Quiet Times

As this weekend was approaching I was looking forward to my brother and sister-in-law visiting.  Greg was coming in for a special Vietnam Veteran recognition dinner that's held here in Ashland.  My sister-in-law has been going through some health issues but was really hoping they could make it up here from Kentucky on Friday.  Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.  So plans changed and it turned into a very quiet weekend but also one that had us getting lots of things done around the Pines.   We're expecting some pretty cold temps along with snow this week so all the deck furniture was put away, the lawn was mowed last week for the last time this season.  Planters were emptied and the gardens were cleared.  Jack got the wood stove up and running and it will keep us snug this week!  Jack and I went to the annual craft show at a local high school that really starts the holiday season for me.  Now, I'm not one to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I do like to find gifts for those on my list,  I envy those folks who shop early and are probably already done.  I just never seem to be able to accomplish that but it does always get done so no worries!  Here are just a few of my favorite activities from this weekend...

A new magazine to browse...

Saturday night pizza to enjoy...

A favorite blanket to wrap up in.....

A cup of hot cocoa to enjoy!  But don't be fooled....

Yep, it's still just cocoa but calling it witch's brew makes it more fun!  Tomorrow we honor all our Veterans for their service and sacrifice.  Thanks to all who are serving and have served.  I especially want to thank my dear Dad:

My Dad passed away in 1976 at age 56...much too young. I think of him and miss him every day.  He'll always be my hero.  I also want to thank my 2 older brothers for their service They too are my heroes.  I'm so glad to have them in my life.  Hug a veteran tomorrow or say a prayer for those who fight today for us.  Hope your week is a good one!

It's November But What About Halloween?

Those who know me...and that would be whoever is reading this...know I love October and also Halloween.  We had our family Halloween gathering earlier in the month and that was a lot of fun. I decorated my house as usual for this time of year.  I even bought a couple of new things when I was in Chicago a few weeks ago.

Who could pass this cutie up? Oh I hear the snickers...yes, I know most would but I'm not most!

And these by the fireplace were perfect! HeHe!  Yes I do love this little holiday.  So when Thursday rolled around I was excited to see Rae Rae dressed up for trick or treating and also seeing all the other kids in town.  But Mother Nature threw a fast pass in the way of high winds and rain and cold. Many towns around us cancelled and moved it to today.  Not Ashland....we're tougher I guess.

Many kids, including Rae, took to the sidewalks for candy and fun.  The rain stopped but it was still windy and chilly.  Not as bad as my sister in Chicago had it.  They got 4in. of snow! They are super tough out there!  But I was thrown another fast one by work.  I told them I couldn't stay late on Thursday like I had the previous days last week.  But when push came to shove they told me I had no choice.  Nobody else could stay and they said I was not allowed to leave.  I was there until 7pm.  Missed the trick or treaters and was mad as.....well, you know.  Anyway, I feel a bit cheated and never did see the kids but I know they had fun and life goes on.  You probably think all I do is whine about my work days...and it seems lately that would be correct!  So no more whining today.  It's November and now I will be thinking about Thanksgiving and putting all the Halloween stuff away.  The temps have dropped and Cleveland had snow but so far we've been getting just rain and even a bit of sun earlier today.  So all's well.  Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

Fastest Week Ever

Last week went by very quickly since the first part of the week was spent in Chicago visiting my Mom and sister as I mentioned in my previous post.  We had a really nice time with them and also with Craig who was there on a business trip.  We also got to spend a little time with my brother Jim who lives in the Atlanta area.  He works with my sister in her business and was there for a work project.  Seems like the only ones not working were Jack and I..slackers! Ha!

Here's my dear Momma having a snack at my niece's house.  It was my niece's birthday and also a beautiful day to sit outside and enjoy each other's company.  I think my Mom is a beautiful 93 year old!

Amy the birthday girl, my sister Midge (Amy's Mom), Mom and two of Amy's kiddos..Parker and Ella. We took off for home on Wednesday and had a nice drive back with the leaves finally starting to change.

