Happy December 1st! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy December 1st! ♥

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving weekend! My preparations started on Wednesday. I was a busy bee in the kitchen all day, doing everything I could ahead of time. I put on my mother's apron, put an old movie on, and did my thing. I enjoyed the process, nice and slow - with Carey Grant & Loretta Young in the background (The Bishop's Wife - one of my favorites!) keeping me company.  That lead to White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life after that.  I was truly feeling the old timey spirit by that point! 

 

The table was set the night before - I used my mother's china and nothing too fancy elsewhere. For me, it was perfect. 

The morning of I concentrated on the getting the turkey in the oven, mashing the potatoes (which I did with a ricer for the first time - LOVE), and making the appetizers.  

♥

Once everything was ready, there was nothing else left to do but eat and enjoy the day.  

Which we did! ♥

Isn't it the best feeling when all the work is done?  

It's out of your hands now and all you can do is relax ♥

Rob poured the drinks, my brother-in-law carved the turkey, my Dad said grace, and John was in charge of music. 

It's so weird to me when I think about all the Thanksgivings of my childhood where my mom prepared everything...and now...I'm the mom! At 51 that still amazes me ♥

My sister-in-law brought the pies (which I forgot to photograph).  

They were delicious!  ♥

We played some games after that and John even treated us to some live music.

I was happy and grateful my Dad was feeling well everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  All dishes were done before the end of the night (thanks to Rob :).  

I was able to take a walk around the neighborhood by myself to digest and decompress after everyone left.  I was happily in bed by 10.  

Another Thanksgiving in the books! ♥

(I promise you there's turkey in there somewhere! )

Side note: I was very glad I put up my parent's tree early so we could all enjoy it Thanksgiving eve. 

There is something very special about pie and coffee with the glow of the Christmas tree in the background.  What a nice way to kick off the (official) Christmas season!

We have arrived! ♥

I haven't done one stitch of shopping yet, and that's OK.  

I'm noticing as the years go on, my list of priorities is getting smaller.  Smaller and more meaningful, if that makes sense.  I no longer do things "just to do them." I only do things that are important to me.  I only buy meaningful gifts for people I love, and I do make sure I prioritize myself, so I don't get sick and run down (like in the past).  Once I accepted these things, I felt a huge weight lifted from the holiday stress.  It doesn't have to be stressful.  And it won't be. The house doesn't have to perfect, and neither do I. 

Thank God!! ♥

 

And now here we are ♥

December 1st.  It was very cold and bare out there this morning.  Most of the leaves have fallen and I can smell winter in air.  We are expecting snow tomorrow! 

Yesterday I put up my tree upstairs. 

I love this tree ♥

It has all my favorite ornaments on it. 

I smile every time I look at it :) 

So now off we go friends! Christmas movies and cozy nights by the fire.  Crowed stores and Amazon deliveries.  Wrapping, baking, visiting, writing cards, and reminiscing about holidays gone by.  Celebrations and delicious food we only see once a year! : ) 

We have 25 days to celebrate! 

Let's enjoy it and never forget the real meanings of this glorious season ⛪

Have a wonderful day my friends!  Are you still eating leftovers? We are! :) 

I'll be checking in with you all soon! xx 

Stay cozy!! ♥

It's Thanksgiving week! ♥

Hello dear Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

A bit chilly out there this morning.   And the trees are already looking bare.  That was fast. 

Winter is coming! 

We have arrived at Thanksgiving week!  

All is calm and quiet around here today and I'm savoring it because I know once Wednesday morning hits, it's going to be chaos.  In a good way, but chaos nonetheless! This weekend I did most of the grocery shopping - only a few last minute things remain.  I plan on running out tomorrow for those.  My turkey is thawing comfortably in the fridge and I've got my linens and platters all laid out. Rob has today off to rake leaves and get the yard all looking pretty.  He's out there now.  It's nice and sunny today (cold but not windy : ) My sister-in-law is bringing all the pies so I'm off the hook for desserts this year.  I think overall I'm ready.  Wednesday morning I'll start my meal prep - chopping and mashing, preparing a few make ahead dishes - accompanied by lots of coffee and Christmas music. Still missing my mom of course - wishing so badly I has someone in the kitchen with me to share this with.  Thank you all so much for your comments on my last post.  I know I'm not alone. We are all missing our loved ones.  

