Beauty

Early morning at dawn
I looked out the kitchen window
such beauty.
Onto deck with camera
and this is it

came inside to download
walked back to window
and this view had disappeared
so quickly.

Busy Day, Ancient Trees and Spaghetti

The young men who promised to come and clean in front of woods
arrived this morning at 8:00.  This project is something I did not anticipate
when building by the woods.  Storms and wind over the months leave many branches from the old trees.
They filled a long trailer and pickup truck.   In the past as I walked daily this one would
always have an armful of limbs to add to location where they would be burned when ground was
damp and no wind day.   For a number of months my walking is limited  by the woods and miss it so much but with
uneven ground and an unexpected occasional hole I cannot chance falling

They worked for almost 3 hours and I also pointed out some cutting with their saws.
A project I do yearly as I try to keep it neat about 20 back as you pull in the long gravel drive.

I was outside with them most of morning and soon lunch time and decided to make spaghetti.
This is something I made often when a family at home but had not made in quite some time.
Fresh mushrooms on hand and freezer supplied meat. green and red peppers and topped with
freshly ground Parmesan cheese, was so tasty...

My rural postman delivered mail to me for almost 40 years and recently retired.
New young woman pulled up to cottage with several boxes from Amazon.

A new tea that I ordered,  Black tea, flavored with fruit and a hint of lemon.

Also ordered something that may be better for pain and inflammation then what
I am now using - hope so

My busy day has ended and would love to sit, have a cup of tea and read
Mary Oliver..

On This Day

A foggy morning

The sun has never shined
feels so damp
and rain due tomorrow.

"Bless the notebook that I always carry in
my pocket.
And the pen.
Bless the words with which I try to say
what I see, think, or feel.
With gratitude for the grace of the earth.
The expected and this exception, both.
For all the hours I have been given to
be in this world."

I read this from Mary Oliver's new book
"Blue Horses"
and I wrote on the page under this
"Thank you"

Problems with signing into blogger
online
too long to find out why.

signing off...

First Week of December

Cold, rain and now sun shining and a little warmer for a few days.

Car serviced for the first time and over the top treatment.  Raining, but stopped at market and then
across the street at the auto dealer.   Pulled in and told the young woman I had a trunk full of groceries and should I return another time and she replied "your fine will have the service man
put your groceries in his vehicle, take you home, help you unload them and then will bring your car
back to you later this afternoon."    This was great since left home in the pouring rain at 7:00AM
that morning, dental work, was weary and wanted to return home quickly.  So appreciated this special treatment.

Last trip into town I delivered a small gift to this young woman :)  She replied "you did not have to do this"  oh but I wanted too.

I do not like canned soup but keep some on hand for emergencies.   Like my homemade soups
the best and especially through the Winter months.
Noticed this Pea Soup on the shelf
and it was sooo good.   Buying a few more to keep on hand.

Everything
is about the same
with this one.

One day is excellent
and seems another day
I crash.

The tooth problem was not pleasant as one being attended to was on one side and one on the other side - so really could not enjoy the Thanksgiving meal I prepared.   Soups, jello, yogurt and even Jr. baby
food kept on hand and it was surprisingly good :)

As the dreaded prednison
becomes less and less in this body
hopefully
all will become a little more normal for this one.

The mat never leaves my floor
and 3 times a day for at least 15 to 20 minutes
is good for me...

All Continues

Blueberry bread with an addition of cranberries - cooling

Two orchid plants full of buds :)

At this time
I do very little decorating but table looks festive...

Thanksgiving time with part of family (rest were missed) was a good time.   My granddaughter
the chef brought a friend another chef from this upscale Nashville restaurant and I did a little more
could not serve them on paper plates and cups.  Wish I had taken an image of the way Sarah carved
the turkey as it looked so nice on the plate - a little different then the way it is usually done

I needed another large platter for my dinner and then I spied it sitting on the shelf where I have
placed it for 20 years  "my great grandmother's large platter which I have treated like royalty
and not anymore - My great grandmother used it for Sunday dinners, my grandmother used it
and my mother used it and now I am going to use it.....

My girls cleaned the kitchen, but next day I continued onward putting up a lot and washing
tablecloths and napkins.

It has rained for 3 days and kind of nice because there was finally time to rest.   Dread soon dental
appointment which was not planned but then most of them are not planned.

Grandma's Girl

A wonderful Thanksgiving family time

and will share more later.

At the moment very weary

and still on clean up detail...

Wanted to share this picture I took of my youngest granddaughter

reading on my screen porch

after dinner and everyone is sleeping, in a chair, sofa, floor

but this one

wanders around

looking at them

and is so very aware

of her blessings...

A Process and I did it....

Difficulty with the weight of this frozen turkey
and just carried on.
Put a chair by fridge to put 1/2 frozen turkey on and slid chair to sink and was able to lift it.
Running water over it for about 30 minutes to somewhat thaw, patted dry, put in pan
and covered with my herbs and now back in fridge until cooking time at 7:30 in the morning.

Pecan pie with added chocolate chips for my Jamie, is done...

Dressing of dried corn bread, old bread and biscuits in covered bowl ready to be mixed tomorrow
with broth and my Sage.

Pumpkin pie will make this afternoon and kitchen floor is a mess.

I do not say this lightly
but with all I have experienced for months
"I am proud of myself."
girls wanted to bring everything and I said "no."

Someone asked me
"why do you continue to do this?"
and I replied so my children and especially grandchildren
have special memories and
remember coming to mama's and grandma's home  on Thanksgiving, Christmas,
special occasions,
 birthdays and home made meals she prepared...

Girls are bring a dish to add to what I have prepared...

Blessings continue
and crew arrived yesterday to clean all leaves around this cottage by the woods
also cleaned gutters and so pleased
as rain arriving for days later in the week.

I am thankful for so much
and could fill pages with the list

All who check in
and read my rambling...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS....