"Holiday Preperations Have Begun"

 

It's official,  "The Holidays have begun"!

Getting my list of "Things to do" for the Holidays is a simple sheet of white paper with scribbles of names and what to do for who?  The first thing to do today is "Bake" the pies for Thursday.  Seems everyone asked for "Pumpkin Pie"  

Two finished today.  I'll put them in the freezer and on Thanksgiving Day will just pop them in the oven for a bit then by mid afternoon they will be cooled in the fridge..

Hey, when I went to look at them cooling guess what?  Mr N just could not resist!

"I'm thankful every day, he said, and today is no different!"  He was like the cookie monster with his pie!

My list tells me I need to make one more quick trip to the grocery store and then I'm ready!

It's official, "Let the wrapping begin"

I'd love to say "I'm finished with Christmas buying" but there are a few odds and ends I must go out and find.

But, the big stuff is all ready sent to the addresses around the world to family.

 My bird is defrosting.

The next few days will be all about "Thanksgiving" and what I'm thankful for.
The first thing on my thankful list is my dear Mom-in-law, she turns 100 on the 25th of this month. For 31 years she has been nothing but kind and loving to me.  Although she lives in Illinois with one of Mr. N's sisters I know she is well, happy and doing wonderful.  There will be an open house on her special day for all her friends to come by to wish her well. 

Thankful #2,  for Mr. N.  This man whom I met 34 years ago has been a rock in my life.  He has always been beside me when I needed him and to this very day he is taking care and being sure I'm healthy.

Thankful #3,   that all my children are happy and well. For the wonderful grandchildren they have given me and this past year I inherited a new grand daughter with my sons marriage. For my kids spouses who I adore.   This includes my Nieces and Nephews that are scattered around the world.  They all are very special to me.

Thankful #4,  for my wonderful Sister. Since the day I was born my big sister has been the one constant I can count on.  We have been closer than most sisters and  although we have been separated by the Atlantic Ocean since the age of 19, the distance has never come between us. We manage to visit with each other every year.  We have always had  a very close relationship and I cherish her!


Thankful #5,  for the wonderful Men and Women of our Armed Forces.  Without them there would be no safe and secure holiday coming up.  When I think of the people of the world who do not have what I have.  For those who are struggling just to stay alive and feed themselves are always in my thoughts, as if thoughts might send some good vibes to them.

#6  for my Mom and brother who could not be with us today. Death took them away from me but they will be with us in spirit. I'm thankful for having them in my life.


Thankful #7, for all my bloggie and internet friends.  It still amazes me how far we have come on the world wide net.  My heart wants  so much to come face to face with many of you, but just know, I'll be thankful for your constant friendship forever.

I'll be linking up to

Tuesdays To Do List

Jenny Matlocks Alphabet Thursday 

Vintage Inspiration Friday 

504 Main 

Giving Gratitude Link Party 

"Recovering Dining Room Chairs"

 

While at my daughters this past week she asked if I would help  recover her dining room chairs.

Her dining room table and chairs are of a really beautiful design and  the chair covers have seen better days.  We went to JoAnns and picked out some nice designer fabric then home for her first lesson on how to do this.  

She found out how easy it was.

The photo does not show the true color.  It's called Kiwi Green and has a black floral design going through it.  Such a difference from the simple cream color of the previous seat covers.

We used foam to give the seats a new feel since time has made them rather uncomfortable.

I showed Cyndi how to remove the seats, from the bottom with a screw driver.  "Wow, that was easy", she said.  Then we laid the seat cushion over the foam and new fabric and cut to size.

We then used the staple gun to hold it all together. 

Again Cyndi said, "This is easier than I thought"!

After trimming the fabric around the staples we then began to put the seats on the chair until her battery powered screw driver ran out of juice.  So while her driver was plugged in for the night,  it all was left until the morning.  Then we realized the screw driver just did not have the power to get the screws in.  We both did not have the power to use a hand screw driver.  We were off to the Home Depot for an electric drill.   

The new drill with a screw bit worked like a charm.

We  had to laugh when we both said, at the same time, "As Tim Allen would say on his TV show, Tool Time", with a growl in his voice.

"Need more power"!

The seat cushions turned out so nice and now that Cyndi knows how easy some home projects are, she wants to do more. A valance over the sliding glass door in the same fabric is next. Cyndi does not sew so I'll be giving her some refresher lessons from the ones  she had from me years ago, that she never took an interest in.  I think now she might have a new appreciation for sewing.

But first I'll finish the sofa pillows that are being made to blend the living room with the dining room chairs. I brought the pillows and fabric home with me.  More on that another time.

Since Cyndi has had her own place I've been trying to give her pointers on home improvement projects and I think other than cross stitch, this might just be her first  fabric project.  

I know how proud she must feel when she looks at the difference in the new seating. 

It makes me smile to see my two girls decorating and taking an interest in their own homes.

I'll be linking up to

Piece of Work Wednesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 

 Wow us Wednesday

Transformation Thursday 

Show Off Your Stuff

Potpourri Party 

Beautiful Morning Watching the Surfers...

 

The Atlantic Ocean has always been a part of my inner soul.

