Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll! That's a bit of my Texas heritage peeking through. Here's a little snapshot (literally) of our pumpkin patching extravagaaaaanzaaa! This year they had pink and blue pumpkins. We bought a blue pumpkin and as it turns out, it's edible. But, we haven't dared yet. I love any kind of squash so I couldn't help but taking home a few brightly colored specimens.

Our cheap and easy Thanksgiving door hanger

David really wanted to get a fall wreath for our door. I was feeling crafty and said, 'I can do it myself! Why buy a pre-made one??' So we found this cute little door hanger basket at Michael's along with a lot of super cheap fall decorations. So after a few times of throwing this basket against a wall, David and I finished our little Thanksgiving door hanger.
 
What you need:
1. A bunch of fall flowers and picks. Remember: It's not fall without a pumpkin in there somewhere.
2. Some cute little owls with glue cobwebs hanging from their eyes (that’s how you know you got a good deal).
3. A twiggy basket that will poke your fingers 1,000 times.
 
What to do:
Step 1: Just throw everything in the basket. DO NOT cut the flowers at all. Just stick it all in there and call it a day. No need for glue or floral foam.
Step 2: Throw it against the fall a few times because you don't like it.
Step 3: Let your husband do it. He'll cut the flowers and place them like so. Ta-da!

Washington D.C. trip part 1-Restaurants

Over Thanksgiving, we went to Washington, D.C. This is David's hometown. I love this city. Maybe because it's new to me, but there's so much to see here and it has great architecture. We do all the touristy things when we go. No black Friday shopping, please. The museums are still packed. We went to the building museum, the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial and even ate at a restaurant in Arlington where Obama ate. Hehe. David had them show us his table. They knew, they probably get asked that a lot. It's called Liberty Tavern. I was wondering why Obama chose to eat here, it doesn't really look like much from the outside. But, the food was great. I got a pasta dish with quail that almost made me a vegetarian. It tasted good, but apparently quail are very tiny and look like baby birds. It was a little disturbing, I was expecting something more chicken-like.

But, one of our favorite places to go in D.C. to eat is a tapas restaurant called Jaleo. We are a little bit obsessed with tapas. Though, it's been a several year love affair so I think it has grown from an obsession to something more eternal. This is really one of the best tapas restaurants we have been to...and we know tapas. Make sure to get the white sangria (it's sparking with strawberries!) and the apple and fennel salad. As a bonus, there's also a cupcake place nearby. Just sayin'.

Jaleo Downtown

480 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004

DIY Friday-Thanksgiving crafts

We're going to Washington D.C. for Thanksgiving to visit the in-laws (I'll have lots of photos to share, I'm sure). We'll be dining on salmon and curried cauliflower (wha??). And the wine will be flowing of course! However, the burning question is, do I like curry? The one time I tried it, I wasn't a fan. But, how do you know if it's good curry or bad? Was it cooked correctly? Did they drop it on the floor first? This will be the true test this Thanksgiving, since I know it will be the best curry it can be! 

Do you have a less than traditional Thanksgiving meal? When I was a kid, we used to go to a cafeteria in Texas on Thanksgiving day, called Luby's. No cooking for us! There was no sense when it was just the three of us. We'd have big family get-togethers before the holidays at my aunt and uncle's place though. I really miss that now, being all the way up here in Chicago. It has me reminiscing a little. But, no more delay-on with the Thanksgiving DIY's!

I love this idea. What a great way to remind ourselves the holiday isn't just about food: Thanksgiving tree DIY.

How do you make the perfect Thanksgiving pie?

A Thanksgiving table is not complete without some crafty pumpkin luminaries.

Don't forget the pumpkin placeholders!

What I'm thankful for...

Sometimes a lot of small problems can build up, making you feel less than thrilled about your life. Why did I get so many parking tickets this year? Why can't I quit my job and work from home like you? More dental work, really? These things sound insignificant, but when they all add up you can lose sight of how truly blessed you really are. There are times when I forget. Until I hear a particular heartbreaking story, then I realize how fortunate I am. I have to remind myself to not take any day for granted and that we only have a short time to make the most of what we have.

1. Family-They are supportive in everything I do and love me unconditionally. There's no reason for them to, they just do! They're so giving without asking for anything in return. I'm also thankful for the new gift that is my in-laws! I couldn't ask for anyone better.
2. Love-I'm so happy to have found the love of my life. We were blessed with a beautiful wedding and honeymoon this year that we definitely wouldn't have been able to afford on our own. He is the best husband I could ask for and he means the world to me. I pray we will spend a long, happy and healthy life together. Sometimes I feel like I have to pinch myself, I never thought I'd get married, but I really never thought I'd find someone so made for me.
3. Health-I have a lot of little ailments (especially since I turned 29!), but otherwise I'm in good health. I'm thankful that I don't have more serious problems and that I can live an active lifestyle. I can't put into words how thankful I am for this.
4. Home and Elroy-I'm thankful to have a roof over our head and some sort of financial security. And as much as he drives me nuts, I love our little beast of a dog. Sometimes he's just so precious it hurts.