You probably know of our little Thanksgiving tradition of filling up our homemade “Thanks Jar” with gratitude notes throughout November. We wanted to keep the tradition going this year, but our book tour kept us away most of the month and it got away from us. So this weekend we decided to sneak this tradition in right at the buzzer… while putting a new spin on it thanks to our new chalkboard.
The word art at the top of the board was a joint effort. Sherry searched something like “pretty script” on Pinterest and tried her best to imitate what she saw for the word “thanks.” A curlicue here. A flourish there. Then I got in there with some different colors to shade things in and add “Give” and “2012” in my “man font” as she called it. I think we were moderately successful.
I actually like doodling different letters and fonts a lot (type geek, represent) but this task nearly got the best of me. Using chalk myself actually gives me the heebie-jeebies BIG TIME. Something about the sound of it. The feel of it grinding against the board. The potential screechiness of it. It doesn’t happen when Sherry or Clara are scribbling away, so maybe it’s the feel of it in my own hand? Yah – it’s weird. But this project was like therapy for my chalk-phobia. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? I can now check “chalk use” off my list of things that I’d prefer never to do in this lifetime. It’s not THAT bad.
Shortly after getting our little piece of art done we got down to showing some gratitude. With the help of about $10 in Target magnets and some spare, cut-up cardstock our little “Thanks Board” was looking more like this by the end of the day:
Oh and see those few magnets made from round disks of wood with stripes of paint on them? Those were actually handmade by Megan who gave them to us at one of our signings. She just used small wood disks and some tape + paint + magnets glued to the back. Aren’t they awesome? We love them the most.
We opted to write things that we’re thankful for on paper cards because (a) we could later store them in our thanks jar along with our 2010 and 2011 collection and (b) I could avoid having to write directly on the chalkboard any more than necessary. Baby steps, people. Baby steps.
We even got Clara in on the action for the first time ever. It was a bit of a struggle to explain concepts like gratitude and feeling thankful to a 2.5 year old (“Think of things or people that make you happy or glad!”) but she did spit out a few gems. Our hearts melted when she said “Mommy and Daddy make me happy!” A few others were: a balloon, the bookstore, and Bridget’s party (she’s the gal next door who rents a moon bounce (#bestneighborsever).
Here’s a smattering of some of the cards that we each drew up. Since I wrote Clara’s we tried to help distinguish hers from mine by letting her color on her own with crayons. For example, I’m thankful for Skype (especially last week!) and Clara was thankful for Bridget’s aforementioned party (see those festive scribbles?).
Clara got distracted before we finished, though. So, for the record, I’m not the one who’s thankful for her Play-Doh cookie cutters. That’s all her.
Oh, and warning: kids + magnets can be very dangerous. We had a very firm talk with Clara about the magnets not being toys or food. She’s past the phase of putting anything in her mouth, but we didn’t want her to think the magnets looked like candy or anything. We overheard her later telling Burger that he could “look but not touch them because they’re not yummy and they’re not food and ice cream is yummy and that is food” and had a nice laugh. And in the end (after we shot all these photos) we moved all the smaller round ones up on the board to be completely out of her reach and used the larger not-swallowable ones for the lower area – just to be on the safe side.
We’re really glad we took the time to squeeze this little tradition in again this year because it’s a really satisfying process to write out what we’re thankful to have in our lives… even if they’re just simple things like a good TV show to escape to once a week. Yup, Dexter made the board.
And while I’m sure we could’ve easily filled the entire board with things, people, and events that we appreciate, we were sure to leave a good chunk at the bottom open for Ms. Chalks-A-Lot.
She clearly didn’t inherit her father’s aversion to the stuff.
We hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving this week has some wonderful food, safe travels, loving company, and lots to be grateful for. Heck, here’s wishing the same thing even to those who aren’t celebrating any official holiday. And with that, I can’t help but share our Thanksgiving greeting from last year.