From my earliest memory I can remember walking on the beach  up and down  the East Coast. My young years living in Miami then those happy days when I took my then young children to the Shore of Jersey, to put their little feet into the bubbling water.  How they laughed.

Before going home from Palm Beach back to Clearwater  my daughter, sister  and I went early in the morning to see the beautiful sunrise pop it's head up.

  By some stroke of luck we stumbled upon the "Juno Surfing Competition"

The spectators and photographers lined the beach waiting for this really exciting sport to begin.

As we walked down the beach stair we saw dozens of wet suited bodies carrying surf boards.  Some were waxing them for the smooth ride they were hoping for.

The weather was perfect today.. Windy and cool. 

Juno Beach is about a 10 minute ride up the beach and is an area with really expensive homes and townhomes lining the road.  I told my daughter when I win the lottery I was going to buy myself a townhome and settle there.. haha

Along the beach you saw so many different people, some walked their dogs and some were doing their Tie-Chi.  The feeling was electric and we could not help but feel happy as the salty air blew through your hair.

Then the competition began.

Dozens of surfers paddled their way out to the large swells getting the feel of the ocean.

The surf on the Florida side of the Atlantic do not produce big swells, but are big enough on good days to offer a good time for these sportsmen.  I don't remember seeing a woman out there on this day.  

I just stood on the pier and took snap after snap on my camera hoping for some good shots.

Then I got the perfect shot of the surfer riding the wave and jumping back over the swell.  I think I had as much fun as he did.

 

I did try my hand at surfing when I was a teen.  Off the coast of California.  All I can say about it was I thought I'd drown a few times.  It was just not for me!

Further down the beach the Wind Surfers were having a ball.

This is one sport that is really hard.  You have to be in shape for it.  I stood for quite a while watching, just don't know how they do it?

As we made our way back to our car around noon I spotted a lonely coconut.

And a sweet little Sea Daisy stretching to the sun.

A few lost Jelly Fish.

It was time to wave bye to my favorite part of the world.  The Atlantic Ocean.  I'll be back in a few months to walk along your shores once again.  It's one thing that has been constant in my life and it's been so good to me!

Ok.. it's the Monday before Thanksgiving and I need to go grocery shopping.  I've got the ham.  My daughters company sent her a full meal box from "Honey Baked Ham" so she would not have to cook.  She was kind enough to give me some of the ham.  Today I get the Turkey.  Cyndi will be driving over on Thursday.  I've got my sister here also and of course Mr. N.  Will be a quiet family day but a good one.  Have to make the pies.. let me get a list going.

How will you be spending your Thanksgiving?

"I pray it's a good day for you and your family"

I'm linking up to

Outdoor Wednesday

((( huggss)))

"Monogrammed Pillow Cases"

     
I am one of those people who can not sit and do nothing.  It's been a big problem for me over the years. Sitting in a Doctors office or any where, just sitting, without my hands busy  makes me nervous so I have always put a needle work project in my bag, ready to pull out when  I find myself sitting in wait for something to happen.


Daughter number two mentioned, "She would like to have monogrammed pillow cases for her boys".  Well being the mom that I am, I started a new project.  It was perfect to carry to the hospital while daughter number one, was having a bit of surgery.

I picked up three sets of  solid white pillow cases at Khols...  A few years ago I found sheet sets called  "The Big One" in that store and I just love the feel of the smooth cotton.  I also found no matter how many times the sheets were washed they always kept their crisp smooth feel.  
I then took out my washable marking pen and traced the boys initials and got to work with red and blue DMC floss.  Gina wanted no designs of any kind, just their initials.  So I simply made large block letters.

Gina asked for pillow cases of a colored fabric,  thinking the boys would stain white, but look how nice they turned out.
I guess it would not be the right kind of gift to wrap for Christmas... what small boy will open this gift and get excited?  I can see it now... open gift and say,,, "Oh pillow cases".. then toss it aside and move on to the next brightly wrapped package... but, I will wrap them anyway.  

It's a grandma thing.  

The pillow cases will go in the Christmas box as soon as I get back home from Palm Beach.
This past week was all about helping daughter number one and now I'm settled knowing she is doing great and can  go back home and think about Thanksgiving dinner.

It's been raining here for the past few days and I just did not want to drive the interstate in slippery roadways. Tomorrow sister and I will trek back to Tampa Bay.  But first along the way we need to stop in "Old Time Pottery", one of my favorite stores.  I love to buy my kitchen drinking glasses there.  Maybe once a year I make the drive  when my supply gets low...  someone is always breaking a glass.  On a good day you can get the glasses for a quarter.   I also might get a few more Christmas decorations..   if you have never been to that store, find one close by...  I call it a 4 hour store.   It's huge!  

 

Have a great weekend!

Things I should have brought with me to Cyndi's...

 

Visiting a single adult child is always a good thing for a Mom. 

My girl, Cyndi is a career woman and lives in a cute garden apartment.  She commutes 45 minutes from Palm Beach to Jupiter, Fl  5 days a week.

