I am so ready

I'm ready for Thanksgiving. I believe it's my favorite holiday. I enjoy the cooking, the sharing and the anticipation of the meal. There will only be 4 of us at table this year, but the meal will be shared for days. We'll trade leftovers at work, and hopefully get together with friends to share turkey sandwiches at the end of the weekend.
Gone are the days of the huge family gatherings. Our family is spread all over the place, and so many now have their own families. It's hard to get together, but we will still share the meal. Phone calls will be made, with descriptions of all the food, new recipes, and laughs over who left the giblets in the turkey. Pictures will be taken and emailed around the globe, we'll even talk and see friends over the internet using webcams. We'll talk of our many blessings, plan for getting together and reminisce. We may not all be at the same table, but we'll share the meal. That is something I am Thankful for.

That time of year

The weather has turned blustery and cold. The treehouse has few leaves left. We can now see the neighboring houses. Thoughts turn to warm soups, spicy chili and crockpots full of casseroles.

It's also time to start thinking of the holiday goodies I want to make. It's been a long time since I've had help as willing as the guy in the picture! (Sorry, Son) I always have great thoughts of all I want to do, all I want to bake and then reality sets in. There are a few must do's, and those have gotten fewer over the years. New goodies have been added as our family has grown. It's not Christmas without Mice, or fudge so decadent I have to hide it from myself. Espresso Brownies, homemade candy, and spiced nuts. Wedding cookies, cathedral window cookies, rum balls. Grandma's cough drops need to be started this week. They are vodka soaked cherries. She'd eat one, start coughing and need another one to stop coughing! LOL

I need to go pull out the recipe file and start planning. What are you in the mood for?

Veterans Day

I am a proud granddaughter, daughter, wife, sister, cousin and niece of military veterans. Today is the day we thank those that have served our country. It doesn't matter whether you agree or disagree with the current war or any in the past. These honorable people served OUR country to help protect OUR values and OUR rights as laid out in OUR Constitution. If you know a Vet, take the time to thank them or place a flag at the marker of a loved one to show you remember their service to OUR country.
Thanks Pop-Pop, Thanks Dad, Thanks Nestor, Thanks Kirk, Thanks to the rest of you as well. I Love you all.

Fall Clean up

We folded up the hammock and stand this weekend. It's always kind of sad when we start to winterize the treehouse. We use it all 4 seasons, but only keep a few chairs and the fire pit out there over the winter. The leaves needed to be swept from the deck, and the grill was moved closer to the house. We'll use that over the winter as well, it's tradition to grill in the snow.
The birds are feasting more these days. Hummingbirds are still around, we'll have them at the feeders until Thanksgiving, and I'll take them down in early December, in case of stragglers. I enjoy watching the winter birds come back. As soon as the bears hibernate I'll put out suet and fruit feeders. I've learned my lessons well. We've had too many bears up on that deck to rush the season. I work near bears every day, but when they are on MY porch I freak out. Go figure.
I'm working on my decorating scheme for the front porch. Christmas is near, but we don't set out any decorations until after Santa arrives at the end of the Macy's Parade. I've been itching to get into the Christmas closet, but know once I do, it's all over!
We're due to have a freeze tonight. I need to go cover some plants. Stay warm!

Don't you just love this face?!!
more animals

The Day After

I don't want to get into any great political debate. I believe that my politics are my own. I do believe that whomever is in the Office of President is to be respected. It's not a job I would want. I am not a deeply religious person, but I am a prayerful person. I heard this statement this morning on the radio. It was evidently on a church sign, somewhere in the south.

"It doesn't matter who is in the White House. Just remember that I am still in charge.
My name is God, and I approve this message."

Election Day

This is the last of the zinnias. We grow them in a half whiskey barrel on the deck of the treehouse. They are one of my favorite flowers, and enjoy their many colors. When we lived in FLA we had them in the front flower bed, and one of our favorite people had a small, just learning to walk littler people. He loved smelling the flowers, and always got to pick some for his mom. One day he turned around too fast and sat down, right in the middle of the bed. We spent the entire summer smiling at the perfect butt print in the middle of those zinnias. He's 13 now, and I'm sure he'd be mortified if he realized I was writing about him. I don't think his Mama will tell him.

We got out to vote, early this morning. The 3 of us were in line before 7. Since we live in such a rural community, we are talking a county of 25,000 and only 3 traffic lights, the polling places were less than busy. Ours had only 4 voting stations! It was said that more than 40% of our county had voted early, so the poll workers weren't quite sure what they were expecting. We were back home before 7:30. Our soon-to-be daughter (in-law) was finished before we were, so we all met back here to have coffee and some breakfast. It was kind of surreal, having all that extra time before we had to head off to work. It was nice to just hang out and watch the contents of the refrigerator get inhaled by a growing boy.

I hope you got out to vote. I'll leave you with my favorite quote from Benjamin Franklin

"Where Liberty Dwells, there is My Country."

Thank you to those who work so hard to ensure my liberty.

Journey Part 2

The rest of the journey begins in Helen and ends back at home.

This is Helen, GA.

A side road.

Our Street! Home is just around the corner!

The weather has been perfect, and we've been enjoying the treehouse. I'll add pics from there tomorrow.

Journey Part 1

The colors have finally hit peak. Let me share my journey to work, in pictures

This is the view from the driveway. Kinda makes it hard to go to work, huh?

This is along Alt. 75

One of the more gentle curves.

This is the beginning of the Chattahoochee river. Yep, I'm driving.


One of the curves into Helen.