Happy Halloween and weekend plans ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a Happy Halloween! John had a fun night with friends while Rob, my Dad, and myself were home giving out candy.  I made a quick pizza for dinner and we took turns going to the door.  The weather here is unseasonably warm right now so I expected more kids. 

We got a good amount, but not as many as past years.  This only means I have a lot of candy left over.

This is both good and bad : ) 

Another Halloween celebration with great friends.  The same ones he's been with since elementary school. 

And just like that it's November.  Here we go....♥

We have a busy weekend ahead.  Tomorrow, we have a tree company coming to take down some trees in our backyard that are dancing dangerously close to the roof. It will be good to get it done and something we won't have to worry about anyone (I'm saying novenas every time there's a storm!).  It's going to be loud and hopefully my neighbors won't be too mad. I'll be so glad when it's over. 

John is working at the theater this weekend, but we do have time to squeeze in a coffee date for 3 tomorrow morning before the tree guy comes and he goes to work. Some families like to go out to dinner, we go out for coffee and pastries.  It's just what we do.  We have our best talks in coffee shops.  I'm not even kidding ♥

I really love the first few weeks of November.  It's still Fall but the excitement of Christmas is coming.  We get the best of both worlds.  I'll start making Christmas lists and mentally planning for the festive season, but I'm not ready to give up my pumpkin spice just yet.  I've waited so long for it.  Where I am we are in peak foliage too.  The leaves are so bright!  And they are falling!  Rob and John will be out raking in a few weeks.  All the stores around me are starting to look Christmassy and I like seeing that. 

I've been thinking a lot about my mom this week.  This will be the first holiday season of my life that she won't be here to celebrate with me.  Last year she was in the hospital, but she was still here. Not this year. No planning meals together or talking about who's getting what gift this year.  We won't shop together or wrap together or anything like that.  That makes me very sad.  However, I know she's still with me.  I feel her presence every day and that brings me comfort.  I know she'll be with us this Christmas.  She wouldn't miss it.  I'll try to make it as special as I can and carry on her traditions.  I am excited to put up her tree and bring out her decorations.  I think she would like that too.  

On Sunday I'm devoting a little time to give my plants some love.  I have a bunch that need to be watered, deadheaded, and one in particular that needs to be repotted.  I've been so busy lately I've neglected them!  Do you ever forget about your plants and then catch one in the corner of your eye one day and it looks like it's been in a dessert for a month?  Hello, that's me! I'd show you a picture but I'm too embarrassed. 

Well friends, I'm off to watch the Martha Stewart documentary on Netflix. Have you watched it?  I've always been team Martha!  I miss her old shows!  I used to love the craft segments.  Would I like to be her best friend? Probably not.  But I'd go to her house for lemon cake and I'm sure it would divine. 

I hope you all have a cozy weekend! See you Monday! ♥

xoxoxo

Halloween this or that 👻

 

Hello Friends!  

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought it would be fun to do a quick Halloween this or that.

Please leave me your answers down below so I can see how you like to celebrate your Halloween! 

 Trick-or-treating or handing out candy?

Trick-or-treating! It's where all the fun is!  Sadly, our trick or treating days are over. Now I'm the candy-giver-outer, which is dangerous because I have to stay awfully close to the candy bowl! 

Scary movie night or costume party?

Scary movie night for sure! That's my kind of Halloween party...but not too scary of course : ) 

Gory makeup or cute spooky makeup?

Oh, I don't like gory at all. 

Candy apples or caramel apples? 

Caramel! Even better if dipped in chocolate! 

Drink apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte? 

Duh?!  Just kidding! I love hot cider too! But if given the choice I will choose a PSL! 

Scary costumes or pop-culture costumes?

I think the fun costumes are so much better than the scary ones.  There is nothing more terrifying than a scary clown.  No. Just no. 

Haunted house or corn maze?

Corn mazes can be just as scary as haunted houses.  They remind me of those creepy fun house mazes that are all mirrors.  Every turn looks the same and you can't escape. I would rather a haunted house (especially if it's the one in Disney...which isn't scary at all! : )

Bobbin for apples or carving pumpkins?

We carve pumpkins every year! I've never bobbed for apples.  Come to think of it, I don't think I've known anyone who's ever bobbed for apples.  Have you? I just know it from the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin movie (which I watched last night!). I mean, who's dunking their head in a bucket of water to get an apple?  

Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?

Well, I've seen Twilight so naturally I'd rather be a vampire! 

Happy Halloween eve, friends! What are your plans for tomorrow? 

xx 

Update ♥

 

Hello Friends! Happy Halloween and Happy November 1st ♥

September and October looked a lot different to me this year and in some ways are a blur.  I apologize for my absence here these last few weeks.  My poor mother, who is literally the strongest person I know, has really been struggling.  Since I last posted she has been in and out of the hospital twice battling a bad infection that has attacked her immune system.  She is currently in the hospital again and we are awaiting test results on how to treat it.  The last time she came home and was able to get home care.  I am praying we can go that route again.  Its been an emotional roller coast ride and I know I have to be strong for my family, especially my Dad.  I just want her to get well and be comfortable and happy at home. If you are the praying kind, I ask that you keep my mom (and Dad) in your prayers.  They are the best people I know who have given so much to their family. I pray for strength every day to know what to do and how to do it.  I understand this is a natural course of life.  It's just really hard when you are going through it.  

