Hello! Hello!
How was your Thanksgiving? I hope you had an amazing weekend.
Mine went really well! I thought I'd share some weekend highlights with you today.
The festivities started early in the week. My Dad came up Sunday to hang out and help me get ready. We did all the chopping, table setting and arranging before the rest of the clan arrived Wednesday!
Almost all the Hubs family made it this year. My Brother and his girlfriend Erica ended up getting really sick, so they couldn't come, which was sad! Hopefully they will feel better soon though.
I decided to do fresh flowers for the table this year! Pretty, huh!
Here's this year's "Thankful Tree!" We've been filling out leaves for this as a family for four years now, so it's looking full.
Shon's sister Danielle even came! It was so nice to have her.
Can you believe how big my nephew Owen (Megan's son) is getting? Long time readers may remember his Baby Gender Reveal Party!
Thanksgiving day itself went by pretty quickly. It was so warm outside that we pulled out all of the summer outdoors cushions and the fam sat outside and watched the Hubs cook the Turkey. He smokes one and fries one. We even had some friends stop by to hang out while the cooking magic was happening.
By mid-afternoon it all was ready! I have to admit, I lacked creativity this year and kept to the menu you've seen many years in a row. I figure people want the classics at Thanksgiving anyway.
My Vegetarian Stuffing is featured on Running in a Skirt.
And my Mom's Famous Sweet Potato Casserole is on my site too. This recipe actually went crazy on Pinterest for me last week. I like to think my Mom was sending me a little boost for the holiday.
And of course, here's my trio of Crock Pots! My Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes are featured here!
The Hubs made the Turkey again and everyone loved it. We totally pull this off with a team effort!
Here's what my plate looked like! #allthethings #allthebutter
It is such a blessing to have everyone at the same table sharing a meal!
Thursday night we switched to Christmas mode and Owen learned about Elf on the Shelf. He named his Elf and we went to work coming up with fun ways to put him around the house.
Friday morning he found the Elf and thought this was hilarious!!! I think this tradition is adorable.
Friday the girls all went shopping! We went even stopped at the local Tobacco Barn where Megan and Danielle found some fun antiques.
For lunch I got a sandwich and kale salad from Well Bred.
Later in the day we caught back up with the rest of the family at Bold Rock Cidery.
Everyone liked the festive drinks and music!
Saturday we took the clan to Hickory Nut Gap Farm. They have cute things for kids to do and serve locally raised organic meat.
Luckily it's Asheville and even a vegetarian can find something to eat though. haha! Not a bad lunch actually.
The rest of the family had steak and hamburgers.
Later in the day a group of us went back out to Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard. We had a great time trying all their delightful wines!
We came home, watched the Gator game (so sad!) and called it a night! Everyone one left early Sunday and wow was the house quiet without them.
Sunday the Hubs and I rallied to get all the Christmas decor up. We have a busy few weeks and knew if we didn't get it done then, it honestly might not get done before Christmas. So it's so nice to be all ready for the holidays now. I shared all my decor on Instagram Stories if you are interested.
I think Thanksgiving Weekend 2016 was a success! It's so nice to have so much family together in one spot. So much to be thankful for this year.
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for a Crock Pot Christmas Granola.
I’m linking up with Marvelous Monday.
Your turn!
What did you do for Thanksgiving?
Farrah says
That table setting is absolutely gorgeous, and yay for some fun on the farm! I'm glad you had a great Thanksgiving! :]!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Farrah! It was a good time.
Edye says
What a beautiful Thanksgiving spread! I love the fresh flowers idea, they always brighten up any occasion. <3
JulieWunder says
They do! Thanks Edye!
Mackenzie says
Sheesh this is literally like the most perfect thanksgiving set up I have ever seen!!! Food and all!!!! I will definitely be stealing some of these cute ideas when I host my own thanksgivings in the future 🙂 It all looked like such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing this with us and I cannot wait to try the recipes. YUM! xo
JulieWunder says
That means so much to me!! Thank you!!!
Chris says
Hey Julie! I thought I would mention that this year we also had spinach (casserole) . I thought it was awesome!! It's nice to have something different than the regular thanksgiving staples.
Chris (the redbox guy)
JulieWunder says
Yay!! I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know!
Debbie@debbiethisandthat.com says
Looks like you had a great Thanksgiving and your food looks delicious!
