Where Has the Time Gone?

 Yipes! I didn't realize how I've been neglecting my blog during December. I didn't get my trees up until several days after Thanksgiving and have been playing catchup with decorating. This year it was our oldest son Jo who came to our rescue. He climbed up into the attic to bring the tree containers down. Then he assembled both trees for me. He returned later with his son Lucas to help with stringing the lights and attaching the Hallmark ornaments that move. Corkey has had health issues recently and was unable to assist this time around. If not for others pitching in every year I would not have these lovely trees.

 I do like the trees when they are not lit. You can see all the many ornaments so much better when the lights are off. 

Well, here's to my first December post. More to come...hopefully.

Autumn's Beauty

"Autumn. the year's last, loveliest smile."

                             -William Cullen Bryant

"As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see..."

                  -Vincent van Gogh

I made my way through Memphis streets in the misty rain Friday morning and admired the lovely lawns covered in golden leaves. There was a sweet Thanksgiving program and lunch at Tallulah's school. 

It will soon be Thanksgiving in homes across America. We should appreciate all our blessings.

November Notes

I was not ready to let October go. But here it is November, and days keep slipping off the calendar. This month is special to me because of three birthdays -  son Ryan's(11-2), my late mother's(11-21), and my own(11-29). I mailed Ryan a card, a letter, and a journal type notebook.

I don't think he would mind my sharing this first page of the letter so I could show you the style of the journal.

Here's what the SMASH book from Goodwill looks like.

This flyer inside the book explains its purpose.

These were the only two pages someone had made drawings on.

This notebook has many colorful pages, some with headings, some without. 

Below are four other pages.

I have really enjoyed pasting all sorts of bits inside this notebook. 

A Halloween Memory

 When my children were small I read to them one particular storybook around Halloween time. It was Tilly Witch by Don Freeman. It told the story of Tilly Ipswitch who becomes too nice to be scary for Halloween. She must return to Miss Fitch's Finishing School for Witches to relearn the trickery of the trade. So I decided to add Tilly Witch to our fun at Halloween. She would visit our home on Halloween and leave surprises like tiny toys, ghost figurines, miniature pumpkins, and different candies inside a small paper sack.

It was a cute book that was well illustrated. And you couldn't help but like Tilly Witch.  

Small Halloween Touches

 A few familiar Halloween decorations I have used again and again.

I like them because they are simple and quick.

***Kitchen always gets the lighted jack-o'-lantern.

***Hall tree has three hanging decorations.

The owl sits on an arm of the hall tree.

***Den mantel

Not expecting trick or treaters, but there's candy just in case. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Priddy Farms

It was a perfect day for a visit to the pumpkin patch.

Lauren shared some of her photos with me, and I wanted to add them to the bottom of this post. Tallulah and Etta help me feel young even though I am aging fast. I love being with Lauren and watching her with the girls. She's so attentive, patient, and loving to them...just an amazing mom. Thanks, Lauren, for a wonderful Saturday in October.

October Calm

October may be my favorite month. There's a relaxing calmness about this time before Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pleasant temperatures are heavenly. Leaves are changing colors and beginning to slowly flutter downward. Passing time in the backyard swing is an almost daily ritual. There's no rush to these October days. The only problem is that they will not last.

In the Mood for Fall

Fall decor is starting to appear at my house. So far it has all come out of storage. I have looked at fall decorations in the stores but haven't seen anything that was  extra special. Maybe next time my eye will spot the perfect addition.

 

My Friend

 Margaret Ruth Beeson Ehrentraut

We met in junior high.

We experienced the highs and lows of high school.

We followed our dreams.

Marg became an airline stewardess.

I became a schoolteacher.

Marriage and children brought happiness.

 Unfortunately we both endured the heartbreak of divorce.

But we survived and kept in touch through the years.

 

In her later years she chose a different spelling for her name.

Margeaux

It seemed to fit her dynamic personality, but to me she was forever Marg.

Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.

-Aristotle

I'm thankful for all the love and memories we shared.

We hope to meet again.