#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

DailyBuzz Moms 9×9: Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree

November 19, 2011 · Holidays and More

Gratitude Tree
When the folks at DailyBuzz Moms mentioned that they were doing a round-up of Thanksgiving table decor and centerpiece ideas, I knew exactly what idea to pitch them. We started using this Gratitude Tree as our Thanksgiving table centerpiece two years ago, and I love it. It’s super simple to make, a nice understated but powerful centerpiece that involves everyone, and one that you can add to every year. And the bonus? You can likely put this together using supplies you already have on hand.

I happened to find glittered bendable branches at Pier 1 in 2009, so lucked out in that respect. If you can’t find them, Target has something similar. And the best method? Forage in your backyard for long branches, clean off, spray paint, or dust with glitter.

I used a clear glass vase and colored stones to anchor the branches.

Every year, Thanksgiving guests add a leaf to the tree, writing what they are thankful for that year. It’s fun to look back and see some of the highlights from previous years. You can make your leaves using scrapbook paper, construction paper, even pages from an old book. Simply tie a little string on it and you’re set. After the holiday, I put all the previous years’ leaves in a sealable bag and store it all together.
I am grateful for...

Madeline is grateful for...

Madeline is Thankful for...

For more Thanksgiving centerpiece and decor ideas, DailyBuzz Moms will be doing a round-up of 8 other bloggers’ inspiration on Tuesday, so stay tuned. And Monday, I’ll be sharing some of our favorite tried-and-true Thanksgiving recipes for those that are still knee-deep in menu planning.

If you missed yesterday’s post, you can check it out right here, and enter to win Stonefire bread. Go get ’em!

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Posted In: Holidays and More · Tagged: centerpiece, DailyBuzz Moms, gratitude tree, Stonefire, Thanksgiving

Comments

  1. Joanie from CLBB says

    November 19, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Aaaawww, “juice”–it’s the little things, ain’t it? Wee Maddie kept it nice and simple and honest in 09. Thanks for the smile!
    Terrific idea, great reminder as to the purpose of the holiday, thanks for the inspiration. I swear, Cate, you clever crafty girl, I vote we christen you as the “Martha Stewartish icon” for the everyman/woman (I don’t know how you feel about MS, folks seem to either love her or hate her, have only seen her a handful of times and/or read Real Simple maybe 2x/year, but you seem so much more realistic and personable ;-) and I mean this in a totally complimentary way). Stay warm (I’m thankful for fleece and silk underwear right now)!

    Reply
    • Cate O'Malley says

      November 22, 2011 at 10:40 am

      Thanks, Joanie, your comment totally made my day, and detractors or not, it is definitely a complement to have MS in the same sentence. Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply
  2. Joanne says

    November 20, 2011 at 7:24 am

    This is such a cute idea and really gets you to focus on what we’re really celebrating at thanksgiving and not just the food!

    Reply
  3. patsy says

    November 20, 2011 at 8:24 pm

    ok, this is too cute not to do this year! I’ll be working on it this week… fabulous idea!

    Reply
  4. Chrissy @ The Outlaw Mom Blog says

    November 22, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I love all the things that the children are grateful for :-) This is such a good idea. We haven’t made one yet, but I think that’s our project for today – thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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