Gobble. Gobble

We had a lovely weekend. The weather was perfection and we not only had a nail-biting Gator victory over LSU on Saturday but a wonderful visit yesterday from my brother and sister-in-law where we threw in a little birthday celebration for my brother as well. The weather was a bit cooler yesterday so it was the day to throw open the windows and cook up a pot of soup! My sister-in-law had mentioned a favorite of hers that I hadn't made in awhile. It is Martha Stewart's Veggie with Vermicelli. It is so good and I couldn't wait to whip up a pot!

Unfortunately, we had so much fun visiting that I never got a picture of the finished product. Just know that it is good and a nice change from the tomato based veggie soups.

Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, let's finish up the rest of the house today. Welcome to the dining room.

A quick look at the sunroom.

I think I have now shared all of the house highlights. I finished up my shopping and will start cleaning and prepping tomorrow. Even though all of the colors and scents of autumn have been out in my house in some form for the last three months, I will be sad to see them go next weekend. Even though I am ready to start thinking about Christmas, autumn is really my absolute favorite and I am always so sad to pack it all away knowing I won't seen it again until NEXT September...gotta stop wishing my life away.

This was my view from my chair last night  and hopefully for the next few to come.

I will enjoy the next few days with my leaves, pumpkins and turkeys and be ready to get to reds and greens soon after. But first, we get to celebrate our grandson's 9th birthday today...don't know where the time goes! Stay tuned.

Ahhhhh-Autumn!

We are ready for Thanksgiving and just enjoying this beautiful weather.

Don't know if you can see the date on this but I cross stitched it back in 1985! I always had some cross stitch in my hands back then. Maybe that's why my eyes are so bad now-lol.

Because this is a pretty laid back month for us we are filling it with fun, family visits and outings. Our latest took us to Kimberden Farms where we got to watch Presley having one of her riding lessons. It is a beautiful farm full of beautiful horses, dogs, gardens, etc. A truly peaceful oasis in the middle of Ocala. I must admit I got a bit nervous when I saw her in full control of that big horse, but she loves it and did so well.

Just a little bit more to show you and we will be ready for the big day! Off to enjoy more of this beautiful weather! Stay tuned.

Moving On

We have had a bumpy week with a few more apparently to follow. I am so happy that it is November. The November decor seems to calm me. I love all of the sights and smells of this season. Let's check out the family room.

The mantle is usually the place where I load up all of my faux pumpkins and gourds but this year my gourds are in the dough bowl in the living room so I was at a loss as to what to use here to fill the space. Then, I spied the centerpiece that I saved from daughter #3's donate pile and I love the way it looks. And, when the candles are lit it gives a really pretty glow to the room.

Pretty understated-for me. But, it does feel like Thanksgiving and since we have been doing some hosting, I am not quite ready to forge into Christmas.

Speaking of "hosting", I am loving my youngest daughter's new regime. They call it "2nd Sunday". She and her family come over to help with some of the heavier chores that I can no longer do by myself-or at least "shouldn't do"- and then serve a wonderful dinner. Last night it was chicken and dumplings-which were super delicious-, steamed broccoli and cheddar-apple winter salad. I rounded out the meal by making a chocolate pound cake with salted caramel drizzle. I had seen it made on "The Chew" and all of the hosts went on and on about it to the point of proclaiming it the best thing they had tasted on the show the whole year. I don't think I would go quite that far. It was good but definitely not the best thing I have ever tasted. Plus, I am using Kosher salt these days and I think it made the caramel TOO salted. In any case, we did manage to eat it!

My son-in-law built me some more shelves in a family room cabinet so I am off to fill them with candles. I don't need to tell anyone that knows me that I LOVE candles. I always have them burning in my house and I buy them any time there are good sales. Hence, I have LOTS of candles in storage and I am tired of having to move so many to get to others. Finally decided that life would be easier if I separated them by colors in separate areas. So excited to see if it helps. More Thanksgiving to come. Stay tuned.

Finally!

Welcome to the start of our Thanksgiving decorating. In the last many years, we have not hosted this holiday as other family members have wanted to do the hosting job-as a matter of fact, I don't think we actually hosted since our girls were still living at home. But, the way schedules are this year, many of our family members are heading out of town (or state) for their feasts so we are playing host to daughter #1 and her family. They will be arriving on Tuesday-Caitlin will be coming in from FSU in Tallahassee and Kris and Liv from St. Pete.

Hopefully we will get in a visit with daughter #3 and her gang before they head off and still have time to do some preliminary baking and cooking before the big day. Even though we will be small in number, we will be big in food as each of us has our favorites that we just MUST have!

Then, on Friday, they will use their much younger bodies to help us get our lights on that oh-so high roof peak before we hunker down to watch the new episodes of the Gilmore Girls-sounds like a perfect holiday to me!!

I am happy to say that I FINALLY have all things Halloween not only taken down but in their proper homes until next year. I have done a bit of cleaning and gardening and am beginning to feel like I might just be getting ahead of the game any day soon. Of course, if I do, I had better start thinking about Christmas...and November birthdays...and December birthdays...oh well, this is what I love about my life. There is ALWAYS something else waiting to be done-that's what keeps me "young"! Lol

And so, come on into the living room this year. There are a few changes. I haven't bought anything new-just moved some things around.

I love how my dough bowl looks loaded with these pumpkins and the turkey standing guard!

So there you have it-pretty simple but so is this holiday. It is more a holiday of family, friends, home and being thankful for what we have. I have a bit more to show you so please stay tuned.