Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Thanksgiving - Just Around the Corner

Today as I was getting my shopping list together for Rick, I asked him if we were ready to decide what we wanted for Thanksgiving this year. It's just the two of us. No big pilgrim feast this year.


We decided we could wait till next week but it started me thinking about bringing up the turkey plates, planning the dinner, albeit a small one, and just about the holiday in general.

I don't have a lot of cute turkeys or other Thanksgiving-specific decor, just a few bits. But I do have a lot of vintage postcards.


I use them in decorating. Just a touch here and there.  Here are a few ideas and some cards to share for your use.


Just right-click to save the ones you like on your computer. Then print them on card stock and tuck them into a wreath.


 Tuck one or two in your holiday centerpiece.


Or use them as place cards on your table. It doesn't matter if there are ten of you or two of you, or even if you're dining alone.

If you're bringing dinner to a friend or neighbor or some sweet treat, tuck them in as a greeting.


Use them as a "What I'm grateful for" game at your table or on Thanksgiving Day. Just write your gratitudes on the back (and don't forget to save them!)


This Thanksgiving will be hard for those of us who are apart from families or dear friends. And if not hard, different.

Some of us may have had final farewells to people we love in this past year. We may know others who have fought or are still fighting Covid or another possibly terminal disease. We must be grateful for what they brought to the table in years past.


And, if we are well, grateful that we are here. Celebrations matter. So does gratitude, which can help us through really tough times.


So, here's to celebration. Every day matters. And Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to remember the good things, even when the remembering might be  a little hard. Take care and stay well.

53 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Love all those postcards. How perfect to add a bit of Thanksgiving to your home. I don't have a lot of turkey themed things either...and, like you, it is just the two of us this year...a rather weird Thanksgiving all the way around. xo Diana

Linda Sue said...

This year, we are not even acknowledging
Thanksgiving, We might just eat cereal and watch netflix all day. Sad times.

Valerie-Jael said...

I hope you will enjoy your Thanksgiving with Rick. Things are all so different this year! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Pamela said...

Wonderful postcards! Thank you. Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday here in Japan, but generally people are thankful. I try to be thankful every day, as well as be careful, so I can be thankful.

Rustic Pumpkin said...

What a beautiful selection of postcards, and thank you for your generosity! Yes, Thanksgiving will be a very different day for so many this year. I don't do anything now, it seems a bit strange to be a Welshwoman marking an American holiday, so I have now reverted to celebrating Harvest in October as we do here. I must find my turkey plates and photograph them for my next blog too! Another of my many recent attic finds!
Stay safe and well
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Rick
Deb in Wales

ashok said...

Lovely picture cards !

Iris Flavia said...

No celebrations here, it´s just not a German thing. Nor is a turkey, sadly, I imagine this might be really yummy.
We have "Erntedankfest" which might bring a little celebration where farmers are.
Sad, actually. Because you are right, in normal times it is a good occasion to come together and give thanks for what we had and have.
With this I´m wishing you a nice - and yummy one.
And for sure I am thankful for the blogger community, especially in these times.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Hubby and I picked up a lot of our Thanksgiving Dinner items, we will have lots of leftovers. Your vintage postcards are beautiful. We are thankful for each day and our memories. You are an inspiration! Take care, have a happy day!

Mae Travels said...

Those are very sweet Thanksgiving cards, and I like the idea of putting the images into a wreath. I hope you will have a very happy one! It's a shame so many people feel that risky gatherings are more important than basic safety and prudence, in the face of so much evidence of the danger.

The totally unqualified guardian of public health in the last gasp of the terrible administration in Washington says you should gather with your aged relatives as this may be the last Thanksgiving for them. One wonders if he realizes that the gathering may be the CAUSE of this misfortune.

be safe!!... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Martha said...

I love all the Thanksgiving cards, just the right special touch. Wishing you and Rick a beautiful Thanksgiving!

R's Rue said...

Love it.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I don't have Thanksgiving plates either. Your post cards are charming.

Victoria Zigler said...

This is a lovely post. We don't do Thanksgiving over here, but there's definitely a lot to be thankful for, even if it doesn't look like it at first glance.

gigi-hawaii said...

Yes, every day matters. Let us all give Thanks.

Joanne Huffman said...

Fun postcards. Most of my Thanksgiving shopping is done, waiting til next week for fresh produce. Yesterday I made a big batch of Chex mix to add to the dinners I'm putting out for curbside delivery for my friends (Annie is planning on getting a COVID test on Saturday before deciding if she and Daphne will be joining me or picking up their dinner on the front porch, too). I already made the cranberry sauce, which is currently in the freezer and which I will put in the refrigerator Tuesday night to give time to defrost. There isn't too much else I can do until next week; but it makes me feel good to find small preparations for Thanksgiving.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, this is a lovely post. It will just be Mike and I this Thanksgiving, as it is most of the time. I am making my shopping list today. I am trying to make our table a celebration. Truly that we are well is something to celebrate. And, I know you feel the same.

