Happy Thanksgiving And Happy Birthday

 I've been a busy gal this week prepping for turkey day and the family gathering.  I prepare most of the food a day or two early, even the turkey goes in on Wednesday.  I then have the oven free for anything that can't be done early and of course for warming up the other goodies. The turkey gets carved and put in the roaster.  It gives me more time to spend with the family and enjoying the day.  However, I was still bushed when all was said and done.  It's a good tired, but this old body was happy to hit the hay last night!  We also celebrated our oldest son's birthday.  Happy Birthday Jackie!  That was an eventful Thanksgiving 46 years ago! He wasn't suppose to born until the end of January but he had other plans.  We were so blessed to have a healthy, even though tiny 2lbs baby, that came through without any complications over the years except some eye issues do to the incubator and oxygen back then.  I have much to be thankful for this year even with all our bumps in the road these past months. Last year my hubby, Jack, was in the hospital for the holiday so we were happy all was good yesterday! I hope everyone had a wonderful day celebrating with your traditions and food!  Here's some pics of ours.  

Table one ready for guests.  We have seating all over the house when it's a big group like yesterday.

Dessert area ready!

Star of the show...turkey done! (although I'm more of a fan of the sides than the bird)

Making that stuffing...it came out great!

Jack ready for the fun!

My Granddaughters, Lexi, Rae, and the young lady in the gray top is Crystal, a friend of Lex's who needed a place to celebrate.  She was so fun to have with us!

Now for the Grandsons...Anthony..the tall one...and his little brother Cameron.

Granddaughter Driana and her new hubby, Jonathan.  What a delightful couple. So proud of them!

This is Mandy.  Not a great pic but I will have more opportunities for better ones next time! Mandy is Evelyn's (my daughter-in-law) cousin.  Mandy's Mom passed away in the Spring from cancer. Her Dad has also passed away so she would have had to go to foster care (she was 15..now 16). But my son Jack and his wife Evelyn said no way would that happen. So they took guardianship for her and she lives with them now.  She's a sweetheart and is getting to be more comfortable in our large group! Welcome to the family Mandy!

Son Phil...our silver fox! Ha! He's Lexi and Rae's Dad.

Granddaughter Summer with her boyfriend, Spencer...and of course her pup Happy! 

The kitchen eaters and we also had folks in the livingroom.  No matter how we gather it's a good time.

The birthday boy, Jackie, blowing out his candles...no he's not 16! Just didn't want to set off the smoke alarms! Happy birthday kiddo!

So here's our happy gang!  The weather wasn't wonderful yesterday but inside it warm and fun. I am so blessed with my family but sure missed those who couldn't be here.  We missed you Craig and family and Jordan!  I hope everyone had a great day yesterday and a good weekend.  Snow is coming this way on Sunday.  That will make decorating for Christmas easier I think!  Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Stars Have All Aligned...So Far

 I got home from my week in Chicago helping my sister out while she was in the hospital. Thankfully all is well with her and she got home on Thursday.  We were able to spend a couple of days together just hanging out and enjoying the time together.  I took care of her pup, Hope and she and I bonded a bit!  She's a good dog who is getting more mature by the day.  She'll be a year old next month.  She and I played more "catch" than I have ever played in the past with any dog! She has a lot of energy but settles down at night and also takes a good nap in the afternoon!

She loves her blankie for naps!

Just look at that silly face! She's very happy to have Midge back home! 

On Sunday my nephew brought over Bella, Hope's sister.  That's my great nephew, Drew, trying to get them to sit still for a pic..not very successful! Hard to tell them apart. They had a blast running around playing together.  On Friday Midge and I took a quick trip to the shopping center and I took a couple of pics of the Christmas decorations going up.  These had my mind going in a funny direction...nothing new for me!

First we have the cute little airstream trailer turned into a Santa stop for the kiddies to tell him their hopes and wishes for the season.

Next to Santa's trailer we have Santa's lounge.  Now here's where I go off on a mind trip.  So is the lounge for Mom and Dad to hang out while the kids go into the trailer with dear old St. Nick?  Hmm, I hope not. Just sayin' folks.  I'm sure I'm wrong about it but it seemed a little weird to me! Ha!  Oh well, I'll try and not go on any more mind trips!  So the week was a bit tense but I'm so glad Midge's tests and stay went well.  I came home today because the weather yesterday was a bit iffy between here and Ohio.  We didn't get any snow in the Chicago area but Indiana and Ohio did. 

