I’m sure this finds many of you in the throes of preparing for Thanksgiving – whether you’re hosting, traveling, or happily being a guest at someone else’s table. Suffice it to say, it’s a busy week for all of us.
This post is partly to officially announce that we’re now accepting entries for our Fall Love contest (quite possibly my favorite contest of all, because I love fall so much!)I look forward to hosting this photo contest all year long.
And it’s partly a little rant/vent. I don’t know about you, but I am utterly exhausted. It has been a very busy month. We have had a lot of things to go to lately, I hosted a dinner party on Saturday, which was loads of fun but, as you know, a lot of work. I am super detail oriented and not great at just letting things be. Then I had people over again last night for what I called a “casual” dinner – but let’s face it, the number of pots and pans to scrub doesn’t change much! I woke up this morning completely wiped, thinking about the fact that I get to do it all over again in just two days for Thanksgiving.
So I took myself and my several lists (am a huge list maker, the old fashioned way, paper and pen) to the market at 7 a.m. to beat the crowds, and what a smart decision that was. I feel like I need a day to simply reset, but at least I know I’ve got everything I need. It will all get done – it always does – but right now I’m just feeling tired. We were also supposed to go away the day after Thanksgiving, and I’ve decided to postpone that. The thought of packing, going through clothes, remembering what’s in storage, etc., just felt like too much. Kind of zapped the joy out of going away. I know I’ll need a day or two to decompress after Thanksgiving (plus I don’t want to miss out on leftovers haha)
So if anyone else out there is feeling the same way, trust me – you are not alone. Let’s pace ourselves, listen to our bodies when they tell us to take a break, and get as much done ahead of time as we can. I do believe that’s key. My table is already half set, my ingredients are bought, just want to go out and figure out some florals or greenery for a centerpiece but I’m hoping tomorrow will be a calmer day in between the nonstop busy ones. Then it’s Christmas planning! Can’t we separate these two holidays bit? That would be so nice.
OK, onwards to the Fall Love contest and enough of my rant. I absolutely love hosting this. It’s your chance to send in your favorite fall pictures – anything that captures the magic of the season. It could be foliage, a special trip, your children playing in the leaves, your dog walking through a park, a beautiful fall tablescape, your Thanksgiving table, or any type of fall décor. You name it.
Please read over the rules before submitting your pictures-
Please send 1–2 photos that have something to do with fall.
Pictures must be at least 400 x 600.
The best photos are typically those taken in natural light. Pictures taken with a flash or showing a reflection in a mirror tend not to be ideal.
These must be your own photos and not images downloaded from the internet.
Please email your pictures to info@enchantedhome.com and write “Contest” in the subject line.
We will acknowledge receiving your pictures and, if for some reason we cannot accept them, we will let you know and give you the chance to submit another.
We will be accepting entries until December 6th, or until we receive 75 entries, whichever comes first.
The contest will begin on December 8th or 9th.
The grand prize winner will receive a large box of assorted Enchanted Home goodies – a little bit of everything!
OK, onward to taking a look at some past entries that really exemplify what a great entry looks like… I cannot wait to see yours.
Maybe these pictures gave you a few good ideas. The beauty of fall is all around us, even something as simple as a few falling leaves can make a gorgeous pciture! I look forweard to getting in your etnytires. Plesae send to info@enchantedhome.com.
Your schedule makes me tired just thinking about it! Give yourself some grace and don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect. Your friends and loved ones are there because of you, not the flowers and greenery, well…. maybe because of the food, but won’t notice the details as much as you do. Enjoy the spirit of the holiday. I’m sure it will far exceed most people’s expectations. Happy Thanksgiving!
WHY, do we allow ourselves (me) to make this…crazy…well, I DO think “creativitist” (I made that up) are…maybe, just a little crazy…*sigh*…it’s all about the “end result,” for moi… HTG!! franki
I “get” your level of exhaustion. I feel the same way. We have kids coming in from college, visiting house guests tomorrow and we will be a larger group than usual (14) for Thanksgiving. I am suddenly feeling the pressure too. The helper I had hired has the flu so hopefully everyone will pitch in. But like you said, in the end, it really does al work out. I will be sending a picture of my Thanksgiving table once its all set to enter your contest, they are such fun.