Have a wonderful day and week. I love your vintage cards.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Heart warming postcards
Does anyone remember wearing bows in your hair? The curly haired girl brings back memories.
Happy Holidays!

Barb said...

I love your vintage cards. Celebration and gratitude are with Bob and I this holiday season, even though we miss family and friends. You'd be proud of me - Bob got an old Thanksgiving centerpiece (looks like new!) from our storage, and I have it on the dining room table.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love old postcards and yours are delightful. My advice is to enjoy the simplicity of the day and don't stress about what you should or should not do for Thanksgiving. That's what I am doing.

William Kendall said...

Neat cards!

DUTA said...

Nice collection of Thanksgiving cards!
Thanksgiving holiday gets a deeper look this year because of the pandemic. It's a time for praying, meditation, of thanking God for what we have.

anno said...

Count me as always thankful for posts from your part of the world! The old postcards are charming, and were I craftier, they would definitely appear in a wreath of my own making.

Not lots of company here this year, but we're still planning on doing a full-on Thanksgiving feast... one day of cooking, a week of leftovers, lots of relaxing...

Wishing you & Rick the best -- Happy Thanksgiving!

Lynne said...

Thank you for the Postcard views.
I added some to my Thanksgiving Photo Album!

To answer your question, everyone in my/our tribe is feeling fine!
Great news for granny!
Neighbors are better too!

Divers and Sundry said...

I love the old seasonal postcards, and yours are lovely! I don't have many Thanksgiving decorations either, but got out those few this afternoon to decorate the buffet.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have some lovely cards and ideas for using them. You also have pulled out some beautiful pieces to add to your Thanksgiving "celebration." I will be eating alone this year, because I don't want to take any chances. I hope you (and Rick) have a lovely holiday this year, dear Jeanie.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Those vintage postcards are unique. I wonder if people used to send more Thanksgiving greetings. It is a nice tradition.

Sandra Cox said...

I love recycling cards and postcards.

Red Rose Alley said...

Jeanie, that is so nice of you to offer your Thanksgiving cards to us. And I think I'll put up the three children on my computer screen. Many years ago, my sister introduced me to the vintage holiday cards, and ever since then, I was hooked. I really enjoy looking at them and putting some out for the holidays. I like how you decorate with yours and put a few here and there, tucked in a wreath or on your centerpiece.

Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving, Jeanie. And I am truly thankful for your friendship. : )

~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

pa....I don't have any Thanksgiving décor either. The one turkey I had was a cute wooden one, but I gave it to Jess years ago. : )

My name is Erika. said...

You have some gorgeous vintage postcards. I never thought of decorating with postcards, but that's a really good idea Jeanie! Hugs-Erika

Pam said...

It will be here in a blink of an eye.

Judy said...

What a thoughtful and sweet idea, Jeanie. I have a couple of post cards for
Thanksgiving and we are thinking of fixing a plate for an elderly neighbor. What a sweet addition to it. Thanks for the wonderful idea..Stay well..xxoJudy

Pam Richardson said...

Love the postcards, Jeanie. Yes, we have much to be grateful for. I have always heard gratitude will change attitude, and I believe that is true! Our gathering will be very small this year, but I am grateful that I can prepare all of our traditional dishes!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie, your collection of Thanksgiving postcards are beautiful. How lovely you are sharing them with us. This year is certainly difficult for us all. Our plans for this year have fallen apart, but still there is much to be thankful!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

This will be a different thanksgiving. We have never celebrated alone. But it’s the right choice. With my gestational diabetes restrictions and me struggling with flares, it will be a very scaled back thanksgiving but that’s ok. We will have turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and a vegetable side. No special dessert as I am just not feeling up to baking. But when my parents come the following week, I imagine my mom will have leftovers to share and her and Paul will make cookies. So I will have sweet treats to enjoy post delivery. It will be ok. I am working on asking Paul what he is thankful for every day. The first day he said ‘Snow!!!’ We groaned a bit - ha! But I know it’s magical and fun for the little ones. :)

shoreacres said...

Every time I see your vintage post cards, I regret getting rid of the 8" high stack of them I had. I have no idea why I did that, but I guess it seemed right at the time! I'll be alone on Thanksgiving Day this year -- apart from the birds I intend to visit at the refuge -- but that's hardly sad. In fact, I'm having three Thanksgivings this year. Last weekend, a few of us got together at a friend's home in the country, and grilled ribs and sausage. I'm going to share more traditional foods with a hill country friend this coming weekend, and sometime after December 1, I'll be doing some hiking and visiting with another friend in the hill country. Despite the apocalyptic headlines, things aren't bad everywhere in the state -- probably because it's still nice enough for people to spend time outdoors. Not only that, the shelves still are full of tp, paper towels, and cleaning supplies -- surely that's a sign of something good!

