It’s a quiet post-holiday Friday morning here, and I’m immensely enjoying being up before my loves, sipping coffee on the couch with the fireplace on, and typing this. (Long-time readers already know that Teddy is snuggled up firmly against my leg.) I usually size myself up as an extrovert because I love being with my people, but quiet moments like this remind me that this is how I actually recharge. Ahh.
Another major holiday amidst COVID down.
Yesterday was a sweet day. Low key but enjoyable. We feasted and we rested. This was only the second time since 2011 that we’ve hosted the big Thanksgiving meal, and we enjoyed doing it.
Yesterday morning, I woke up feel inspired to go for a jog. My dad and I ran the Turkey Trot 5k several years in a row when I was in a college, and I always loved starting the holiday that way. I threw my headphones in, knocked out 2.5 miles (I’m kind of sore today after not running in 2.5 months!), walked in to the smell of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls coming out of the air fryer (the only way to cook them in my opinion!), and cleaned up before throwing on comfy clothes to cook in.
Jamie smoked two turkeys last holiday season, so he was excited to smoke another one yesterday. I made a bunch of sides (also burning the heck out of my left hand after grabbing the handle of a sauce pan that I didn’t know was hot!) and watched the Macy’s parade on and off with the girls.
They played hard, got dressed mid-morning, and then we welcomed just a few guests to dine with us: Jamie’s parents and my grandmother (COVID and loneliness have been especially hard on her, so I’m really glad she could join.)
Our families get along very well which I’ve never taken for granted even for a second.
I’d set the dining room table days prior after getting in a few boxes I’d ordered online from Walmart Home. I’d logged on to place a grocery pickup order last week and this beautiful tablescape popped up, which linked to everything I needed to recreate it.
I’ve shared so many times on this website that I’m very visual when it comes to decorating and need to see it all laid out in front of me. I have a hard time envisioning interiors on my own.
After seeing the prices from Walmart and realizing that we needed a good chunk of it anyway (all of our dinner plates are chipped and a mess!), I ordered what I needed to create this look. I’m glad I set it up a few days early because the site of it made me happy all week. I never keep our dining room table set because we usually use this area for homeschool, but gosh I sure did love the look of it all pulled together (a deep contrast from the rest of my life that I feel like I never have all pulled together, LOL!)
Almost everything you see in this picture is linked below!
We ate a big meal, enjoyed dessert, cleaned up the house, and then relaxed for a few hours. My mother-in-law and grandmother hadn’t been to our new house yet since they started building it, so we went over there for about an hour to give them a tour. I never mind an excuse to run over there!
My grandmother sipped a cup of coffee and then headed home around 4:30 so that she could make the seven-mile trip home before dark. My in-laws left around 7 p.m.
We started a tradition several years ago to gift the girls Christmas pajamas and all wear them for the first time on Thanksgiving night. Everybody really loves this.
The girls were bathed and in bed by 7 p.m. and out cold by 7:15. Jamie watched some TV while I browsed home inspiration (and put up a fun poll on Instagram!) before we both crashed hard around 10 p.m.
All in all, a sweet day!
I am keenly aware that people from all over the country (and the world) may be reading these words, and that they may be met with all kinds of emotions and thoughts. Some of you had a beautiful day yesterday celebrating in a way that was right for your circumstance and family and some of you may have really struggled for a slew of circumstantial reasons.
No magic words of encouragement, just solidarity in that this virus is really hard. We are “all in this together”, but also so drastically divided because of how we are uniquely affected in ways that we don’t quite understand about each other. I don’t know what is going on in your personal life and how this is all rocking you in a way that’s different from me, but just know that I wish you much peace as you tackle this very unique holiday season. I love you all.
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo