Random thoughts on a beautiful November morning:
1. This week the Thistlewood & Co team is headed to Vintage Market Days in McKinney.
The elves have been working overtime painting gingerbread houses and making wood Christmas trees.
If you are local, we hope to see you there.
2. I know I’ve recommended this before, but this has been the biggest game-changer for me with my beauty routine (and my mother agrees, too).
You can see it here.
3. Are you excited about Thanksgiving? What are your plans? Do you have a special dish you’re making?
4. It was an amazing week on the blog.
We talked about:
- the best Christmas tree hack I ever thought of
- creative ideas for Christmas tree toppers
- this easy Christmas wreath hack
- 17 Christmas tree decorating ideas
5. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m in a book slump. I have started (and not finished) so many books lately. I can’t find a really good one. I’m about to start Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah for book club and I hope it’s good. Have you read it?
If you’ve read a really good mystery lately? I’d love to hear it.
And now?
You might want to grab a beverage.
It was a really good week.
(Of course it was, Christmas is just around the corner).
Isn’t this the most beautiful tree?
I’m so inspired by it, especially that tree skirt.
You can see all the details here.
This is the cleverest idea.
You can draw these wreaths directly onto your windows.
See the how-to here.
Looking for a dessert for the holidays.
This pecan-topped bundt cake is so pretty.
See the recipe here.
Look how beautiful this village snow globe is.
It’s so cute and happy.
See the DIY here.
And in random news this week:
These ideas for decorating with ribbon
This twig garland you can make for free
Have you ever used cheesecloth on a turkey?
Dictionary.com’s word of the year (it made me laugh)
Such a cute family game
These air-dry clay gingerbread house ornaments
These stocking stuffers under $6
These 31 days of Christmas activities
Have you seen the viral bow garland DIY?
I think I’m going to make these
And this
Are you ready? The 100 best Christmas movies of all time
Did you see what just dropped over at Thistlewood & Co?
These hand-painted Christmas ornaments.
// color blocked sweatshirt //
Today is the last day of Walmart Deals.
The prices are REALLY GOOD.
This colorblocked sweatshirt (which comes in tons of colors) is under $13 right now.
This crock pot set is under $18 until tomorrow.
And we got this for my mom and she LOVES IT. This digital frame makes the perfect gift.
And this solar power charger is the perfect gift. We have a charger like this and we use it all the time.
Isn’t this the cutest ribbon?
It’s such an easy project and you can make it with burlap ribbons and marker.
happy random Saturday to you
disclosure: affiliate links are used on this page
The link for the beauty product goes to a Christmas bannet
Yes I was gonna mention that….
I'm so sorry! I fixed the link! Here it is as well: https://amzlink.to/az0kgy6LGbh2U
And yes it it amazing - does wonders for us older ladies!
Loved all the ribbon decorating- so many great ideas- thank you!
saw the red top on another site of yours. Now this one has the link. Just love it and the Price. Hopefully mine will look as good on me and your does on you. Oh by the way..I JUST LOVE YOUR SITE. Look forward to it everyday. Keep 'em coming.
Have you tried the Mitford series by Jan Karon? This started a few years back and she just published her latest one. It starts with "At Home in Mitford". It is best read in order. The story is about a middle-aged Episcopalian priest and how his life changes when he meets a dog and a boy. Charming, funny, faith-based but not treacly. It will make you belly laugh and good cry as well as think, my favorite type of book.
Absolutely a great series! I just finished reading "The Indigo Girl", by Natasha Boyd. A wonderful historical fiction based on a true story. Our book club is reading this. Another author that I discovered is Sara Brunsvold and she has written 3 books a - all excellent and you can read them in any order. The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, - The Atlas of Untold Stories - The Divine Proverb of Streusel
I was going to recommend the same series
Many fun thistles today! I sent the draw-a-wreath-on-a-window idea to my artsy daughter (who likely doesn't even need a template, unlike me). I have a soft spot for all the gingerbread decorating ideas. Too many ideas, too little time.
Two of the most memorable books I've read: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. They both have endings you would never have guessed and I PROMISE, PROMISE, PROMISE you that you will never forget them!!!
Wow! An amount of great ideas. Thank you for sharing❤️
I 2nd laura Dave. She doesn't disappoint.
FABULOUS thistles this week, KA!!
I just wanted you to know that I look forward to Thistlekeeping every Saturday! :) It's always an email I look for over the weekend. Appreciate your kindness and cheerful spirit. Merry Christmas!
KariAnne Thank you so much for once again sharing my post. You are so giving. I wanted you to know that I completed my chemo yesterday and got to ring the bell. Still have a long road ahead but I’ve made it to the top of the hill and hopefully it will down hill sailing from here on out. You have been a blessing during the past 6 months. Have a blessed weekend.
Rachel… I don’t know you but I’m so happy you’ve finished chemo- so sorry you’ve had to experience this! I was a patient at an infusion center for a month for something NOT serious- a vitamin deficiency- and was blessed to witness 2 women ring the bell with their families! I cried as I thought of their bravery and strength! Prayers to you now for “ smooth sailing down the hill” to a healthy life again!
Thank you so much for the link to the window painted wreaths! I have been seeing so many pictures of these last year and this so far, but must confess I was too busy (lazy 😂) to research the particulars for myself. Once again you have saved me that trouble! Looking forward to trying it for myself and sharing with my granddaughter ❤️ Happy day and weekend to you and yours! 🙂
Loved all these wonderful Christmas ideas, thanks for all these and have a great weekend.
I hear Theo of Golden by Allen Levi is a great read!
For a book try Rosamund Pilcher’s Winter Solstice, I think you would love it. It’s one of my favorites. I also love authors Marcia Willett and Elizabeth Berg. Both have several books and they are all wonderful. Try A week in winter by Marcia Willett. For Thanksgiving I’m going to make my Apple Cranberry Crisp (it’s a Susan Branch recipe) and Martha Stewart’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts. They are so delicious. I’m currently working on decorating the house. I found a tartan Angel for the mantel! Looks very RL! Happy Holidays!
I’m from outside the country and still can’t seem to open the amazon link to whatever life-changing product that is! Could you please tell me what it is? Thanks!
My book group just finished The Lion Women of Tehran and it was FANTASTIC!! We all agreed it was the best one we’ve read this year. You will like it!
“The Last Secret of Lily Adam’s”. Old Hollywood and a mystery. 4.5 on Goodreads. It’s excellent
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood (author of The Death in Paradise series) is a great read. It's the first of five books, which I recommend reading in order. A cozy mystery that isn't too cozy.
KariAnne - You have most certainly heard this before but you just saved the day! I saw your post including the great Christmas gift you purchased for your Mom (digital photo frame). I went online and purchased 6 if the frames for some “hard to buy for” family members and friends. You saved me a lot of shopping stress and $990.00!! THANK YOU! You are indeed both inspiring and wonderful!
Read the hiding place and maude
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki.
I did not think I would like The Maid's Diary'. But I stuck with it and found out it was a pretty good story with a couple of plot twists I was not expecting!
I love Kristin Hannah books and was anxious to read Comfort and Joy. I was very disappointed, the plot was very predictable and not entertaining at all. I gave up and decided to listen to it instead while on a long road trip. I am not as particular about the books I listen to because I am busy driving, I couldn’t even finish listening to it. Please let me know if I gave up too soon. I am, like you an avid reader and have enjoyed her other book’s tremendously.
I have been recommending ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid to everyone I know. It's set back in the days when women were first allowed to be astronauts. I found it believable in every way -- it just rang true. The characters were sympathetic. Story was great. I haven't had a single person tell me she didn't like it.