Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

No matter how you celebrate, I hope you have the most wonderful Turkey Day.

Last year’s celebration was a blur. I had a literal newborn baby and there was a raging pandemic. I know that we visited my parents and in-laws, but I cannot remember it, if that makes sense. I do remember feeling really anxious and wondering if it was postpartum anxiety or just the baby blues. Luckily those intrusive thoughts and edgy feeling lifted after the first two weeks, but it made me feel a great deal of empathy for mothers who feel like that all the time!

I am a Christmas girl, through and through. But, since having a baby I’m becoming one of those every-holiday-is-a-party people, and today is no exception! I can’t wait for my daughter to experience the best parts of Thanksgiving – food and family. I can’t think of anything cuter than a little baby loving on some mashed potatoes and turkey.

This year, I’m extra grateful for my health and my family.

Between getting older and the state of the world these past two years, I have a newfound gratitude for my body working with me and not against me. I always took my health for granted, but not anymore.

It sounds obvious to be grateful for family, right? It sounds so simple, but it really is the most important thing in my life. I’ve been blessed with the best biological family and those that have placed in my life, like my husband, my daughter, and my friends.

This year is all about the gratitude.

I can’t wait to hear what you’re thankful for this year!

Be sure to check out my Thanksgiving Dinner This-or-That.

What are you doing to commemorate Thanksgiving this year? Has your celebration looked a little different since covid? Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:

Thanksgiving Dinner This-or-That Printable

Put the Halloween decorations away – it’s turkey time! Here is a Thanksgiving dinner this-or-that printable PDF!

The history we share about Thanksgiving has changed over time – and rightfully so. It’s about time we start telling the real story and honor those who were here before us.

Despite the change in tone and message of the holiday, one this has stayed the same: the FOOD!

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most recognizable and celebrated meals in America. The mashed potatoes, the stuffing, the turkey…it’s America’s specialty.

Although not as contentious as the conversation around Native Americans and Columbus, Thanksgiving dinner has it’s own slew of controversies.

My family had a mini-Thanksgiving feast to celebrate the first day of autumn, and I am remorseful to share that my daughter’s first experience with cranberry sauce came from a can. I’m a homemade cranberry sauce girl while my husband prefers the classic, sliced Ocean Spray stuff.

It brought up a lively debate over other Thanksgiving foods. Should the stuffing be homemade or store-bought? What part of the turkey is best? We don’t agree on any of it. Opposites attract, right? Thank goodness we’re not in charge of making Thanksgiving dinner, we’re just in charge of eating it.

Here is a Thanksgiving dinner this-or-that printable PDF that you can share on Thanksgiving day. You can read it with your kids on the way to Grandma’s or print one out for everyone at your table.

Thanksgiving Dinner This-or-ThatDownload

Do you also share strong opinions about Thanksgiving dinner? Is there something you just won’t serve at your table?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:

Thanksgiving Gifts for Babies

Thanksgiving is a month away, so here are some Thanksgiving gifts for babies!

It’s time to bring out the turkey and the mashed potatoes – the holiday of food, family, and gratitude is almost upon us. Babies love the delicious foods and company that comes with Thanksgiving.

My daughter’s birthday is just before Thanksgiving, so I know we will be adding some of these to her gift list!

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These gifts would make a wonderful distraction while you cook up Thanksgiving dinner or in between dinner and dessert. You could even create a Thanksgiving toy basket for your baby or toddler.

I also have a post on the best Thanksgiving books for babies and toddlers here.

Here are Thanksgiving gifts your baby will love!

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman

Stuffed Thanksgiving Turkey Toy

Caroline’s Treasures Fall Pumpkin Pie Baby Bib & Burp Cloth, 11 x 18″

Baby Starters Magic Years Soft, Crinkle Activity Book with Tabs and Strap – Happy Thanksgiving Turkey

Mud Pie Thanksgiving Bib

Happy Thanksgiving Bright Baby Book

Mud Pie Children’s Gobble Turkey Puzzle

You Are My Little Pumpkin Pie by Amy E. Sklansky

Head over to The Best Thanksgiving Books for Babies and Toddlers or 10 Thanksgiving Decorations Under $10!

Do you get your kids a little something-something for Thanksgiving?

Let me know below!

O.

Your Essential Autumn Bucket List!

My oh my, it’s finally here! My favorite season. Summers have been hot on Long Island recently. Usually by mid August I’m over the beach, bitter about the chafe between my thighs and a little bit crazed from the constant drone of the air conditioner.

Fall is my time. I put on my Ugg boots, my oversized scarf and I dig into my basic-ness. I embrace it now. Fall is the best, but it is fleeting. Before the stress of Christmas shopping, snow plows and the sun setting at 4 pm, this is the magical time, the golden season.

Since my cheesy soul comes out when the first hint of orange hits the trees, I wanted to compile a autumn bucket list. So, here are 30 things to do this fall.

  1. Go pumpkin picking.
  2. Find the freshest apple cider.
  3. Get out of town to see the leaves change.
  4. Make s’mores.
  5. Listen to a fall playlist.
  6. Make chili.
  7. Bring out the scarves and sheepskin boots.
  8. Eat candy corn.
  9. Make a fire.
  10. (Try to) cook a turkey.
  11. Do a fall photo shoot.
  12. Find a good plaid vest.
  13. Find an original halloween costume.
  14. Light fall scented candles.
  15. Experiment with soup recipes.
  16. Take a fall hike.
  17. Buy a fall themed wreath.
  18. Get candy for trick-or-treaters.
  19. Bake pumpkin bread.
  20. Put out fall/halloween decorations.
  21. Meditate while raking leaves (trust me on this one).
  22. Visit a haunted house.
  23. Make marshmallow yams.
  24. Bake a fall flavored pie.
  25. Get lost in a corn maze.
  26. Shamelessly order a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
  27. Carve a pumpkin.
  28. Bake apple cinnamon crisp.
  29. Take photos in the leaves.
  30. Give thanks.

I hope this makes you crave cinnamon and leggings and clever Instagram hashtags. Before you get lost in Thanksgiving festivities and holiday planning, take some time to play in the leaves, or carve a pumpkin. There’s nothing like honoring your inner child as the seasons change.

What’s your favorite season? What are your favorite fall activities? Let me know below!

 

O.

 

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