You do not have to do all the cooking. Grocery stores and specialty markets have full holiday meals. It may not taste exactly like your recipes, but you can “doctor up” with spices, sauces, and chutneys. I hope you will ask other members of your family or guests to pitch in.
So glad I am not the only one! Not sure if its because Christmas and Thanksgiving have a shorter time between them or what, but I am just not ready! We always host Thanksgiving and my sister does Christmas. Normally I am well underway with baking, preparing, etc…but this year just not feeling up to it. Really pushing myself but the excitement doesn’t feel there. Maybe when we are all sitting around the table, it will all come together (likely so). Good luck getting all your things done sounds like you are more organized than me!
The preparation continues to not be a problem. I am organized and can manage it all quite well.
The problem is the aftermath, usually late in the evening.Not to mention, being a bit of a neat freak.
My idea, suggestion and potential “fix” is to ask your cleaning lady if interested in earning some extra money. Maybe she or he has a child home from college interested in making some extra money. Check with a local college or trade school in your area who has a culinary program.
Hope one of these might help out. Happy Thanksgiving
SO agree!!
It is all too much…but your photos are happy making and mood lifting…
Happy Thanksgiving, Tina….and thank you for all the joy & beauty you bring us!
For me it is a matter of advance planning with key to-do calendared dates that I do not schedule over. I start in late August/early September with calendaring the date(s) of parties we want to host or known events we are invited to. When I want my exterior and interior decor done, my menu done, my tables set, my groceries purchased, my flowers set, etc. Then I back into the details along the way to meet each calendared “deadline”.
This advanced planning has allowed me to relax and rediscover the joy of pulling together the holidays and creating a lovely season for me and my family. It also helps me to see where and when I may need to employ or ask for help to no longer feel overwhelmed. My holiday gift to myself is the pre-planning time along the way so that I can enjoy it all too. I can now participate in it all without missing out on the fun and memories.
Good luck with it!
Not being rude, I think what we forget is that we are getting older, thank God we are. I believe that plays a big part. We can’t do it all and if we do we exhaust ourselves. Happy Thanksgiving to you all in the US.
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Good morning everyone,
I’m sure this finds many of you in the throes of preparing for Thanksgiving – whether you’re hosting, traveling, or happily being a guest at someone else’s table. Suffice it to say, it’s a busy week for all of us.
This post is partly to officially announce that we’re now accepting entries for our Fall Love contest (quite possibly my favorite contest of all, because I love fall so much!)I look forward to hosting this photo contest all year long.
And it’s partly a little rant/vent. I don’t know about you, but I am utterly exhausted. It has been a very busy month. We have had a lot of things to go to lately, I hosted a dinner party on Saturday, which was loads of fun but, as you know, a lot of work. I am super detail oriented and not great at just letting things be. Then I had people over again last night for what I called a “casual” dinner – but let’s face it, the number of pots and pans to scrub doesn’t change much! I woke up this morning completely wiped, thinking about the fact that I get to do it all over again in just two days for Thanksgiving.
So I took myself and my several lists (am a huge list maker, the old fashioned way, paper and pen) to the market at 7 a.m. to beat the crowds, and what a smart decision that was. I feel like I need a day to simply reset, but at least I know I’ve got everything I need. It will all get done – it always does – but right now I’m just feeling tired. We were also supposed to go away the day after Thanksgiving, and I’ve decided to postpone that. The thought of packing, going through clothes, remembering what’s in storage, etc., just felt like too much. Kind of zapped the joy out of going away. I know I’ll need a day or two to decompress after Thanksgiving (plus I don’t want to miss out on leftovers haha)
So if anyone else out there is feeling the same way, trust me – you are not alone. Let’s pace ourselves, listen to our bodies when they tell us to take a break, and get as much done ahead of time as we can. I do believe that’s key. My table is already half set, my ingredients are bought, just want to go out and figure out some florals or greenery for a centerpiece but I’m hoping tomorrow will be a calmer day in between the nonstop busy ones. Then it’s Christmas planning! Can’t we separate these two holidays bit? That would be so nice.
