Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers and friends! We're staying put this year and will be running the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot this morning before heading to my aunt's house in Half Moon Bay. When I was a little kid I used to love spending holidays like the 4th of July in Half Moon Bay, and I'm excited to be here with Rob and Ender for some new holiday family time and memories. 

I know it sounds cheesy, but I like to take this time every year to really think about the things I have to be thankful for. Gratitude is something I try to practice every day, but it can be easy to forget. So, without further ado, here's my list--I'd love to hear yours!

• For a husband who loves me and a marriage that feels like a partnership.
• For a truly wonderful year career-wise: a new job for Rob, and a successful first book for me.
• For my health, and for access to great doctors and regular imaging that will allow me to hopefully stay cancer-free until I'm ready for surgery.
• For the opportunity to explore a new home in a new state on a new side of the country.
• For a sweet pup who curls up with me on the couch every afternoon while I work on my computer and drink a cup of tea.
• For really good memories of past Thanksgivings at Smith Mountain Lake with my family and our neighbors. 

And finally, I'm thankful for this blog, and for all of you who read it. My life wouldn't be the same without you guys. 

What are your plans this Thanksgiving?

I'd love to hear something on your list of things to be grateful for this year.

It's that time again! I deeply value both my blog and my readers, so I love spending some time at the end of the year getting your feedback. If you have a couple of minutes, I'd be so grateful to hear your thoughts about your experience as a Freckled Italian reader (it's anonymous!). As always, I can't thank you enough for being here!

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It's not a big secret that I'm very firm in my No Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving beliefs. This is not the case, however, with holiday cards. I love sending them soon after Thanksgiving, but that means you have to order them before then. Being ahead of the game has never been one of my strong suits, but when it comes to ordering pretty stationary, I'm always on top of it. Maybe it's because we've moved around a lot and while the holidays have looked different for us almost every year since we started moving, this is one constant tradition we do no matter where we are (like a Thanksgiving race--it started with the Turkey Trot in Roanoke every year for as long as I can remember, then last year we did a 10K in Charlotte, and this Thursday we're running another 5K; but this time in Silicon Valley).

Anyway, life has been a little busy lately, and I had no idea that the family photos we took with our friend Rémy this summer in Charlotte would be gracing this year's holiday cards, but here we are. I had big plans to go to Baker Beach and get some new photos of us in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, but I guess that'll just have to wait until 2017.

I'm excited to be partnering with new-to-me-sponsor Tiny Prints this year--it was so sweet of them to send us these glamorous glitter holiday cards (and if you're wondering, no they don't make a mess--the glitter stays put)! They also have laser-cut designs, both personalized and stamped foil cards, and some super cute ornament ones, too. I'm really happy with the design I picked, and I can't wait to hunker down this weekend and write some notes to our friends and family on the East Coast!

And finally, from now until December 2, you can enter to win a $100 credit to Tiny Prints, right here on Freckled Italian (winner will be notified by December 16). Just use the widget below: 

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.