Oh Burger, you slay me. Happy face-stuffing to one and all!
Looking for more Thanksgiving traditions? Check out these posts:
- A free Thanksgiving printable to mail messages of gratitude to friends & family
- A DIY Thanksgiving craft glass-etched Thanks Jar
- Our daughter’s first year writing Thanks Jar messages
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Miranda says
Happy Thanksgiving! Stuff your faces! By the way… You can use a regular ol’ pencil sharpener to sharpen your chalk. It makes writing a lot easier because of the fine point. And I think it’s a lot less screech-y as well…
YoungHouseLove says
Who knew?!
xo
s
Rebecca says
Which one of you was thankful for “Pink’s Body?” Or at least that’s what it looks like you wrote… Hmmm?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s Pirate’s Booty! My favorite snack.
xo,
s
dana828 says
OMG I totally thought that note said “Pink’s Body”, too! Too funny. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah!
xo,
s
heather says
Pirates Booty should never be allowed near me in an unsupervised manner. Before you know it I’ll be covered in white cheddar dust as I shake the bag into my face to get the very last crumbs. Sometimes the truth isn’t glamorous.
Bethany says
I just hopped on the comment board to ask the same thing!! “Please tell me that says ‘Pink’s Body’?”
Bwahhahaha! Mystery solved!
Have an amazing Thanksgiving Petersik family!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahah!
xo
s
Kathryn says
So this post brought this canadian Public Service Announcement to mind from the 90’s. It’s called “don’t you put in your mouth”. So funny! We used to sing it all the time as kids.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!!!
xo,
s
Courtney Edmondson says
I never thought of using Pinterst for Fonts-great idea!
Have you seen the site http://www.dafont.com? It is Da-Bomb! haha. word. play. And I believe all are free to download, I haven’t found any yet that are not. And it is completely safe to use also. I work for a DOE National Lab and that is the site approved for our graphics department so it must be okay :D
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah that’s so much fun!
xo,
s
Jamie says
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful I came across your video years ago on how to arrange frames – I was hooked that very day. Now you are my 10am and 3pm break :) My house is also thankful for the love I’ve shown it since then…it now feels like a home.
RE: Living Social – FINALLY!! I called my hubby from the road to make sure I got tickets, he’s the best. Holiday crafting here I come!! I’m so so thankful for him too :)
…Now to make sure I don’t embarrass myself and get all sweaty palmed and excited to meet you guys (which I will!!) I Can’t wait!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! It’s going to be so much fun!!
xo,
s
Ethne @ Wom-Mom says
I’m thankful I get to come check in with you guys every morning! My hubby is thankful for all the ideas you give me for our house. j/k And Dexter, that rascal, good one. Ethne
YoungHouseLove says
Haha thanks Ethne! We’re so thankful for you guys!
xo,
s
Carley says
My son’s name is Dexter so it always makes me smile when I see his name somewhere! ;)
Happy thanksgiving! Still hoping a Pittsburgh book tour gets added!
Corie says
I can’t touch chalk either! It skeeves me. I use a papertowel or napkin to hold it when I’m writing and it still bothers me.
I’m thankful for napkins and papertowels. ;)
Kari says
Happy Thanksgiving Petersiks! One of the things I’m grateful for are the sweet moments of inspiration like this that YHL provides. Also grateful for a cousin bonding weekend initiated for your book tour!
Britt @ Honest to Goodness Living says
Ah, this post brought me so much thanksgiving joy :) What a fun way to teach Clara to count her blessings! Love it…. Have a wonderful and BLESSED Thanksgiving, Petersik Family!
Jill says
Love this post. This has inspired me to make my own version for my grown up daughters. Chalk board paint on a wine bottle and a chalk pen. Hope we can squeeze all the things we are thankful for on a wine bottle. (might have to get a big one!)
