Nicely done, Carlson.

Thank you, Judi!  Why do I find this so touching?  Going Home, I guess.

Long on limitations?

Short on time, space or decorations?

You've decided not to decorate this year?

Perhaps this idea will add just the right amount of sparkle to your holiday table. Good work, BHG.

Think Vertical.

If space is limited, you might not be able to hang every ornament you own on a tree, but there's no reason to keep the leftovers boxed up. Look for unexpected places...like a chandelier.

A few of my favorites

Wooly Felted Slippers

Cozy up Baby's little toes with a pair of slippers made from recycled sweaters. One-of-kind footwear in sizes for infants, kids, men, and women wards off winter's chill.  Lambswool Slippers, $38.

• Buy now

Pretty Clever, Martha.

Why am I not surprised?

From Martha S: 

Stuffed Animals from Kids' Drawings

Bring a child's favorite drawing to life in the form of a stuffed animal.

How to Make the Stuffed Animals

I think even I could do this.

Polarfleece Hats

Keep children warm all winter with these playful, easy-to-make fleece hats.

Get the How-To

Do these people never sleep?

Glove Animals

Make these cozy critters out of plain pairs of socks and gloves.

Get the How-To

Simply sensational Sweaters

Apparently I was so excited about this that I inadvertently sent without explanation. Hopefully you followed link.  AND wait until you see the video!  Who would have guessed that there is an entire industry some of us watching the video last night knew nothing about! Already looking for sweaters to shrink! Shhhhhh. Christmas is coming.

Needle-Felted Sweaters

Felt a vintage wool sweater and add whimsical designs and patterns for kids using our templates.

Get the How-To from Martha Stewart.  

OMG/check this out!

Felted Sweaters

Crafter Sarah Rosensweet shows how to turn a vintage sweater into an adorable felted spring sweater for a child.  

An Enlightened Perspective

Written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. 

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. 

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows. 

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned .... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child. 

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way. 

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with. 

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand. 

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult. 

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. 

I've learned... . That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. 

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class. 

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular. 

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. 

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts. 

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. 

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds. 

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people

Smarter than I am. 

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. 

I've learned.. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. 

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher. 

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. 

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. 

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away. 

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them. 

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. 

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Thanks, Kathi, for sharing.

Thanksgiving memories.

The Couch by Jason Gay/The Wallstreet Journal, Monday, November 21, 2011.

Thanksgiving is Thursday and there's no avoiding it—make the drive, eat the turkey, pass the cranberry goo, and try not to say something you regret. If you can survive until dessert without crying at the table or sticking a fork in someone's arm, you're home free—just inhale the pecan pie, hit the couch, and pass out watching the NFL.

But for the love of Lombardi, go outside and play some Thanksgiving touch football. It's a perfect opportunity for family bonding, or at least calorie-burning. Unless you're in a fraternity or live inside a Tommy Hilfiger commercial, you probably play touch football only once a year, and Thanksgiving is that day.

Here are the official rules of Thanksgiving Family Touch Football:

1. If you have a healthy relationship with your family and speak to them all the time, you're playing touch. If you see your family only once a year, it's tackle.

2. Find a nice patch of grass. It doesn't have to be big. You don't need a regulation 100 yards. Half the people in your family, if they ran 100 yards, they'd wind up in the hospital for a month.

3. The game must be played before dinner. Nobody wants to play football after Thanksgiving. Nobody wants to wear pants after Thanksgiving.

4. All family on the field! Everyone plays. Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, Cousin Jake, and Regis the one-eyed Jack Russell terrier. Don't laugh. Regis is the best receiver you've got.

5. The following things are prohibited from Thanksgiving touch football: spikes, eye black, sticky gloves, Jets jerseys, running with a martini glass and a lit cigar, Norv Turner.

6. A Nerf ball is okay but you should own a leather football. A leather football is one of the things every home must have, like a dishwasher and a bourbon distillery in the garage.

7. No footballs with wings or propellers or tails or streamers. Here's a good rule: If the football would make Dick Butkus throw up, don't use it.

8. It's two-hand touch. One-hand touch is for lazy people who buy turkey sandwiches out of vending machines.

9. Two completions is a first down. Not as simple as it sounds—just ask the 2011 Indianapolis Colts.

10. No taunting, cursing or back-handed compliments. That's what Thanksgiving dinner is for.

11. Unless you live in California, Hawaii or Florida or some fancy place like that, the ground is probably going to be squishy with cold mud, and someone in your family is going to fall down face-first and ruin his or her Thanksgiving outfit. This is not cause for alarm. This is the highlight of the game.

12. It's okay to play with kids but don't baby them. Just because your 7-year-old niece is playing quarterback doesn't mean you can't intercept her screen pass and run it back for a touchdown. She's got to learn sometime not to throw into triple coverage.

