Dear #30DaysOfThanksgiving,

Showing gratitude is important all year. But November is when we are brought to Thanksgiving. It is a month that reminds us to be thankful and to show gratitude. I feel so lucky for everything in my life. For my trials and my blessings. For my happiness and for my hard times. Life is an adventure. I learn from the good and the bad. And all my experiences make me who I am. So who am I to not be grateful for every moment? I participated in the #30DaysOfThanksgiving on Instagram. It was fun to think of something every day that I wanted to share with those around me. Here are my 30 days in photos and words.

Follow me @deejmbl

• So thankful for @skinnymill! I sure did luck out with this guy #30DaysOfThanksgiving#Day1 
• Pancake Saturday! We love Mickey! #30daysofthanksgiving #day2 
• So grateful for a mom that is a friend and a role model! @yellowjke#30daysofthanksgiving #day3
• I'm grateful for these delicious treats that led to my engagement! @skinnymill#rockymountain #30daysofthanksgiving #day4 
• Grateful for a Dad who works hard, has integrity, and taught his little girl to have tough skin | #30daysofthanksgiving #day5
• I'm proud to be an American! #election2012 #30daysofthanksgiving #day6
• Grateful for always any size $1 drink from @McDonalds #30daysofthanksgiving #day7
• Grateful for flowers #30daysofthanksgiving #day8 
• Grateful for Idaho and all her glory... And her potatoes! #30daysofthanksgiving #day9
• Thankful for funny faces and someone to make them with @skinnymill#30daysofthanksgiving #day10
• Grateful for Sunday Smoothies and a husband with smoothie making skills#30daysofthanksgiving #day11 
• Grateful for strangers that are willing to change a blown out tire on the freeway#30daysofthanksgiving #day12 
• Grateful for good friends #30daysofthanksgiving #day13
• Grateful for clean clothes and a washer and dryer in my home #30daysofthanksgiving#day14 
• Grateful for temple date nights... Followed by Cocoa Bean :) #30daysofthanksgiving#day15 
• So grateful for our first three months of marriage! #30daysofthanksgiving #day16  
• Grateful for a new sport to love and a handsome man to go watch #baseball#30daysofthanksgiving #day17 
• Grateful for supportive friends! #30daysofthanksgiving #day18
• Grateful for all my experiences in the Miss America Organization! #30daysofthanksgiving#day19
• Grateful to be home where this is my backyard #30daysofthanksgiving #day20
• Grateful to be home baking with my Mom @yellowjke #30daysofthanksgiving #day21 
• Grateful for friends that don't mind getting dirty! #30DaysOfThanksgiving #Day22 
• Grateful for handsome brothers that set up my high expectations for a husband. And that I found a husband to match them #30daysofthanksgiving #day23 
• Grateful for new days and fresh starts #30daysofthanksgiving #day24  
• Grateful for childhood besties #30daysofthanksgiving #day25 @sarahscissorcut 
• Grateful for packages #30daysofthanksgiving #day26 
• Grateful for a comfy cozy bed every night! #30daysofthanksgiving #day27
• Grateful for opportunities to dance and share my passion #30daysofthanksgiving #day28 
• Grateful for the one hand dip #30daysofthanksgiving #day29
• Grateful for the temple. I was sealed to the love of my life for time and eternity here. Grateful for eternal families. #30daysofthanksgiving #day30

I am happy to be who I am. I am happy to be where I am. I am grateful for Thanksgiving and the reminder it gives me to show gratitude.

Dear Aloha Hop,

In the midst of a winter coming we could all use a little sunshine, a little beach, and a little hop! Join the fun and join me for a happy Friday!

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/search/label/aloha" title="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRe8eT140DaUJ04Ru1WxzG-e1wI2GmXKhBIcBxp_WC8S_G_aRgbcUe_z_BRQzcKe3DBLUi45USqqBA3Fk5-nPoL0Bt3hJl3_UL9oMpvziR2nU-CBbbwyev_K2GoqqWGsYJhpul5qB5fs/s320/Aloha+Friday+Blog+Hopsmaller.jpg" alt="Aloha Friday Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Grab our button!!

Hosted by:

What Jean Likes . A Cat-Like Curiosity 

Love, The Skinnys

A Little Bit of Brandy

PonderWonders

Simply Heavenly Food

The Aloha Friday Blog Hop is more than a "Friday" hop, it's a way to share aloha and friendship to our fellow bloggers all weekend long!!  I consider this particular blog hop to be more of a weekend hop because Fridays are so hectic that a lot of people function on what we like to call "Hawaiian Time" here in Hawai'i which means they link up on Saturday or sometimes even Sunday which is just fine and dandy with me!  That's why I keep it open from Friday through Monday because I sincerely believe, the more the merrier!! 

