The Kind that Refreshes the Family
Personal family time is essential to our family.
It’s a type of hospitality that refreshes the family, instead of stressing everyone out!
This Thanksgiving was that for our family, as the five of us had the opportunity to get away for a relaxing time.
Renewing.
Rejuvinating.
Rekindling.
The centerpiece was made by taking a nature walk with my daughter, and using “high desert” foliage. I cooked my sweet potatoes ahead of time, measured out my toppings and put into Ziploc bags, and I left the big “bird” at home, opting out for a smaller turkey breast.
Simplicity was on my mind, and we even used paper napkins!
Thankful for our time away, a relaxed holiday dining experience was created as “family” was prioritized, taking us away from what we all know as the “daily grind.”
I’m hoping you had a fantastic Thanksgiving with loved ones!
I’d love to hear about the highlights of your last 4 days?
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I spent the night at my grandparents one night with my new husband. I shopped with my grandma. My brother & sis-in-law, my mom and I took my nephew to the zoo and taught him a new song. My mom and I explored antique shops. We sat around talking with aunts and uncles and cousins. We passed around a baby. We celebrated Christmas Eve on Friday and Christmas Day on Saturday since we will all be apart on Dec. 24th and 25th. It was wonderful family time! Kelly
We travelled to visit relatives this year and had dinner with 23 people. Both my husband and I felt rather detached from the crowd that day since we were suffering from a mild stomach virus. On Sunday, we refreshed with a quieter dinner at home with my mom. It is important to take time to breath during the holidays. It’s easy to forget.
Hi, Sandi –
I passed a short Meme along to you on my blog, if you have the time.
I can’t wait to see what you do during the Christmas holidays.
God bless,
Elizabeth
I love your pictures.
I know what you mean about a weekend that refreshes… it was just what I needed.
Iposted your centerpiece as a part of our collection. Thanks!
I guess my highlights were spent outside. My husband was on call much of the time. I loved my time out in the gardens before it became really cold today!
Brenda
I love the pictures. I love this post, too.
We stayed at home, this time. I prepared ahead and I also had my daughter help me with chopping and mixing. It went well, except that I forgot to put sugar in the pumpkin pie – hahahaha. It was alright, though, I coated the top in sugar for the last 15 minutes of cooking and put extra in the whip cream. It all worked.
God bless,
Elizabeth
Beautiful!
Your holiday looked so relaxing. :)
I took your advice on the centerpiece, too! We went outside and got leaves (with small twigs attached) and used them on the table. It was gorgeous.
Lots of laughing, talking, hugging, and eating. I’m glad your family got to get away and spend time together!
Sandy, thanks for visiting my blog. I love yours!
It sounds like it was a wonderful holiday, Sandy! We also had tons of family time over the holiday weekend. There is nothing like it!
My kids are grown and live in other states. It was the first time we didn’t spend Thanksgiving with at least one of them.
Your time with your family sounds delightful. I think it’s a precious time.
What a great Thansgiving..rejuvenating is important. We had fun..went to a museum on Friday..did some shopping!
-sandy toes
Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
We spent Thanksgiving day with some wonderful friends since we have no family around. We kept things simple and we had a blast. The rest of the weekend? Just hanging out together and fighting off the cold I caught.
Beautifully said, and beautifully shot with photos. We also had a simpler Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing yours!
Awesome pictures Sandy! Isn’t it amazing how those deer love to just come up and visit!!
We had everyone at our house and since I haven’t cooked the holiday meal in 2 1/2 years, I savored every moment of it. The girls helped with the turkey (they stuffed it). we spent lots of time watching movies, playing games and just laying low!
Next Saturday is our trip to Sunriver where we’ll just hang out and enjoy being together. I’ve been in December and I’d love to go to Bend and see how it’s decorated not to mention all the houses in sunriver. Oooohhh I can’t wait!! I’m even thinking “very simple” for meals. Things that are good for us but don’t take lots of prep time. maybe casseroles, french dip sammy’s..
Relaxing…Exciting, Fun Filled, Family Time,,,,and restful.
Sandy,
I love this post! Love this idea! And love the thoughts you shared! With a busy ministry life, I look forward to the time it is just us. This was a beautiful reminder that sometimes “simple and easy” can provide us with so much more!
You inspire me!
It was just the 5 of us, too, at our house. We had spent a few days prior to Thanksgiving in MS with my parents. We came back home in time to cook and have our meal on Thursday.
I posted on how it was not my secret fantasy holiday meal, but it was in the category of KEEPIN’ IT REAL. And it was REAL GOOD.
Actually it was just our little family for the first time ever.
We either usually have family or friends how have no family in town over. But not this year.
We had a wonderful, relaxing day (well some of it was relaxing for me, after all I did all the cooking). We watched the parade, Miracle on 32nd Street, played games, and ate a ton of food.
I am glad you day was special!
Hugs,
Julie
My 4 days???? Pick up college son at airport, work Mon thru wed while he sleeps, do his laundry ,drive to hometown, eat, cook, eat, family, cook, football, cook, family, eat, football, cook, clean up,…tonight I sleep and then back to work tomorrow!! I love the holidays ;)
First of all… what a neat picture there at the end!
Out Thanksgiving was made special this year because we are able to spend it with both sides of the family. Our day began at my in-laws with lots of the traditional dishes. We then went and spent the evening with my side of the family and had dessert. It was a blessing to spend it with those we are so thankful for.
I had family for Thanksgiving for the first time in the 30 years since moving here to Phoenix from Wisconsin!! It has been a wonderful week!
The best part was the hike we took the day after Thanksgiving. The mountains near our home were breathtaking from 2 days of rain. My niece’s 2 year old daughter just kept saying “I love this!”
Although my son lives at home while attending college, he is so busy with classes, work, and studying that we rarely see him.
It has been wonderful having him around again. When I was going to sleep last night, I was thinking how time goes so quickly.
Just hearing the TV still going as he watched a movie was comforting as he’s often at one of the university’s libraries at that time.