It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I love this time of year, and the decorations play a large part in that.  And as you can imagine, I have a ton of Christmas decorations.  More decorations than I have room to place them, actually.  However, I'm going to do my best and get as many decorations out of boxes and on display as possible. 

Since lifting heavy boxes is a big no-no for me right now, the Big Guy has been bringing a few up from the basement at a time so I can go through them in the dining room.  For the next week or so, my dining room is Christmas Central.

The kitchen is perhaps the easiest room to do:  the Santa oven mitt is hanging on the fridge, and my baking-themed Christmas tree is on top of the fridge. 

This tree went up so quickly because it is quite small, and because I store it with all the decorations on.  How easy is that?

The tree in the living room is not so easy to get up.  It took us a while to get the lights just right on this one.

Not that the Little Guy needs any additional excitement about Christmas ("Lights, Mom! LIGHTS!"), I filled the book basket in the living room with Christmas-themed children's books.  And headbands featuring reindeer and moose antlers for adding reading enjoyment. 

Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the TMI household.  Now, time to set up the other two Christmas trees...

Martha Monday--Christmas Workshop

Like her Thanksgiving Workshop, Martha has a Christmas Workshop filled with fun ideas for the holiday.  You can even sign up for weekly emails with craft projects, gift ideas, recipes and more to help you plan the best Christmas celebration yet. 

The workshop segments actually began two weeks ago, but I'm loathe to bust out with Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving. 

Martha also has an entire array of tips and strategies to make it through the season with your sanity intact.

I'll be using some of Martha's tips and sharing some of my own over the course of the season.  This is a wonderful time of year and I intend to enjoy every single minute!  And with all the parties and family gatherings, I'm sure I will. 

But first, I need to get my house ready for Christmas.  Happy holidays!

Table ready

I set the table for Thanksgiving dinner.  Last night. Over four days before my family is due here for turkey dinner.  Can you tell I'm over the moon about hosting Thanksgiving?

The empty spaces on each side will be filled with the kids' seats.  I layered a smaller fall-theme tablecloth over the red tablecloth for visual interest.  How Martha is that?!

And before anyone criticizes my table-setting skills, let me share with you my standards:  each dish and utensil must be clean, and everyone must have a complete set with which to dine.  So, according to my standards, this place setting is an A+.

The china pattern is Noritake's Crestwood Platinum.  I always enjoy any occasion to get the china out.  Best part:  it's dishwasher-safe.  Awesome!

The silver is Lenox Kirkstieff Frosted (I think). 

The paper napkins are Jewel.  10 for $10.00.  Woohoo!

As with all of my Thanksgiving decorations, the centerpieces are courtesy of Diana. 

The gravy boat is at the ready.  I just love that this one specific menu item has its very own dish.  I wonder if the other food stuffs get jealous. 

Finally, the butter will be in a turkey dish.  Because, you know, it's Thanksgiving!

And with that, I think I'm ready. All that's missing is the food and family, and those won't arrive until Friday.

Martha Monday--Thanksgiving Hotline

From today until 6pm CST on Wednesday, Martha's radio show is hosting a Thanksgiving hotline, where you can get your Thanksgiving questions answered by Martha, Emeril, Nigella Lawson, Mario Batali and other celebrity chefs.  Get the details here.

I might call just so I can chat with Martha and invite her to Thanksgiving dinner at my house.  Since it's actually on Friday, she might be free, right?  It's worth a shot!  I'll make extra green bean casserole just in case. 

Finally, for those of us hosting people in our homes for Thanksgiving, Martha has a bunch of tips for making houseguests feel welcome and for making the stay as pleasant as possible for everyone.  Her first tip is to make these so-cute-it's-almost-nauseating pie boxes to package desserts as favors for guests. 

Isn't that too cute?!  And a project for people who obviously have some time on their hands.  I certainly strive to be a domestic goddess like Martha, but in the TMI house, any leftovers are sent home with guests in cleaned out Cool Whip containers. 

Even if Martha herself did come to Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, I would still send her home with green bean casserole in a Cool Whip container.  That's just how I roll. 

An alternative to pumpkin pie...

...is pumpkin cookies, of course! 

Martha has a great recipe for Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing.  I made these a few years ago, and they were a huge hit. 

If you need something pumpkin-y for the Thanksgiving festivities, but pie isn't your thing, look no further.  This recipe is it!