December Is Almost Half Over!

I started this post last weekend but it's now Friday the 13th but not unlucky!  No work so Jack and I did some final shopping and running errands.  Our December started out pretty chilly. We got the wood stove up and humming along  only to shut it down last weekend as temps were in the mid 50s! Cold came back yesterday along with snow but the sun has shown the last 2 days and I can take cold when it's so pretty and sunny out.  Ashland had it's annual parade and tree lighting last Saturday.  The crowds were crazy so we watched it on TV. I'm grateful they stream it for us old folks! They have fireworks afterwards and we could hear the booms all the way in our neck of the woods..  Our Freer Field Candy Cane lane got into the Guiness record books with the most lights on metal trees....or something like that!  Well, we have few lights here at the Pines but not in the Creep Woods.  Before our snow came this week I walked the woods with Annabelle when the temps were mild last weekend.

The lights here aren't the Christmas ones, just the Mother Nature type with the slowly setting sun. We will have the beginning of Christmas activities that include a Church social tomorrow, caroling during the week, cookie making, gift wrapping, and hopefully some Christmas movie watching.  I bet all of you are busy too or perhaps just enjoying the peaceful music or going to see Christmas lights.  What ever your activities I hope it's a good weekend.  I'll be posting some pics of our adventures.  Here's a little pic of the house and my decorated new fence:

Here's the snow from yesterday:

I want to put a quick shout out to my BFF Donna who made me the cutest wreath:

Thanks Donna!  Happy mid December folks!

November Farewell

 Well, that went slick as snot on a doorknob!  November has earned it's farewell for 2024.  Thanksgiving was a smaller than normal affair here.  A few kiddos showed up later for dessert and we all had a lovely time catching up, planning for Christmas, and enjoying a few new members.  Jordan's girlfriend, Brittany, and her daughter, 2yr old Haylee.  I will try and get picks later because I really blew it this year and never got any!  What? Yep,  Oh well, there will be plenty of Kodak moments next month.  That's tomorrow my friends!  So I will bid November farewell.  We had our first snowfalls and now it's super cold.  But that's Ok as we have the woodstove humming along and we are toasty and comfy.  Today I went shopping with my daughter-in-law, Evelyn, Granddaughter Summer, and her Mom...my son's ex wife Stephanie.  Yes we are one big get along family!  My son Jack and my hubby Jack went with us for a bit but took off to buy food for lunch and watch the Ohio State game that turned out to be the real turkey this year.  Oops.  We girls stayed downtown and shopped for small business Saturday and I got a few things for gifts and we laughed a lot and had fun.  Here's one pic I did take of Summer.  She had brought her dog Happy along and he was so darn good. Never heard a peep or bark out of him.

Nobody in the stores minded that he was there and I bet many didn't even notice.  After some hours of fun Summer and her Mom went their way and Evelyn and I headed back to the Pines.  We did take a quick stop at the Parsley Pot and found some things we couldn't resist.  At home Evelyn and myself enjoyed a quick snack of all the wings the guys had bought!  We were starving since we hadn't eaten all day.  We had fun and I'm going to be decorating for Christmas starting tomorrow.  I can't believe how quickly this year has gone but I shouldn't be surprised as every year seems to fly by quicker.  I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.   Bye Bye November...you didn't disappoint!

Almost Turkey Day!

 If I don't get posting soon it will be 2025!  It's been a busy time for us with Jack getting the office closed and my working more days than normal.  Our Docs are taking off lots of time in December so they're trying to get as much done now.  Poor Jack has folks always asking how he's liking retirement.  They don't understand that he has 47yrs of practice to close out that involves patient records, equipment that needs to be sold or disposed of.   We've sold a few things and will be giving some things away to a local church that has a thrift store that folks can come and get things for free.  What things would we have?  Well, chairs, tables, file cabinets, decor...and the list goes on!  When you are self employed it's not like you can just walk out the door with your gold watch and forget it.  When the company that shreds documents came and took his patient records for shredding it was hard to see his professional life heading out the door.  Jack loves his patients and what he does but time moves on and we have to flow with it and find a new adventure.  So hopefully by the first week of December we'll be there.  This past week brought the first snow of the season:

Just a dusting here even though it snowed all day it just didn't stick more than this.  For some reason the first snow is almost magical and Annabelle and I had a fun walk in the woods and enjoyed the crisp air and pretty flakes.  Come February it will probably have lost its magic! 

