Crisp and Plump, Tidy, Big Clouds

1. Made up the guest beds with fresh linens. Smoothing sheets and plumping comforters in readiness for Christmas visits.
2. Systematically put the house back in order after a long weekend of celebration. Silverware is stored, fall decorations are boxed, tablecloths washed and ironed.
3. The wind kicked up and began to blow the rain clouds away. The breaks of sun revealed a huge sky that had hung low and close just a few hours before.

Thanksgiving Weekend

1. I inhale deeply while I slowly stir the pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
2. Six pies decorate the side table.
3. The excitement of hugs, kisses and exclamations of how we've missed each other as family arrives from New York.
4. I come from a laughing family.
5. The house is full. Full of laughter, sunshine, good food smells, conversation and activity.
6. At times, we break off in groups. Some take walks, some play games, others target shoot or sit on the porch. I stick pretty close to the kitchen and sit with my mom.
7. We all head to the movies. Chelsea gets behind the counter, in her apron, and serves up the popcorn.
8. Mom, who is 87, wears headphones to hear the movie better. There is a scene where the foxes are chowing down on sweets. Not realizing how loudly she is talking, she exclaims, "That's us at your house!". We all start laughing and shushing each other.
9. A heavy frost covers fence and field. The cedars are sugar-coated and tell of the coming winter.
10. Parting is bittersweet. Our hearts are heavy, not knowing when we will see each other again. I suppress a tumult of feelings and take comfort in what we have rather than what we have not. It has been a wonderful weekend.

Swim to the Paper, Peace, What's That Smell

1. Words and lists of things to remember for the weekend swim around in my head . I sit and organize them onto paper. When I see it, it all becomes so simple.
2. It is an uneventful day and for this I am thankful.
3. A friend walks into the house and says, "Mmm, it smells so good in here, like banana bread!" And I tell her it's chili.
Just wondering...I know people can be color blind, but is there a condition of smelling-blind?

To the Principal's Office, Fear, Mom's Laugh

1. I walked into the principal's office and felt like a mother rather than a scared student.
2. Today was a roller coaster ride of emotions, but I stayed on and didn't chicken out. The relief brought by the end of the day is most welcome and I feel that I can step off the ride for the night.
3. I relate a funny incident to my mom over the phone. She laughs and laughs for several minutes and keeps going back to laughing even when we change the subject.

Guess Who I Met!, Guess What I Bought, Guess Who Loves You

1. Chelsea excitedly relates the story of her encounter today with a celebrity/politician.
2. Claire and I play, "Guess What I Bought This Weekend". We don't usually have such big purchase weekends, so it's fun to hear what went on.
3. A family is all about pulling together in love and support when one member is down. Our family gathers around to talk, encourage and love one another when the going gets rough. My heart is full, God is so good.

Deals, New Wheels, It's Warm Going Down

1. Word had it that there was a warehouse sale on bedding and linens. I dressed appropriately and headed on over. The lines, the jostling, and the crowds were worth it. I triumphantly purchase a high quality feather bed mattress topper, a down comforter and a beautiful duvet cover for a total of $74!
2. Steve takes daughter #3 out to the used car lots to buy her first car. Success! She comes home eager to clean it. She doesn't want to drive it, just clean it.
3. B. has invited us for dinner. We stay well past midnight chatting by the fire. I am thankful to have friends who we can honestly talk to, who provide fresh insight on our current issues and who care about our family. Not to mention that B.'s mom makes a wonderful walnut liqueur.

Kool Aid and Beer

1. The only way I am able to keep up the pace and run all the errands is because it is a pretty, mild day. If it were rainy and miserable, I would have quit long before.
2. I have girls in the house attempting to dye their hair with Kool Aid. Everywhere I turn, I smell the fruity sweetness. Not that I like Kool Aid, but it does remind me of the 60's when we lived on it in the summer.
3. Steve comes home from work with a bag containing a can of beer and a lottery ticket. It gives me a euphoric feeling of being so gosh, darn average.