If you're interested in co-hosting next month's Aloha Friday Blog Hop, please email Jean@whatjeanlikes.com for more info. 

Don't miss out on our giveaway below!!! 

This week we wanted to add a little something extra special to our lovely hop. It's an oh-so-easy opportunity for you lovely participants of the Aloha Friday Blog hop to get some exposure to your blogs!!  What do  you have to do to enter?  Just link up to the Aloha Friday Blog Hop Below!! It's that easy!!  No extra forms or hassle, just link up!  Each week we will pick a linker to featured at random and invite you all to say ...

Grab a button if you were featured this week!
  <a href="http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Aloha"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GtKt7AmScfC0GHIeWG2eW9paPJRdu6PSPtwWF_AIv-MhXnkwGgqm8yqzHdcTmEQ_uG_QpU8elVpHLVA_L7dxVYu7MRTalW0zRPleFH0Q68EsepPZ27ILpetUwgVV09JWApmqvpz_gUcr/s1600/Aloha+Friend+button.jpg" border="0" /></a>

Aloha Hoapili translates as Hello Close Friend. So, without further ado let me introduce you to this week's featured friend ...

Hannah from Thirsty World Designs.

Hannah is a postcard enthusiast who occasionally allows her cat to take over the blog (so cute and adorable!). She blogs about recipes and restaurants, art and travel stories. Want a little taste of her blog? Check out these posts to find out what you've been missing:

A Post from Einstein (the cat, not the scientist!) All the Fun of the Fair

If you're not already a follower than you definitely should be! Now, let's link up and start spreading that Aloha shall we?

Just A Few Simple Requests:  

Follow your Aloha Friday Hop hosts and team members.

(Please leave a comment with a link to your site and we will be sure to follow you back)

Link up your family friendly blogs 

(Or other sites and projects you'd like to share)

 Share this hop so that others might join in.

(If you'd like, you are welcome to post this hop on your site and/or add our button to your site!)

 Visit at least three other blogs and let them know you've come to share aloha.

(How lucky are we to start our wonderful weekends together, let's have fun with this)

Dear Black Friday,

On November 23 I became a member of the Black Friday crowd. Never before had I dared participate in such an activity. Crowds and pushy people aren't my type of scene. As it turns out, all of my previous conceptions of Black Friday were correct. BUT, I am most likely going to participate in Black Friday from this year on.

The first story I have to tell happened in Walmart. At 8:00 PM on Thursday night, Walmart had a lot of pre-Black Friday deals. One of them was a super good deal on DVD's. My post was waiting for a 32' TV for Deidres' Dad. At the strike of 8, the hundreds of people that were previously withheld by caution tape stormed towards the DVD stands. As I watched the craze begin, I couldn't help but notice the similarity between the event that was occurring before my eyes and the opening events of The Hunger Games at the Cornucopia. People were shoving each other to the ground. There were people ramming other people with their shopping carts. I stood in amazement as I watched the frenzy happen. See for yourself if the two have any similarities and you will notice that they are  eerily similar.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Black Friday, and may the odds be ever in your favor (but really. I saw some people who were 31st in line and they only had 30 60' TVs to give out... they were not happy campers).

Sincerely,
Skinny

Dear Friendly Friday,

This week is exciting. And this post is exciting. First, why is this post exciting? Because this marks my 600th POST! Say whhhhat? That is a lot of ramblings. And now. Why is this week exciting? Because not only have I watched 3 seasons of Saved By the Bell but I am also co-hosting a really fun blog hop. Check it out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------




It's Friday and that means it's time to GROW YOUR FOLLOWERS WITH THE FRIENDLY FRIDAY HOP.  The Friendly Friday Blog Hop is a Multimedia link-up designed to help you grow all of your social sites at once.  Here, you can now link-up your  Blog , Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and HelloCotton.

The Friendly Friday Hop is Hosted by:

Today with the Tennerys - 

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Bloglovin' - HelloCotton

Life on Peanut Layne -

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Bloglovin' 

The {Not So} Fascinating Life of Tabitha -

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Bloglovin' - HelloCotton

And this week's Co-Host - 

Life in a Breakdown

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Bloglovin' - HelloCotton

Love the Skinnys

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Google+ - Instagram - Pinterest - Bloglovin'

Ok, for the rules, there are only a few and they are simple.