The turnpike sure looks quiet! The leaves were lovely.  But happily coming home we found our leaves changing too.  Today we've had rain and wind all day so I'm pretty sure our leaves will have taken a hit.  After work on Friday I took a few pics in the woods.  I hate to bore anyone with my leaf peeping but it's turned out to be a wonderful Fall and I just have to capture it's beauty.

Here's the end of our road..

This tree is on the other end of our road and the sun was setting quickly so it's a bit dark. But I think it's one of the prettiest trees around!

On my walk up to the creepy woods the trailer is looking like it needs some pumpkins to make it a perfect Fall photo op.

Speaking of a perfect Fall photo op...Jack was up cutting wood that will keep us warm in the really cold months ahead.

The creepy woods looses it's "creepy" factor with these colors shining.

So take a walk in the woods and enjoy the colors of the season.  You're welcome to walk this path in our neck of the woods but you'd better hurry because Mother Nature will change it's colors soon!

Quick Chicago Post

Craig was coming to Chicago for a work meeting so we took some time to meet with him as well as seeing Mom and Midge. It was fun to spend the day with him.

However, I got "arrested" by a few of my niece's co-workers. The big smiley guy with the handcuffs has been Santa at our family Christmas parties.  Is this any way for Santa to act? Ha! Thanks for the laughs Val! You guys are the best! Thanks for your brave work! (And I don't mean arresting me!)   

The Beauty Of Blogging

I don't usually give book reviews on my blog but I wanted to recommend a book I just finished. "Home Front Girls" is a book about 2 women who forge a friendship during WWII by sending letters back and forth while their husbands are away fighting. They bond by the stress, the circumstances they find themselves in, and the loneliness they go through waiting for word of their loved ones. It struck me while I was reading that blogging is very similar to being a pen pal of sorts.  I blog as a way of journal writing for my family.  I never expected to have "followers" or to be a follower of blogs. But as time has gone by...11yrs so far....I find the nice thing about blogging is meeting people in blog land that may share similar values or stories, but more than not I've found folks that are totally different than me in many ways.  I've met writers, musicians, gardeners, crafters, nurses, teachers, and many retired folks.  I've never met any in person.  This book has 2 authors.  I wondered why and reading about them I found out they never met in person while writing this book!  They found each other by blogging.  They soon forged a friendship and wrote this book together.  They didn't even meet until well after the book was published.  Hmmmm....I may never meet any of my blog buddies in person but I hope if I did it would be a good experience and one where we wouldn't be too disappointed in each other! Ha!  Anyway, I'm sure this book would be enjoyed by the women in my blog life more than the men, but it's a good one anyway and I think you would realize like I did that blogging does have it's beauty in forging friendships.  So here's my blog news this week from the Pines...As this Fall season is passing I'm delighted to see how we're finally getting some really nice leaf colors.  The weather has been warm to cool and then today we woke up to this:

That's frost on the ground...spotty but nevertheless chilly!

 Ice was in the birdbath but the geraniums didn't seem to mind!

The dogwoods are red but I still have flowers along the walkway. Hi Arnie!

Brilliant in fall colors.

Pumpkins on the porch are frost free but the mums are slowly fading.

Picked some veggies that were still on the vine. The pepper has it's own personality I think!

My only hydrangea bloom this year, picked in the nick of time before Jack Frost found it! I hope your Fall is a beautiful one. We're heading out tomorrow to go visit my Mom and family for a few days. #2 son is flying in from Oregon for business in Chicago so we'll spend some time with him too! I'm sure I'll have a few things to blog about.  In the mean time:

You're welcome to come in on the frosty path my blog buddies...just wait a few days until we get back! Have a good week!

A Few Tricks And Lots Of Treats!

This weekend was just a picture perfect Fall weather weekend.  We did get a little rain but it was during the night so no harm there! We had our annual Halloween family party today.  Some of the usual players couldn't be here and we really missed them. Anthony had to work, and Cameron was with his Mom at his other Grandparents home.  My Daughter-in-law, Evelyn, was out of town. I didn't plan this until late last week and as the kiddos get bigger it's hard to gather them all together.  But those that were able to make it had a fun day...at least that's what they said!  We had a full menu of wings and sloppy joe along with mac n' cheese, salad, and an assortment of fun Halloween desserts!

