Thanksgiving for One: Match Made in Seven
Welcome to the monthly edition of Match Made in Seven! We are an international group of fashion bloggers who meet virtually once a month. One of us chooses a theme each month, and that can be anything: a book, music, a color, a movie. And then we all style an outfit based on that theme.
This month’s theme was chosen by Anna of MuttonStyle and is “Winter Entertaining.” I took a little liberty with the theme as technically Thanksgiving is in the fall, not the winter, but to me it’s lumped in there with the other winter holidays. See my post about the theme below…and be sure to take a look at my fellow bloggers to see how they have interpreted the theme this month.
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
Debbie of https://www.debbiestyleslife.com/
Darlene of https://aquamarinastyle.com/
Sonja of https://www.yustsome.nl/
Anna of https://www.muttonstyle.com/
Emma of http://www.style-splash.com/
When I think about holiday entertaining……yeah, no, I really don’t think about holiday entertaining. And especially Thanksgiving. That used to be the holiday when I had Katie for most of the day…for the best part of the day: sleeping late, making Fancy Breakfast, watching parades or old movies in our jammies. And most importantly, we were all together.
Then she went off to her father’s for the adulty part of the day: a real turkey dinner around the table with family.
Once she moved out of state (sniff), Thanksgiving became mine and Caleb’s Special Day. We’d get up early in the morning and drive a couple hours upstate to a giant park or preserve where we would get lost in the woods, slide down hills, slip in puddles hike, then drive home exhausted and happy from our time alone together in the great outdoors.
Now that even Caleb is gone…it’s just me (well, and Jane, but…) and it’s not so much fun to drive a long way to get lost in the woods hike all alone, so…the day has become about me. With no commitments or responsibility. It’s the one day in the year that I give myself total permission to DO NOTHING & ENJOY IT. I allow myself to say “no, thank you” to every invitation and not feel guilty about it.
And people try. “My aunt/neighbor/roommate/dog-walker/co-worker is having a Friendsgiving/Pot Luck/Dinner for Lonely People, you should come. You can’t just stay home alone! Come!” But staying home alone is like The Greatest Thing on the Planet to me these days.
So my Thanksgiving has become a Party for One. I am both hostess and guest. I have an entertaining blend of real and junk food that I snack on throughout the day at my whim. Sometimes I’m feeling productive and still make Fancy Breakfast, which consists of home-made crepes* (they’re not hard if you have the right pan), filled with custom jelly – things like apricot + ginger – and topped with boozy syrup (put a little of the jelly filling in a saucepan with some amaretto or alcohol of choice and warm til runny) and boozy whipped cream (there’s a theme to Fancy Breakfast). If I’m feeling really crazy I’ll cook up some sausage or bacon just so I can say I had some protein.
I dress comfortably…if I dress at all. Cotton nightgown + chenille cardigan + leopard Vionic slippers is my ensemble of choice for lazy days at home. If I need to make a 7/11 run later in the day for ice cream or chips, it will probably be in leggings, a chunky knit and sneakers.
So, yeah. Entertaining ME is about all the entertaining I ever commit to on Thanksgiving. And I like it that way.
Don’t forget to check out the other Match Made in Seven-ers cuz they probably actually entertain.
* I still use the basic crepe recipe from The Joy of Cooking. I usually thin the batter down a bit by adding more milk, just a little at a time. And sometimes just a wee bit of amaretto. Wee plus.
What I’m Wearing
- Anthropologie Camel Turtleneck, size 2x
- Loft Black Velvet Leggings, size 24 ( I got these on super-sale at the end of last winter)
- Vionic Leopard Slippers
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you buy something as a result of clicking that link, at no extra cost to you. I appreciate you shopping through my links.
jodie filogomo
I haven’t made crepes in forever…and I do have the right pan. I even moved it to AZ (I think…I’ll have to go check now).
It’s good to have me time. Sometimes I think the holiday thing is too much…too publicized, too this and especially too that.
