Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree

My Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree is up...it's the time of year to show our gratitude for all our many blessings.  This has been a tough year for us...with the loss of three friends and two faithful pets, we are still so blessed!

I started this tradition last year...I used little turkey-motif tags and decorated the the tree with burlap ribbon.  Husband and I both write out all the blessings that we are thankful for on the little tags.  You can read more about my tree here.

I hope that y'all are counting your blessings...naming them one by one!

Thanksgiving Season Friendship Gifts

Although I'm busy putting out Christmas decorations, I also have decorated for Thanksgiving...the cornucopia is up and the Thanksgiving tree is decorated on the front porch {I'll show y'all photos of the tree this week}.

I've had this cornucopia forever and I just love the colors!

I decided to make the ever-favorite Pinterest "Thanksgiving Blessing Mix" treats to give as my "Friendship Gifts" during November.

I found these cute little cups with the turkey-pilgrim motif at Target.  They were 20 for $1.  Score!

I added all the ingredients {bugles, pretzels, candy corn, nuts, and dried fruit} and wrapped in cello.  Then I attached this cute little tag that shows the meaning of each ingredient!

Tied it up with raffia.

These were very inexpensive to make and a great idea for this season of thankfulness!  I made tons of these...some to sell at my garage sale yesterday, some to sell at the Church Bazaar, and of course, some to give as "Friendship Gifts."

I'm thankful that this toxic week is coming to a close.  Social media has been so full of negative messages about the election.  I'll admit that I'm disappointed with the outcome.  With the exception of one Presidential race and voting for a democrat boss, I've voted Republican since I became a registered voter.  All of us have issues that are important to us...Lord have mercy, even my husband and I don't agree for goodness sake!  However, there is no reason for hate.  

I wish that I could share with y'all some of the tacky and mean messages I have seen...from BOTH party supporters.  I will just say that I'm hoping that we all {moi included} start the new week off in prayer and good thoughts of hope for a better Amercia!

Letitia Baldrige

I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of the etiquette maven Letitia Baldrige.  Her obituary in the New York Times pays tribute to her life as an etiquette advisor, author, and as the Social Secretary to Jacqueline Kennedy.

Ms. Baldrige surely lived a very interesting life...In this photo she is seen emerging from the limo to accompany Ms. Kennedy at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. on November 3, 1961.

As Ms. Kennedy's Social Secretary, Ms. Baldrige was responsible for orchestrating many social and state events at the White House in the 60's.

Letitia Baldrige published 20 books in her lifetime and these are some of her books I recommend to those of you who wish to learn about proper etiquette or to brush up on your social and dining etiquette skills!

"New Manners for New Times," my go-to etiquette manual!

"More Than Manners," is a great book to use when teaching children manners at-home.

"Taste: Acquiring What Money Can't Buy!"  This was the last book Ms. Baldrige published in 2007.

Ten years ago, I was honored to meet and have a sit-down with Ms. Baldrige at a Southern Lady Event...it was so very gracious of her to give of her time, even though I don't think she felt well that evening.  

Letitia Baldrige

1926 ~ 2012

Ann Romney...Full of Grace and Style!

I'll be honest with y'all.  I'm having a hard time saying goodbye to Governor Romney and especially his beautiful wife Ann.  I'll let the photos tell my story.

This is one of my favorite photos of them...young and in love.  So full of style!

Married and 5 sons later!

Ann Romney.  Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1997 and Breast Cancer in 2008.  What an inspiration this lady is to me.  Even with her health issues, she is so full of grace and style.  And...the energy, Lord have mercy!!!  Le sigh...She would have made a wonderful first lady.

Rocking a cute black outfit with some trendy shoes.

Looking good in my favorite...gingham.

Great blonde hair.  Good bone structure.  Wearing pink and black...another one of my fave combos!

Classic beauty!

On "The View" with the vultures.  {Bless her heart}  Of course, I totally zeroed in on her beautiful dress and perfect posture.  Y'all take note:  This is the way a lady should sit...head to toe!

Love this outfit!!!!

I was soooo close to having a style icon in the White House!  So very close!

Still...Ann Romney has many blessings in her life...I wish her and Governor Romney the best and thank them for their service to the Republican party and the United States of America!

Election Day in America

Finally, the day is here.  Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States of America.  I must tell y'all that I've been in much prayer over this vote...praying for God's will to be done.

Our Country is divided right down the middle...half Republican, half Democrat. Lord have mercy. Can't we all just get along?

Four years ago on election day,  I wrote how I felt about my uncertain future.  As I'm now a senior citizen, I simply must be concerned about where I will spend my golden years...in a rest home!

So who will occupy The White House?  I can tell y'all this...I live in a house divided.  Ugh!  Husband and I are at opposite ends of the political rope.  I think I'll tie him up tonight so he can't go vote tomorrow!

Who will win?  Will it be the incumbent President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama?

Or will it be Governor Mitt Romney and his wife Ann Romney?

All the mud-slinging political ads are done.  Those who were "Undecided" should have made up their minds by now.  The roadside signs hopefully will be gone very soon.  God bless the United States of America!!!!!!!!

New Giveaway Winner!

Well, I'mANolaGirl did not contact me, so I drew another name!  Mid-Atlantic Martha is the new winner of the Cranberry Chutney.  Martha has until Wednesday, November 7th, at 6:00 p.m. to contact me or I will draw yet another name!