My Granddaughter, Summer, made this cute spinach dip spider!  She and her long time boyfriend just got engaged last week! We love these kids and are so happy for them.  I can't believe I have a grand kiddo that will be married...sheesh, I'm getting old!

These two sisters are still young..thank goodness!  Rae Rae and Lexi are a ton of fun!  Every year I try and do something different for this party. It was easy when they were little but now I have to get more creative.  This year we had a scavenger hunt in the Creepy Woods.  Since it was daylight it wasn't too scary!

We made 2 cemeteries....that was the starting point with Halloween music playing from an unknown place...boooo!

Cemetery #2...Dead ahead!

With a cackle and flashing eyes, this witchy gal greeted them!

There were 15 items they had to find...bones, bats, witches hats...to name a few! Plus they had to gather as many golf balls as they could find. The boys hit golf balls in the summer and we find tons up in the woods so it was a no brainer to have the kids gather what they could find. (We threw in a few extra just to make it interesting)

The happy hunters on the way back down from the Creepy Woods..no lost souls today!

Afterwards it was time to get prizes and candy...yum! The girls little sister, Aria, came along too.  She's the daughter of Phil's ex-wife, Amanda. Folks may think it's strange that we always invite her and her hubby along but they're all friends and it makes the kids happy.  I'm all for it!

Can't forget a ride around the Pines with PawPaw...they love that old Gator!  (I'm talking about the machine..not Jack! Although they do love him too!)

The treats were delish, the tricks were fun.  Another Halloween gathering for the books.  I wish I could bottle these days.  The kids are getting older...me too! But hopefully they will have wonderful memories of these silly days where we all can be like little kids! 

October..It's The Best!

I haven't blogged in a bit and in fact it was September the last time around.  Happy October! We had a very hot start to this month and I was thinking that Mother Nature forgot it was Fall up here.  Finally, we got some rain along with cool temps.  90de in October is a bit much! But I tried not to complain because in a few months the cold will hit and I might be wishing for a bit of warmth!  Anyway, it's been a super busy time at work. We're changing computer systems on top of regular craziness.  I find myself super tired at the end of the day. One day I hit the hay at 6pm! I'm on call this weekend and usually it's only a few cases or none at all....except for this weekend where I did 6 cases and would have done one more but it got cancelled.  Cancelectomy is my favorite surgery! Ha! Anyway, I'm hoping to get through this night without getting called in. The only time I really look forward to a Monday morning is knowing my call weekend is over! Whew!  It wasn't a total washout weekend however.  Here are just a few pics of my days since last blogging:

My Mom used to make these every Fall...apple slices she called them. It's an amazing giant apple pie with a delish glaze...yum! I made one but changed the pie crust recipe and wasn't happy with it.  I took it to work and explained it wasn't my best work.  They devoured it! Said it was great...OK, I will make it with my tried and true crust next time though!

A walk in the Creepy Woods shows a bit of color.  Probably the next few weeks will have the best shades. With the hot weather so late this year, I do hope it doesn't ruin the leaves!

During my walk I found this unusual growth among the fallen leaves..yep, the elusive golf ball!

Even the weeds look pretty in the Fall!  Saturday found us with family celebrating our Granddaughter's 11th birthday...Happy Birthday Rae Rae!

She gets excited by every gift, screams with delight,  jumps up to thank the giver, hugs them, and just enjoys every moment...love this kiddo!

Her favorite gift however is her new kitty...Tucker! Welcome to the family sweet black Halloween cat! 
 Last but not least, I won a super cute pillow from Janice at primsbythewater.blogspot.com:

When I opened the box Jack just laughed and said, "she must know you pretty good!"  Yep, I'm a witchy kind of gal! Thanks Janice! She's so cute and will have a happy home here! She'll fit in with all my witches..here's just a few:

Yep, it's Halloween! So do what this sign says:

Enjoy October...it's the best!