Half Full

I have always been a "the glass is half empty" kind of person. I'm always beating myself up for choices I regret, tasks I haven't completed, goals I haven't met, and perfection I haven't achieved. I really need to change that philosophy, so, while I sit here lamenting all that I didn't get done this weekend, I'm going to list that which I did accomplish, in the hopes of slowly starting to change my outlook. So:

• I had friends over for a playdate
• I attended Eli's school art walk (it's an art show hosted by local businesses)
• I spent quality time early Saturday morning with Eli before Seth and Sadie woke up and we snuggled on the couch while I got caught up on everything he never tells me about school. :)
• I ran critical errands at Target
• I ran non-critical errands at Cost Plus and now own two matching tablecloths and a matching set of twelve napkins for when we entertain large groups (like at Thanksgiving ;))
• I made sure Eli finished all of his homework and did the parent-child assignment with him
• I took Sadie to a birthday party
• I went out to dinner with my family and had yummy Thai food
  
• I made homemade turkey-apple sausage for breakfast
  
• I packaged up a card that had been requested by Cards magazine and filled out all of the necessary accompanying paperwork
• I watched TV after the kids went to bed one night and saw an episode of "House Hunters," one of "What Not to Wear," and discovered that reality TV really has no limits when I stumbled onto "Say Yes to the Dress"
  
• I took photos of the kids for our holiday card and drafted a digital design for the card. Here are two that I love that didn't make the cut:
  

• I did two loads of laundry
• I snuggled Sadie while we watched "The Wizard of Oz" (and marveled at the fact that she wasn't really scared)
• I started two scrapbook pages
• I cheered Eli on at his basketball game

Seems to me like the glass is more than full! I ought to do a list like this every day!

Thinking About Thanksgiving

I immortalized last year's menu in this layout because it was amazingly delicious. I will now share the recipes with all of you (well, at least those those that can be linked here). Most of them come from my favorite recipe site, Epicurious, which is the archive for all recipes from both Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines. If I've altered a recipe at all or if I have helpful hints to offer I've noted that in parentheses after the recipe link.

• Potato and Fennel Gratin with Gruyere and Creme Fraiche (Substitute two large fennel bulbs for half of the potatoes; slice the fennel bulbs very thinly and either saute or steam the fennel until tender and then layer in with the potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are the best here!)
• Smashed Red Potatoes with Ancho Chiles and Dry Jack Cheese
• Root Beer Carrots (I know it sounds crazy, but these are amazing, and work well with the rest of the gourmet food.)
• Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Shallots (Yes, I changed the title - it didn't sound fancy enough billed as "hash" :P.)
• Paula's Big Hit 1977 Thanksgiving Stuffing (My mom's concoction from, yes, 1977 - it's VERY 70s, but so good we still make it every year! She threw random things together and they worked.)
• Baked Yams with Cranberry-Oatmeal Streusel (Recipe courtesy of a family friend)
• Brined Herb-Butter Roasted Turkey with Pan Gravy (Seth brines the turkey overnight and then we take scary amounts of butter, like 2 sticks' worth, let it soften, and mix it with chopped fresh herbs: sage, thyme, and marjoram. The butter goes on the breast under the skin and also gets smeared all over the skin itself. The turkey goes on a rack in a roasting pan and we shove several onions, carrots, celery ribs, and oranges cut into big chunks under the turkey. After the turkey is done, the pan juices make the most amazing gravy!)
• Maple Cranberry Sauce (I leave out the maple extract - it's great without it!)
• Honey and Spice Cranberry Sauce
• Pear Chutney
  
• Pumpkin Chocolate Tart with Vanilla Whipped Cream (toss some vanilla into cream before whipping)
• Turkey-shaped Sugar Cookies (Okay, we cheated here. We bought sugar cookie mix in a pouch, followed the directions, cut them out with a turkey-shaped cookie cutter, and decorated them with frosting and fall-themed sprinkles.)

I can't believe I have to wait nearly two weeks for Thanksgiving! Ack!

Warning: Slice Enabling Ahead

Slice + Patterned Paper + Cheapo Target Frame That's Been Hanging Around My House For An Eon Collecting Dust =


Details:
Making Memories Slice
Making Memories Fall/Back to School Slice Cartridge
White Bazzill Orange Peel Texture Cardstock
Eight 4" Owls and One 4"Tree, Patterned Papers L to R:

• Row 1: KI Memories, KI Memories, October Afternoon
• Row 2: October Afternoon, Scenic Route, Scenic Route
• Row 3: KI Memories, October Afternoon, Imaginisce

This piece will go in Sadie's room once we rearrange. We're getting an art table in there and moving some furniture around.

Now...for another project...I demonstrated this as a make-and-take at my LSS, Scrapbook Destination, yesterday:

Slice + Cardstock + Ribbon =

Details:
Making Memories Slice
Making Memories Fall/Back to School (Turkeys and Leaves) and Basics 1 Cartridges (Tag)
Bazzill & Prism Cardstock
American Crafts Ribbon

Directions:

1. Cut a 1.5" X 11" strip of kraft cardstock
2. Score the strip 1" from each end and at the midpoint (5.5")
   
3. Fold on the scored lines and adhere one of the 1" flaps inside the other to form the flat bottom of the placecard
   
4. Using three different colors of cardstock, cut a 2" turkey, a 2.5" turkey, and a 3" turkey
5. Cut the tail feather portion off of the two larger turkeys and layer them behind the 2" turkey (alternative to steps #4 and #5: cut three 2" leaves - choose three different leaf shapes and three different colors of cardstock)
   
6. Adhere turkey (or leaves) to the top of the placecard
7. Cut a 2" tag from white cardstock and write name on it
8. Cut an 8" piece of ribbon
9. Pass ribbon through placecard, with the patterned side facing the back of the placecard
10. Bring ends of ribbon together in the front, matching the dull sides together (patterned sides out)
11. Push ribbon through tag and pull each end of the ribbon gently until the ribbon is taut
12. Tie ribbon in a knot and trim ends on the diagonal
13. Try not to get gravy on placecards at Thanksgiving so that you can use them again next year :)
    

Sigh...I love my Slice!

Weathervane, I Love Thee

More October Afternoon Weathervane goodness:


October Afternoon Weathervane floral paper and "the good stuff" sticker, October Afternoon Detours grid paper, American Crafts foil Thickers and brads (in the center of the flowers on the patterned paper)


October Afternoon Weathervane woodgrain patterned paper and "beautiful fall days" sticker, October Afternoon Hometown blue ledger paper; American Crafts foam Thickers, chipboard shapes, and brads


Scenic Route polka dot background paper, circle sticker, and chipboard letters; October Afternoon Weathervane striped paper, woodgrain paper, house (handcut), label stickers, word stickers, and "home" sticker; American Crafts chipboard heart; Creative Cafe tag