Thanksgiving 2012 – Save the Date!

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself, but its good to have a goal, don't you think?

First, let me say thanks to my mom & dad who have hosted our family Thanksgiving's now for about 20 years, and with this crowd, that's not easy. The turkey and all the fixin's were fantastic. (thanks also to all bringing the fixin's!) Everyone seemed to have a great time and even the boys didn't leave IMMEDIATELY for the cabin...which I translate to success. So, another great job mom & dad!

Not that I'm trying to horn in on the fun, but any takers for trying a new location next year? Say, a big old newly renovated awesome house on a lake? My hope is to give you two a year off of hosting mom & dad, just to try it and see how you like it? (I will, however, need some serious help making the turkey, gravy, ham, potatoes and coordinating it all so that everything's ready together. Wow, just thinking about it is exciting/scary all at the same time!)

Let me try and convince you all how/why the House on Green Lake would be an excellent Thanksgiving gathering place:

First of all, there will be multiple ovens in these two kitchens. Two on the main floor and at least one downstairs in the owners quarters. The main floor kitchen will be big, wide open with a lot of countertop work space AND moving around space. (similar downstairs) I know mom, that if there's one more thing you'd LOVE right now would be one more oven somewhere on your property...imagine how easy coordinating could be with this luxury?!

The second point is that the dining area will be perfect for 20 people totally comfortably, even more can easily fit for the main dinner. We wouldn't have to bring up and take down tables and chairs, we could all mix and mingle easily and restoring the area after dinner will be a snap!

Third, and probably my favorite, is there is SO much space for hanging and relaxing after dinner. (besides the fact that its an inn, and whoever wants to stay overnight has that option as well!) The main floor will have plenty of spaces for everyone to hang around together yet separate:
• Multiple TV viewing areas for football and one for something else fun (fun like The Wizard of Oz or Meet Me In St. Louis??)
• A pool table/bar area for those after dinner drinks and a game
• Dining tables perfect for any age for games, drawing, cards, etc
• Little cozy corners for reading or being alone for a just bit (maybe a quick nap or a magazine!)

Best of all of the third point, everyone is basically in the same room doing what makes each of them happy after a big dinner. It's the only thing that I believe can really be improved upon from our current gatherings.

So, this is my pitch, I hope you're convinced. I'll send out the invitation as we get closer to Thanksgiving 2012, but you might want to save that date right now, the House is sure to be filling up fast!

I MUST be crazy.

My family and friends are always telling me that I'm crazy. Ideas are always popping into my head. They float in and just as easily float back out, but every once in awhile, one sticks. Last year, making necklaces was a really fun idea which allowed me to be creative AND make money. (I still do this idea, just not with the fervor I had at the beginning...don't get me wrong, you may STILL get an awesome necklace for Christmas this year!)

The latest idea, the one which is sparking this blog, happened on a cold winter day in early February 2011. I decided to take a week off of work and go hang with my mom & dad. Since my dad is retired, he also had the week off, so we decided to take a little road trip to my brothers house in Berlin, WI. (I should note here that I had also recently been thinking of starting a business, running an inn, so my brothers started surfing the net for properties in nearby Green Lake) We found two places that might be interesting, the one that scares everyone the most has been my inspiration ever since.

• DO NOT fall in love with a property!

• It'll kill you if you can't get it!

• Janet, you have to be realistic, this is WAY out of your league!

• Do you know how much work you'll need to do to get this thing going?

• Why on earth would you want to take this on?

The first thing I say about all of the above is THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! I now know there is nothing that gets me going more than a challenge. (or a sha-llange, for you Pink Panther fans) I relish every learning opportunity, new obstacle, interesting side note as I go through this very new process for me...if you're interested in seeing how this evolves, come back to visit every few days. It's been an interesting ride so far!

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place...