Grateful

Just popping in to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!  What a difference a year makes....this day last year I was sitting by my Hubby's bedside of the ICU praying.  This year I'm thanking God for answered prayers. 

I'm so very grateful for the doctors and nurses of IU Health, who not only took such incredible care of him (and me, too, to be honest) but quite literally saved his life.  I'm grateful for my family and sweet friends who were there every step of the way and made it so that all I truly had to focus on was Hubby.  I'm grateful for the endless prayers.  I'm grateful for my work, who understood the importance of priorities.  I'm grateful for my Hubby, who fought his way back to health and me. 

While this doesn't even begin to touch on the depths of my gratitude, I'm overwhelmed trying to put it into words.  How does one truly and sufficiently thank those who have changed your life?

I'm wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving and all the best in the upcoming Holiday Season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Cooking

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and while I can hardly believe it, it will be here before we know it.  Today I''m rounding up a couple things to make the cooking easier (I'm a big believer in "one will love to cook if one has the right tools") and your tabletop just a bit more festive.

OXO Good Grips Fat Separator
Perfect for making the tastiest gravy now and for to die for stock for your winter soups later.  It gets outstanding reviews, and is the best one I've used to date.



Turkey Lifters
Managing the bird isn't always easy.  My dad has a pair of these and while he was unsure of the whole concept at first, they're pretty nice.  Bonus: these are on sale!



Emile Henry Pie Dish
I received one as a wedding gift and have loved it ever since.  It truly does bake the beautifully and is pretty enough to go straight to the table.  Tip: Martha Stewart's deep dish pate brisee recipe works the best!  This is the best price I've seen on them, and  you can use your trusty coupon from the store!

Woodland Spode
I've always loved the Woodland Spode.  So lovely.

Thankful Platter
And finally, a sweet little reminder of what the day is truly all about.



I'd love to hear your must haves for Thanksgiving  What's your favorite dish?  For me it's all about the sides and the persimmon pudding.  Wishing you and yous an incredible upcoming holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Friday Five [11.11.16]

Happy Friday!  What a week this has been.  Let's just get right to this week's five:

ONE
First things first today I'm honoring all veterans who have fought for my freedom.  Words simply can't express the depth of gratitude I feel for the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country.

 

TWO

I shared my thoughts of gratitude on my right to vote this week.  Now, if we could just all remember to treat each other with love and respect...the amount of hate being spewed by both sides this week has me so disheartened.  I just keep thinking of all the children watching how things are being handled.

THREE

On to happy news --- I'm dying to bring in some Christmas cheer.  We decorate our little hive the day after Thanksgiving and while I'm anxious to get things moving, I don't have the heart to stray from that tradition.  SO, instead I'm planning and shopping for some new little happies.  I shared my favorite advent calendar finds earlier this week.  This one is certainly at the top of the list.  Love the little stockings which could hold all kinds of little surprises.

 

However, I've since found this one on sale at Pottery Barn Kids....and it's on sale!!! The plaid and monogram has me swooning!

FOUR

 This came across my IG feed yesterday.  Such a good reminder to grant ourselves grace when needed.

FIVE

Friends, sorry, but I just don't have a #5 this week.  I know it's only an hour, but Daylight Savings Time is killing me.  

Wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!  

Today I'm linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday! / High Five for Friday / 5 on Friday

Happy Friday!

#Grateful [to be an American]

Although this election has left me feeling a little slimy and is the first time in the history of my voting (and believe me when I say I vote every. single. time. I can - even for the "little" ones) a little less enthused to vote, I left my polling site feeling grateful this morning.

Sip and Shop Sunday [Advent Calendars]

Happy Sunday!  It's almost time to break out the Christmas decorations.  Eeek!  I'm so very excited this year!  Although I'm still enjoying pumpkin lattes I'll soon be sipping the eggnog version....

....and shopping advent calendars.  We've done all kinds of countdowns in this hive, but I this year I'm looking to add a new little something,  These are what have caught my eye so far:

Primitives at Nordstrom
 Something about the simplicity of this one is calling my name.

 

Pottery Barn Stocking Tree
 This would be perfect to include a little special treat for each day, but will look cute empty! (Although I might be hoping it goes on sale at some point this season....)  Full disclosure: I do think I'd number it the other direction....maybe.



North Pole Trading Co.
How cute would this be in a child's room?

 

How does your family countdown?  Do you have any special traditions?  Would love to hear what you do in your family!  

Happy Eggnog Sipping and 

Christmas Shopping!

*Affiliate links included in this post.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

Friday Five [11.4.16]

Happy Friday!  How can it possibly be November already???  So very excited for the upcoming holidays.  Without further ado, here are this week's five:

ONE
Work wife HN snapped this beautiful picture of our school's playground this week.  The leaves right now are truly stunning....it doesn't hurt that the temps were in the upper 70s this week.  Again, how is it November??

TWO
Speaking of gorgeous weather, Hubby and I have enjoyed a couple drives around town in his BFF's Mustang convertible.  Sure ADR, Hubby will give it some love while you're away ;).

THREE
Although I decided to go carb free this week (what was I thinking starting on Halloween???) one of the kiddos suggested Reese's white ghosts for our trick-or-treaters.  Have y'all tried them??  You need to scoop some up before they go away.  They are divine.

FOUR
The other item we enjoyed on Sunday before this venture began were Greek fries.  Potatoes are my huge downfall....pair them with feta and my heart sings.

FIVE
Finally, but not least, CUBS WIN!!!  Being so close to Chicago, I've had the privilege of attending many a games at Wrigley Field and am so excited the curse is finally broken!  It was such an incredible game, too.  Certainly not short on the drama.  #GoCubsGo #FlytheW.

Wishing y'all a wonderful weekend!  

Today I'm linking up with:

Oh Hey Friday! / High Five for Friday / 5 on Friday

Happy Friday!

Oakwood Resort, Lake Wawasee

Bestie KP and I desperately needed a little getaway and over Fall Break took a quick trip up to Lake Wawasee in Northern Indiana.  It was absolute perfection and just what the doctor ordered.  Although we only stayed one night, we felt relaxed and rejuvenated when we left.

Lake Wawasee is located in Northern Indiana and is our state's largest natural lake.  The resort is situated directly on the lake and our room had the loveliest view. 

Bestie KP and I booked the Girlfriend Getaway package, which included a bottle of wine, box of chocolates, a bag of bath goodies, a pedicure for each of us, and a special room rate.  We also added the spa package which included an hour-long massage and $50 towards lunch and dinner.  We both agreed we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat!  (Although I can't take any credit for any of this...Bestie KP did all the work, I just went along for the ride and enjoyed!)

Visiting the resort was kind of like taking a step back in time.  It reminded us of a trip to Kellerman's from Dirty Dancing.  We read by the lake....

...Bestie KP whooped me at giant connect four, we roasted marshmallows for s'mores, played a couple games of tic-tac-toe, enjoyed an adult beverage or three.....

....caught a magnificent rainbow!!!....

....and basked in a spectacular sunrise.

It. was. heavenly.  Although the resort was completely booked, it was perfectly tranquil and quiet.  We never would have guessed that all 77 rooms were occupied.  We're thinking this just might have to become a Fall Break tradition.  Until next time, Oakwood!

Happy Travels!

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