 Especially on the holidays ♥

This weekend I made soup twice! The first one was chicken soup and the second was vegetable bean. I made croutons with the leftover bread I made last week.  I thought it would be nice get some healthy food in us to keep us strong for the week.  And to balance off all the other food we will be consuming this week! 

To be honest, the second soup was only so I could make the crotons again.  

They were the best part! : )

I toasted them with olive oil and garlic powder.  I must remember to do this more often.  I do love having soup for lunch too.  

Next week will be turkey soup.  I'm looking forward to that : ) 

I don't know if I've ever shown you this little corner of my home...♥

When I was growing up this area was a sun porch and eventually over the years my Dad finished it off and now it's part of the kitchen.  It's a pretty little space that I don't know quite what to do with.  Those chairs you see are antique Queen Anne chairs that were in my Dad's house when he was growing up in the 40's. I was told to never sit on them. I never wanted to anyway because they are very uncomfortable (of course little me had to try at least one time :).  The Victrola on the left was a gift to my parents from someone years ago.  It winds up and actually works.  I do love that piece.  For now I keep everything as is and try to decorate here and there around everything. I'd like to change it up, but I don't know how.  I'll be thinking about that in the new year.   

How do you like this little tree here? It normally goes in John's room, but he didn't mind giving it up this year.  I thought it would give a little Christmas sparkle to the area.  

Wishing you all a wonderful Monday! (what's left of it, that is!).  I've been busy today working and keeping the fire going.  Soon it will be dinner time and a cozy evening awaits.  

Let's all rest up and get ready for the what's ahead! 🦃🍗🍂

xxoo

Monday catch up: my tree is up ♥

Good Morning Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

As usual the weekend flew by and all of a sudden here we are again! I've got the Monday blues, and it usually takes me to Wednesday before they shake off, just in time to get ready for the weekend. Thats how it goes with me.  I'm always headed for the weekend : ) 

 The weather here in New England has gotten very cold!  I lit my first fire on Saturday and now there's no stopping me.  The first thing I did this morning was light another one.  While the kitchen warmed, I put on a pot of coffee and got dressed.  By the time I was done and having my first sip it was nice and toasty in here.  We have a lot of wood left over from last year that I'm going to burn and I love it because I don't have to run the heat during the day.  Some people say they don't light fires because they don't like the smell, but I rather enjoy it.  It smells like winter and the holidays and that's what I love.  

Very very cozy ♥

Last night after dinner I made this easy bread recipe I saw on TikTok.  I thought I'd give it a shot.  If there was a chance of having fresh bread in the morning, I was willing to risk it.  

#fingerscrossed! 

It came out amazing! My cinnamon toast tasted soooo good!! 

  

Here's a screenshot of the recipe.  I'm telling you, it was a sinch! And so worth it.  Something about homemade bread makes me feel like I'm doing something right in this world. 

 Is that too dramatic? I don't care.  It's good, so try it : ) 

Something else I want to share before I forget is I finished this book last night...OH MY! 

 Full disclosure I listened to the audiobook and I could not stop listening! I highly recommend if you like thriller mysteries!  I listened while cleaning, doing laundry, and making dinner.  I was a machine because I didn't want to stop listening.  It had 3 narrators, so it was like listening to a movie play out in my head. I really loved it.  

Anyway....on to what's really important....♥

 

My tree is up! Yay! ♥

I'm so enjoying it in the early mornings and evenings.  It's very peaceful and calm.  

My goal was to have it up by Thanksgiving and I'm happy that it's done so we can enjoy it for the full festive season. I have little bits and bobs of other decorations scattered around but I'm not fully decorated yet.  I'm enjoying the little things and decided not to go overboard. 

I had an epifamily the other day while doomscrolling making a mental list of all the home decor things I want run out and buy to make my home look like all the pretty Christmas homes on Instagram.  What am I doing?...I thought.  I already have so much and don't need anything else.  I'll use what I have and in fact, every year I tell myself I have too much (I'm talking Christmas and holiday decorations in general).  Bins and bins full!  Do I need anymore? No I don't. I put my phone down.  

I'll use what I have and it will be just fine.  I'm so easily swayed sometimes but I'm fighting the urge.  

Have you ever felt that way? Sometimes you have to stop yourself.  At least I do. 

I decided to focus more on food, family, and friends, rather than making my house look like a magazine and buying things I really don't need. 