1. Follow your Hosts and Co-host

If you are a new follower, please comment and let us know because we will gladly follow you back.

Interested in being a co-host? E-mail Tricia@Todaywiththetennerys.com 

2. For each link-you enter, please visit at least three blogs within that category.

For instance, if you link up your twitter and Facebook, please visit 3 other twitter links and three other Facebook links.  Be sure to tell them you found them on Friendly Friday.

3. Spread the word!

You can do this by tweeting and/or grabbing our button.

(Grabbing the button will also be quick access to come link-up each week)

Tweet 4. Link-Up!

Under 100 on Google+, Intagram, or Pinterest?  Under 50 on BlogLovin' or Hello Cotton?

Under 250 on Facebook?  Under 300 on GFC or Twitter?

Simply put {LOW} after your link so we know to help you out.
(*Note: When liking on Facebook, you MUST do this from your personal page. It does not count as a "like" if you like from your blog Facebook page.)

<center> <a href="http://www.todaywiththetennerys.com/search/label/Friendly%20Friday"><img border="0" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q98/WARbaby817/ff.png" /></a></center> Now Let's get this hop started :)

Link up you Blog HERE!

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Link up your FACEBOOK here!

Under 250 Likes? Put {LOW} next to your name.

1.	100lb Countdown	21.	That Suburban Momma	41.	Peace it all Together
2.	Charlene of Rushing for Bagels	22.	Raising Reagan	42.	Northern Belle Diaries (LOW)
3.	Evelyn @ My Turn for us	23.	Nifty Thrifty Family LOW	43.	Living and Homeschooling With a New Normal
4.	Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine? (LOW)	24.	Living Unbound (LOW)	44.	My Beautiful, Crazy Life
5.	Satisfaction Through Christ	25.	The Southern Northerner	45.	Masshole Mommy
6.	Today with the Tennerys {Host}	26.	Yogi Mami (low)	46.	quite the blog
7.	Life on Peanut Layne {Host}	27.	Natalie Loves Beauty [LOW]	47.	Life With a Possum (LOW)
8.	The {Not So} Fascinating Life of Tabitha {Host}	28.	Don't Chew On The Dinner Table! (LOW)	48.	A New Addition
9.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	29.	Rambling Momma	49.	Our Everyday Harvest
10.	Love the Skinnys {Co-Host}	30.	CuteCoconut	50.	One Wish Short... of Paradise (LOW)
11.	NEWLYWED MOMENTS (LOW)	31.	This Little Life of Mine (LOW)	51.	Tid Bits of Experience
12.	Shona Skye Creations (Follows Back)	32.	Mika Jones	52.	Donah@Sweetjellybean.com
13.	Samantha@Hooah and Hiccups	33.	DAWN'S DISASTER	53.	Caffeinated Diva Diaries Fan Page (low)
14.	The Gavina Family: A Flyboy's Family (LOW)	34.	What Jean Likes	54.	Pynk Krush (likes back)
15.	Samantha@Hooah and Hiccups	35.	Heidi @ Taking the Plunge {LOW}	55.	This Little Estate (LOW)
16.	Carrie Symes	36.	The Lily White English Rose	56.	Serenity You
17.	Confessions of a Makeup Addict	37.	Dustykatt's Stuff	57.	Shane @ Whispering Sweet Nothings
18.	Menopausalmother(likes back))	38.	The Greek Housewife (LOW)	58.	40s Chic
19.	Michelle @ Michelle's Pixie Dust	39.	Chymecindy on Facebook	59.	My Fashion Forward Blog
20.	Auntie Em's Guide to Life (LOW)	40.	rekita @lovelyarmywife (follows back) and (low)

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Link up your TWITTER here!

Under 300 Followers? Put {Low} beside your name.

