matching mugs; perfect for hot chocolate and cookies.




Peppermint Room Fragrance




Pinecone candles


Two berry wreath candles


A Christmas kitchen towel, a selection of 6 Christmas teas, chocolates and mini scottie dog notecards.

Feel free to use the "Giving Thanks" button on your blog. Here is the code:

<a href="http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1862088856_8b77801b21_o.jpg" alt="Giving Thanks" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></a>



I hope you will join me as we prepare for Thanksgiving!

Wednesday ~ Giving Thanks

Welcome to day three of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We are taking this week (Monday-Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will be posting a Thanksgiving related activity, cleaning challenge and Words of Thanksgiving. They will be located directly below this post!
Mr. Linky is available for you to join in and here are some things you could share:
-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Thank you to all who have joined in so far! I have really enjoyed your Thanksgiving posts!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.
2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.
3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.
Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Have fun! We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Saturday ~ Giving Thanks

This is the last day for our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We have taken this week (Monday through Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. My daily cleaning challenge, activity and words of Thanksgiving are located directly before this post!

Mr. Linky is available for you to join in and here are some things you could share:
-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.
2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.
3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.
Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Have fun!

Giving Thanks ~ Tuesday

Welcome to the second day of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We are taking this week (Monday-Thursday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. My Thanksgiving project, daily cleaning challenge and poem, are located directly below this post.

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share on your blog:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all four days for four entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others know where to join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post. Go HERE for the picture code.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL. People will be looking through these links all week long. If you link to your main page, it will be harder to find your post. Go HERE for instructions on how to do this.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easier to read, please type your first name only and a 1-2 word description. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Giving Thanks ~ Monday

Welcome to the first day of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! Let's take these next four days (Monday-Thursday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will share a Thanksgiving project, daily cleaning challenge and poem, all of which are located directly below this post.

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share on your blog:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all four days for four entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others know where to join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post. Go HERE for the picture code.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL. People will be looking through these links all week long. If you link to your main page, it will be harder to find your post. Go HERE for instructions on how to do this.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easier to read, please type your first name only and a 1-2 word description. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Thursday ~ Giving Thanks

Welcome to day four of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We are taking this week (Monday-Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will be posting a Thanksgiving related activity, cleaning challenge and Words of Thanksgiving. They will be located directly below this post!

Mr. Linky is available for you to join in and here are some things you could share:
-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.
2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.
3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.
Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Thank you to all who have joined in!! I apologize if I have not stopped by to comment yet. I will visit you soon!

Monday ~ Giving Thanks

Welcome to the beginning of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! Doesn't it seem like Thanksgiving is being pushed aside more and more each year? The stores are already playing Christmas music in many parts of the country!

Let's take these next six days (Monday-Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will be posting a Thanksgiving related activity, cleaning challenge and Words of Thanksgiving. They will be located directly below this post!

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Have fun! We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Giving Thanks ~ Thursday

Welcome to the last day of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We have taken this week to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. I am thankful that so many of you have joined in and shared such special things. My Thanksgiving project, daily cleaning challenge and poem, are located directly below this post, along with Paper Crafting Thursday.

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share on your blog:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all four days for four entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others know where to join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post. Go HERE for the picture code.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL. People will be looking through these links all week long. If you link to your main page, it will be harder to find your post. Go HERE for instructions on how to do this.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easier to read, please type your first name only and a 1-2 word description. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Giving Thanks ~ Wednesday

Welcome to the third day of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We are taking this week (Monday-Thursday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. My Thanksgiving project, daily cleaning challenge and poem, are located directly below this post.

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share on your blog:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all four days for four entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others know where to join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post. Go HERE for the picture code.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL. People will be looking through these links all week long. If you link to your main page, it will be harder to find your post. Go HERE for instructions on how to do this.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easier to read, please type your first name only and a 1-2 word description. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

We are looking forward to what you have to share!

It looks like the Mr. Linky website is down right now. Hopefully it will be up soon, but in the meantime, please leave your link in the comments and I will add it later.

Tuesday ~ Giving Thanks

Welcome to the day two of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! Doesn't it seem like Thanksgiving is being pushed aside more and more each year? The stores are already playing Christmas music in many parts of the country!

Let's take this week (Monday-Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will be posting a Thanksgiving related activity, cleaning challenge and Words of Thanksgiving. They will be located directly below this post!

