Christmas Mischief

Usually I have a tree full of vintage ornaments for Christmas...But with the addition of our own little Saint Nicholas...

We found him late last November so we named him Nick

I decided that I didn't want to hate him for breaking all of my special ornaments.

with some fancy paper and special photographs...

We created a kitty-proof tree!

With Lane's help I added a gorgeous star to the top and now no worries.

* Just a little aside...the tree wasn't in the house for 20 minutes before Nicholas leaped in and climbed to the top!

These decorations proved not to be very kitty proof however...some of the little girls were strewn about the house before I could get them sewn on to their garland and one of the bluebirds (the official bird of Christmas, right?) disappeared completely for several hours!

From our crazy house to yours,

Merry Merry Christmas!

xoxo      Elizabeth

How It Went...

For some reason this year felt like my first Adult-in-charge Thanksgiving...the sis was in Chicago, the cooking daughter, Lane, was not feeling well and that left Brian and Madison and I.  I was past 50 before I ever even attempted cooking a turkey, so you can see why Thanksgiving might feel like a stretch for me. But. We. Did. It.

My girlie, Madison, who is usually the cookie maker stepped up and cooked all kinds of things! She and I and her Dad worked it all out (what we were cooking anyway...we had some help - Thanks Geneva!)

The ingredients came out and all kinds of things were made!

The turkey was moist, the mashed potatoes were tasty, the rolls came out perfect, the cauliflower roasted up yummy....

and the pies were pretty and delicious!

We managed to pull it off!

Then that weekend I did something I have been wanting to do for years...

I (with Brian and Madison's help, Lane was still under the weather) attended a craft faire in Modesto!

I would say it was a great success! We met lovely people, we sold stuff and my friend Kay was there to visit with!

Kay makes wonderful creatures and garden art...just look at all of their little personalities!

Some cooking, some eating, some crafting, some selling....quite the Thanksgiving Holiday!


xoxo     Elizabeth

Thankful

So much to be thankful for...

These two girlies of course...

and there is this guy that I kind of like...

We are so fortunate to have each other and to be surrounded by loving family and friends who add so much to our lives (you know who you are!).

We are lucky to be able to do things that we love...

and to live in this wonderful valley full of nature's beauty.

I am thankful that within a few hours we will be at my dad's cooking a feast and welcoming people to join us!

I hope your feast is fabulous and that you are surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Happy happy Thanksgiving,

xoxo      Elizabeth

Fall!

I was sitting at my computer this morning and I heard something that sounded like rain...but it wasn't wet out...I took a look out the window and solved the little mystery...leaves...bright yellow leaves 'raining' down from the pecan tree.  They were calling to me...psst...get your camera...come outside...

So I did.  Even though I was in my jammies - and not even matching jammies! I was in my night gown with flamingo pj bottoms, two sweaters and black footy socks!  But the leaves were calling so on went my polka-dot rain boots and out into the world I went!

And, by the world I mean my backyard where these pictures are proof that there is a lot of raking to be done...oh well a good excuse for exercise and time out of doors.

It was beautiful out there! So glad I went! You can see that there will be a new pecan crop soon.  They are difficult to get out of their shells, but so worth it with their sweet taste.

The Mulberry is turning also...

so pretty.

Like I was saying...lots of work to be done...leaves everywhere...but they are so nice to look at and even jump in! I am remembering the days with little girlies who sat in the piles and jumped in the piles and threw the leaves in the air while I took pictures...Great memories!

I am enjoying this long gorgeous Fall!

Go on out and pick a leaf bouquet...it will make you smile!


xoxo     Elizabeth

The Patch!

I'd have to say that Fall, Autumn, The Relief After Summer...is my favorite time of the year.  After all those hot hot days, you can get your sweatshirts out again! Pumpkin flavored things can be found, the leaves are so pretty, you can work in the yard without wanting to go and lie down...AND...the Pumpkin Patch is open!!!!!!!!!! For one fabulous month everything Fall-ish can be found at the patch.

We lucked out...it was the opening weekend and not too many people were there. It was so peaceful and relaxing.

Can you see the maze peeking through?

There it is!

It's a low one for the kiddos.

I love being under the oak trees....I miss those trees from my days in Morgan Hill.

There is just something about them...so majestic.

This early at The Patch the sunflowers and zinnias aren't blooming and the pumpkins on the vines are tiny, but it is still gorgeous.

The sky was so blue....

One of my good friends adds to the beauty of the patch with her fabulous paintings.  Each year it's fun to see just what her new project will be.

We brought home Butternut Squash and made a wonderful Fall soup..although we ate a bit late because I haven't made the soup since last Fall and I forgot how many steps there were! Tasty though and worth the wait.

I did find one lonely sunflower - I had to climb on things I shouldn't to get this photo and I was perched a bit precariously!

So many to choose from...I don't know which ones I will bring home next time.

So many great colours and textures and shapes.

So, if you start this weekend you can probably make it out to The Patch several times before the end of the month! 


I'm sure I'll see you there!

xoxo       Elizabeth