Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree. Oh-So Thankful!

The rush is on...do you feel it? Lord have mercy! It's so easy to get caught up in all the hype of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. I'm trying to...
Showing Gratitude. That is what Thanksgiving is all about. Thanking others. Counting our blessings. Helping Others.

Counting our blessings...We are all so blessed, right? I'm still not skipping Thanksgiving y'all and decided to put up a Gratitude Tree. I found some gratitude printables on Pinterest. You can print these and use them however, but I just cut them out, punched a hole at the top, and used twine to attach them to the tree. I asked my husband to fill out the tags and write down all the things he's grateful for. I thought he'd probably say "I don't have time to do that". Well, he was finished in a snap...One of his tags says "I'm grateful for the life I've led". Oh my! Here's my tree...Keeping it simple, I used burlap for a tree topper and the streamers.

These are the gratitude tags that I found on Pinterest...You can go HERE to make copies of them...they are perfect for the season.

Helping others...I'm participating in a food drive organized by my Church. For around $40, you can donate a grocery sack full of food that will feed a family of four. {A grocery gift card is attached for the turkey or other meat}
This is the list of the food products that we used and that you might like to buy and take to a family in need:
Giving back...You can also just make a monetary donation to your Church or the charity of your choice.
Being thankful...Send a note to someone thanking them for being there for you...My Thanksgiving cards are in the mail...we are so thankful for our family and friends!
Sharing...I made some "Friendship Gifts"...Taste of Gourmet Morning Muffins & Sweet Potato Muffins...mini style.
I found these festive bags and "Happy Thanksgiving" tags at Hobby Lobby...perfect for my mini muffins!

Don't forget your host...the one who is slaving away in the kitchen to make your holiday special! My hostess gift for Thanksgiving night...ready to go. A bottle of wine wrapped in burlap fabric and tied with a brown grosgrain ribbon. The "Thanksgiving 2011" tag can be downloaded at Semi Homemade Magazine HERE.
Making it memorable...Thanksgiving 2011
Remember the shut-ins...When I think of Thanksgiving, I always think of turkey and dressing...but, don't forget the pie!
I'm gonna bake a Southern Pecan Pie and take it to an elderly couple that I know...showing a little Southern hospitality!
Using my leftovers box idea, I'll probably wrap the pie in a box filled with shred and tie it up with the raffia and a turkey tag! Well, I can't just take it to someone with tin foil on top!
I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day...whether you are having a meal with family and friends, working at your job, or just sitting in front of the television watching the parade & games with a TV dinner. Happy Thanksgiving to all y'all!
Be truly thankful! Remember to practice good dining etiquette on the big day. Most meals will start with...Saying Grace.

"Asking the Blessing" or "Saying Grace" is a short prayer of thanks given before a meal, generally after guests are seated and before even the napkin is touched. To show respect for the host, when Grace is said, the head is bowed, regardless of one's beliefs.

A nice blessing~
For what we are about to receive
May the Lord make us truly thankful.

Amen.

Tea With Miss Janice, Post #10

At the Tea Table

~Taking Your Seat

Each guest will stand behind the chair at their place setting and enter their chair from the right-hand side of the chair, after the hostess has been seated.

~Saying Grace

When you are a guest in someone's home, be prepared for the custom of Grace before the meal. If you don't practice this custom, simply sit quietly out of respect to the hostess. Grace is usually said by the hostess or a guest may be asked to say Grace.

Grace is usually said after everyone is seated and before anything is touched on the table. Don't pick up your serviette/napkin or take a sip of water until Grace is said.

~Serviette Etiquette

The napkin should be placed on top of the plate, unless food is on the plate when the guests arrive at the table; then, the napkin should be placed to the left of the fork. The napkin should be folded with the closed edge to the right and the open edge to the left or placed in a napkin ring. At tea time, serviettes are used. The serviette is a tea napkin, 12" square. It is picked up and unfolded on the lap, not above the table, only after the hostess places her serviette on her lap. A tea serviette is opened completely. Proper etiquette dictates that you blot your lipstick with a tissue before using any cloth napkin at the table. When using a serviette, blot your lips and don't use the serviette as a handkerchief. If you leave the table temporarily, place your serviette on your chair, not on the table. At the end of the tea, the hostess will pick up her serviette and place it loosely on the table, to the left of the tea plate. You will then place your serviette loosely to the left of your tea plate.

~Will you be "Mother?"

Being "Mother" goes back to the Queen Victoria era when mothers traditionally poured the tea for family and guests. It is considered an honor to be "Mother." The pourer should have sterling social graces and no one should pour for more than 15-20 minutes. The pourer or "Mother" will hold the teacup and saucer in her left hand and ask each guest, "Do you prefer your tea weak or strong?" If weak tea is preferred, pour the teacup about one-half full, add the hot water and then ask, "With sugar, lemon, or milk?" If strong tea is preferred, pour the teacup three-fourths full, and then ask, "With sugar, lemon, or milk?" You will only place a teaspoon on the saucer if the guest request sugar/milk. Remember that you don't want to use lemon and milk together as the acid from the lemon will curdle the milk. Also, please remember to use milk instead of cream. If the guest request sugar, ask "One lump or two?" Should you add the milk first or last? The milk should be added after the tea has been poured. Just remember that the Queen of England adds her milk last.

Tea is never passed around the table; the pourer should hand the tea directly to the guest. And, it is more polite to ask guests if they would like tea, rather than asking if they would like MORE tea.

Tomorrow, I will address the styles of dining--American and Continental. Please stop by again!