Well....

 I am back but once again I am not back with anything I had planned. Today started out pretty straight forward-have coffee, eat breakfast, make a grocery list and head out. And that was all going swimmingly-at least the coffee and breakfast part-until it wasn't. I started to make my grocery list for the holiday when I realized that I am making a "favorite" apparently but one I haven't made in many years. I guess there was a move to get it back which I am happy to do. I'm not even sure why I stopped making it. Something better must have come along.

In any case, we are now sure that daughter #3 will be hosting so the rest of us will be bringing in lots of things to fill out the menu and I almost always bring veggies of some sort. As I started my list, I realized that I didn't remember where that original recipe came from. I grabbed out my recipe files...nope. Then I went through most of my favorite cookbooks...nope. I was about to throw in the towel when I remembered that back when Pinterest first started, daughter #1 asked me to "pin" most of the family favorites so I went to my account and, sure enough, there it was.

Of course, by then, it wasn't as early as I had hoped plus I had a small list of silly little things that have decided that they need attention in just the last few days so, I decided to make this another one of "those" days and get the little stuff done instead.

Yesterday I was out all day long. I spent the better part of the day in the stores...

...where I actually found almost everything on my list...and then a few gifts to boot and some autumn stuff for 75% off. I'm not sure what my fascination with those small cloches is, but I love them. The two on the right are from The Pioneer Woman at Walmart and the green to the front left is from Target's $ Spot for only $3. I actually have no idea what I am doing with them but they were speaking-LOUDLY-to me. Lol

I also found another garland that is so pretty and, much to my surprise, pre-lit which means #1: I don't have to buy extra lights and #2: I don't have to mess with adding the lights. Win/win!! It was $70ish but 50% off at HL so about what most other "real touch" garlands are going for locally-if you can even find them.

I remembered that last year I wanted candlesticks on the new shelf in the living room but, by the time I knew I needed them, there were no longer any timered light left to be had. And so, that was a priority this year. I found two different sizes and, since I really wasn't sure which I would want, I grabbed them both. They started out rather inexpensive and then are 25% off as well.

I like them both but think the larger of the two will work best in the shelf. As a matter of fact, I like it so much that I left one there.

 Of course, I don't like that shiny base so I got out some supplies and got experimenting.

I used the antique gold Rub n' Buff on one and left it for awhile because I really wasn't sure if it would dry on plastic. It does. I will say that if this was on something that I would be touching a lot, I probably would look for something else but, once these candles are placed-which can be done without touching the bottom-they are going to be just fine. I put the first one back on the shelf and then actually found homes for the other three amongst the Thanksgiving decor. I am saving the black ones to see where they might work for Christmas. They actually came with window suction cups so if they don't find their way to any other areas, I might put them in the front windows.

I also bought two larger bottle brush trees for those shelves and decided to pretty up a wood candle cup to add to it and give it more pop. My initial plan had been to pop the tree off of the base and put the base under the cup but there was NO way that base was coming off without totally squishing the tree in the process so I just flipped my idea and put the cup on the bottom. I used my antique wax first and then went over them with a brushing of the Rub n' Buff. I definitely think they will have more presence now. There are some other things that will join the candle and tree in the shelves but I'm not sure exactly what just yet. I did find out that I will be hosting the Mother-Daughter luncheon so my thoughts are slowly drifting to Christmas decor sooner than usual.

I had to give a little chuckle when I came in here to make this post. As you may know, I often stack up purchases and crafts for the next decor theme here in my office on what is supposed to be my "gift wrapping station". Of course, it is almost always covered in stuff so the wrapping usually still takes place on the floor where it always has but, I digress.

I remembered that my girlfriend and I took a decorating curse out at our local college many years ago and the instructor gave us some homework. We were told to gather up lots of decorating magazines and quickly leaf through them while ripping out the pages that spoke to us immediately-NO thinking about it or why it spoke. If you stopped to ponder, it wouldn't work. She said when we were through, we would be able to see our decorating preference. I actually thought she didn't know what she was talking about but, I did it then and I have done it often since and, she was right. Look at the stuff that spoke to me and I have accumulated so far for this year's Christmas additions-try to look around all of the other stuff there as well. Lol

Can you see the theme I have going? It speaks loud and clear! Red, green and greenery! I just love the traditional "feels" of the holiday. There is still lots of blue out there and pink is moving in quickly but as for me and my house...LOL

Last night was soccer game #3 for this week. It was supposed to be in Gainesville but, for whatever reason, it was moved to home so three home games isn't bad. That's my #17 on the left. I'm still not sure why she added this extra schedule into her life but I will say that these girls have fun and enjoy each other so if for no other reason, that is a positive. Although they did take another win so that was even better.

No other pictures because, honestly, after three games in one week, they all pretty much look the same. Lol

So now I am off to replace batteries in my garden walkway lights along with some in the house, water all of the outside pots, wash some bedding and...and...and.

I think I will also get that grocery list made so I can try again in the morning to get to the grocery store before it gets too busy. I am lucky in that I don't have to worry about any fresh ingredients so I can shop earlier than most. 

Grandson #1 is arriving Friday night and grandson #2 has a birthday tomorrow so I am looking forward a bit of a birthday reunion soon. The entire family will be here for Thanksgiving-except my brother and sister-in-law who are hosting some of her out-of-state family and will be missed. I'm never sure if we will all be able to make the next gathering when jobs, weather, schedules all come into play so I am hoping we can get a lot of pictures of the whole crew before they take off to play football, head to the barn to feed animals, etc. We shall see. Lol 

Thinking I will be back at least once more to finish up our tour. Until then, stay safe and stay tuned.