Thankful Be

We are most thankful.

RoAsT TuRKeY, sTUfFinG, SwEEt pOTatoes, gREen BeANs, mAShed PoTatOeS, pUMpKiN PiE, aPPle pIE

Cornucopia of Gratitude.....

There is so much in my life  to be THANKFUL for....the love of my family, our health, support when I need it, a roof over our heads, a husband who works hard at his job, loves and supports his FAMILY; a wonderful job with great coworkers, customers who purchase my work, living in a country where people are free and many choose to protect us, THANKFUL for all of those families out there that make sacrafices to make that possible.  Food on the table.  Blessed with a family of my own and Watching my children grow.  THANKFUL for the many friendships I have been blessed with. 

Our home has been dressed up in it's Fall Finery for sometime now....but after this weekend it will all be coming down to make way for Christmas!  One last peek?

I remind my FAMILY that with each HARVEST we will reap what we have sown.  In order to harvest a bounty of love and peacefulness we must first plant that all the year through.

A little pumpkin and apple pie candle.  Who knew something so very small and cute could tickle me? 

I love little things and decorating my childs stove is always fun for me!

Pumpkin or apple?  What's your favorite?

This time of the year I would choose pumpkin but all the rest of the year through it's apple all the way!

The hoosier sideboard.....once a dark green is now a distressed country white....I love reinventing my pieces, keeps me from getting too bored!  This is all ready to serve some seasonal goodies from.

I call this piece....."Dishes in waiting".....he,he....

Over the River and Through The Woods.......to Grandmother's House we Go......

It is the first time in 20 years that I will be spending Thanksgiving with my parents and brothers at my childhood home. My father requested that we all come home this year and we all happily abided.  Since I've met my husband we have celebrated the holiday with my inlaws. Because both of our familes are so extensive we divide up the holidays and spend it with each side. For the past 13 of those years we've held it at our house and we've cooked.

I am excited to go home and spend time with my family this year, seeing everyone together at the same time will be a real treat.  My father will be starting his chemo soon and this will be one last hoorah for all of us before he is too sick....I'm especially thankful we are all able to gather together around him.

 

On Friday or Saturday after a little holiday shopping, we will have another turkey dinner at home since that is what my children are used to.  We will have all the dishes they are used to but on a much smaller scale than I usually cook.

So how many of you are black Friday Shoppers out there?  I will be doing a little less of it this year but may venture out for a little while here and there.  I will also be offering a discount on a special sign in my etsy shop on Saturday so be sure to check back in if you are a customer. 

There is a giveaway going on....a mystery holiday giveaway.

I'm doing it a little differently this time around.

Be sure to check back in every now and again....you just might be the winner of the mystery sign without even knowing it!

That's right...you don't know the rules, don't know the date, don't know the giveaway!

But I think you might be pleaseed when you see just what it is.

 

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Friends.

Take Good Care,

xo

Dee

Dusting off and Autumn Beauty

I want to thank all of you Sweet Friends. For understanding and being thoughtful, encouraging, and nurturing.  There is something reassuring about going through a tough time and knowing there's friends out there to share in your worry and offer up prayers, even if you haven't met them face to face.  If there's a way to feel a little better you have made me feel that, my family is awfully grateful for your thoughts and prayers more than I can express....Thank you.

 I have decided to dust off for the time being.....to hand the whole worry of the situation over and look forward.  I'm focusing only on a recovery for my father...positive thinking.  I will keep you all posted on the situation. 

So I am back to share a few good things that I have experienced this past season.  On a more positive note....

We decorated up the Farmhouse for Autumn in fall's festive colors.

I turned another year wiser and younger.  My sweet SIL made me the prettiest (and tastiest) chocoloate cake evah...

my favorite!

  We enjoyed a tasty fall Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast....

We also attended the annual Pinelands Jamboree that we love.

Local farmers brought their beautiful bounty.

Local BlueGrass bands entertained us with great music.

The sweet local family we purchase our produce from is there each year and we LOVE their truck that they deliver in. 

Personally I'm a Chevy girl, but this old Dodge was just
too pretty!

Our area has alot of Cranberry Farms.  Here is how we purchase them....by the pound from an old cranberry crate straight from the farmer.  Love that color!

Some of the old timers brought their laundry...hehe.  They had alot of working antique machinery on display.  Thought provoking for us homemakers!