I would love for you to join in the fun! Mr. Linky is available for you to sign and here are some things you could share:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.

2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.

3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.

Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Have fun! We are looking forward to what you have to share!

Friday ~ Giving Thanks

Welcome to day five of our "Giving Thanks" celebration! We are taking this week (Monday-Saturday) to prepare our hearts and homes for this wonderful time of year. Each day I will be posting a Thanksgiving related activity, cleaning challenge and Words of Thanksgiving. They will be located directly below this post!

Mr. Linky is available for you to join in and here are some things you could share:
-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions or memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

Remember, everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into a drawing at the end of the week! Go HERE to see the prizes. Each day you participate, your name will be entered into the giveaway drawing. If you participate two days, your name will be entered twice, join us all five days for five entries, etc.

Please read the participating instructions carefully:

1. Write a Thanksgiving post on your blog. Link back to There is No Place Like Home so that others can join in. You may use the "Giving Thanks" button located at the top of this post.
2. When signing Mr. Linky, you must link directly to your "Giving Thanks" post and not your homepage URL.
3. In order to make the Mr. Linky list easy to read, please type your first name only. You may also add a 1-2 word description of what you are sharing. Example: Kelli-Recipe.
Note: Mr. Linky will be up at 12:00am Eastern time each day.

Have fun!

~Giving Thanks~

The month of November has arrived and with it comes the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. Over the river and through the woods, we gather with family and friends to give thanks for our many blessings.

During the week of November 12-17 (Monday through Saturday), I will be sharing decorating ideas, crafts, poems, songs, prayers, "after dinner" games, table settings, activities for children, and a daily cleaning schedule (with before and after pictures!).

Here is where the fun part comes in. I'm going to post a Mr. Linky, so you can join in too! Here are some things you could share:

-What you are thankful for
-Thanksgiving traditions and memories
-Recipes
-Craft Ideas
-Decorating ideas
-Your menu
-Cleaning/Organizing "before" and "after" pictures
-Anything having to do with Thanksgiving!

In thankfulness for all of my friends here in blogland, the week will end with a giveaway! Everyone who participates and signs Mr. Linky will be entered into the drawing.

The prizes are a collection of gifts for you and your home, to welcome in the Christmas season!


~Six red damask napkins. The bronze tray is also included.


~A five foot jewel tone beaded garland, perfect for candle or napkin rings.
~A glittery pinecone candle.


~Two Christmas mugs, complete with lids to keep your drink warm!


~Two bags of each of the following flavors of tea: Holiday Spice, Silent Night, Happy Holidays, Peppermint, Gingerbread Boy, and Sleigh Ride.
~Festive shaped shortbread cookies.


~Snowman themed mini-cards, post-its, a journal, and notepad, so you can get a jump start on your Christmas planning!

The winner will be announced Monday, November 19.

Here is a "Giving Thanks" button that you are welcome to use on your blog.


I hope you will join me next week as we prepare for Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks

This is a reminder that "Giving Thanks" begins this coming Monday. I will be sharing a daily cleaning schedule (with before and after pictures), decorating ideas, crafts, poems, prayers, games, table settings, and activities for children, and I would LOVE for you to join me!

Please go HERE for all the details, including pictures of the giveaway prizes!

Mr. Linky will be up on Monday at 12:00am EST.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Hello everyone! I'm sure you are all wanting to know who the winner of the "Giving Thanks" giveaway is. I'm happy to announce that the lucky lady is from the blog Capturing Today! Congratulations! I also noticed on your blog that today is your birthday, so Happy Birthday too! Please email me your address and I will get your gifts sent out right away!

Thank you to all who joined in with me this past week! You all put so much time and thought into your posts and it was wonderful to see all the ways that you have prepared for this upcoming time of Thanksgiving. You kept me motivated while doing the daily cleaning challenges and inspired me with your Thanksgiving traditions, memories, recipes, crafts, poems and prayers. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful things this week. I couldn't ask for a better group of blogging friends!



If you need any last minute Thanksgiving decorating, craft or recipe ideas, here are some posts from this past week's "Giving Thanks" celebration.