Thankful for you guys and my daily reading for three years!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo,
s
Stephanie says
We have a chalkboard wall in our house and for the past few years, in November, I have written “I am so very thankful…” and encouraged our kids and visitors to fill in the blank. This year our 7-yr old is taking on the challenge and his thankful things are adorable (I am so thankful for my life. I am so thankful they made food) – I’ve already taken a picture of all of this :) Priceless stuff (especially the spelling)!
Happy Thanksgiving Petersiks!
Heather says
Good to see I’m not the only one who hates using/hearing chalk. I shuddered as I read this post!
Kwan says
Guys-
Your living social link only links to the $69 event. I am interested in the $29 event but can’t find a place to buy it on the living social site. Please help!
YoungHouseLove says
Just click the “book now” button to access both types:)
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I LOVE what you guys did with the chalkboard and I love the chalk board. But I’m with John. I HATE chalk. I don’t like pencils much either (but I could spend HOURS in the pen aisle!). Maybe you (John) could start a 12 step for us no chalkers so we can finally have fun chalkboards in our house too! ;) Happy Thanksgiving!
Nick says
I totally nerd out over typography. I take pictures of old buildings with Neutra-style fonts for lettering etc. any time I see them…
The script font is impressive…Jessica Hische better watch out!
Colene E says
Happy Thanksgiving! I too HATE chalk… the sound and feel makes me want to eat chalk (which I’ve never actually done), but it’s a weird feeling. I’m so glad I’m not the only one with a weird chalk aversion. :)
Guylaine Côté says
Thank YOU !
You make me laugh, you inspire me and you touch me with your little Clara.
Have a beautiful day!
Guylaine
Katelyn says
I’m not done reading the post yet, but after reading your comments about chalk, I had to post something. I’m the same way, but I don’t think I’ll ever be ‘cured’. I absolutely CAN’T STAND even the mere thought of writing on a chalkboard. Makes me cringe just thinking about it.. EEEEEEK. Jealous of all those people who couldn’t care less – wish that was me, but sadly I will NEVER have ANYTHING chalkboard-related in my home!!!
Yikes :|
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
I had been wondering if you were going to do your thanks jar again with being gone so much.
Glad to see you found a way to make it happen!!!
Tiffany says
Looks like we copied the same font. I used it on sugar cookies I made last year. Here’s a pic :)
http://twicebaked-tiffany.blogspot.ca/2011/10/thanksgiving-sugar-cookies.html?m=1
YoungHouseLove says
Haha love it!!
xo,
s
Kwan says
Sorry Petersiks! Ignore my previous comment. I figured it out. When you click on the link for the $69 event, it gives you time slots for the $29 event too. Can’t wait to meet you!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, glad you figured it out :)
xo,
s
Elizabeth says
OMG! I can’t stand the way chalk feels…all I think every time I see your board is…DUST! The board is beautiful though!
Steph says
I forgot all about that picture of Burger until now, SO hilarious! Gotta love that guilty look. The other day an apple slice fell on the floor and I forgot my dog doesn’t like apples, so I called him to eat it. He hesitated, put it in his mouth, and then asked to go outside. I watched him from the window (since he still had the apple slice in his mouth) and watched him carefully spit it out on the front step and then come back in. He came back in with the most guilty look on his face (I guess he thought he was required to eat the apple!) it was so funny. I guess he didn’t want to hurt my feelings or anything by not eating it, hah.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s so cute!
xo,
s
heather says
I’m cracking up laughing at this. We have an apple tree in the back field, and the moment they come in the summer that I can look at the dogs and say “go get an apple!” they perk up and run full tilt as fast as possible into the field to the tree and start gorging on them. Winnie has been known to jump straight up off the ground in an attempt to grab them off the high branches. It’s rather hilarious.
heather says
This is a bit strange, but I am so happy to hear that someone else shares my aversion to chalk! It’s like it makes my fingernails itch. The husband wants to put up a chalkboard for meal planning and list-making because it’s nicer looking and more in line with our decor than my beloved whiteboard but I’m not sure I’ll ever use it.