Fall's Final Vestige

Dog Tail= Laughter, Coconut, All Together

1. Dog's happy tail taps baby on the head. She responds with a string of hearty laughter.
2. Edy's All Natural Fruit Bars in creamy coconut. For coconut lovers, these are yummy! Unfortunately, Kroger does not have them. I found them at ...Walmart. (thunder crashes)
3. Watched Little Miss Sunshine. My favorite movie where a crazy family draws together when one member is in need. "Oh my God, I'm getting pulled over. Everyone, just... pretend to be normal."

The Barn, Light at the End of the Drive, It's Me!

1. I walk up the wide center aisle that is flanked by horse stalls. The barn is hushed, but I hear a horse shifting position in one stall and another munching on hay. I love the smell of barns and this morning it is very peaceful here.
2. We head out into the evening, despite the chill and rain. At our destination we are greeted by friends with smiles and hugs, making the trip worth it.
3. Small town, rural living where a person is actually known by the librarians. This is about as famous as I'll ever get.

Glace Cherries, Eggnog, Hold On

1. Slicing glace cherries in half and pressing them onto the cookies. Their red translucence reminds me of jewels.
2. The first eggnog of the season from Homestead Creamery not only tastes comforting, but is lovely to handle in its thick milk-glass bottle.
3. Today was a "Mr.Toad's Wild Ride" kind of day. Just grip tight and try to stay on and you might even laugh before the day is done.

Daisy, Gypsies, Hot Air

1. Sweet, little daisy growing by the roadside. Didn't anyone tell you it's November?
2. Tess invites me upstairs to see her dolls. Tonight they are gypsies, clothed in scarves and skirts and beads. Their bunk bed is transformed into a gypsy caravan. We are never too old to play with dolls.
3. I stand over the heater vent where the warm air blows on my feet and legs.

Disappointment Turned Around, Snow White in the Seven Dwarfs' House, Bittersweet

1. Our weekend away was thwarted by sickness. But we purposed to make a wonderful weekend out of nothing, and we did.
2. A fresh coat of paint in the kitchen. This leads to the "domino effect" of scrubbing cabinets, countertops, behind fridge and stove, washing windows and waxing butcher block. All done with windows open and mild, sunny air freshening up the house.
3. Bittersweet climbs its way to the top of the tree and then tumbles itself back down. I gather twisting tendrils full of orange berries. I love the honey smell.

Making Things, Heavenly Coffee, Just What I Need

1. The kitchen table is strewn with cards, glitter, glue and all sorts of paraphernalia. I like a creative environment!
2. Chelsea brews some freshly roasted coffee. I come in from outdoors to this heavenly aroma and I exclaim that my house smells like Barnes & Noble.
3. She brings me the last five colors of floss that I need. This saves me from having to drive half an hour in order to spend $1.

A creative and fun new blog is having a giveaway! If you like treasured, old items, flea market finds and surprises, then check out The Country Lasses.

She's Back, Nor'easter, Sewing

1. One of my favorite things, coffee at B.'s. She always bakes something yummy, we chat the hours away and I leave with fresh eggs and today, candy from Switzerland.
2. Remnants of hurricane Ida have now turned into a nor'easter, dumping inches of rain and wind upon us. I am ever-so-grateful to stay in tonight, cozy up in a blanket and watch a movie.
3. Gathered together threads, scissors, and pattern to begin a hand craft to give as a Christmas gift.

Candy Grass, Dinner, Welcome Home

1. The winter rye grass in the vegetable garden is the brightest green. It looks like the edible candy grass in Willy Wonka.
2. Chicken Cacciatore simmers all day in the crock pot.
3. Out driving on this dark, rainy, foggy, deer-threatening night. It is a relief to drive up to our house, come inside and lock the door, leaving it all behind.

Ants, Ginger Cookies, Catalog, Catazine

1. I had time to sit and watch ants crawl on someone's path today. I remember that as a child, I had time to watch bugs, grass, and clouds. Just waiting for a friend to finish supper and come out to play afforded time to sit on their stoop and watch their ants. Life had a nice pace to it back then...
2. Baked these soft ginger cookies today. They were a breeze to bake and very tasty!
3. Thumbing through an attractive catalog of ______. The items look so appealing, I want to order everything to give as gifts and keep for myself. (I must leave this blank so my gifts will stay a surprise in case someone special reads this.) Who is their genius photographer?!
4. Phone a (different) catalog company to have my name removed from their mailing list. The recorded voice called it a "catazine". Is this for real? They actually combined a word out of catalog and magazine? Now I definitely must unsubscribe.

