Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Some R&R to remember: Thanksgiving at Gateway


For this Thanksgiving holiday we {ACTUALLY} relaxed.  
No cooking for this Mama!  ...no house to clean and sparkle,  no company to prepare for,
or stacks of pretty dishes to wash.
We ran away to nearby Gateway Canyon!   
Gateway is a secret whisper, tucked into a quiet canyon,
full of majesty and oozing with PEACE!

 
Our hotel room was a cozy sanctuary,  perfect for the November's chill, with a corner fireplace, lots of space, and our own private hot tub!

 Three very excited boys checking out their special Thanksgiving "home". 

To encourage relaxation, I packed along some Thanksgiving library books for the boys to read.  



 This is a classic "Cameron look" as he always has his adorable nose in a book!


Our hotel room had its own little entrance, which the boys just loved!


Kotah at the back door...


 Kotah outside the room...

 Before our turkey dinner, 
we took a wagon ride with beautiful Belgium draft horses.


For our holiday feast, we dined at the resort's restaurant.  




They even had a miniature buffet set up for the littles!  
Corndogs and french fries on silver covered platters. ;)  

 


The chocolate fountain was the boys' favorite part.


Show me your FULL Thanksgiving tummies!


Literally RIGHT after dinner, 
we went to their park and played: 
wrestling, tree climbing, flips, 
and even Chris did a few cartwheels.




Ready, set...


...jump!


 Our team 2011

Before sunset we roasted some s'mores 
at a pretty s'more bar the resort had on the patios.


 Kotah wanted us to *kiss* for a picture...
and I am not such a great s'more cooker-upper.  ;)


 We went back to our COZY hotel room and did what we came for: RELAXED. 

 nearly bare branches give hint to the upcoming winter

  There is overlooked value in the simple relaxing activities while being with the ones we hold closest to our hearts.   This was one of the highlights of our trip!

Chris read right outside our room...


I worked on a Christmas stocking I'm knitting.  
(I'm a brand new knitter and loving it even though it's so hard for me)


And the boys played in our own little private hot tub 
(though I think they wished it was a giant pool) ;)
 

The views of Gateway from every angle are simply spectacular. 


 
We relaxed until the sun went down then we went inside and read by the fire and did our traditonal Thanksgiving hunt
I am a lover of traditions!  Every year we buy the boys Hallmark tree ornaments to add to their personal bedroom tree ornament collections.  I hide them in paper bags and lead them on a treasure hunt.  My grandparents did this for me when I was growing up, and I'm passing it along.  


Discovering their treasures



We also huddled around and each told
  7 things we were personally thankful for
and 3 facts about the first Thanksgiving. 



We later walked to the game room for late night fun of 
poker, pool, darts, and shuffle board.





We also toured the auto museum there. 
Chris always carries my purse.  ((awww)) 
At least I provide super Kool bags for him to carry. haha


After the auto museum tour, the boys were given new hot wheels! 


 We took advantage of the blue skies and enjoyed some hiking at Gateway too!






 Wow, this tree is incredible!



Extreme fence shadow walking...



Gateway is certainly a place of peaceful solace.  
If you are needing an escape from the rush-rush of life, 
explore your own nearby peaceful secret spots 
as an alternative to a traditional holiday. 
It may be your best holiday yet.  


Holding on for the busy ride of life.

  
Thank you Chris for taking us 
on a Thanksgiving trip to remember!  
We are thankful for YOU.

This post is linked to: DIY Fall Festival, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design

Friday, November 25, 2011

Wood and Plaid holiday table and Smashed Turkey Dinner Panini Sandwiches



The Thanksgiving holiday is centered around the dining room table which gives me good reason to adorn our table with lots of fall pretties. 



 This year for Thanksgiving, I threw a throw on the table. ;) This plaid wool blanket brought our gathering table a bit of warmth.


 My little squirrel candle 
tucks himself into a lot of our Thanksgiving tables...


Light birch vases cupped around fresh burnt colored flowers and wheat...


Pinecones on bare branches...


Leftover cluster of nuts from the boys collection they've used
to feed our backyard squirrel.



Acacia wood dishes are the loveliest for this season! 

 

 Blades of wheat at every place setting...


I finished each setting with creamy cloth napkins 
and a string of simple yarn. 



We celebrated the night before Thanksgiving with friends and panini sandwiches.  These sandwiches are the BEST way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. 


They're super easy to make too.  
Take everything you LOVE about Thanksgiving dinner 
and smash it between two slices of bread 
and BAM, dinner is served.


The HOW TO
- First spread a bit of mashed potatoes on one slice of think Italian Wheat bread.  
- Then spoon a bit of gravy onto the other slice of bread.  
 
   (this is NOT pb&j loves) ;)

- Top each side with a half slice of provolone cheese. 
- Add cranberry relish {if desired}.  
- Stack turkey breast slices and stuffing.  
- Smash together and sizzle in your panini machine. 
 
- Serve with a side of green beans.
 - Repeat as needed until your lil belly is full. 


Smashed Turkey Dinner Paninis

"a cranberry Thanksgiving'


We had an extra full school day so this pumpkin mousse 
was made with love by our local grocery store.


 


PS  Special bread and butter make cozy gifts for friends, neighbors, or family.  
This pumpkin maple butter is coupled with 
an adorable loaf of fresh baked cracked wheat bread 
made to look like a pumpkin. Too cute! 
I found it at a local bakery.

 

From our home sweet home
to your home sweet home
Happy Thanksgiving. 



Gather together and be blessed.



This post is linked to: DIY Fall Festival, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal SundaysMet Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff,   Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up  DIY by Design