Saturday, November 23, 2019

Thanksgiving Week Thoughts and Printables

This week, many of us in the United States will be welcoming friends and family to our homes for Thanksgiving Day. Those of us who don't will hopefully be celebrating the holiday at the home of a friend or family member (unless they'd just like to hang out and chill on their own -- and that's something for which to be thankful, too!)


What are your holiday traditions? Are certain foods must-haves? Are you navigating the vegan Thanksgiving with that of the carnivores? Do you wish that once the morning parades were over, the television would break for the next ten hours?


I've read a couple of great posts on the history of Thanksgiving, posts that provide food for thought. Mae of Mae Food says, "For this and other reasons, besides enjoying the cooking and consuming of a traditional turkey dinner with family next week, I will think about the real history of the "Pilgrims" and their relationship to the natives of Massachusetts." (To find out what "for this" is, check out her post!)


Anne Clare of The Naptime Author is doing a guest post trade on A Bit About Britain. (A Bit About Britain writer Mike Biles is over at Anne's, writing about the fascinating history of Bletchley Park, instrumental in helping the Allies win World War II.


In a fascinating post that outlines not only the history of Thanksgiving but how and why the Pilgrims got to Massachusetts in the first place, and why Thanksgiving skips around on the calendar, Anne says, "In the end, though, I think the one thing we all hope for—the one thing that we know we need to hold on to, even if sometimes we forget—is the spirit of the day that we see in those Pilgrims who’d suffered and struggled and still rejoiced. It’s a day to stop, and reflect, to look at the blessings around us and to Give Thanks."


I hope you click over and read both of those. (And Mike's too -- three of my favorite wonderful writers.)


The images in this post are from my vintage postcard collection (and who knows, maybe one or two I downloaded over the years.) I share them here so you can use them as you like. Here are some ideas:


  • Print them as place cards for your table
  • Print on cardstock and cut out the details. Post on small skewers or toothpicks for party picks or cupcake decorations.
  • Drop them into an email invitation or reminder to a friend who's coming for dinner (don't forget your pie!)
  • Copy and send to friends far away and remind them that you are thankful for their role in your life, even if they are far away on the day.


Good luck on your holiday preparations!

Sharing with:   Let's Keep In Touch     

44 comments:

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Canadian Thanksgiving occurred last month, of course, so the next extravaganza will be Christmas. I have to say that in general we are pretty low key celebrators of these events. We certainly don't decorate the house and have special dishes for them. Our kids all live away, and we have an active social life all year (had friends over for lunch yesterday) so we don't feel some inner compulsion to celebrate because a date on the calendar says we should.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Hope you and Rick have a fabulous Thanksgiving week. Remember to take some time to relax.

Love the postcards. Just sold some that are similar.

My name is Erika. said...

Great vintage art pieces from those unnamed artists who created cards and other "things". They are super to see as well as your interesting links Jeanie. I love Thanksgiving. It is fun, lots of food (yummy food too), and a really nice early winter (or maybe late fall) break. Thanks for sharing. Hugs-Erika

Susie said...

Jeanie, I love the cards. I did see a big white turkey with brown and striped tail feathers once. Have a great week. Wishing you and your the best Thanksgiving. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I'm wishing you a nice, "relaxing" week of preparations and gatherings, Jeanie! Lovely images on your post today. -Jenn

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful images, thanks for sharing. Take it steady with the preparations, I'm sure it's a lot of work! Hugs, Valerie

Lynne said...

Fabulous postcards and post!
Saved it to my iPad screen!

Lynne said...

Fabulous postcards and post!
Saved it to my iPad screen!

Mae Travels said...

Thanks for your lovely link to my blog post today! Your vintage cards are wonderful, and I really enjoyed seeing them. I have your other linked posts all ready to read (in other browser windows) and I'm looking forward to learning more about history.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Rustic Pumpkin said...

We celebrate Harvest Festival or Harvest Thanksgiving usually in September or October, depending on your church in the UK, with a service in church followed by a meal of some kind. I miss the warmth and generosity of Thanksgiving in America, it is a very, very special day indeed. When I returned to Wales, one of my talks I would give was a brief history of Thanksgivng along with dishes of relevant foods to taste. It was always very well received!

~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales

Haddock said...

Like those vintage drawings.

Lowcarb team member said...

A lovely post.
I do hope that you have an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

I do like those vintage postcards.

All the best Jan

Carol said...

Beautiful pieces of art in those cards. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Pam Richardson said...

I love your vintage postcard collection! I will be busy all week preparing for our family’s celebration of Thanksgiving. Wishing you a wonderful week Jeanie!

peppylady (Dora) said...

My son is Vegan.
But some how we do mange.
Coffee is on

Pam said...

Almost here....gobble, gobble, gobble. HOping you enjoy. I was hoping to hang at the house and not so anything but my daughter is not allowing that. Going to be a diff one for us all with mom gone.

Joyful said...

I love all your vintage Thanksgiving cards. I wish you and your family all the very best of the day. It's is one of my favourite holidays even though we celebrate in October in Canada. xx

Joyful said...

p.s. I still celebrate Thanksgiving with a special meal, usually turkey and all the fixings.

Iris Flavia said...

We sadly don´t celebrate Thanksgiving.
I think in small villages old people might go to church.
We call it Erntedankfest, Harvest festival.
Morning parades??? From TV I associate it with walching Americann Football, can you explain, please?

;-) I kinda doubt that turkey wishes you a happy Thanksgiving, BEING the Thanksgiving!

