Yesterday started the Thankful at Home tour. Twenty five blogs are sharing their best and most inspiring ideas and thoughts about Thanksgiving.
I am lucky enough to be a part the Thankful at Home with Traditions tour.
Thanksgiving has definitely changed for Hubby and me after 36 yrs. of marriage, 7 children, their spouses and now, 21 grand babies. Thanksgiving isn’t what is used to be for us.
Even though our kids live in 4 different states, I will always decorate for Thanksgiving. It is Hubby’s favorite holiday, so I like to make it special for him.
I love the Fall colors, pumpkins, squash and all that I can incorporate into bringing Thanksgiving alive in our home.
Now that each of our children has a family of their own, it gets harder and harder to pull them all together at the same time. It works out better if Hubby and I go to them. Which is really fine with us.
When the family is together for Thanksgiving, I wake up early to clean the turkey and get it in the oven for roasting. The guys wake up around the same time to put their cleats on for the traditional “Turkey Bowl” football game played at the local high school.
Everyone eventually wakes up to the smells of pies baking, potatoes cooking, and the making of the fresh cranberry sauce.
I like to make the table festive and prepare something simple for breakfast.
Pulling out grandma’s Desert Rose dishes, her crocheted table cloth with her linens and my mother-in-law’s Thanksgiving mercury glass leaf glasses are a Thanksgiving tradition.
BUT, the best part (besides hugs from the grand babies) about OUR traditional Thanksgiving morning is the Sour Cream Pumpkin Muffins-made from scratch. They are a big hit every time. They give you just right amount of pumpkin flavor before the REAL pumpkin pie dessert.
{Meegan’s Sour Cream Pumpkin Muffins}
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pumpkin spice
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mashed or canned pumpkin
1/4 cup melted butter
1 egg
1 dozen pecan halves
Heat oven to 400*.
Mix all ingredients just until flour is moistened.
Batter should be lumpy.
Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full.
Top each muffin with a pecan half.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
Makes 1 dozen
I am thankful at home. No matter where I live or if my children are near or far. It is all about having gratitude in your heart. And being grateful for what we have. I am blessed beyond measure. How could I want anything more? It is all about having an attitude of gratitude and the traditions I hold close to my heart.
I hope you will look up each and every blog on the Thankful at Home tour. You will not be sorry!
Here is the line up…
Monday:
Savvy Southern Style
Finding Home
Lilacs & Longhorns
The Inspired Room
The Crafty Woman
Tuesday:
Stone Gable
Debbiedoos
What Meegan Makes
Maison de Pax
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Wednesday:
Thistlewood Farm
Eclectically Vintage
My Soulful Home
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Southern Hospitality
Thursday:
The Lilypad Cottage
A Little Claireification
Fresh Idea Studio
Pennywise
The Rustic Pig
Friday:
Housepitality Designs
Mom4Real
Country Design Style
The Everyday Home
Unskinny Boppy
Make it a Thankful at Home day!
More Fall ideas from my blog:
Create a Fall Garland with feathers and eucalyptus leaves.
Kim says
November 5, 2013 at 5:41 AMWow, Meegan, I didn’t know you have 21 grands. How wonderful. That recipe sounds really good.
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:20 AMThank you Kim! I hope you try the recipe soon. Super delish! Thanks for being a part of the Thankful at Home tour :)
xoxo
Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says
November 5, 2013 at 5:47 AMMeegan, I still can’t believe you’re a grandmother to 21 grandchildren — how wonderful and what a blessing! All of your festive touches are so inviting and I love it that you use your grandmother’s plates…what a wonderful memory at Thanksgiving! I’m so happy you’re a part of this tour. Happy Thanksgiving!
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:22 AMThanks so much Julie! Each one of the 21 are a joy and a blessing in our lives. Thanks also for your sweet and thoughtful comments. I am overjoyed to be a part of the Thankful at Home series.
Loves!!
Jeanette says
November 5, 2013 at 5:58 AMMeegan, thanks for sharing your creative Thanksgiving displays. I love how you take simple items and turn them into a loving display. Sometimes by just placing a gourd on a candlestick! I’m going to make your Sour Cream Pumpkin Muffins for the morning after Thanksgiving. They look yummy and will be perfect for Friday morning. We have more people arriving on Friday. :)
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:23 AMThank YOU Jeanette for stopping by today. You are SO kind to notice the little details. It was a fun post and you will LOVE the pumpkin muffins :)
Patricia Krank says
November 5, 2013 at 7:05 AMOh Meegan! You look SO young I never would’ve guessed 36 years of marriage, 7 children and 21 grands! Your great attitude and happy spirit must be your secret! Thank you for giving us a peek of your Thanksgiving. Many blessings to you my friend.
Patti
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:25 AMPatricia,
How sweet are you??? Thanks for your kind compliments! I try hard to be happy and see the good in others. Thanks for coming by my blog and enjoying the tour with me!!
Make it a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
November 5, 2013 at 8:35 AMWow…I can just imagine your family’s Thanksgiving dinner…how wonderful to have such a large family to make wonderful memories together….thanks for the recipe..it looks great…and must say that I so love your Fall decor on the shelf…beautiful….Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your precious family!
