"We Gather Together" is the theme of Pink Saturday this weekend. Of course the first thoughts that popped into my mind were about gathering for Thanksgiving next week.
We have had the blessing of being able to "give thanks" with our family over the last several years. This year, we get to celebrate our newest Grand Boy's first Thanksgiving and that will make it an even better day!
A fond memory I have from last year was putting the Grand Girl in charge of making place mats for our dinner table.
She also set our Thanksgiving table!!! I feel her job would rival the best tablescape artist!!!
While the turkey was cooking and the two grands were watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade with their mom and my hubby, my son and I went to a nearby park to do our own version of a Turkey Trot 5K run.
The weather was gorgeous that day, and because I was dealing with an injured hamstring, we ended up run/walking. . . and talking. . alone! It was so much fun!
The next day, we drove to the tree farm where our two families had tagged our trees the month before. Here our son is cutting down one of the trees, while my hubby "assists". . .and the Grand Girl looks on . . .
and Grand Boy #1 hangs out in his stroller and munches on a candy cane given to him by Santa!!
Grand Boy #2 would be born a month later!! It will be so much fun to see him in the family photo with the Tree Farm Santa this year!!
Early this week, I finished my last journal in the Circle Journal Project that nine other ladies and I have been participating in since January.
Each of us chose a "theme" for our journal, designed the covers and the first two page layout. . . then we mailed them off to the person next on our list, where they completed their interpretation of the theme. .. then mailed the journal on to the next person on the list. Over the year. . .the journals have been passed around the country. . and are now arriving back to their homes . . . .completed!!
My last journal belonged to Kay Ellen of KAY ELLEN DESIGNS. She selected the theme "Travels by the Sea".
In my two page layout, I chose to provide an opportunity for the members of the Circle Journal to "Gather by the Sea". We were all there. . .in our very vintage bathing suits. . . looking oh so festive and cute as we shared stories of the sea.
Being a midwestern girl, I had very few sea stories, so I was content to listen and learn!! I shared a few lake and creek stories, but they weren't as neat as the sea stories. :)
My layout also included a charm bracelet, of sorts, that contained items that could have been "Gathered from the Sea". . .or at least have a nautical look!! My interpretation was loose!! :)
I used a copy of the "By the Beautiful Sea" sheet music and cover as my background. Actually, that was my inspiration for how the layout evolved.
Items to embellish the pages were gathered at local flea markets . . . the doily, the chain, the ric rac. My friend Bonnie donated the starfish earrings (you see on the page on the left) and a little "sea angel" that dangled from the bracelet. The buttons came from my mom's button tin. .. and the little beads were found here and there. They reminded me of "sea glass" found along the beach!!
Oh. . . and the brown ruffle along the bottom of this page. . .a coffee filter that I cut into a strip and gathered on the sewing machine. . . giving a "sandy" spot for the bathing beauties to stand!
THE STONE RABBIT has really enjoyed this Journey of Journals with me. I'm pretty sure he has posed with each one before I passed them on.
It felt good, in a way, to be putting it in the mail. . . knowing I'd completed nearly year long project. However, I will certainly miss the monthly challenges of trying to come up with my interpretation of a new theme. . . in a new shape and size of journal!
Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND. She is our faithful hostess who always provides us the spot to share our PINKS or special themes. For that, we thank you so very much, Beverly!!
Happy Pink Saturday!
DANA
It's here~~~it's here!!
My journal arrived last night!
I am going to wait and open it up on Birthday tomorrow!!
Thank you sweet Dana :)
I am going truly going to miss my mail packages from Missouri!!
Happy PS!! and have a blessed Thanksgiving sweet friend:))
xo
Kay Ellen
Posted by: Kay Ellen | November 16, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Hi Dana..that journal is so stunning I have no words!!!!
Happy Pink Saturday & have a lovely Thanksgiving..xo Tami
Posted by: Tami Kenner | November 16, 2012 at 02:31 PM
How wonderful to have your family with you AND to get special time with your son. LOVE all the photos, the place mats are treasures (as are your GRANDS I know !)
Your journal pages are fabulous and I know everyone had a great time creating them.
May you, Mr. Stone Rabbit and all your family have a most blessed and joyous Thanksgiving. (())
Posted by: Francie Thornton | November 16, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Hi Dana, I just finished my 3 mile power walk. I would rather do it in the morning but today was a full day. I am feeling powerful right now. I bet you feel the same way when you run. I love the photo of you and your son. You both look relaxed and so happy.
I remember the hand drawn art work on the place mats. Your little granddaughter had to be so proud of herself when she set the table. You are amazing with the wonderful things you plan with your grands. You think like a teacher Dana. I admire your patience with your sweet grands. It is hard to believe that the baby is growing so fast. HA! Old people always say that.
Your pages for Kay Ellen are perfect. I like that I am a 'thin' bather. I'm working on getting thinner right now. It's working. Every detail is no surprise from my creative friend. Sewing a coffee filter??? Loved that. Kay Ellen will have a delightful birthday tomorrow because she will love your pages.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving my dear friend. Your loving family is a blessing and so are you.
Love, Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | November 16, 2012 at 06:57 PM
What a great post with such beautiful pictures. You are so blessed but your family and friends are blessed with you in their lives. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Happy Pink Saturday. Grace xoox
PS...Love the journal!!
Posted by: Grace | November 17, 2012 at 06:02 AM
Your GrandGal's table was Award Winning...especially the placemat...such a treasure. As is the Journal...great job and so thoughtful and well done. Thanks for showing the pages. Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Happy Pink Gathering Saturday!
Posted by: Sue | November 17, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Dana, your journal is beautiful! I've tried making one...but it just didn't look that good. Nothing like yours! :) You've inspired me to try it again one day.
Hugs, Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | November 18, 2012 at 03:08 PM