 

Annabelle put on her winter duds for the walk.  You can see it melted pretty quick
 but the forecast is looking very cold with more snow starting on Thanksgiving.  That will make travel a bit iffy for those driving or flying. Also that means wood burning season will begin to keep us cozy and warm and the electric bill down!   This Thanksgiving we won't have as many around the table  because our grandkiddos from our oldest son will be going to their other Grandmother's house.  We trade off every other year.  The feast will go on here for those who will attend and then we'll be shooting pumpkins as usual if the weather doesn't turn too bad.  The squished up pumpkins will be put into the woods and creek for the animals to enjoy.  I hope everyone's holiday is great and filled with warmth, love and mostly gratitude for blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving!

The Quiet Month

 I always call November my quiet month.  The brightness and beauty of October with fun and sometimes craziness of Halloween is over.  The trees have lost their luster giving way to brown and dull color.  But many times on walks or drives I spy a tree with bright red or orange refusing to give it up just yet.  There is beauty though in dusky afternoons and a walk in the Creepy Woods.  Sunday it rained buckets which was so needed since we've had very little rain all summer and Fall.  It was a day that would have been great to snuggle up with a good book and just enjoy the sound of the rain.  However, I signed up to help decorate the Historical Society house for Christmas and we got it done but now I'm not super excited to think about decorating my own house! I'm one who likes to enjoy each holiday on it's own and don't want to gloss over Thanksgiving with Santa. So I'm planning my menu (which doesn't really change from year to year) for Turkey day.  Some of my Grandkids are going to their other Grandparents so not as many gathering this year at the Pines.  I know we'll enjoy the day with whom ever shows up. Plus there will be pumpkins to shoot!    Jack and I went to a craft show on Saturday that we always try to make each year.  It's a fun tradition we have and Jack is good about going with me to watch me look at stuff I really don't need but seem to find a little bit here and there to buy!

What I bought at the craft show...it will be put away until December.

I bought this set of salt and pepper shakers.  I thought they were pretty cute. They will find a place in a few weeks. 

I thought this cane was cute too and would look nice on the fireplace hearth.  I also bought some homemade soaps from one of my co-worker's wives who has her own home business.  I can put them into baskets as gifts.  My Father-in-law always said I was a sucker for anything cute or smelled good.  He was right!   I scored homemade ornaments too.  I put them on a present for each person every year.  Hopefully it will give the Grandkiddos some ornaments for their own trees some day.   Well, this quiet month is moving by quickly and it's almost at it's middle.  I did mow today when I got home from work.  It gets dark early and it was chilly but it's the last mow of the season and I just needed to also mulch up some of the leaves.  Rain is heading our way tonight and a little prediction of snow for next week.  Not really ready for all that yet! 

Annabelle and I have been walking a lot in the Creepy Woods.  This was a few weeks ago and now most of the leaves are down.  Soon it will be hunting season and we don't venture up there in case someone is hunting without permission.  Don't want to take any chances!  Until then I'll try and enjoy my quiet month and I hope you do too. Shhhh

Bye Bye October..

😞 Yes, my favorite month is on it's last hooray but what a way to go.  Happy Halloween and I hope everyone has a wonderful time of it even if no kiddos make it to your door!  We don't get trick or treaters here at the Pines but I decorate and enjoy it anyway.   I'll be taking everything down tomorrow except the outdoor ones go today since rain is coming this afternoon.  Poor kiddos will have to beg in the rain tonight.  It's very windy out and with the rain it will seem like a real spooky Halloween time.  Here's my decor that's on it's way back to storage until next year.  So sad...bye my friends!

Happy Halloween! Boo!

Sorry...Not Sorry

 This week we're at peak color season for our leaves.  I've been taking pics on walks with Annabelle and I sure wish the camera captured the true beauty that my eyes see!  So sorry for the following pics but this month is my favorite and I just can't help it!

Morning walk with Annabelle.

Our neighbor's trees along that walk.  

The not so creepy woods.  Our favorite walk place.

The sun going down and the trees behind our house are glowing!

This window in my kitchen holds a little metal pumpkin that looks adorable at night! And finally;

Every year I say I need to get rid of decor and sometimes that actually happens. However, sometimes I find something that finds me! This framed picture reminds me of my blog buddy, Robin, who has the best witch headers on her blog! I found this at a new store that my sister and nieces found when they were here.  Happy Halloween..almost!