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:26 AMIt is such a blessing Shirley, and I try hard never to take our family for granted. We are blessed, indeed! Thanks for your sweet comments!!
xoxo
debbiedoos says
November 5, 2013 at 9:25 AMWHAT..did I read that correct 21 grands? You look like a kid yourself. Meegan how beautiful. So happy and blessed to be a part of this lovely series with you. XO
Meegan says
November 5, 2013 at 10:28 AMYes, ma’am you sure did read that right :) You are so sweet, Debbie! I am blessed to have you visit my blog along in this tour. Love having you here! xoxo
Mary Feguson says
November 5, 2013 at 10:59 AMHow wonderful to have 21 grandchildren. Your decorations are very lovely and so glad that I found you on this post. I am a new follower – have a terrific week.
Mary
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:17 AMAw, thanks for the new follow Mary. You are so sweet. I am so happy to have you here regularly! xoxo
kendra kay says
November 5, 2013 at 12:15 PMnow that’s a nice big family- you sure are blessed! 21 grand babies?!
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:16 AMThanks Kendra! I most definitely am blessed beyond measure.
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
November 5, 2013 at 1:20 PMMeegan, what a wonderful home filled with love and traditions I can feel coming right through the screen today. I always love stopping in but today was extra special. From Grandma’s desert rose plates (which I l-o-v-e btw) to your secret muffin recipe ;) to your beautiful, creative fall vingnettes you’re a special lady and I count you among my blessings! Wishing you even more goodness this whole Month of Plenty!
Cheers to you and yours my friend
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:15 AMOh my goodness. Your comments brought tears to my eyes, Therese. How sweet are you. I am grateful for this blogging friendship and getting to know you better. I am the one who is truly blessed.
Thanks for stopping by and for ALL of your support. You are the best and I am SO Thankful for YOU! xoxoxo
Linda B says
November 5, 2013 at 4:57 PMYour celebration sounds wonderful! I totally understand going to the kids, too. If we aren’t traveling, we are hosting. I got the biggest smile and heart tug when I saw your Desert Rose place settings. My Great Aunt collected Franciscan Apple, which my mother arranged for me to have. It is my go-to for fall. Sadly, it was a display collection before it came to live at my house, but is now part of our every day. Your home feels so welcoming. Thank you for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving! PS We are traveling this year, and bringing your muffins to share.
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:13 AMLinda,
Aren’t those just the best dishes ever?? They are my everyday ware as well. I just love actually using them :) Let me know if you like the muffins…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Judy H. says
November 5, 2013 at 6:53 PMOh Meegan, all of your Thanksgiving decorating looks so wonderful, welcoming and cozy for this special time of year. You remind me so much of myself! My husband and I have been 34 years, our children (now adults) have given us 5 lovely grandchildren and our Thanksgivings have changed quite a bit. Some years, all of us are together, other years we may have part of us, but always, my husband and me. Because he is the one who I first started celebrating Thanksgiving with outside of my “home” family, he is always first in my mind. I do special things and decorate with things he likes most. It’s always a wonderful celebration, whether it’s the 2 of us or all 11. We are so blessed. BTW, that muffin recipe made me hungry just reading it…I can’t wait to make them!
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:11 AMThanks so much for your sweet comment Judy. It sounds like our lives are pretty similar, doen’t it? I am so happy you came by my blog and enjoyed this post.
I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving!
xoxo
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
November 5, 2013 at 7:57 PMOk, first your Thanksgiving decor looks AMAZING and those muffins…. swoon. Pinning now. Next… um, I just said “No WAY” very loudly when I read that you have 7 kids and 21 grandchildren {the cat was not amused at all}. Wow. Meegan you look amazing and I am just blown away.
So happy to be part of this tour with you!!
xo
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:10 AMAw, thanks for the pin Claire! You rock! You are very kind. Thanks for your sweet comments.
Loves.
Christina says
November 5, 2013 at 7:58 PMWonderful post- love your bright fresh Fall decor! and love the idea of a special breakfast treat- putting that on my must-make recipe list!
Still can’t get over the fact you have 21 grandchildren- you have to do a post on your secret to looking so young!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours
Cheers
Christina
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:09 AMThanks so much Christina. The grand babies are such a joy! Happy Thanksgiving!
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
November 5, 2013 at 8:44 PMMeegan, Bless your sweet heart… 21 grandbabies! What a joy and a very busy house when you are all together! Thanks so much for the yummy pumpkin muffin recipe!
Your home is so festive… love the banner!
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:08 AMThanks so much Yvonne! It was an honor to have you visit here. I hope you come back often :)
Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says
November 6, 2013 at 5:53 AMThanksgiving is my hubby’s favorite holiday too! I like to think it’s because family gets together but I am sure it’s because of all the fabulous food! Enjoy your day with your family – and those muffins look amazing!
Kelly
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:06 AMThanks for stopping by Kelly! I truly LOVE when you visit my blog. xoxoxo
Kelly says
November 6, 2013 at 7:04 AMMeegan! What a wonderful post! Thank you so very much for being part of the tour. Your words, photos & recipe are such a welcome addition. Can’t wait to make your muffin recipe!
Meegan says
November 7, 2013 at 9:05 AMThanks for asking me to be a part of this series. It has been enjoyable and has helped me be even more thankful.
Michelle says
November 14, 2013 at 7:53 AMThis is my favorite time of the year, in part because I LOVE Pumpkin. Thanks for sharing! The muffins look absolutely delicious!
DesignedByBH says
November 16, 2013 at 8:29 PMLove your decor, Meegan! :)
Meegan says
November 19, 2013 at 9:13 PMYou are so nice!! Thanks xoxo
jeannie says
November 16, 2013 at 10:34 PMWow, this is a great post. I’m glad I read all the way through for the pumpkin muffins. (Here via GBC) shared on G+