Sami said...

Lovely postcards Jeanie.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia, but enjoy your special holiday with Rick.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Enjoy thanksgiving with Rick, Jeanie, whatever form it may take. Maybe Trump will choke on a turkey bone. That would be cause to give thanks! On Tuesday I had cataract surgery on my second eye and while my distance vision and clarity is vastly improved I can't read worth a damn! I just went and got some drug store reading glasses and that is helping, although they are far from ideal. I can't get an appointment with my optometrist until 29 December and then we will be right into the New Year so it's going to be a while before I have a proper prescription. In the meantime my "new eyes" are wonderful for birding!

Sandra Cox said...

Hope your Thanksgiving is filled with good food, serenity and love.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the old fashioned cards and old timey things for this special holiday. We will have a feast...but a mini feast! lol I read over your comment again just now about headaches. You are the only friend that mentioned having headaches every day. That's what I'm dealing with now too...every day. Shish! What in the world! Thanks for your concern AND for your friendship! Sweet hugs, Diane

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Nice idea putting out bits of nostalgia! We’re home alone too for this thanksgiving. 🦃

Susan Kane said...

What charming postcards! Calls up some time in the past when that was how it might have looked.

Prims By The Water said...

I dont have many turkeys either to put out...and even if I did it would not be as enjoyable. Our family has cancelled Thanksgiving, and probably Christmas too. Janice

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Some wonderful sentiments in this post, Jeanie. Like you and Rick, we will also be dining together at home, just two. We will prepare all our favorites and enjoy the day by making calls and hopefully some video chats with family in several states. The vintage cards are lovely and a nice bonus. I don’t have any Thanksgiving themed dinnerware, so the turkey will be our centerpiece😋 Happy Thanksgiving (early) to you and Rick.

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, I adore vintage or reproduction holiday cards. You have a wonderful collection. I have bits and pieces of Thanksgiving pieces, actually only three. I enjoy using natures gifts this time of year. Thanks for reminding me to pull my cards out. Hope you and Rick have a wonderful dinner for two. Not sure if it's two here or five but Thankful for sure...........

Anca said...

It's such a wonderful idea to write what you are grateful for and keep it. In a few years you can look back and remember moments like these. Stay safe. xx

Lowcarb team member said...

A lovely post and great suggestions.
In these strange times of Covid there is still so much to be thankful for.
Wishing you and Rick a good Thanksgiving, it's getting so near now.

My good wishes.

All the best Jan

Jenny Woolf said...

These days I'm spending a lot of time thinking about what I'm grateful for. And I do love those pretty little cards! Oh, I saw a nice recipe for a 2 pot mini Thanksgiving dinner in New York Times, although I guess you've probably decided what to have now!
It looks quite a nice dinner for us at Christmas, although the idea of sweet potatoes and marshmallows is really unfamiliar. I might stick with regular potato, I don't know....
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/dining/one-pot-sheet-pan-thanksgiving.html?campaign_id=167&emc=edit_ah_20201120&instance_id=24322&nl=at-home&regi_id=87968782&segment_id=45092&te=1&user_id=4e2ee80323d5d5fe6e551a1d9cd3a9ea

mjmaterazo said...

I love your collection of vintage Thanksgiving cards. I only have one original but a few years ago I printed a bunch to use as placesettings with everyone's name on them. I love all your sentiments and they are all true. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.

XO-MaryJo

Sketchbook Wandering said...

Hi Jeanie,
I've been away from Blogger. Tomorrow I finally hope to post. Yes, Thanksgiving can be as simple as remembering gratitude. And this year, I'll add hope. Your decorating is so sweet. I used to think November was a sort of bleak month. Now I find it to be beautiful with those browns and rust colors...My eyes sometimes get tired in summer! For us, a gathering of 2..and I'm grateful for that...Enjoy your time with Rick.

Marilyn Miller said...

What a great collection of vintage cards. I have a few Thanksgiving cards and have put one in a special frame under my un-decorated Christmas tree. I guess it is a Thanksgiving tree right now.
Have a very special Thanksgiving. I am excited to at least deliver Thanksgiving to a couple doors and from a distant wish them well.

crackercrumblife said...

Aw these are lovely!

I realized this year that I have NO Thanksgiving decorations. Lol. I used my grandma's thistle tablecloth, which wasn't very seasonal but reminded me of my grandmother. So that worked, I thought. :)

Naush said...

What an amazing collection of vintage postcards !! Truly a picture speaks volumes. Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party.
Naush

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