So, as I've mentioned before, I've never been able to celebrate the blended two-month holiday of Hallo-thanks-mas (as my husband calls it). One reason? Once the ghosts and jack-o-lanterns are put away, it's time for turkeys. And over the years, my turkey collection has been slowly growing. November is their season to shine!
Toward the end of October, my father had a heart attack, and instead of spending most of November working at The House of Goodwill, I ended up making a 15-day trip to Florida to spend time with my parents as my father began his recovery.
It was intense, as my dad was given just a 10-20% chance of survival at first, and almost every day for two weeks my mom and I were at the hospital. But in the two week span I was there, he went from being intubated in the ICU to talking, eating and beginning physical therapy at the retirement community where my parents live. It truly was miraculous, and we were extra thankful this Thanksgiving for all that God has done.
I arrived home a week before Thanksgiving, and honestly, I just wanted nothing more than a peaceful, quiet holiday like last year's. We spent so much time coming and going this year - all enjoyable activities - but the three of us were ready for a stretch of relaxed time at home.
And it was. There were no plans to do anything. It was quiet and relaxing and wonderful.
A few new turkeys from my thrifting trips joined the flock this year:
I found this guy at an antiques store I loved (that I had just discovered) in Parsons, Tennessee.
It was going out of business, so he was on a 25% off sale.
(He was just over $20.)
He's actually a vintage Austin Nichols whiskey decanter.
Love him!
I found these never-opened turkey taper holders from Williams Sonoma at Goodwill for $2.
I picked up some taper candles half off at Hobby Lobby to use with them.
They were part of the centerpiece this year with another thrift store candle holder.
Simple, peaceful, quiet, yes!
Saturday after Thanksgiving I drove an hour to one my favorite small towns for antiquing. I discovered another one of my favorite places is going out of business; I was glad I made it there one last time.
Among a couple of small things I bought, I found this new new turkey:
So, he's my third turkey platter (I guess I have a collection), but I really liked the colors. I didn't have a blue one, so he'll go in my bedroom next year.
I paid the big $ for him - $25.
Love him!
And just to prove that I DO have a little self control, I limited myself to only one new turkey, even though there were quite a few great ones. Here are a couple I did NOT buy:
This platter was smaller and more expensive, but I loved the design.
I've never seen this one before.
Isn't this vintage planter GREAT??
When I showed the pic to my husband, his response was, "Why didn't you buy it?"
Not what I was expecting, but then I started asking myself the same question...
And one last share from the shop, something else I did not buy but just love:
I'm a little obsessed with old transferware. This Johnson Brothers pattern, "Historical America" has different historical pics on each dish. These plates are called "Frozen up - Thanksgiving."
See the little turkey at the bottom?
The colors are just so rich and beautiful.
I think I'm going to need a bigger dining room. 🙄
And one more random Thanksgiving share:
Have you ever gone somewhere for dinner and found yourself accidentally dressed the same as the visiting dog?
We went to dinner at my sister-in-law's before the holiday, and Willie (the visiting dog from Georgia) and I just happened to be wearing the exact same sweater.
Really!
Apparently, Willie found his in Oregon and mine was bought in Canada, but as we can see, great taste knows no boundaries.
It was truly an honor to be dressed as well as this dog.
So, to return to the topic at hand, Hallo-thanks-mas, we can now see why this new uni-holiday just won't fly in my house. (Much like a turkey, but I digress...)
It goes like this (and will ALWAYS go like this): Ghosts, turkeys, Christmas trees. In that order.
Amen.