1.	Satisfaction Through Christ	19.	Nifty Thrifty Family LOW	37.	Melissa@Forgetting Mess Pausing Time
2.	Today with the Tennerys {Host}	20.	Meredith @sthrnortherner (low)	38.	Northern Belle Diaries
3.	Life on Peanut Layne {Host}	21.	@8azara8 (LOW)	39.	Living and Homeschooling With a New Normal
4.	The {Not So} Fascinating Life of Tabitha {Host}	22.	Natalie Loves Beauty [LOW]	40.	My Beautiful, Crazy Life
5.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	23.	Terri Lynn Grothe	41.	Masshole Mommy
6.	Love the Skinnys {Co-Host}	24.	CuteCoconut@Momkn4lva	42.	@quitetheblog
7.	Newlywed Moments	25.	@DAWN'S DISASTER	43.	Mariel Collins (low)
8.	Samantha@Hooah and Hiccups	26.	@whatjeanlikes	44.	@possumhill
9.	The Gavina Family: A Flyboy's Family (LOW)	27.	The Lily White English Rose	45.	Our Everyday Harvest
10.	@nikmakeupjunkie	28.	Charlene of Rushing for Bagels	46.	Courtney
11.	Carrie Symes	29.	Dustykatt's Stuff	47.	Jeannie @ One Wish Short... of Paradise (LOW)
12.	Michelle @ Michelle's Pixie Dust	30.	@myuniquegirlz (LOW)	48.	Tid Bits of Experience
13.	Theresa	31.	100lb Countdown	49.	Rae@Caffein8dDiva
14.	Kathleen @ Somethin Bout a Truck	32.	My Mom's a Whack Job (low)	50.	Evelyn @ My Turn for us
15.	That Suburban Mommma	33.	Yogi Mami (low)	51.	Kelly @HiccupsSunshine
16.	@KateWhineHall	34.	@chymecindy	52.	Beauty Fiend
17.	Raising Reagan	35.	Rekita @lovelyarmywife (follows back)	53.	@mfashforward
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1.	Today with the Tennerys {Host}	7.	A Delightful Glow {LOW}	13.	quite the blog (LOW)
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3.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	9.	What Jean Likes (LOW)	15.	Tid Bits of Experience (low)
4.	Love the Skinnys {Co-Host}	10.	CuteCoconut	16.	Rae Wright Google+
5.	Satisfaction Through Christ {LOW}	11.	Charlene of Rushing for Bagels	17.	Evelyn @ My Turn for us
6.	Raising Reagan (LOW)	12.	Dustykatt's Stuff

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Link up your INSTAGRAM here.

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1.	Newlywed Moments	7.	Samantha@Hooah and Hiccups	13.	Natalie Loves Beauty [LOW]
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3.	Today with the Tennerys {Host}	9.	Raising Reagan (LOW)	15.	Masshole Mommy
4.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	10.	Nifty Thrifty Family LOW	16.	quite the blog (LOW)
5.	Love the Skinnys {Co-Host}	11.	Beauty by brittneyd	17.	D @sweetjellybean.com (LOW)
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Linkup your PINTEREST here!

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3.	Life on Peanut Layne {Host}	14.	Azara8 (LOW)	25.	Living and Homeschooling With a New Normal
4.	The {Not So} Fascinating Life of Tabitha {Host}	15.	Natalie Loves Beauty [LOW]	26.	Masshole Mommy
5.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	16.	Meredith @ The Southern Northerner (low)	27.	My Beautiful, Crazy Life
6.	Love the Skinnys {Co-Host}	17.	This Little Life of Mine	28.	quite the blog
7.	Satisfaction Through Christ	18.	DAWN'S DISASTER	29.	Our Everyday Harvest
8.	The Gavina Family: A Flyboy's Family (LOW)	19.	What Jean Likes (LOW)	30.	Rae Wright
9.	Confessions of a Makeup Addict	20.	The Lily White English Rose	31.	Evelyn @ My Turn for us
10.	Michelle @ Michelle's Pixie Dust	21.	Charlene of Rushing for Bagels	32.	My Fashion Forward Blog
11.	Raising Reagan	22.	Dustykatt's Stuff

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3.	Life on Peanut Layne {Host}	9.	Raising Reagan	15.	Dustykatt's Stuff - low
4.	The {Not So} Fascinating Life of Tabitha {Host}	10.	Beauty by brittneyd (LOW)	16.	100lb Countdown (LOW)
5.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	11.	Natalie Loves Beauty [LOW]	17.	NORTHERN BELLE DIARIES (LOW)
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3.	Life in a Breakdown {Co-Host}	6.	My Unique Girlz (LOW)

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Dear Lipstick,

Awhile ago I saw an awesome lipstick tutorial over on The Beauty Department. I have been using it ever since and it works like a charm. After a night out exploring and playing my lips still look like they did when I left the house. It is one of the best lipstick tutorials around, especially for those RED holiday lips. Or... any color holiday lips as the party season gets into full swing.

I couldn't seem to find it to share with you so today I am recreating it.

