The table setting: fresh flowers in glass bottles and pumpkins from our pumpkin patch outing.

Casual handwritten butcher paper place cards and a wrapping paper runner

A little message on our tiny chalk wall

Hand written signs over our gallery wall

The signs were hand written by my niece because I have the penmanship of a doctor, basically chicken- scratch.

Appetizers by my mom

Hubby and I made the two turkeys, cranberry sauce from scratch, sweet potato gratin, roasted green beans with walnuts and cranberries

Sparkling apple drink

No bake pumpkin cheesecakes, pumpkin roll, pecan pie cookies

Last year was our first thanksgiving as new parents. Nothing like having a baby to make you feel all kinds of “we need to make memorable moments” and  emotions of “let’s make our own family tradition.” What is more equivalent to traditions than holidays? …So the hubby and I decided to host the Thanksgiving celebrations at our home for the very first time.

With much excitement, and  no previous experience for Thanksgiving cooking, other than the eating of the food and the yearly making of a casserole to share, we set out to create a  midday feast. You know, something “simple” for the 15 family members we were hosting…

• two herb roasted turkeys
• three home made from scratch side dishes
• three different desserts that were to be thanksgiviny with a twist
•  a festive fall drink
• planned out personally styled, casual, comfortable but stylish decor

All this while while nursing a 7month old teething baby!..And you know, with that Pinterest thing, I hardly felt any pressure at all to whip up a meal straight from Rachel Ray’s kitchen and style a tablescape ready for a 3 page spread in Martha Stewart magazine!  No pressure right? Can you hear the sarcasm?!

I may have been substantially stressed and definitely sleep deprived, considering I went to bed at 5am or some ridiculous time. Even though the results may not have been quite Town & Country ready, we most certainly had a very warm, memorable and tasty thanksgiving-the love and gratitude of our family abounded for each other, and especially for our tiny human.