Have a great Thanksgiving. Although I’m thinking you need another pup. I’m working on my husband too for that same request…ha ha.
XOOX
Jodie
bettyewp
I would love to have a dog again, but as a renter it’s just too risky. Twice now I’ve been asked to leave…and it’s just so hard to find pet-friendly places on the Island.
I WAS looking on like Pet Finder or some rescue site a week or so ago and of course found the dog that I need and that I know needs me…and then I was sad. Better to not even look.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! XOXO
Jude
Oh God, Bettye; all alone, not getting dressed, having your own personal buffet of whatever you please to eat and parking in front of the tv for Netflix or an old movie sounds DIVINE!
It’s only my brother, sister, and later on, my niece for Thanksgiving, and there’s no real stress (except I do all the cooking – BUT NO WASHING UP afterwards,) and everyone gets along great. But what I wouldn’t give to spend it alone-completely alone- once.
I do have that house in the woods, but they’d come and find me anyhow. Maybe one year. Happy Thanksgiving, however you spend it.
bettyewp
Yes! All alone! Oh, poor me! How will I ever bear it?
Hoping you have a peaceful easy day…and SOMEDAY get to hide out in your cabin in the woods!
Debbie@debbiestyleslife.com
You go girl and enjoy your special day of treating yourself!! I love your sweater and you look gorgeous, Bettye! Great job!
bettyewp
Thanks, Debbie! I actually got a last-minute invitation this morning but I stuck to my guns and said no thank you. People are lovely to extend the invites but…this is really my solo holiday.
Sarah
Love everything about this post – except for Caleb being gone and Katie being out of state – but I love that you have a day to relax and be at peace and I LOVE the photos!! Like amazing gorgeous photos of you looking happy and relaxed at home. Happy Thanksgiving Bettye!
bettyewp
Thanks, Sarah. Yeah, I really have been thinking about Caleb a lot lately…what with getting that picture the other day, and thinking of Thanksgivings past. He liked Fancy Breakfast, too.
If it’s a nice day I MIGHT go for a drive and walk in a preserve…like we used to do together.
Happy Thanksgiving, Sarah xoxo
Cheryl
We don’t have a Thanksgiving holiday here but your plans for the day sound perfect to me. Your clothes are beautiful and the fairy lights in the background of the last photo add a lovely touch.
bettyewp
Thanks, Cheryl. I’m trying to decide now what I ACTUALLY want to eat, so I can be prepared and don’t have to go out at all if I don’t want.
Nancy
Well it sounds like a fabulous day! Nothing wrong with being alone sometimes. I hope you enjoy and that your food will be delicious!!
bettyewp
Thanks, Nancy!
Debbie from Illinois
Sounds like a great day to me. Enjoy! 🧡🦃🧡
bettyewp
So far, so good. Janey and I slept in a bit…the sky was beautifully orange when I woke up…I’m going to make myself a frozen hot chocolate shortly…and then I’ll decide if I want to go for a drive out east or stay put inside. It IS very windy out today. Maybe not the best day for a walk in the woods.
Happy Thanksgiving, Debbie!
Sonja
Love to read your post! And I think we all need a cozy sweater and jogger for Christmas! We don’t need high heels! 😛
bettyewp
Down with high heels! ha 🙂
Anna at Muttonstyle
I admire you making such an effort for just yourself. It’s important to do that I think and so well done. It’s the perfect attitude. I hope you had a good day.
Darlene
Bettye, I am SO behind on everything, so please forgive my late comments. I always love to read your take on the theme as it’s always original and fun to read. A quiet Thanksgiving sounds lovely and I hope you enjoyed it. Your cozy turtleneck outfit is adorable and perfect for this time of year–entertaining or not!! I so enjoyed your Black Friday post!!
Have a wonderful weekend–coming soon,
xx Darlene
bettyewp
Thanks, Darlene. I understand being behind, I ALWAYS kinda feel that way! I DID enjoy my quiet Thanksgiving…hope you enjoyed your holiday as well, Darlene.