My Slow & Small Weekend Plans

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The day after Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year. I relish the excuse to enjoy a slow day of reheating starchy foods, some quality knitting time, and drinking hot beverages. The fact that my back is a little wrenched this weeekend makes it easier to slow down.

Snuggled up on the couch with two dogs that are knackered from all the entertaining, I’m grateful for a life far better than one I thought I would have, or even deserved.

And so it begins…

The day after Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of the Christmas tree season in my small town. Elgin is home to two Christmas Tree farms, and already the daily parade of Christmas trees on top of cars has begun.

The photo above is the beginning of a lighted tractor display that happens each year. It should be lit up by the next Saturday’s lighted parade.

Evergreen Farms
Elgin Christmas Tree Farm

Shop Small Saturday

Today is our annual reminder of the importance of shopping small and supporting our local businesses. Not sure where to start? The following link has a map of all particpating small businesses near you.

Shop Small Map

P.S. A list of some of my favorite local shops

Five Things to do This Week to Make Thanksgiving Easier

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Photo by Pixabay

There is a lot of menu planning, food shopping, and prep to do for Thanksgiving, even if you’re hosting a small group.

Now’s a good time to confess I hate dislike the term “Friendsgiving”. I feel it makes it seem less than, like a conciliatory celebration. We’ve been hosting friends, their friends, and their aunts since 1996, and it is no less a Thanksgiving than one spent with a family of origin. End of rant.

The real reason I am here today is as a public service announcement for the often forgotten tasks to do this week that will make your holiday less hectic.

  1. Restock bulk herbs and spices. Beat the crowds in the bulk aisle by shopping during one of your lunch breaks this week.
  2. Take those knives to get sharpened. You may have a ceramic sharpening doohickey at home, but nothing beats a professional sharpening.
  3. Iron any table linens if you plan to use them.
  4. Schedule grooming appointments for your dogs. Your guests will thank you. Just keep your fingers crossed they don’t get skunked between now and next Thursday.
  5. We like to send our guests home with some leftovers, so order to-go containers like these now.

PS. Make some no-cut fabric napkins this week, if you’re feeling crafty.