Covenant, Pie and Coffee, Well Spent

1. A baby's christening, a family's covenant with the Lord, a life full of promise.
2. For supper tonight we have apple crumb pie and coffee.
3. This was an entire day of leisure to spend as we pleased. I am aware to try and spend it well and not waste any of it.

Ring Around the Moon, A Day Outdoors, Keep Going

1. Dog-walking, 6 a.m. The moon is at the zenith and an enchanting silver ring encircles it
2. I play two selections from the Handel's Messiah albums. No matter how many times I hear the familiar Hallelujah Chorus it still makes my heart skip and my spirit soar. It's not just the music, it's the verses...
3. The entire day outside! It feels so good to do outdoor, physical work. We have the annual "mowing-of-the-hill". The purpose of this is to be prepared for snow and sledding since the snow accumulates quicker on the shorter grass. Doesn't anyone else mow their sledding hills?
4. Steve gets the old lawnmower running again. It's a temperamental thing, but whatever he does, it runs great today. He kept our old dryer going for almost 30 years. I'm pleased that we can keep making do.

Jousting, Hands, Warm Toes

1. Bright morning sun illuminates two bucks that jostle and joust at the top of the hill. The does graze nearby, ignoring the boys' antics.
2. Children, inexperienced with scissors, are given the task to trace and cut out their hands on wildly colored paper. The end product is endearing.
3. Hot water bottle at my feet for bedtime.

Paycheck, Shine, Organized

1. How satisfying to be paid for working. A super-simple concept, but so rewarding! I thank my parents for instilling a work ethic in their children.
2. I take down and wash dusty items from the shelf. I wouldn't have known they were dusty just to glance at them. But once down, oh my! Now they really sparkle and shine.
3. Making preparations for tomorrow this evening. A head start will relieve some of the burden of rushing around come morning. Then I switch off the light and put the kitchen to bed.

Owl Call, Outdoors, Teacher

1. I woke to the gentle call of a hoot owl. It was a peaceful, mellow sound that made me in no hurry to get up.
2. Today was a day set aside for more garden clean-up. Most days are committed to other responsibilities and the list of outdoor chores builds each time I pause at the window. But today was the day I eagerly awaited and brrr, it was cold!
3. I am extremely thankful for gifted teachers. Whether they be through schools, or books, or churches or whatever. It makes such a difference to sit under someone who is passionate about what they teach, articulates it well and speaks with educated authority.

Vote!, Horse and Rider, Chicken Soup

1. Election day. To cast my vote is an honor and a privilege that I respect. A way for all of us little guys to voice our opinions with the push of a button.
2. I see Audrey coming down the road on Vandella. They are walking at a very slow pace, soaking up the beautiful day.
3. We have a delicious chicken soup from leftovers that is quick to make and very tasty. I prefer this recipe to my usual long-cooking one. I got it last spring from The English Kitchen. Marie's recipes are wonderful.

Coffe Shop Aroma, Tag, Moon

1. We have time to spare, so we head for the coffee shop in the bookstore. The wonderful aroma greets us at the door and we relax at a table with our comfort snack.
2. I don't play the tagging game very well and we laugh at my ineptness.
3. The moon rises over the horizon and it is enormous! We keep looking at it, trying to believe it is real. I feel like I'm on another planet, whose moon would loom so large. After a while, it rises up to a normal size and brightness and I am more comfortable with it.

Laurels, Old Boy, Messing with the Clock

1. We find a perfect spot to plant the laurel shrubs. I like this challenge of being given a plant, researching its likes and needs, and then finding it a home.
2. An old, blind, dog turns up in our yard. I call the animal control officer and he knows where the dog belongs. I am so relieved to have the old boy get back home. (We have so many strays turn up at our house over the years that we have gotten to know Officer C. and he is the nicest man.)
3. I think we are handling the time change admirably.