These were taken in South Bend, Indiana.  They always get snow off of Lake Michigan.  Jack took a video of the snow that Ashland got and it was pretty impressive.  Today it had all melted by the time I got home and by Wednesday it's going to 65de!  Yep, never know how the weather will go this time of year.  So the stars seemed to have aligned for now and hopefully we can enter into the holiday season with everyone on the mend and we can spend time again with family.  I'll be catching up on things at home and planning the turkey day menu and getting ready for that day of feasting.  YUM! Have a good week!

Lemons

 Did you think I was going to post about lemon recipes? Maybe some cool lemon drinks? Nope. I'm going to post about making something sweet when life hands you lemons.  I was originally going to head to Chicago this coming Friday but today had me on the turnpike heading out to  help my sister.  She ended up with an infection that landed her in the hospital.  She's had a heck of a time these past 20 months but she keeps bouncing back and she's better today and hopefully will be home either tomorrow or Tuesday. Her daughters were out of town and down at Disney in Florida with her granddaughters on a Mom and daughter weekend and also doing a Disney marathon race.  Anyway, that left only her son to try and take care of her dog so I said I'd head out and help out.  Hope, her dog, and I are doing good and I'm happy I can take the time to be here.  So being retired does have perks and makes this lemon turn a bit sweeter.  Before I left however, our checking account got hacked.  Really bad..all gone! I guess we weren't the only poor saps that it happened to but it will take a few days or more to straightened everything out.  I haven't found any way to make lemonade out of these lemons yet. I'll just be happy to get the account up and running again.  Then last week my camera quit working so I sent it back to get it fixed.  They sent it back to me and said they couldn't fix it because they no longer make that model. I know most folks, including me, use their phone cameras but I still enjoy using a regular camera.  So I guess the lemonade will have to be a new camera.  I was thinking about the crazy time change that I think most folks really don't like. I just wish they would leave the time alone. Anyway, I was thinking about the extra hour I got today along with the other extra hour I got going into Illinois. Hmm...that should make me a few hours younger.  Now there's some lemonade I can get into!  It may seem like my life has had it's crazy ups and downs these past almost 2 years.  I know I'm not alone in the bad luck club.  Many have had it much worse. I have a wonderful husband who puts up with me and family that loves me too.  I have good friends and that includes my blog buddies who always make me smile and are there with prayers and help if needed. We have a wonderful home and all the necessities of life.  So  I'll keep adding the sugar to the lemons and hope the sweet will come out in the end.  Have a sweet week everyone!

For The Beauty Of The Earth

 We've had a lovely Fall so far.  The trees have taken their time in turning but that's OK because it gives us a little longer to enjoy the beauty that defines this time of year here in Ohio.  Just walking around the Pines has me so grateful for the colors that contrast against the pine trees. This week has been crisp and frost has fallen on the pumpkins!

That white stuff on the grass is frost.  It makes it invigorating in the AM!  I took a walk yesterday at Freer field. It's a great place to walk.  You can choose to walk the paved path or take a sideline trip on the paths through the woods.

I stay on the paved paths but have gone off a few times just to see what's there.

Follow the path of fallen leaves....

If you get tired there are many benches here and there to cop a squat if needed!

I sure can't deny the beauty of this place.  

When walking along you'll find many messages like this one that's asking for prayers for the names listed. All the notes written by young people sure can make you smile!.

At the end of my walk I had to agree with this one! I'm slowly building up my stamina and walked farther yesterday than I have in a while. However, I was happy to get back to the car! I finished my physical therapy sessions today so maybe they have helped me along this journey.  

When you leave the wooded area you can take a look at the trees across the field. This part of the walk is sunnier and also a little more uphill and challenging but on a cold (40de), crisp Fall morning it was all worth it.

These trees at the end of my road aren't too shabby to look at either.  Retirement has allowed me the pleasure of enjoying these days of Fall and basking in the beauty of this earth.  

I truly can be very grateful for the beauty in my own backyard.  Thanks for taking this walk with me and I hope you're enjoying Fall in your neck of the woods!  I welcome November and I know it will fly by like the rest of this year has.  I bought our turkey today for the feast sure to come in a few weeks. You know I'll have more to blog about then plus I have a little trip to visit my sister at the end of next week. For now I'll just keep enjoying the beauty while it lasts....and before Mother Nature takes those leaves back!