Seasonal Harmony....

Poppy pug loves her bed in front of the fire. In the interest of seasonal harmony, she shared her bed yesterday with Clara bunny and a stuffed white toy. It was cute overload, for sure.

Building fun...

My sister Deb has a good sense for fun, and shares it. She started a great new tradition in our family. The day after Thanksgiving everyone gathers to eat leftovers and make ginger bread houses. She buys the kits on sale after Christmas, and stores them. She also buys STUFF to decorate them with, from fake snow to little sticks to make picket fences and all sorts of interesting candy, too. I LOVE this tradition. (Note: So does Lilly, my bad, bad Boxer. She waits patiently for a chance to GET the pretty houses and eat them up. She has not missed a house in 11 years, and is amazingly talented at getting the houses down from the highest spots so she can gnaw on the walls, nibble on the candies and just in general create mayhem. Hey, a girl needs a hobby, and this is hers!)

Here are a few of this years creations. I love to hear the laughter and conversation around the table as the building, frosting and decorating happen. New traditions are sweet!

Three girls, one in pearls...

Zoe, Aimee and Elyse at Thanksgiving. So much beauty in one shot!

What I loved about Thanksgiving...

I loved:

• Cleaning the house and all the planning and preparation for visitors.
• Spending the day before cooking at my leisure.
• Welcoming 19 friends and family to our home.
• The smell of all our favorite, traditional dishes perfuming the air.
• The sound of happily chatting voices through every corner of the house.
• Candles and flowers.
• Eating!
• Cooperative guests helping by bringing food, cleaning up, washing dishes...
• Time with my dear family.
• Leftovers!

Yardsale decorating...

My guest room used to house my home office desk, a bookshelf, a file cabinet, two beds, a chair and a small chest all within its small space. It was a bit claustrophobic! My sister Deb is one of my most frequent overnight visitors, and I felt bad tucking her into this crowded room, though she claimed it was fine. Yesterday was her birthday, and today she is coming to help celebrate Thanksgiving. Part of her birthday surprise is this newly redone room... spacious, airy, bright and restful. Every single piece of furniture in the room is from yard sales.(The wonderful chintz chair and pillows belonged to my friend Liz' mom. She gifted me with them as they didn't have a spot in her home. They slipped happily into my house and make me smile.) In creating this space I had the joy of the hunt, the fun of repainting/refurbishing and then the joy of putting it all together. Next I get to gift my sister with "her" new space. I hope she loves it!

Time Gobbler...

Thanksgiving preparation has been gobbling up my blogging time! I tend to save big projects around the house for this time of year. I just redecorated our guest room, moving my office to a different space. I started and finished some painting projects, and have mulched in all my gardens for winter. In between that I have been cleaning/polishing/shining... washing china, rearranging things to make the cooking and serving of the feast easier.

My house is glowing with all the good things of this time of year... I am pleasantly tired and quite content. When I look around me I can't help but smile... especially when I lay eyes on this bobble head bird!

Art by Jack...

Jack Frost was at it again. My morning walk found shimmering ice crystals on every surface.

Pretty enough to make me go back inside and get my camera so I could share.