Making a Cornucopia

Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

Stamped Paper Napkins

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Refrigerator Dinner Rolls

Holiday Sparkle Drink

After Dinner Games



We are going to be having a fun-filled week. All of Phillip's family will be together this Thanksgiving and we will be eating dinner at his mom and dad's house. On Friday, everyone will be coming over to our house for another big dinner. Here are some things I'm looking forward to this week:

-Planning our dinner menu with the girls and Benjamin
-Shopping for our turkey
-Baking pies
-Making our thankful tree
-Colder weather that is expected to arrive on Wednesday
-Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade
-Visiting and laughing with family and friends

Phillip will be off for the entire week after Thanksgiving so we can put the finishing touches on the winter edition of Seasonal Delights, due December 3, 2007.



I do have something to share with you on the day after Thanksgiving. A special way to welcome in the Christmas season, so be sure to come visit me! Other than that, I will be taking a break and enjoying this time of year with my family.

I would like to wish you and your family a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

~Kelli

Weekend Chit~Chat

Good afternoon! The weather has finally turned cold and we have pulled out our slippers and quilts.


Poor Daisy has infections in both ears and a UTI, so she is enjoying some extra snuggle time, too.

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our ~Giving Thanks~ week. Thank you for opening your homes to us here in blog land, and for sharing such wonderful Thanksgiving blessings.

I used random.org for the giveaway and Gapgirl from If Only Everyone Thought This Way is the lucky winner. Congratulations! Please email your address and I'll get your prizes in the mail.

We have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and I am especially thankful for all of you and your friendship. Thank you again, for joining in and I'm looking forward to another ~Giving Thanks~ celebration next year!

Please note: Paper Crafting Thursday and Show and Tell Friday will take a one week break due to Thanksgiving.

Thursday ~ Giving Thanks

Hello everyone! My good friend Cris from From Our Home to Yours emailed me last night to ask if I would add her name to Mr. Linky since she was going out of town for a few days. I said I would be happy too, but for some reason when 11:00pm came around last night, I completely forgot about it! Ahhh!

Please go visit her today and see her delicious looking Pumpkin Spice Bread. The pictures have my mouth watering! Cris, please forgive me for forgetting about your link!

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Giving Thanks

I have lots of fun things planned for the week of November 12-17, so come back tomorrow and I will tell you all about it!

Stocking the Holiday Pantry ~ Giving Thanks

Grocery stores have great sales on holiday baking staples right now, so this is a great time to stock up. Take a look at the recipes you know you will be preparing, and make a master list of the ingredients. Keep the list in your purse, along with any coupons, so each time you go to the grocery store, you are prepared. By purchasing a few items each week, you won't break your budget!

~Pantry Staples~

Basics:
All-purpose flour
Baking soda and powder
Salt
Brown sugar
White sugar
Confectioner's sugar
Cornstarch
Oats
Yeast
Vanilla
Cocoa
Baking chocolate
Chocolate chips
Nuts
Dried fruit
Coconut
Graham cracker crumbs
Pre-made graham cracker crusts
Almond bark

Canned Goods:
Evaporated Milk
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pumpkin

Dry Seasonings:
Allspice
Cinnamon
Ginger
Cloves
Nutmeg

Condiments:
Molasses
Corn Syrup
Peanut Butter
Honey

Oils:
Vegetable oil
Shortening
Cooking spray

Feel free to add to the list in the comments!

New Special Things

Hello everyone! I'm happy to hear of the interest in the "Giving Thanks" feature that will start next week. I'm looking forward to seeing what you all have to share! Also, thank you for coming along with me for a "walk in the woods" earlier in the week.

Today, I would like to show you a few treasures I brought back from my trip. I found this pair of reading glasses at an antique store. I'm not sure how old they are, but since they are very tiny and fragile, I'm going to pretend they are from long ago. ;0)




I also found these four vintage keys. I plan on adding a red bow to each one, and hanging them on our Christmas tree!


One of the highlights of my trip, was driving through the state of New York. The rolling hills covered with Autumn colors were amazing! Here is the view from a little farm we stopped at, that was selling maple syrup.


I payed $30.00 for this gallon of New York Grade A maple syrup. I hope that's a good deal!


The first thing I made were Heather's Maple Muffins. They are my favorite maple treat!


When I arrived back home, Phillip had something new waiting for me, too. This IKEA kitchen cart is perfect for some extra baking space.


When it's not in use, we keep it tucked in the corner of the kitchen. Phillip also surprised me by hanging up this towel rack.


For now it holds all of my Autumn themed kitchen towels.


Thank you for looking at my new special things!