thanksgiving, i apologize.

poor thanksgiving: super great holiday, indulges in delishious food, full of sentiments.

but let's face it, christmas is an attention whore, and well, if the stores can start the kick off early, i say, so can we! and thus, we followed suit.

so, i'm sorry thanksgiving, that you don't get the credit you deserve. however, i would like to point out that we have the harvest decor up in our home and it's all dedicated to you! that's gotta count for something right? some extra-scored points in thanksgiving's eyes? if thanksgiving had eyes... which is just plain strange to give it those characteristics. but alas! our home celebrates you!

knowing that, i hope you can forgive us for starting our christmas season early this year.

• elf on the shelf! why am i just learning about this tradition?! irrelevant i suppose. we have our elf, Theadore Zart Bigsby (it's a mouth full isn't it?), and come thanksgiving evening he shall begin his hiding and reporting. and holy-elf-man! have you seen all the creative ideas parents have come up with over the years (via the world wide web, or rather -> pinterest)? amazing. we simply can't wait! and neither can our little boy, we have read and re-read this book several times already. no good deed goes unseen.

• 2011 hand-painted christmas ornaments. yes! this is by far my favorite activity each year. and it goes hand in hand with unwrapping the ones of years past. as much as i fancy the chic ornaments and decor of department store trees, nothing nothing NOTHING! beats the mismatch of home-made memories dangling on the branches.

and so the pre-celebration begins. thanksgiving + christmas, it truly is the best time of year. when the heart is extra full of spirit and the ambiance under twinkling christmas lights is warmth for the soul. tis' the season to be thankful & giving.