JulieWunder says
We did! Thanks so much, Debbie. Hope yours was nice too.
becky says
Such lovely photos, you obviously worked very hard to make this a memorable Thanksgiving for your family...but it looks like it was a labor of love. Happy Holidays!
JulieWunder says
It was! Thanks Becky!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
Your thanksgiving looked wonderful! I love all of your gorgeous fall decorations!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Kristy! I enjoy it.
Emily says
The way you turned over the house for Christmas was impressive. 🙂 I loved seeing your huge Christmas tree. And the classics for Thanksgiving are always always good. Your cute little signs are so adorable. The Thankful Tree idea is a really good idea too; we spent time just sitting in a circle talking about what we were thankful for, and I loved when someone said, 'I'm thankful that we can be thankful.' What a gift to be thankful to God for His many mercies and His glory!
JulieWunder says
So true! We are blessed!
Blane Sherer says
Glad your Thanksgiving weekend went well.
I celebrated Thanksgiving on Sunday
at my folks with my family including my daughters
and grandson.
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
Your Thanksgiving sounds like you had a great time and everything looks delicious! I didn't go to crazy with recipes this year, and definitely just stuck with ones we have enjoyed in the past. We got a lot of our Christmas decorations up yesterday and I am already in the holiday spirit 🙂
Joanna says
I love that your thankful tree carries over year after year! What a fun collection of memories!
Libby Haire says
Makena Rose.
Have NO IDEA why this tablet put in her name wrong. Sorry!?
Libby Haire says
Such a nice family! And I remember Owen baby pics, it was great to see how much he has grown. On your Thankful Tree, do you save each year's leaves and then add the new ones? It's a great idea, too.
Your table looked lovely as did your other fall inspired decor items.
I missed pics of Rhett and Make a Rose for the Big Day, though.
Now, on toward Christmas. I love the Elf on the Shelf idea and wish I had a little one around to share in that fun.
Best wishes for your Advent season.
JulieWunder says
Yes! I've saved the leaves and pull them back out each year. I have everyone write their name and the year on it. It's fun to see everyone who's been at the house for Thanksgiving through the years.
Oh I know... If only I could do the Elf for Makena Rose. haha!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
What a great idea to do so much in crock pots! I have to remember that next year.
JulieWunder says
It's a life saver!!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Love that thankful tree idea!! I should have started that this year with Adeline for our own little family! So cute! Maybe I'll do it next year! Looks like you had a delicious feast! Happy Monday!
JulieWunder says
It's a fun tradition! I love going back through them.
Dan Steadman says
Ran the Turkey Day 8k for the first time since 2013...finished in 34:21 and got the coveted socks for the top 75 men...then watched one of my students finish the race, after which we shared a 'proud of you' hug. then had dinner at my parents, saw my brother and wife....watched the Macy's Parade and saw my HS band....so cool, great day
JulieWunder says
What a great time!!! Congrats!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Looks like a wonderful weekend! Yep, everyone wants the classics at Thanksgiving! In my clinic, I see patients of so many ethnicities and it's interesting (and mouth watering) to hear what they have for their Thanksgiving.
JulieWunder says
That would be so interesting!! Hope your Thanksgiving went well too.
Dan Rathbone says
looks like y'all had a great Thanksgiving , you set a nice table , loved the Thanksgiving tree : - )
JulieWunder says
Thanks Dan!
Ellen Vuillier says
Looks like you and your family had a wonderful time!
JulieWunder says
We did! Thanks Ellen!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I always look forward to your Thanksgiving recaps. To me, this is the essence of Thanksgiving--bringing together loved ones and giving them love via your creations. Plus, I have to imagine the Asheville #nailsit in the holiday department. But I would take what you offer at you house over the fancier options any Thanksgiving!
And now... Christmas? Oh goodness.
JulieWunder says
Haha! Thanks Susie! I take my holidays seriously. 🙂
heather @Lunging Through Life says
Another successful Thanksgiving hosted! I love the fresh flowers. I told Aaron with our new kitchen colors and just how it's looking (I LOVE IT) we're gonna need fresh flowers. Right now it's fine with some Christmas decorations but come Spring, forget it! haha I hope you got some good sales!
JulieWunder says
Oh yes... fresh flowers always make a difference! I want to see your kitchen when it's done!
Adam Lemerise says
Thanksgiving also this year was my birthday so I got turkey and cake on the same day. Didn't have to work and a lot of my friends and family wished me a happy birthday plus had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.