I went on to more important things, like food! I started a little notebook that I've been writing my holiday menus and recipes in - mostly so I don't forget next year! I have purchased our Thanksgiving turkey and he's all cozy in the freezer.  Check that off the list.  In addition to the usual stuffing, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots - I'm adding a few new things this year.  Corn casserole and sweet potatoe casserole! I've never done either but am feeling ambitious. My mom would be so proud. And remember the cranberry brie bites I was talking about a few weeks ago?  They look so easy and will make a lovely appetizer.  

Best Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe

I saw a tip that says you can mix the cranberry sauce with a little orange marmalade or apricot jam and that sounded good too.  I'm going for it! ♥

Meanwhile, outside Fall is in full bloom.  

Yesterday I was treated to visit from my duck friends who were having a very lively conversation! 

They will enjoy the river before the winter comes and they fly south.  Like all smart ducks do.  For now, I love watching and listening to them. 

 I always have ♥

And a weekend wouldn't be complete without a little baking.  I revisited an old recipe for Oatmeal bars which were very yummy. Rob has requested I make another batch for this lunch this week so that's on the agenda today! 

They were originally oatmeal raisin bars but I substituted the raisons for white chocolate chips.  

If I had dried cranberries I would have added them but unfortunately, I'm out.  

However, they are just as yummy, chewy, white-chocolatey, and delicious and you'd think they'd be.

Here's a link to the recipe.  I left out the nuts too! ♥

Oatmeal Raisin Bars - Shutterbean

They remind me of old school lunch box treats so it's funny Rob asked me for another batch for his lunch! Actually, when I first blogged about them they were for John's lunch (in 2015!!).  

I love revisiting old blog posts to see where I was at that time.  It was winter and I was in full nesting mode - ironing things, making chicken pot pies, and planning a spring garden.  John was taking swimming lessons and I was deep into 1980's sitcoms and Downton Abbey!  Aside from the swimming lessons, not much has changed! LOL 

I also love seeing our old house.  I used to put white twinkle lights around our kitchen window in the wintertime.  I miss that window! (go back in time HERE : )   

Well, that's all the catch up I have for you today, friends!  I have lots of computer work to do today and I must get at it or I never will.  Thankfully, it's lunch time so this Monday is half over! 

 I hope you find your peace this week ♥ 

 Thank you for visiting me today.  I'll be catching up with you all too! 

Stay cozy! ♥

Byeeeee! xoxo

Thanksgiving is next week?! ♥

 

Hello Friends! I took this photo from Pinterest.  It's it pretty?  I loved it and thought it was so appropriate in capturing November.  It's moody and dark, but still cozy and whimsical.  I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving.  Normally at this time I would be in a much different mindset, but because of everything that's been going on at home I've decided to take an alternate route. A much easier one.  It was my husband's suggestion and I must admit I had already thought of it but didn't say anything.  I made the decision to order a Thanksgiving dinner - all prepared and ready to go!  Shaw's Supermarket had a great deal.  A fully cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls AND a pie.  I'm picking it up on Wednesday. Sometimes you have to do things to save time and make your life easier.  I'm going for it.  As Rob says "how bad could it be?"  I have faith its going to be great! I may add a veggie or two and I'm planning on making my own apple pie (the dinner is coming with pumpkin pie).  I'm just happy my family will at be home and together on Thanksgiving.  As soon as I made the decision not to cook I felt a wave of peace over me.  Who knows, maybe it will be so good I'll do it again next year?? We'll see.  Fingers crossed! : )

In other news John had a band concert last Sunday.  He did so well.  The school provided them tuxedos.  I have to share a picture because when we were outside taking it all I could think about was how the neighbors must think he's going to a prom! lol 

He looked so handsome! 

He's tucked in the back on drums and you can hardly see him back there (back row, center, left), but we could certainly hear him.  He did an amazing job.  The school music program has been so wonderful over the years.  He loves it.  They are now practicing for the Christmas show in December.  I hear the big number is Sleigh Ride.  I'm looking forward to that! 

And speaking of Christmas.....♥

Just when I said to myself I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving to start decorating.....nope.  I went to attic to get one thing and then couldn't stop.  I hung garlands around the windows in the kitchen, hung lights in my office, and put up this little tree on bedside table. Just seeing the little bits and bobs around the house made me happy.  Christmas decorations are such a mood booster, aren't they? And we all need it right now.  

I'm going to do more this week, little by little, until all that's left is the tree...that's my favorite.  

