Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day is tomorrow and since you can't be here...I'd like to give you a little tour of my house decorated for turkey day. I keep my fall decorations up through Thanksgiving. So here we go.....

My centerpiece isn't fancy. I accumulate everything I can from the dried up flower beds in the yard and arrange leaves, twigs, grasses in a basket. Below is one of my pretty birch baskets that we got up from the Adirondacks. It reminds me of where my heart is.

I saw these stamps at the post office last month and I had to have them. Maybe you've seen them too? They're so nostaligic. I vowed not to use them as postage. Instead I'm going to frame them. Another decoration for next Thanksgiving. Do you think years from now we'll think $.44 was inexpensive postage?


My holiday dishes made by Johnson Brothers 'The Friendly Village'. I love that square plate.






My big ceramic turkey. He's lucky each Thanksgiving. He doesn't have to go into the oven!



Our mantle in the family room. One of my Wendy Addison decorations. I love the glitter.



One of my silver vintage pheasants from England.

I've had most of these gourdes and pumpkins since the end of September. They're getting a little ripe. What vibrant colors!



I've got to show off these guys.

That's my little tour. Have a lovely day with your family and friends and tomorrow I hope you create special memories. I think tomorrow is not only a day to give thanks but to remind myself that 'giving' is part of the word in 'Thanksgiving' also. What can I give back in honor of my blessings not just tomorrow but everyday? ~amy

Here is my faithful Christmas cactus. When it blooms each year I know the holiday season is upon us. I was given this cactus as a gift from one of my daughter's favorite piano teachers 5 years ago when we lived up in the Adirondacks. One of my favorite gifts.

Giveaway

Oh...I believe it's in the air. I see it in each and every store, it's in every magazine, newspaper and I'm hearing about it on the radio and TV. Yes... the holiday season is almost upon us and I'm already feeling the need to give. So GIVEAWAY I will!!! If you're interested in winning this pretty 3.5" round red velvet brooch with a vintage cluster adorning it.... just leave a comment on this post. On Black Friday I will draw a winner randomly. I hope you like this brooch and you'll have it to wear just in time for the Christmas Season. Pin it on to your favorite sweater, dress, coat or handbag. I had you in mind when I made it. Good luck!!! ~amy

The Pink One Or The Green One?

I would like to honor all of our veterans and their families. They sacrifice everything for our freedom! I for one will never forget. You're my hero's. Thank you.

I started my Christmas shopping. Actually...my intention is to give one of these Scottie dog pincushions as a gift and to keep the other for myself. The only problem is...I LOVE them both and I did commit to make all of the Christmas gifts this year for my family and friends!! So I guess I need to keep them both? Can't do that. Over indulgent. So I will be strong and give one of them away as planned and still continue to make my Christmas gifts.

I bought both of these charming, nostalgic pincushions from Sweet Memory Making Mom at Etsy. The detail on each one is extraordinary. Even the pretty pins were included! Scroll down and see for yourself.

Love Etsy! So many wonderful things to be had there. Which one would you keep for yourself? The pink one or the green one?

Mother Nature Never Rests

Thank you Susan from A Southern Daydreamer for hosting another fun Outdoor Wednesday.

Pretty much where I live the leaves have turned color and have fallen. It is fascinating to think that there is no rest for mother nature. Her efforts to change season to season is continuous. Look at this picture I took ten days ago. Heck you can even see some trees that are still green.

I just took this picture yesterday and look at the difference in color. Up the mountain not a green tree to be seen.

I don't think I've ever noticed the swiftness of mother nature at work as I do in the Autumn. No sooner the leaves have peaked and then within a week you notice the trees are bare and autumns colors have faded. She never seems to rest.

A few days ago I decided to take a few pictures. I went shopping for a wee bit. I can't resist gift boutiques. Especially...those that sell a mixture of vintage and new merchandise. I parked across from the bed and breakfast.

Passed the wine shop.


Yes...I was right. The Village Shoppe selling 'New & Old'.

I did a little bit of damage to my pocket book but I had a lot of fun and bought some interesting findings.

On the way back to the car I had some well wishers.
It was a great afternoon! ~amy

Our Weekend

Our weekend started Friday evening with our daughter Aubrey coming home from college.

We had a nice family dinner (excuse the dirty dishes) and then after dinner we watched 2 movies before heading up to bed.

Saturday morning Kurt and I drove to New Jersey to visit my sister and her family. Here we are out to dinner. We had a lovely visit.

Driving home early Sunday afternoon. Heading out of New Jersey via Walt Whitman bridge going towards Philadelphia. Traffic.

Traffic.

While sitting in traffic took a picture of a beautiful steeple.

Inching our way home. Wonderful sights.

Arrive home and Maddie makes yummy biscuits for dinner and Aubrey surprises us with a yummy dessert. A warmed apple dumpling topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup. I love my girls!!

...and after dinner Aubrey is practicing violin before heading back to campus that night. An action packed weekend that was wonderful from beginning to end!!! ~amy

Happy Halloween!

Thought I'd share with you my old faithful Halloween decoration. I bought this at a craft fair when my daughters were babes. My girl's picked this out while sitting in their stroller. Over the years and three moves later...it's still looking pretty good. Decorations come and go but this one will always remain true to my heart. ~amy

An Apple A Day

Thank you Susan from Between Naps On The Porch for hosting another Metamorphosis Monday.

I made one of those heating pads that you can heat up in the microwave. I cut a design from cotton fabric. Placed and pinned the right sides of the 2 pieces together. Sewed the two pieces together...leaving a small portioned unsewn. Next turn the pieces inside out. The small unsewn opening is where you pour rice, flax seed or spelt into it. I used spelt. Spelt is a grain found in Germany and when heated has an earthy smell to it. It also retains heat and moisture. It's great for an ear ache because of the hint of moisture it produces. Hand stitch or machine stitch the small unsewn opening and presto....you have a heating pad! Place this pad into the microwave for 1 minute and use it for a heating pad or place the pad into a Ziploc plastic bag and put it into the freezer and use it for a cold compress.

After using my new heating pad several times...I thought it would be nice to have a cover for it so I can launder it. I got a little creative and made this cover to go over it. I made it out of fleece and in the back I put a Velcro closure. I now use the original heating pad as an insert for this cover. I put the insert into this cover after heating it in the microwave or cooling it in the freezer.

An apple a day will keep the Doctor away! The great thing about this is that you can make this heating pad into any shape and size. Make it smaller as a 'boo boo buddy' for a child. Kiddies have also been known to cuddle up with this and take this warm pad to bed with them at bedtime. Easy Peasy. ~amy