13. The count is five "Mississippi." And it's a full four syllables—not a rushed "MISS-IPPI" and knocking grandpa to the ground.

14. But if you are old enough to have grandchildren, and you sack the quarterback, and do an elaborate sack dance, you will be worshipped forever.

15. Keep the Tebowing to a minimum. The fad is already old.

16. No, you don't get to be "permanent QB." Not if you want anybody to like you.

17. No show-off football lingo. No screaming "trips left" or "zone blitz." Uncle Dale doesn't want to play the "nickel package." He wants to get this stupid game over with, have a vodka and stand in the kitchen eating stuffing with his hands.

18. But there's always one control freak who wants to diagram elaborate plays. Just listen to whatever they say, and forget it immediately.

19. There are only two plays you need for touch football: "Everybody Go Out" and "Everybody Go Deep."

20. No, that running play never works. Ever.

21. Don't throw the ball too hard. This is the mistake a lot of touch football QBs make. They see an opening, and they chuck it 99 mph like John Elway, and peg Aunt Frances in the neck.

22. A little pass interference never hurt anyone. Don't be a wimp.

23. If you throw six interceptions in a row, let someone else play quarterback, or sign with the Washington Redskins.

24. Three-minute halftime. Don't kill the momentum. Anything longer, and aging muscles seize up. Remember: if Daddy sits, Daddy is d-o-n-e.

25. If you're playing on a city street, please don't dent the blue Honda, or I will find you.

26. If you're a random guest at Thanksgiving, it's your job to be good at touch football. Lie and say you "played a little" at Alabama and pray you don't completely embarrass yourself.

27. If you find yourself surrounded by middle-aged men in blue jeans and a quarterback who keeps getting picked off, you're not with your family. You've accidentally walked into a Brett Favre Wrangler spot.

28. Punting is okay, but it's hard. You know that weird fact about how hippopotamuses kill more people than lions or tigers? Well, punts are the hippopotamuses of touch football. Botched punts break more windows and hit more cars than any other play in the game. You can look it up. Be careful.

29. Goes without saying, but if it snows, it's a classic.

30. Take it easy. You don't want any injuries that can't be treated with a bag of frozen peas.

31. If you win your game and stand undefeated, please let LSU know you're available to play in the BCS championship.

32. When you think about it, there's really only one rule for Thanksgiving touch football: Take your shoes off before going in the house, or Mom is going to kill you.

Chilling out on Thanksgiving Day

Spotted on our vegetarian friends' farm enjoying their own TDay.  Obviously not as unintelligent as previously believed.

How did they know that they'd be free to feast without fear of being consumed?

White cousins not as lucky.  

Or as smart.  

Or as free.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Turkeys on vacation!

Thanks Barb!

Sneak Peek!

Simply Sensational, Susan!!!

Her Holiday Boutique is tomorrow/Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 am to 1 pm.

It will be at her house:  1255 Hamilton Ave. Palo Alto.

Arrive early.  Very early!!!

You'll find terrific handmade treasures of all kinds.  All beautifully executed. And perfectly priced.  

See slide show for a sneek peek!

Not to be missed!!!  Come rain or shine.  

Phenomenal, really.

WOW!  Can  you imagine witnessing this?  Pretty amazing experience!  NO, VERY incredible, once-in-a-lifetime, EXPERIENCE.

A chance encounter and shared moment with one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena.

Many thanks, Anne!  See you soon!!!

Thanksgiving table idea #3

Gather up your leftover gourds and uncarved pumpkins; stack them on a wagon, in a wheelbarrow or on your front steps.

Follow the link below for more ideas from: 

BH&G

Pumpkin patches often offer discounts or are simply delighted to have you help clear their fields by hauling away their leftovers.

Use a permanent marker or acrylic paint to welcome guests.

Thanksgiving table idea #4

Easy, natural and beautiful!  

Click on the magazine for directions and many more ideas! 

"Gourd-and-Vine Wreath.  Choose colorful gourds with long necks, then attach them to a basic vine wreath with raffia or wire. Colorful berry sprays and a rustic raffia bow enhance the air of autumn elegance." bhg.com

Thanksgiving table idea #2

Always losing your glass?        Me, too.

Find yourself drinking everyone elses' beverages? Yep. Pretty much.

Here's a simple solution!

Thanksgiving table idea #1

Five separate posts for Thanksgiving.  Some more time-consuming than others. All well worth a look.  

Grab a glue gun and get going!  

Follow this link to Better Homes & Gardens for complete instructions.

A Week of Top Picks for Thanksgiving!

Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens!  

Visit their website by clicking through links for instructions and additional ideas.  Well done, BH&G!

Quick crafts for kids.