May says
I second the chalk aversion… and I used to be a teacher – haha! – but my class had I whiteboard, so I usually managed to avoid chalk. I also dislike the sound of styrofoam on styrofoam, or certain types of cardboards. It’s not a fear or anything, just a weird physiological reaction, like chills up and down my spine. I also get those when people humiliate themselves, LOL.
On a more thankful note, I’m really thankful for your book. My three year old loves the Clara and Burger pictures. It’s fun and beautiful and generally ‘happy’. Take care :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks May, that’s so kind of you to say.
xo,
s
Kelsey says
We have a chalk wall at work and it gives me the willies so profoundly that I can’t even walk past it. I could never put a chalk board in my home. My dog would probably eat a piece and I would die. I think I would just die.
Sort of sadistically glad to hear someone shares my aversion.
EmilyThompson says
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m super thankful this year that I just landed a full-time gig in this economy! I’m also thankful for your book and all of the Christmas present ideas inside :) Love to you and yours!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw congrats Emily!
xo,
s
Rachel Mooney says
I couldn’t take the time to sift through all of the comments, but just wanted to let you know that I have a huge aversion to chalk as well. Not really too sure when it happened, but I actually dropped a course my first year of college because the professor always squeaked the chalk or scraped the board. #TrueStory
Rachel L. says
For all those with Chalk Aversions, maybe these are the answer: http://chalkink.com/ChalkInk.com/Homepage.html Found here today: http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2012/11/chalk-markers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HoneyWereHome+%28Honey+We%27re+Home%29
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo,
s
Toni says
I draw a lot of chalkboard signs for my business and I always where gloves to cut down on the heebie jeebie factor. I use cotton gardening gloves. They are thin enough to not be cumbersome and I can blend with my covered fingertip. I like drawing with chalk a lot more now.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo,
s
Shanna says
Totally love your blog and wish you would have book toured closer to me, like in my town, not the big cities around me. ;) I don’t like to drive much.
Anyway, I have a very important question to ask you, Did Katie Bower have her baby yet? The blog won’t let me access it and I need to know these things. I hope everything is alright. Please let me know, I am getting a bit frantic here in Wisconsin. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes she did and she posted about it! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Reenie says
Happy Thanksgiving YHL!!
… her later telling Burger that he could “look but not touch them because they’re not yummy and they’re not food and ice cream is yummy and that is food”…. OMG ~ that is soooo cute!!!
statia says
Men who love Chihuahuas are pretty awesome. Our Chih’s person is my husband and he babies her more than he does our children.
Sarah says
Boy do you two ever deserve this holiday! Enjoy to the max and thanks for keeping us stimulated throughout the year!
Eve says
The chalkboard looks great! John, I’m totally with you on the chalk aversion. We made our son’s closet doors into chalkboards and I wanted to make some cute font doodles at the top but I was squicked after a few minutes. Baby steps! Maybe I’ll have it conquered by the time he’s outgrown the doors! ;)
Emily F says
Love it! It’s cool that the things you wrote down are on display for a while before retiring to the thankful jar. :) And… that picture of Burger is pretty much the most awesome picture ever! So cute!!
Happy Thanksgiving John, Sherry, Clara, and Burger!!!!
Kelly says
great idea guys! such a nice way to keep the kiddos grounded and have a little fun with this stressful-for-some time of year. giving thanks is so important and i think, probably indicative of all the good fortune you all have had.
happy thanksgiving YHL from your friends at 26 east! (www.twentysixeast.com)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kelly! You too!
xo,
s
Kerry says
Chalk sucks. I’m with you.
Alison says
Oh BURGER! Such a funny doggie.