This week I'm at my daughters to help her out after some surgery.  My intentions are to cook, clean and to help her from doing anything during her recovery... Well after going into her kitchen pantry with the hopes of cooking, baking and just making good meals to help her heal, became a problem.  Each time I went into her closets to take out some of the tools needed to cook, well, the items I needed were not there.  

I'd yell to her in the bedroom, "do you have" only to get the response, "I don't have any"! 

"How do you cook without foil"?  I'd mumble to myself. Can't find the cling wrap, "nope, I don't have any", she said.

I did go to the grocery store the first morning here and bought all the ingredients I would need but thinking my girl would have the 'staples' most of us have.  Was I wrong!

 I wanted to make a pumpkin pie but found she did not have a rolling pin. I did buy some disposable pie tins.

Now, I understand not being a baker but my silly self thought she must have a rolling pin.

Then I asked for flour to make the pizza dough.

Flour, why would I have flour? She said.

Then there was the need to scrape the bowl... nope, no rubber scraper!

Make do with what I can find, that is my motto for the remainder of my visit.

I do realize most single working women do not cook and my daughter is certainly one.  Her career is upper most in her mind and the kitchen is only for holding the wine glasses and frozen dinners in the freezer.  As many times as I've visited her in the past, we did not cook.  We went out to eat mostly... this was a wake up call.  My girl needs to learn a few basic kitchen skills.  Although I did try to teach her during her growing up years, I guess it did not take.  I really didn't  know how much she did not know!  Bad mother?  No, she just has no use for cooking.

The only thing that is on her mind are her children.

This is Tessa.

Cyndi's 3 yr old baby.

Just 2 minutes after I took this photo, I put my foot on her belly, really softly thinking she might enjoy the rubbing motion.. well, she must have been in a daze because she jumped scratching my leg really bad.  (I'll spare you the photo of that!)  My daughter felt so bad and ran around getting the neosporin and bandages.

This is 2 yr old Maya

There are times she looks like an Owl!

Both of her kids are rescued and have such loving spirits.

Although I did not have the tools needed to bake, every one is eating the pumpkin pie with cool whip. and they are working on it without talking... that is a good sign!

Cyndi laughed and asked my sister, her Aunt, if she needed WD-40 because for some reason every time she comes for a visit she needs it for a squeak some where in the house. (squeak's drive my sister nuts and she go's around fixing our doors and windows)

The moral of this post,  "Next time I need to visit my daughter, half my kitchen will go into the trunk of my car".

I'm happy to say, Cyndi's surgery was a success.  It's amazing how a woman, 10 years ago, would be put to bed for a week or two after such surgery,  but Cyndi's hysterectomy was done laproscopic to remove a fibroid the size of a melon that calcified and was not seen in past doctor visits because it was outside the uterus... She has three teeny scars the size of your pinky finger nail in her belly. I'm still trying to figure out how they got it all out with such teeny scars?  Today Cyndi is up dressed and walking around.  We even went to Red  Lobster for lunch today. Then this evening we put on our sneakers and took a walk.  All with her doctors blessings and only orders, to not pick up anything for two weeks!

It's only been 48 hrs! 

Amazing!

I came over,  very nervous for her but her attitude about the whole experience has helped me calm down.  I did spend the one night with her in the hospital, crunched in a large recliner chair, as it was good for me to be close to her.

I would like to thank all who sent good wishes and flowers to Cyndi.  

She is doing wonderful.

I'm joining Jenny Matlocks letter "C"

for "Cyndi"

Alphabet Thursday "C" 

" Ibis"

 

"Ibis"

Tonight I'm on the other side of the state,  in Palm Beach.       The weather is so much  hotter than in Tampa and I was wise enough to pack my shorts and tank tops for the week here.

My daughter lives in a rather nice garden apartment and her front door overlooks a large lake with a tiny island directly in the center.  I am literally standing at her door taking the photo below.

Every evening,  at twilight the Ibis roost in the tree, right in the center of the island.

It's an amazing sight, to see them all come flying in, circle a few times then fight with their neighbors  for space.  But first they land in the grass around the lake to get a few bugs and such for their last snack of the day.

Watching this event is really quite a sight.

The birds are noisy and loud as they push one another out of the way looking for the best spot.

 Once all the birds have found their "bed" they quiet down and sleep for the night.  The photo below, it's 8 in the evening and every now and then they squawk and push but eventually they settle down to quiet.

Once darkness falls the tree looks rather like a Christmas tree with white lights, as the moon casts it's light on the area.

   Tomorrow, at the crack of dawn all the Ibis will take flight for another day of hunting for food. I wonder where they go, but I have seen these birds in many cities in South Florida.

When you drive around the neighborhoods you might see the Ibis in someones front yard, grubbing in the grass for bugs. 

But you can be sure, tomorrow

I'll be out on the patio to watch this evening roosting event, 

one more time.

November 26, "Shop Small"

 "Shop Small"

 Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities.

On November 26, make a pledge to shop small on Small Business Saturday. If millions of people shop small, it will be huge.

Many bloggers have their own shops and tomorrow would be the perfect day for all of us to go "Christmas Shopping"!

Remember, tomorrow, Saturday November 26th

"Shop Small"

 Have a great weekend everyone!