Four Thanksgivings

Remember how I said that trying to return to blogging the week of Thanksgiving was a terrible idea? Well, that's because I went to a grand total of four Thanksgiving celebrations this year: two on the Sunday before Turkey Day, and two on T-day itself. This year, I decided to post some highlights! I'm kicking myself for not grabbing my DSLR on Sunday, but I had it Thursday and got some really nice shots.

Thanksgiving 1: My mom's side of the family


My brothers. This was pre-food, mind you. What goofballs.


My cousin's husband. "Did you take half a pie?" "No." *pushes pieces together* "Yes."


Post-meal couch time.


My sister, aunts and I all thought it'd be hilarious to put all our engagement/wedding rings on my little cousin's fingers. Actually, I still find it pretty funny.

Thanksgiving 2: Friendsgiving


Obligatory creepy Pilgrim table décor.


Dat vest doe.




Friendsgiving = squeezing 30-some people into one house for one fantastic meal.


And then shit got weird.
Thanksgiving 3: My dad's side of the family


My sisters and brother-in-law. We laugh a lot.


You know what's not easy? Trying to take a selfie with a DSLR and a 35mm lens.


I made dis: Crostini with brie, apple, pecans and honey. *drool*


Fact: It's not Thanksgiving without a nice lil bar. Matt and I shared our newfound love for Manhattans with my family.


"What do you mean, dogs can't have booze??"


So I didn't notice Matt's awesome pose until I edited these pics. I busted out laughing at work, on my lunch break.


My sister and parents.


My dad and sister, aka the sweetest photo ever.


We also did a family photo, with my parents, all seven of my siblings, my brother-in-law and Matt. (My other sister's fiancé spent T-giving in the Bahamas. Can you say jealous?) Anyway, I shot these to test lighting composition and apparently forgetting to use the two-second delay on my camera's remote. For some reason, I love these shots just as much or more than the "real" shot:


Thanksgiving 4: Matt's dad's side of the family


By the time we got to this shindig, it was dark out. I didn't want to be a total nerd and bust out my flash, so these photos aren't quite as good as some of the others. This is the kids' table, if by "kid" you mean "individual under the age of 30 but over 21."


Matt, telling his dad (right) and uncle (left) a story.


Matt's grandparents. I love them like they were my own.


Hysterical, raucous laughter from the kids' table.
Phew! It was insane and hectic and a little stressful, but in all I was (and am) so thankful to have so many amazing people in my life.

How did you celebrate Thanksgiving last week (or, if you're among my friends way up north, last month)?

I'm thankful...

Today I'm spending the entire day cooking and consuming Thanksgiving delights. Matt and I are heading to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving lunch with my family, then to his parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner with his. And as I spend my morning baking and my afternoon/evening stuffing my face and slowly slipping into the kind of food coma that can only be brought on by ungodly amounts of turkey and mashed potatoes and pie, I'll be thinking of all the things I'm thankful for. Like...


My family (and Matt's).
I love them all to death, and I'm so blessed to have so many people to care about and who care about me. As I grow older, I realize just how rare it is to have parents who are still married (and in love), and how lucky Matt and I both are to have it. I also realize that families are not always as close as mine is, and the fact that all seven of my siblings and my parents and I are closer than ever is something that I hope I never, ever take for granted.

My friends.
I have some of the best true-blue friends a girl could ever ask for. We don't always talk every day, thanks to distance or busy schedules, but when we do we're able to pick up right where we left off like no time has passed at all. Whether we're drinking wine and watching New Girl, playing with puppies at the pet store, raging at the club or catching up over dinner at a semi-lame chain restaurant, my friends can always make me smile and they're always there for me.

My job.
Let's face it. The recession may be "over," but the economy still isn't doing so hot. This time last year, I was working three jobs to make ends meet. This year, I'm working one and picking up freelance work when I feel like it, as a favor to my editors and not out of a dire need for the extra cash. I'm thankful that I enjoy what I do, and that I've found something that is both stimulating enough and secure enough that I can see myself here for years to come.

My health.
Ok, so I'm not exactly the picture of perfect mental or physical health. I'm out of shape, my immune system is terrible and I still struggle with depression from time to time. But overall, it's nothing that I can't deal with. I am basically healthy most of the time, which is more than many people can say. And even when things get bad--and sometimes they do get really, really bad--I always know that it will pass and I'll be fine in a few days or weeks.

This blog.
Through it, I've discovered my own personal sense of style (and many more things about myself besides). I've also made so many new friends who I never would have met otherwise. I know I won't have the blog forever, the connections I've made through the blogging community will far outlast my outfit photos and other random blabbing.

Matt.
In the four and a half years that we've been together, he's taught me that even the best relationships are not always easy, that life gets in the way, and it makes things hard. But through all that, he's also taught me when the other person is really worth it, the two of you find a way to make it work, no matter what. He is my rock and my best friend. He's the only person who I can sit in comfortable silence without feeling awkward, who sees me as I truly am, who I don't have to be socially acceptable around, who knows me better than I know myself. Life is an adventure and we're tackling it together.

Cheese.
Because things were starting to get a little sappy. Also, cheese might just be one of the the best things ever.

Thankful

I just realized that I failed to schedule a blog post for yesterday or today. What can I say? Family kind of trumps everything. They rock :)

I spent Wednesday evening stuck in traffic as I headed from Columbus to northern Ohio, where my parents and younger siblings live. My other two sisters were already back from their respective colleges so all 10 of us went out for ice cream. It was kind of awesome. Thursday was more food than I thought I could ever eat, with my mom's side of the family, then with Matt's family in the evening. (They also rock.) Today Matt and I lazed around, watched a lot of Party Down on Netflix and I surfed Pinterest for a bit. Since I don't have a post ready to go for today, I thought I'd share some of my pins!

Source: weheartit.com via Emma on Pinterest

Cute winter mani!

Source: jodienoted.blogspot.com via Emma on Pinterest

Basic fashion formula.

Source: simplyme091909.blogspot.com via Emma on Pinterest

Simple, comfortable, casual. What more could you want?

Source: imgfave.com via Emma on Pinterest

Not quite sure if I could pull off something this bold.

Source: Uploaded by user via Emma on Pinterest

With tights and boots? Love.

Source: thecsiproject.com via Emma on Pinterest

I've always wanted to try a chalkboard paint project...

Source: weknowawesome.com via Emma on Pinterest

And of course, the obligatory "lol of the day" image.

You know, this holiday has always been one of my favorites. A time for loved ones, and for remembering how much you have to be thankful for. I'm so grateful for my incredible family and my amazing friends, both in the real world and those I've met through blogging. I'm thankful for a job that I enjoy, and a boyfriend who makes me happy, and a cat that makes me laugh. (Okay, that last one's a little silly, but hey it's true.)

And of course, I'm thankful for you, my readers. When I started blogging, I never really expected for this to be read by anyone. And yet, here you are. Thanks for reading :)