Have you decorated yet? ♥

The weather has been very cold (finally!!).  On our nightly walks I've been wearing a scarf, gloves, and last night I broke out the ear muffs. John gave me an "are you kidding me" eye roll, but I didn't care.  I was nice and toasty.  I love the cold weather and I'm so happy it's here.  One of my neighbors put a Christmas Story "leg lamp" in their front window.  We laughed so hard last night when we saw it.  I'll try to snap a picture of it if I can do it nonchalantly and show you.  I don't know this neighbor but I wish I did.  I think we would be friends : ) 

The ground is covered with frost in the mornings and I've been using my automatic start to warm up the car before the school run.  John and I both have hot coffee to sip on the way.  Yesterday when I got home I noticed this one rose still thriving in the front yard.  She's the lone survivor.  I don't know how long she'll last with these frosty mornings but I'm rooting for her! ♥

And now I'm off to have a favorite snack. An orange and a square of dark chocolate.  They really are lovely together.  I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the beautiful month of November.  The December rush will be here soon! Have you started shopping yet? I'm happy to say I have. 

Thank you for visiting me today.  Have some hot chocolate, get a warm blanket, and watch a Christmas movie.  I want to watch The Holiday this weekend.  It's one of my favorites and always leaves me dreaming of Christmas in the English countryside.   Someday! ♥

Stay cozy friends! And thank you all for your continued well wishes and prayers for my family.  

Love you! Xx

Catching up on a Monday ♥

Hello Friends.  Good Monday Morning! ♥

I'm having an extra cup of coffee this morning as I type this because I've been up since 4:20 am.  Thank you daylight savings.  It always takes me a few weeks to get used to the time change.  Funny how we gain and extra hour of sleep but I'm still tired?!  

We are coming off a very lovely weekend.  I took this photo out the window of our public library on Saturday afternoon.  This is what November looks like right now.  Gray skies, muted oranges and browns, and Saturday library runs.  I love it.  The beginning of November is always nice and quiet. It's the calm before the holiday storm.  

So since I was here last, Halloween has come and gone.  

It's only been a week but feels like a month! : ) 

We had a fun holiday, although Halloween is a lot different now that John is older.  For the first time ever he didn't trick or treat or  dress up. He did have a fun night though, hanging out at a friends house, eating candy, and telling funny stories!  

He's spent every Halloween since kindergarten with these guys! 

He's a picture from a Halloween dance they tried to recreate.  His friend Jonathan (far right) still has the same Mario costume!!  

I started my day with coffee and a pumpkin donut.  Of course I did. 

Just me and my plants ♥

After school, before heading out for the evening we carved our pumpkin.  I do the dirty work and scrape out the inside and he carves the face.  

This years design was questionable. 

So while John as having fun at his party I had tea with my friend Julie.  It was lovely.  She always brings out her pretty china cups when I come for tea.  We had cake too.  

And so another Halloween in the books!  On to the next holiday ♥

After our library run on Saturday morning we made a coffee stop and did some shopping.  I laughed as I entered Kohls to see a gigantic Christmas display over a table selling Halloween décor at 70% off!  The store was bustling with shoppers too.  Apparently there's a "BEFORE" Black Friday sale going on.  Is this a thing now?  It keeps getting earlier and earlier! We could feel the Christmas/holiday energy in the store which would have been nice if it wasn't 75 degrees and humid out!  It's been unseasonably warm here the last few days and it's killing my spirit. Hopefully it won't last too much longer.  

On Sunday John had a band concert.  The first one this year.  

This boy loves his music and I'm so proud of him. 

 He's been taking drum lessons since the third grade and has been in the school band playing drums since fifth grade. 

During Covid he taught himself guitar and piano (from YouTube tutorials and the garage band app on his phone).  Lately he's been saying he wants to learn the trumpet.  He's definitely got an ear from music.  Not sure where it came from?? 

The show was amazing.  All the kids were spectacular!  John doesn't play sports. Music has always been his passion.   I'm thankful our school system has a great music program ♥

Here's John with his cousin Anthony who is also in the band.  He plays saxophone!  

And now you're all caught up!  ♥

I'll be working the rest of the day and trying to stay awake.  I'm excited because I have a big Amazon order to place today as well, for Christmas gifts and this year I'm treating myself to a TEA advent calendar.  I've always wanted one and I saw the perfect one on Amazon the other day.  I have to remember to order it so it will be here by Dec 1st.  Do you do an advent calendar for yourself?  I am very excited. 

Have a wonderful Monday, friends! ♥

Stay cozy! I'm off to get another cup of coffee....zzzzzzzz