My mother and I are going to try our hand at the craft shows, my father will be helping to make some new things between feeling well (we are hopeful).  We are excited and I think it might be a positive distraction for all of us.  It's something that we've talked about for a while now and it seems like a good time to try, the income will help.

  So we did some research when we headed out to some annual Craft Fairs this year.

We attended another favorite Country Craft Show...our local

Country Living Fair. 

Here's one of the beautiful handmade quilts that was hung on display to be auctioned off.  I wanted so badly to win this one....

I've posted about this location in the past.  It is one of my favorite historical places to visit and serves as a pretty backdrop for the fair with all of the barns and out buildings. 

This beauty was way out of my Budget but if I could have I certainly would have...

I love the colors and the history of this old sign!

There's also an antique car show we love to stroll through.  I loved the color of this one.

This reminds me of an old picture.  It could have fooled me in sepia.

Okay, I seriously want one of these for my front yard....
for decorative purposes! 

Corn shucking demonstrations...looked like fun!

Another Old Timey Entertainer from the front porch of the big house.

I loved this sellers items and their display.

Ahh love at first sight.....I would so drive this truck!  It reminded me of one of my dad's trucks when I was a young girl.

This country band played some great tunes as we were heading walking around.

I'll be posting a few more fall things as soon as I can.  Thanks for stopping by and more importantly for all your support and prayers. 
I am so thankful for all of you.

Take care,

xo

Dee

~THANK YOU~

To all of the veterans and soldiers. 

We are so blessed by your sacrafices and dedication.

xo
Dee

And so.....

The past two months have flown by so quickly I have rarely had time to peek on blogs much less make a post on my own.  I have to tell you that I'm sorry I've been gone and want to thank so many of you who have left messages and emails of concern, you all are so sweet.  I have missed blogging and intend to get back to it when possible even if it is not as frequently as I would like. 

A few things have recently affected the personal time I have on the computer, the first being my adjusting to the new job and balancing family life with it and more importantly the second reason is the return of my father's cancer.  And so now I have returned to ask for your prayers....for my father and for our family. 

My father has been in remission for the past three years and recently discovered a lump which has now been confirmed as the same cancer he battled the first time around.  He will be treated even more agressively this time and it will be more taxing on his body requiring hospitalization for periods of time.  During  the holidays this will not be an easy way to celebrate so we've changed our plans and will be spending as much time with my father and family as possible. 

It is so difficult to see him weakened by the treatments, he has always been a pillar of strength for our family.  He has been laid off for sometime due to the economic effects on the mom-and-pop employer he's worked many years for.  Coincidentally, my mother was also laid off from her job of 25 years this winter only to discover the cancer the week following that news.  

Although, I am terribly concerned about their job situation there couldn't be a truer testament to everything happens for a reason.  It will be easier to get him back and forth for his treatments that are a couple hours drive from their home without worrying about her job.  There is obviously a bigger plan in place.  My mother has a very positive attitude about all of it which helps.  I know that this is what life holds when your parents age, but it is not easy none-the-less.  I know must faithfully trust that they are where they are supposed to be right now even if I don't like it at all and so we could certainly use prayers, the strength of prayer in numbers would greatly be appreciated!

The front porch above seems to be a place I sit to reflect the past couple of weeks.  I retreat there in the autumn evenings when my worries overcome me.  I can sit in a rocker in the solice of the early evening after the day is done with a warm sweater and watch the sun go down.  Even if it is only a short time it helps me to clear my mind and keep things in perspective.  Reflecting on positive things.

Something that has certainly become evident to me these past few weeks is that I will focus on gratitude this season like no other.  For through all of this, we can still be grateful.  Especially for the past three years my father was in remission and pray that he will make it through this once again.  Thank you for returning....I wish I had a more upbeat post but unfortunately this is what is on our plate right now.  I'll be back soon to share some Autumnish things that have still occurred amidst the troubles....promise.

Take care,
Dee

All Hallow's Eve

Five Little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate

The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late"

The second one said, "There are witches in the air"

The third one said,"But we don't care!"

The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run"

The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"

Wooooo, went the wind

And out went the light

And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

My son has been singing about the Five Little Pumpkins all month long..too cute.

A police officer and a pirate this halloween.

So much has gone on this past month, I cannot believe that October is over already!  I have been absent on my blog for good reason, I'm sorry.  I will be ready to share more the next post. 

I hope you all had a delightful Halloween!

Take Care,

Dee