Off to read more :-)
And a Happy, yummy Thanksgiving to you!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Lovely images! I wish you, Rick and your family a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day, have a happy new week ahead.

shoreacres said...

Needless to say, I'll not be hosting a dinner this Thanksgiving -- or a breakfast, or even a coffee break. But I've managed to keep a bowl, a rolling pin, and a pie plate unpacked, and I'll be taking pie to a friend's house for dinner. Then, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving Day, I'll get the key to the new place, and do my best to move as many boxes as I can, to get them safely out of the way of the movers. The heavy ones will wait for them!

I'm hoping to be fully packed by Wednesday. That will mean that I can take Friday to run the country with my camera if the weather's decent. Fingers crossed!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Loved this post and the history....I do wish our Thanksgiving was earlier than we have it like the Canadians have theirs in October. Why they picked the end of November is beyond me because in most of the country, the harvest is long over....I will be cooking dinner for our family of 5 and am looking forward to spending the day with family..I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!!Thanks for always stopping by!!
Hugs,
Debbie

La Table De Nana said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Jeanie:)

Arti said...

Thanksgiving in your country is so meaningful and phenomenal. Thanks for this beautiful post and the printable cards and the link to Ann Clare’s post. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Jeanie!

Sandra Cox said...

Lovely post. Happy Thanksgiving, Jeanie. May it be blessed.

William Kendall said...

We sensibly had our Thanksgiving last month.

I hope I never have another Thanksgiving like this year.

Prims By The Water said...

Happy Thanksgiving. We will be heading to my sister's for dinner that day. Janice

Miss Val's Creations said...

What beautiful printables. Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday for me. At times throughout the year we may forget to be thankful for certain things and this day is a great reminder. I will definitely be trying those maple cookies! Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Jeanie!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Love vintage cards. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!

Hena Tayeb said...

We have never really had any traditions were Thanksgiving. We have had them with friends.. we have had them without turkey.. but what is a constant is that is a day off to be spent with loved ones and being thankful for their presence.
Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love Thanksgiving! It is probably my favorite holiday because it's about getting together with friends/family and enjoying really good food. There are no gifts or decorations required (they are a nice perk of course but not something you need to spend hours doing!). It just simpler! My brother is hosting this year. We have a very traditional meal. My favorite dish is stuffing (we call it dressing). My mom makes a GF version for me so I can enjoy some! I'm bringing the veggie trays/dips and a brussel sprout salad, which is my standard contribution when we celebrate Thanksgiving with my side of the family. Then on Friday, my family will come over to our new house for a selection of soups. I'm really looking forward to it!

I hope you and Rick have a wonderful thanksgiving holiday!!!

Alexandria said...

What a great Thanksgiving Post! Thanks for mentioning the links and I love your vintage cards. Have a Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

The French Hutch said...

Always pleasing to reflect the true history of Thanksgiving. So often we don't have or take time with the rush on to prepare the feast. Thanks for reminding us and sharing your collection of cards, special. Wishing you and Rick and the two little ones a wonderful Thanksgiving........

Red Rose Alley said...

I'm with you on the parades on tv, Jeanie. A bit too much for me. These are cute vintage cards. Don't have a lot of Thanksgiving traditions - just eat all the Yummy foods on that day. And when we have a big get together, I usually put out my mother's gravy boat, which is from the '40's. Thank you for printables. My sister loves these vintage cards, and I'll send a couple to her.

Happy Thanksgiving, Jeanie. I'm thankful for having a blog friend like you. : )

~Sheri

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the postcards, Happy Thanksgiving !


Runningonempty.

Tracy said...

This is sooo LOVE-ly, Jeanie! LOTS of good reading, and reflecting--THANK YOU! That the holiday is in November is a bit odd, I've always thought. Most harvests are actually over. October seems more sensible... haha! One thing I miss living abroad is Thanksgiving. I celebrate the day (or rather weekend, as we have to shuffled to the weekend as it's not a holiday here) and it's good. But I miss it, you know? Since it's usual just the two of us, I tend to keep things nice, but simple. I don't make the big traditional meal that's usually depicted, or the one my Mom makes. Since I've gone over to a more vegan diet, this year I'm roasting a stuffed little pumpkin and making some tasty sides--Guinness mushrooms, creamed pearl onions and probably Brussels sprouts. TJ's getting a small roast chicken at the supermarket hot buffet to have on his plate along with the rest. Dessert will likely be a fruit galette of some kind... maybe pear and cranberry? Thanksgiving weekend I like to watch the 1994 Little Women film--that's a holiday kick-off'er for me. Wishing you & your a LOVE-filled week, this Thanksgiving week, my friend... may you all have a blessed day! ((LOVE & HUGS))

Anca said...

What a lovely post. I hope you have a wonderful celebration this year. Hugs xx

Pom Pom said...

Hi Jeanie! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Thank you for the lovely prints!

Marilyn Miller said...

Love vintage postcards. I need to get some out of their box and display them. Thanks for the reminder.

Louca por porcelana said...

Happy Thanksgiving! What a wonderful collection of vintage cards!Blessings!

Evi Erlinda said...

Great story about pilgrims in Massachusetts.
Nice cards,

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

I love this post. How did I ever miss it? Happy Thanksgiving to you, Rick and family.

My Grama's Soul said...

Happy Thanksgiving Jeanie....have a wonderful day.

Jo

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What can I say, other than I realize I’m very late visiting. I want to thank you for the links AND the printables. I like the idea of using some for place settings. Hope you have a fabulous and safe Thanksgiving,.

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