• STEP ONE: Apply lipstick over the entire lip area.
• STEP TWO: Blot. Folding a tissue in half, open your mouth and place it in between your lips, then press down.
• STEP THREE: Dust lips with a powder. Loose, pressed, or transulecent.. whatever you prefer. Use an eyeshadow blending brush and powder your entire lip area until they are completely mattified.
• STEP FOUR: Apply another layer of lipstick.
• REPEAT STEPS 2-4 to make it last. Now go party!

If you are a gloss girl dap a small dot in the middle of your lips to add some shine. If you are going out to eat try not to wrap your lips around your fork/spoon. Just use your teeth mostly. Sounds weird, but it works. Hope you enjoy your holiday lips and embrace that color! What lipstick color are you wearing?

Dear Thanksgiving Spread,

I know everyone has put their Thanksgiving decorations away and pulled out the Christmas tree... but I wanted to go back to last week's holiday because I loved it! Adam and I spent the holiday up in Idaho with my family. My Mom had me help a lot this year. I helped bake and cook as well as do all the table settings. And I must say, I was pretty proud of our work... so here you have it. The Edmunds' Thanksgiving celebration from table setting to serving table.

I love Thanksgiving. 

I love being with family. 

I love having an excuse to be in the same town as all my friends.

I love making pie. 

I love decorating.

And I love the reminder that I have so many good things in my life. 

What do you love about this time of year?

Dear Mom's Best,

Last week I had the great opportunity to go to the Mom's Best event to raise awareness for the Utah Children's Justice Center. It was an incredibly inspiring night and just a good time. I am so grateful that Miss Gentri invited Elsha and I out for a blogger's night. I loved spending time with the two of them and I loved being involved at the event. The night went a little like this:

Walk in.

Sign in.

Rate some awesome Utah products.

Take some photos.

Win some prizes.

Eat some dinner.

Learn all about the Children's Justice Center.

Live auction.

Cheers.

And now for some photos.

Here are the vendors.

  

My number was drawn two separate times for a few awesome prizes. I walked away from the evening with a full bully, an iStabilizer, and two fancy slips. And let me tell you. These prizes are awesome. If you are looking for some Christmas ideas check out these two local businesses. I will be giving more details on both later. But the iStabilzer is very helpful for iPhone photos and videos and the Fancy Slips are handy for making all dresses long and modest.

This is the table settings and buffet table. Just to give you an idea.

This doll house is from the doll house festival held earlier in the year. All the houses are handmade and donated. There were four auctioned off at the end of the night.

Besides learning all the wonderful things the Children's Justice Center does the night was wonderful for bonding. I loved getting to know Elsha and Gentri a little better. It was fun being included in this good cause. The live auction at the end of the night raised over $4,000 dollars for the center. Sadly, I wasn't one of the buyers... I know, it is for charity. But what I learned that night is I have auction stage fright. My heart sank and my stomach hollowed every time I went to raise my hand. A lot of good items came and went and I walked away item-less... next year I will buy something for CHARITY! Next year!

Dear .... No title,

After 5 days of EATING like I had never been able to taste food.
And sleeping as if I have never taken a nap in my life.
Spending a lot of time with my family.
And a lot of time just hanging around being funny...

I am back.

The theme of the Thanksgiving break was "Eat, drink, and be merry for Monday I diet." I have not eaten so much and drank so much soda in a long long long time. I don't think a second went by that I wasn't completely tummy satisfied. Now... It is Sunday. And tomorrow for reals starts a diet.

Dear Thanksgiving,

Today is all about thanks and giving thanks. And today I am giving thanks for...

... a studly husband that works hard and plays harder.

... sunrises and sunsets.

... the Flying J on my drive home so I can get a treat when I am sleepy.

... puffy Cheetos.

... parents that are loving and supportive.

... fresh starts.

... showers.

... friends. All of them.

... movie nights.

... dips, one handed or two handed.

... cuddling to sleep and good morning kisses.

... high fives.

... dress ups.

... growing up with only brothers so I am tough.

... my brothers.

... home videos.

... postcards and letters.

... Disneyland. And Disneyworld. And all things Disney.

... E woks.

... opportunity.

... public speaking.

... slurpees and snowcones.

... dancing.

... The Miss America Organization.

... fresh cut flowers.

... wrestling matches.

... an awesome and competitive family.

... the U.S. of A.

... cheese graters.

... the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

... and so many other things. Before we all run out to buy a bunch of things we probably don't need on the consumer's favorite Black Friday... let us spend some time to say thanks. Thanks for reading. Thanks for comments. Thanks for making me feel happy. Thanks for being you.

Love,
Deidre