OK, onwards to the Fall Love contest and enough of my rant. I absolutely love hosting this. It’s your chance to send in your favorite fall pictures – anything that captures the magic of the season. It could be foliage, a special trip, your children playing in the leaves, your dog walking through a park, a beautiful fall tablescape, your Thanksgiving table, or any type of fall décor. You name it.
Please read over the rules before submitting your pictures-
The grand prize winner will receive a large box of assorted Enchanted Home goodies – a little bit of everything!
____________________________________________________________
OK, onward to taking a look at some past entries that really exemplify what a great entry looks like… I cannot wait to see yours.
Maybe these pictures gave you a few good ideas. The beauty of fall is all around us, even something as simple as a few falling leaves can make a gorgeous pciture! I look forweard to getting in your etnytires. Plesae send to info@enchantedhome.com.
2nd day of our epic warehouse sale continues!
Click here
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Thanks for stopping in. Wishing everyone a wonderful day, try to pace yourself, deep breaths and carry on! Until next time….
Your schedule makes me tired just thinking about it! Give yourself some grace and don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect. Your friends and loved ones are there because of you, not the flowers and greenery, well…. maybe because of the food, but won’t notice the details as much as you do. Enjoy the spirit of the holiday. I’m sure it will far exceed most people’s expectations. Happy Thanksgiving!
WHY, do we allow ourselves (me) to make this…crazy…well, I DO think “creativitist” (I made that up) are…maybe, just a little crazy…*sigh*…it’s all about the “end result,” for moi… HTG!! franki
Just looking at previous submissions put me in a happy mood. Thanks Tina Happy Thanksgiving
I “get” your level of exhaustion. I feel the same way. We have kids coming in from college, visiting house guests tomorrow and we will be a larger group than usual (14) for Thanksgiving. I am suddenly feeling the pressure too. The helper I had hired has the flu so hopefully everyone will pitch in. But like you said, in the end, it really does al work out. I will be sending a picture of my Thanksgiving table once its all set to enter your contest, they are such fun.
You do not have to do all the cooking. Grocery stores and specialty markets have full holiday meals. It may not taste exactly like your recipes, but you can “doctor up” with spices, sauces, and chutneys. I hope you will ask other members of your family or guests to pitch in.
So glad I am not the only one! Not sure if its because Christmas and Thanksgiving have a shorter time between them or what, but I am just not ready! We always host Thanksgiving and my sister does Christmas. Normally I am well underway with baking, preparing, etc…but this year just not feeling up to it. Really pushing myself but the excitement doesn’t feel there. Maybe when we are all sitting around the table, it will all come together (likely so). Good luck getting all your things done sounds like you are more organized than me!
The preparation continues to not be a problem. I am organized and can manage it all quite well.
The problem is the aftermath, usually late in the evening.Not to mention, being a bit of a neat freak.
My idea, suggestion and potential “fix” is to ask your cleaning lady if interested in earning some extra money. Maybe she or he has a child home from college interested in making some extra money. Check with a local college or trade school in your area who has a culinary program.
Hope one of these might help out. Happy Thanksgiving
SO agree!!
It is all too much…but your photos are happy making and mood lifting…
Happy Thanksgiving, Tina….and thank you for all the joy & beauty you bring us!
For me it is a matter of advance planning with key to-do calendared dates that I do not schedule over. I start in late August/early September with calendaring the date(s) of parties we want to host or known events we are invited to. When I want my exterior and interior decor done, my menu done, my tables set, my groceries purchased, my flowers set, etc. Then I back into the details along the way to meet each calendared “deadline”.
This advanced planning has allowed me to relax and rediscover the joy of pulling together the holidays and creating a lovely season for me and my family. It also helps me to see where and when I may need to employ or ask for help to no longer feel overwhelmed. My holiday gift to myself is the pre-planning time along the way so that I can enjoy it all too. I can now participate in it all without missing out on the fun and memories.
Good luck with it!
Not being rude, I think what we forget is that we are getting older, thank God we are. I believe that plays a big part. We can’t do it all and if we do we exhaust ourselves. Happy Thanksgiving to you all in the US.