That reminds me of the day of my brother’s wedding when my mom made everyone sandwiches wrapped up in plastic wrap and then we all went outside to take pictures. After a few minutes my parents’ cocker spaniel Maggie came trotting out with some huge thing in her mouth and we were all like, “What IS that?!” Yeah, one of the sandwiches. I really hope there’s a picture of that somewhere because it was hilarious.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo,
s
Gina says
I love all of the things you guys are thankful for! My five year old put on his thankful turkey at school that he is thankful for chihuahuas. He slays me.
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious!!
xo,
s
Becky says
It is so sweet (and cracks me up) that Clara always shares her knowledge with Burger :)
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!
Lindsay says
So this is completely random and off-topic: With your impending visit to DC and the Bowers’ new addition I guess I had YHL and babies on the brain last night, because I had a dream where I was pregnant at your book signing (nope, not preggo in real life). For some reason when I asked to take a picture with you both, Sherry moved in front of me to block my stomach, for which I thanked her profusely (I guess because that fake baby best not be caught on film?). Super weird. So, to sum up: Sherry – not pregnant. Lindsay – not pregnant.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha so funny!
xo
s
littleoakcreations says
Haha how weird! I am a self professed “font-o-maniac” as I like to call myself AND I hate chalk. It’s not the sound for me either, it’s the powder on the fingers…. eeep. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Ali says
We did a chalkboard “I am thankful for….” too! Except we took the plunge and wrote our answers in chalk. Although I do agree with John — it’s nerve wracking!!! Maybe it’s because I’m left-handed and have terrible handwriting?? I think I’ll photograph the board for a scrapbook page.
Amber Foshay says
Hi All! Happy Thanksgiving! Isn’t it great to be intentional about giving thanks? The chalkboard version is just adorable! I love it! But … You’ve GOT to get some of those cool chalk pens and leave the “old fashioned” chalk to Clara. You will LOVE it! You can write just like the bistro’s do! So cool. No dust. No scritchy-scratchy-creepy stuff. Just smooth marker feeling and wipes clean with wet cloth! Nice! Love it and all the color options! Seriously, try it! (But use your 40% off Michael’s coupon to get a big ol’ pack!)
XO,
Amber and Family in Oregon
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like fun!
xo,
s
Anna says
Random Comment: Did you guys see the cameo of your old kitchen stool in the most recent Walking Dead episode. It was like a full three minutes. Yeah!
Happy Thanksgiving!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah yes, we laughed so hard! It was the padded version!
xo,
s
Nichole K says
So I’m not the only one who noticed that huh? Haha! I had to restrain myself from telling my husband that your stool cousin was featured on our favorite show! He puts up with my YHL obsession very graciously ;)
Gero says
Hey guys, I’m a 26-year-old male, I’m not American and I’m not that well cooked into the concept of Thanksgiving, but for the sake of the word’s meaning, I do want to say I’m grateful for coming across your blog. Sherry, your post about John’s b-day actually inspired me to become a better man, one as great as I’m sure John is.
That doesn’t mean I want to be his look-alike, it means that your way to describe him made me realize that wishful thinking about having a fulfilling life can only take you so far and in order to be happy you can build that happiness with your own hands and motivation from your very own guts (and also a couple powertools :P).
I won’t be the first to say it, but your family is an inspiration and you have the power to drive your fans’ life to better places in their life. I can vouch for that.
I’ll take this opportunity to greet John on his b-day and congratulate you guys on having such a pretty family and creating YHL (considering that life isn’t all sweet candies and flowers, your posts are specially rewarding when feeling a little down :P).
Keep up the good work and Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
G
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks G! That’s so kind of you to say.
-John
mary says
John: chalk pens. They don’t erase like chalk (you need to use a wet towel) but then your (and Sherry’s) awesome typography won’t smudge away. And from one chalk-phobe to another, you don’t have to touch chalk!
Brittany says
I’m thankful that you guys made more events in DC! I’ve been an avid reader since 2010ish and don’t usually comment but truly enjoy reading your blog! I’m going to the 1pm event at Living Social and couldn’t be more excited! Thanks for all you do!