I am Thankful ...

Yes,
there are so many things I am thankful for ...

of course GOD, Family, Friends, Health ...

As usual we enjoyed a delightful Thanksgiving,

it was smaller than usual this year,

but sometimes that's fun too.  We enjoyed dinner and a movie (the Holiday)...
with lots of food, desserts, and butter.

My daughter Kristi posted our festivities, so

you can see more pics from the day.

You can see my mom scoped out a great pre dinner

seat in front of a roaring fire.  You can glimpse her

but not the fire.

Loved the colors of these candles.

A jovial moment

Sean was in charge of the kobayashi maru.

Do you not know what that is?

(other than the test

Captain Kirk cheated at in Star Trek..for you trekkies)

It's what Sean calls the cheese sauce he

makes for the brocolli.

Riley enjoyed her day and she was so good. 
She requested that her mom straighten her hair
for the day...we aren't used to that.

Madison was good too....she slept through dinner. 
Very relaxing.

We were not without casualties....

and we were not without butter....everyone who passed this

crockpot of mashed potatoes added a pat or two.

We ate fairly early so we would have time to digest

and enjoy our desserts.

It was kind of nice to have the fireplaces going for a change.  Usually

we don't have that crisp Fall feeling....

and I did love this vintage sign I found at TJM

This was our blessing....we held hands in the

kitchen before fixing our plates...old and

young alike

and pumpkin pie, apple pie and pumpkin cheesecake.

Oh and I can't forget our ever present rice pudding,

a favorite of mine since I was little.

and Sean's artistic touch...a turkey.

and of course Kristi told you about our taste test....better check

her blog to see which one...won!!

On Friday, instead of fighting the shopping

mania or maniacs ... I decided to decorate my house.

So I will have lots of fun pictures to share this week.

Until then....let the holidays begin.

Believe - Polar Express

Festival of Trees...

displays the decorated trees today through Sunday

at Riverside Convention Center. 

If you are in the area, check out the trees

as well as activities for kids of any age....

because around the holidays,

we are all kids at heart.

Here are a few pictures of my tree

I have to thank all of my helpers, who

not only helped me decorate but encouraged me too.

Tim Rush, hand painted this gorgeous painting

for over my mantel.  I had so many

compliments, and people wanting to know

where I got this "poster"

Tim you did TOO GOOD a job,

no one realized it was hand painted.

It will make a darling addition to the Rush's Christmas decorations for

many Christmas' to come.

You can almost swear the light is jumping out of the picture from the train.

Also, Peggy and Sean helped me

decorate all day Monday.  They

were troopers.

Santa got into the act, with a very important job.

He held up the North Pole

Mom ironed my fabric and Kristi helped with the train.

Kevin built my fireplace.

It was a fun day and a worthwhile event.

So until next year....

For now, let the holidays begin ........

We all Fall Down - Tablescape Thursday

Today is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Susan always has the most amazing tablescapes, so be sure to check them out, as well as the other participants.

Here's a blast from the past

Today I am embracing Fall, like my friend Kris, I have put away Halloween and am looking forward to Thanksgiving. I haven't embraced Thanksgiving enough yet to
bring out the pilgrims and turkeys (I always prolong the pilgrims) but I have harvested pumpkins, acorns and leaves for your viewing pleasure.

I have chosen one of my favorite runners as inspiration. The colors are so rich and I just love the different fabrics and textures. So with gold, red and rust as my base I have brought in leaves, pumpkins and acorns.

The pumpkins are made of mercury glass. I picked them up as a set from Sam's Club.

They were originally going to be one of my bunco gifts...but alas they wanted to stay and live with me.

So out with the witches and spiders and in with Fall.

The tall red goblets and the amber etched water glasses were

purchased at Bombay several years ago. As I was doing my table I

broke one of the red goblets and forgot to switch it out.

I bought these napkin rings at Tai Pan Trading Co.

They were in a set of 4 and ran about 1.25 each

They are a little cheesy but I loved the sparkle
Here you can see my runner and little glass acorns.
My poor goblet...I hate when I man handle things.

This is the largest of the set of Sam's Club pumpkins.


The leaf garland has acorns in it.

And I have glass acorns scattered down the center.



A peek at the sideboard

I took my theme to my sideboard. I love

these acorns. I bought them several years ago at HomeGoods

and found a couple more last week.

The candles should be a little more rust but,

they were left over from Halloween.



and I love the leaves.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing this lovely Fall day
with me.

Please come back and visit soon. Now head back to Susan's

After looking at these pictures I noticed I used quite a bitof mercury glass. My gold hurricanes were also purchased at HomeGoodsseveral years ago for a Christmas table.

The Pidgeon Coop

Afternoon Delight

Recently, Kristi, Riley, Madison and I were invited

for a little afternoon playdate at the Pidgeon Coup.

Donna, in her usual hospitable way opened

her home and heart, treating us to great food, great

wine and great friends. 

Sheryl, Donna's daughter, channeled the

great chefs of FoodNetWork and

created some splendidly tasty appetizers.

Donna had the Williams-Sonoma mulling spice

simmering on the stove and a fleet of wines

for our tasting pleasure and as is Donna's

way, the ever present music in the background, just in case

she wanted to dance or break into song.  As always

we weren't disappointed.  We joined

Donna in song and a great laugh.

Every section of her home was homey and reflected

the Fall season.  Gifts emerged for playing and

birthdays and the kids had a blast.

Leo was suspicious of the girls,

but ended up having a ball.

Maybe Riley was even a little suspicious of Leo

Donna gets right down to the kids level and they

love it.

As you can see Riley adores Donna

(but who doesn't?)

Madison had just had her birthday

and Donna had a little surprise for her.

Sometimes I wonder who has the best time, the kids

or Donna

What's that Leo doing over there, Madison wonders.

This is the gorgeous vignette Donna had waiting for us.

and of course, even more gorgeous with our hostesses,

Donna and Sheryl (aren't they darling?)

Remember I said Sheryl was channeling the FoodNetWork...here

are the delicious appetizers

Cute wine charms and napkins

Shrimp Cocktail

and of course, Donna broke into song and dance.

I think Riley may have been channeling Donna, because

she loved it.

Thank you Donna and Sheryl for the

lovely afternoon, it was an afternoon

that makes warm

memories of great friends.