75 In A 35!

 My post title does not mean I got a speeding ticket.  I read a thing that said September went fast but October is going 75 in a 35. So true!  The month is half over and I'm so behind in posting. I don't know where my days go but I need to get on the blog path or give it up.  So here's a recap of the past weeks.  We had our annual family Fall gathering last weekend.  The weather was great except a little rain came right before the party but thankfully stopped and all was good. Before the party on Saturday my sister and my nieces and little 'ol me put on our flannel shirts and headed downtown for Flannel Days.  All the stores had sales and discounts for wearing flannel! The town was super decorated up.  Free food at Home hardware but we didn't stop for any.  We found some cute treasures of course and enjoyed a beautiful morning at the farmer's market.

Lots of places for photo moments.  Here's Midge, Amy and Ella (Amy's daughter)

Katie, Amy and Ella.

The downtown area had tons of straw bales, pumpkins and mums to add color and fun.  After a few hours we had to head back to the Pines to get set up for the party at 5.  We had a good turn out and we enjoyed good food and fun!  

Amy, Midge, and Katie ready to party!

My Granddaughters, Summer and Driana.  Like last year I set up a little photo area.  

Summer and her boyfriend Coby.  He put on an amazing fire act for us. It was a surprise for sure and if I could figure out a way to upload the video I'd do it!

We had some silly games for the kiddos.  I know this is dark but the kids had to throw a ring around that thing on someone's head.  It was actually pretty fun!  Well, throw in a fire in the pit and more games and such and it turned out to be a great night.  I sure appreciate my family coming from Chicago and spending the time here.  They went up to Kalahari on Sunday and Midge and I and Jack just hung around the Pines and enjoyed the quiet time! All too soon they headed back home on Monday with the promise to see each other in December for our annual Christmas gathering.  Soon it will be here.  In the mean time, I plan to enjoy this lovely Fall.  We've had little rain and lots of sunny days and even frost on the pumpkins last week.  After a few warm-up days it will be cool again at the end of this week.  That's how fall goes in Ohio!  Here's a few fall colors in my neck of the woods:

My walk with Annabelle at the cemetery this afternoon.

Trees in the Creepy Woods.

Path to the Creepy Woods.

Love those leaves!  

You never know who'll you'll meet at the Pines!

Ghosts can be found in lots of the trees.

The spiders have been big this year!  

The sunsets have been fabulous!  So that's all for now...lots of pics I know but my blog book will appreciate it!  Night all!

Loving My Favorite Month!

 Yes, it's October and the month is going fast! First, Happy Birthday today to my brother Jim!  Lucky duck with a birthday this month.  On Friday my sister and her family are coming for our annual Fall fest.  I'm looking forward to seeing them all and laughing, playing games, and of course eating Fall foods!  My nieces, Amy and Katie, both have birthdays this month so a little celebrating with go on too.  There will be pics also.  Since I haven't posted this month I will have to do a post on my decor.  As always it's a little over the top but we love it.   Here's one that's shows different decorations I did in the alcove between the house and the garage.

Those ghosts were really meant for the gables on my house but the gable windows were too little to get them up so here they found a place and it's not too bad.

Last year I did a photo stop place for everyone. Last year I had straw bales but this year I went for a bit easier and not so messy set up.  The bench in front of the screen door used to sit on the enclosed porch of Jack's office.  He should be out of the office in a few weeks after clearing out over 50yrs of "stuff" that was his Dad's and his over the years.  Hard work!  But it's getting there.  So  now party goers have a spot for a selfie or a posed shot.  

Those large mums are from a local Amish farm and greenhouse.  I thought they were pretty for only $6 each.  

Jack pulled out our tomato and pepper plants as they were done producing...or I should say, I was done producing canned tomatoes!  The peppers weren't growing too big and were kind of bitter. The drought we're in hasn't helped but we did water the plants through the summer heat. It looks like my angel that sat here all Summer is praying and saying goodbye to the last of the crop.  We'll enjoy the veggies in their frozen and canned state over the Winter months.  That's all I have for now but will be going full speed for the next few days.  My car drama is still going on but hopefully will be settled tomorrow.  I contacted Hyundai corp and they have moved things forward since they didn't want to keep paying for a car rental until November when the dealership said the car would be done.  It's been a frustrating battle since August to get this fixed.  In fact, the case worker on my claim is meeting me at the dealership tomorrow when they deliver the car to make sure all is good. Fingers crossed for a good outcome and my car working!  One final note....One of my good blog buddies at "Shady Dell" said he has had trouble commenting here.  Have any of you who visit me had a problem?  I've tried checking my setttings and such but can't find a way to fix it.  Let me know if this has happened to you...if you can without being sent to a spam folder!  Take care and prayers for Florida and my family that lives in Tampa and Fort Myers!