Preparations

We're elbow-deep in preparations for our Thanksgiving feast and celebration over at Aunt L & Uncle J's. There's rumor of a backyard football game after dinner that I'm really looking forward to. That and my run this morning should help burn off some of the extra calories.

Here's an overview of our calorie contributions for the day: southern smashed potatoes, homemade artisan bread {from this book}, honey butter made with Big Bear's pure honey from our family in GA, and a little take-home treat for all of our guests; cranberry-apple jam {recipe courtesy of my favorite canning blog, Food In Jars}.

A little eco-note on the cran-apple jam jars; cloth is recovered from a Goodwill shirt find and the tags are cut from leftover letterpress scraps from the invitations for my brother's wedding last month. Our little way to thank mother earth today.

Also on my "I'm thankful for" list this year:

Cars that work in crashes

Jobs that survive the economy

Families that love & laugh together

Friends through sun, rain and sometimes pain

Baby butts and sloppy kid kisses {can't get enough}

Tickle fights

After-dinner dance fever to Cotton-eyed Joe & Can't Get Next to You

Having everything we need