A Christmas Care Package for the College Girl

Every student in college loves to receive a care package!

Especially one filled with snacks and "junk" food and homebaked goodies.

So, I loaded up a box and it was delivered just in time for pre-holiday test-cramming

when my girl, Miss S, doesn't have much time to head over to the Dining Hall.

The pictures are kinda fuzzy, sorry. It was nighttime when I took them.

I layered:

Annie's Bunnies, Late July Cheese Crackers, Waffle cookies, Walkers (the best!) Shortbread,

and Organic Toaster pastries in her favorite flavors.

The next layer held Newman-O's Chocolate/Mint and Ginger'n Creme cookies, 

Fun Yums Baked mixed veggie crunchy things, Pita Chips, and Hummus Dip.

Next, I added Potato chips, a Green Tea snack mix (we like weird stuff!),

Sunflower seeds, Pretzel Stix, and popcorn.

Then, pencils and pens, chocolate drops, Ritter Marzipan chocolate bars, 

Green and Black chocolate bars, and Scharffen Berger Chocolate Bars (our fave!)

were placed in the box.

And last, but not least, and certainly eaten first (so I was told) was some

English toffee, ginger crinkles, peanut butter balls, and peppermint chocolate balls.

I found the darling boxes (shaped like buildings and houses) at The Dollar Tree.

They made a nice little city on Miss S' entry table as decor.

Miss S has two roommates, so I sent them each a red Santa hat, too.

When Miss S opened her box, she made more friends on her hall that day!
She was delighted to be thought of and reminded of how much she is loved.

So, gather some goodies together and surprise your student!
They will love it!

From Our Home to Yours

Thanksgiving Day Dining Table #2

Two tables for Thanksgiving?

I am so blessed to be able to share our home with 3 other families this year.

Yesterday, I prepared the dining room: table #1.

Today, the breakfast room/eat-in kitchen didn't take nearly as long.

I kept it simple.

Very simple.

The basket (on legs) came from my blogging friend, Suzanne, 

at Southern Inspiration.

I love it, Suzanne, THANK YOU!

I filled it with some Better Homes and Gardens Autumn dried fruit and pinecone fillers 

I found at Wal-Mart last week.

(They were on clearance... shhhhh!!!)

I used split peas for the bottom of the hurricane jars.

I sewed this runner specifically for this table which is 8 feet long.

It was my mother-in-love's table and has three leaves.

Mark, my hubby, ate at it during the holidays with his family.

I am honored to be able to share it with our family's guests.

When I was a young mom, 20 years ago, 

I worked as a part-time caregiver for a 90 year old lady, who is now in heaven.

One day, she gave me these ruby thumb print goblets

from her own collection and asked me if I'd like them and use them.

See, Mrs. Varn? I still love them!

The silver is some that my friend Ann (see her gorgeous Fall home HERE)

was selling in a big Ziplock bag at her yardsale for $11!

I couldn't pass these Community Silver (Coronation pattern) pieces up.

You wouldn't have, either, would you?

Didn't think so.

See?

We are in the kitchen!

More of it HERE.

A peek into the dining room.

A peek into the breakfast room!

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving Day!

Some of you are with your families in your own home,

some of you have arrived or are travelling to be with those you love,

some of you are in the hospital,

maybe some of you are even alone.

I pray that, no matter where you are,

you will believe me when I say, you are very loved and very precious

to the One who created you and I hope you

can find reasons to be thankful to Him.

Did you know that Thanksgiving is our Dependence Day?

I love this quote by G.A. Johnston Ross:

If I have enjoyed the hospitality of the Host of this universe,

Who daily spreads a table in my sight,

surely I cannot do less than acknowledge my dependence.

Let's be thankful!

XOXO

Thanksgiving Day Dining Table #1

This year, we are honored to be having three other families

join us for Thanksgiving Day.

That means 2 tables.

One in our dining room, and one in our breakfast area.

I completed the dining room table today.

I finally finished sewing the ruffle-edged canvas (I washed it 4 times)

tablecloth and burlap runner. I was inspired by Pinterest.

Tablecloth inspiration HERE.

Runner inspiration HERE.

I started taking pictures, then realized I'd forgotten to add

something the the place settings.

Apples!!

My tableware is a mix of many different thrift store or yard sale finds and family heirlooms.

One of my favorite ironstone patterns is Pfaltzgraff Heritage white.

Thank you, Goodwill, for all of it.

My silver is from the 1940's and was given to me by my paternal grandmother.

She saved S&H green stamps to buy the whole set of this Towle Flutes pattern. 

Ana is my red-headed sister from Atlanta.

I {heart} her.

Three generations of chairs.

English lyre back, Parsons, and Hitchcock.

Our 110 year-old Duncan Phyfe table.

I found these teeny crocks at Home Goods and I think they are supposed

to be for salt or sauces, but I like them as votive holders.

The crystal glasses were a hand-me-over (instead of a hand-me-down) from 

one of my dearest friends.

The tureen I found at an antiques store in Hummelstown, PA after The Relevant Conference.

Salt and Pepper shakers were $1 each!

(They look like chess pieces, don't they?)

$3.50 Silver-plated urn. Did I mention I hearted Goodwill?

See the glass plates under the bowls?

Well, under the plates are bits of thanksgiving.

This hutch was one of the first pieces we bought when we moved here 11 years ago.

I do believe I still adore it.

Syracuse china, Roxbury pattern.

Used on the Kansas City Railroad in the 40's.

A different dear friend gave them to me.

When I look in this room, I see many layers of love,

friendships, blessings, and family.

And for these things I am truly grateful.

Tomorrow I will be working on the other table,

and anxiously, excitedly awaiting the arrival of the ones 

that are so dear to us!

The link to TABLE #2 HERE.

I'm partaking in all the thankfulness at 

The Picket Fence's Thanksgiving Traditions Party!