Changing Decor

All the pumpkins have gone back into storage.  

This Thanksgiving was extra special since we missed it last year.

Tallulah's First Thanksgiving

Ryan took this picture just before Lauren and Justin were getting ready to head home. Tallulah had a tiring day as she was greeted and held by many. She was a good sport being part of our noisy bunch.

Jo and Jeri stayed to help bring tree boxes down from the attic and string the lights. Thanks to Jo's electrical know-how he's able to make the motion/light 

ornaments work on the strands of lights.

I'm excited to have two trees this year. In the living room is the older and bigger tree. In the den there's the prelit tree we purchased last year. My idea for its placement worked after we moved one piece of furniture.

I spent Friday and Saturday decorating them with wonderful ornaments that hold so many memories. I'm sure I'll be sharing more photos of the trees later.

I am starting to pull out other Christmas items. It's not easy trying to decide where they should go.

And little Tallulah has her photo ornament on the tree. 

Enjoyable Days

 Although I would love to travel and see different sights, I've learned to be grateful for what I have here at home. My morning walks have given me a new appreciation for what beauty there is every day in my own corner of the world. I've watched the varying cloud patterns and gradual release of fall foliage.

Corkey spends more time outside than I do. He likes to keep busy even when he knows certain jobs are futile.

 Painting remains a joy. Recently I completed three new paintings. One was a requested abstract for a friend. My favorite is this one because of all the texture. I found a picture at Abandoned Antiques and painted over it since I already had one like it from my own Artjamm experience.

This one desk stays cluttered, but I really don't mind. I like having little things out where I can see them. 

This little one is delightful. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing these new photos.

She met Santa.

I hope everyone's plans for Thanksgiving will be joyful as we remember our blessings.

Friendship

 

 Marg and I attended a memorial service for our dear friend Bill. The three of us shared many good times in high school. We are thankful for the memories we made. We will miss him.

It's That Time Again

 Every November I enjoy filling a girl and a boy shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. I always wonder who will receive the boxes. 

The trees are turning golden. Love to witness this change every year.

Though a bit chilly in the mornings I put on a jacket and walk for exercise. The shadows remind me of that childhood poem "My Shadow" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

"The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow -

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;

For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,

And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all."

(Verse 2 of the poem)

Inside I've been moving things around. Soon there will be other changes as Christmas decorating gets underway after Thanksgiving.

Oh, one more thing. A little visitor was here today. Bliss! I was so busy talking, reading, and playing with her that I forgot to snap a quick picture. 

Memories, Part 2

 When you learn about the death of a friend it stirs up many emotions and memories. High school assignments, movie outings, late night stops at Panchos, notes and letters tucked away, yearbook messages, etc. To think you won't have any more conversations with that person. Unfinished business...no more chances to talk about those formative years and crazy experiences. Someone who was a part of your life has left this earth. Wish he was still here.

Memories

 Remember when shopping at Raleigh Springs Mall was a fun experience, especially around the holidays. It is strange when places you once visited are gone.

I was glad someone shared this picture on Facebook. It refreshed my memory of delightful shopping at different times for clothes, books, decorative objects, and Christmas treasures. I remember parking in the back on an upper level and entering Goldsmith's. 

Recently I stopped by an estate sale, and I felt sad viewing the belongings of lives once busy and active in the community. So many memories were obvious in what they had collected over the years.

Tallulah won't remember her first Halloween, but we had a "sweet memory" visit with her.

 

Time is moving fast. In a couple of days Tallulah will be eight months old. Lauren sent this photo, and it may be my new favorite.

I added a second page to my new art journal.

The words were part of a quote by artist Kelly Rae Roberts. 

Before I end my post tonight here's a photo I took and liked because of the colors in the sky. Love the perfect combination of orange and yellow.

I welcome November.

Another special month lies ahead.