One day last week John and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.  I needed to get out of the house for a few minutes and get some fresh air.  To my surprise I looked up to see that fall had finally arrived.  I'd been so preoccupied I almost missed it.  We walked in the crunchy leaves and I smelled the crispness in the air and someone must have had a fire burning because I smelled that too.  It was really lovely and just what I needed in that moment.  

Last night was Halloween.  John carved his pumpkin and I cooked the seeds (which I've been snacking on all day).  He went to a friends house last night with some buddies to hang out and play video games.  He had a great time and I'm SO glad!  We are trying our best to say positive as well as keep normalcy and traditions.  Our neighborhood was full of trick or treaters.  For the first time in forever I put a bowl of candy outside with a "help yourself" sign.  My Dad was at the hospital with my mom and since I live upstairs I didn't want to be running up and down every time someone was at the door.  I could hear all the chatter and laughter from the the little ones outside which made me smile.  Needless to say at 8:00 when all was quiet I went out to retrieve the bowl and it was completely empty.  

It was a BIG bowl too : ) 

I hope we have a little bit of fall left to enjoy before the snow comes.  I'm hearing my corner of the world is in for a lot this year.  My mind is already drifting to the holidays now.  Food and shopping and all the things. I'm going to do my best to make it as special as I possibly can.  Because I'm grateful. Family and friends are everything to me.  And that includes all of you.  

Sending you virtual hugs ♥ 

Stay cozy my friends! I'll be back soon! 

xoxox 

Catching up on a Monday ♥

Hello Friends.  Good Monday Morning! ♥

I'm having an extra cup of coffee this morning as I type this because I've been up since 4:20 am.  Thank you daylight savings.  It always takes me a few weeks to get used to the time change.  Funny how we gain and extra hour of sleep but I'm still tired?!  

We are coming off a very lovely weekend.  I took this photo out the window of our public library on Saturday afternoon.  This is what November looks like right now.  Gray skies, muted oranges and browns, and Saturday library runs.  I love it.  The beginning of November is always nice and quiet. It's the calm before the holiday storm.  

So since I was here last, Halloween has come and gone.  

It's only been a week but feels like a month! : ) 

We had a fun holiday, although Halloween is a lot different now that John is older.  For the first time ever he didn't trick or treat or  dress up. He did have a fun night though, hanging out at a friends house, eating candy, and telling funny stories!  

He's spent every Halloween since kindergarten with these guys! 

He's a picture from a Halloween dance they tried to recreate.  His friend Jonathan (far right) still has the same Mario costume!!  

I started my day with coffee and a pumpkin donut.  Of course I did. 

Just me and my plants ♥

After school, before heading out for the evening we carved our pumpkin.  I do the dirty work and scrape out the inside and he carves the face.  

This years design was questionable. 

So while John as having fun at his party I had tea with my friend Julie.  It was lovely.  She always brings out her pretty china cups when I come for tea.  We had cake too.  

And so another Halloween in the books!  On to the next holiday ♥

After our library run on Saturday morning we made a coffee stop and did some shopping.  I laughed as I entered Kohls to see a gigantic Christmas display over a table selling Halloween décor at 70% off!  The store was bustling with shoppers too.  Apparently there's a "BEFORE" Black Friday sale going on.  Is this a thing now?  It keeps getting earlier and earlier! We could feel the Christmas/holiday energy in the store which would have been nice if it wasn't 75 degrees and humid out!  It's been unseasonably warm here the last few days and it's killing my spirit. Hopefully it won't last too much longer.  

On Sunday John had a band concert.  The first one this year.  

This boy loves his music and I'm so proud of him. 

 He's been taking drum lessons since the third grade and has been in the school band playing drums since fifth grade. 

During Covid he taught himself guitar and piano (from YouTube tutorials and the garage band app on his phone).  Lately he's been saying he wants to learn the trumpet.  He's definitely got an ear from music.  Not sure where it came from?? 

The show was amazing.  All the kids were spectacular!  John doesn't play sports. Music has always been his passion.   I'm thankful our school system has a great music program ♥

Here's John with his cousin Anthony who is also in the band.  He plays saxophone!  

And now you're all caught up!  ♥

I'll be working the rest of the day and trying to stay awake.  I'm excited because I have a big Amazon order to place today as well, for Christmas gifts and this year I'm treating myself to a TEA advent calendar.  I've always wanted one and I saw the perfect one on Amazon the other day.  I have to remember to order it so it will be here by Dec 1st.  Do you do an advent calendar for yourself?  I am very excited. 

Have a wonderful Monday, friends! ♥

Stay cozy! I'm off to get another cup of coffee....zzzzzzzz

Happy Halloween! ♥

Hello Spooky Friends! ♥

Just popping in to wish you a Happy Halloween! 

Filled with sweet treats and not too may tricks! 

With crunchy leaves and the smell of a burning bonfire in the air! 

And costumes galore....either funny or spooky....(I prefer funny myself! : ) 

Make memories to last a lifetime! 

(so when your littles ones are all grown you can think back to days like these..♥) 

Eat all the sweets and don't worry.  

because...

(there's not escape! : ) 

    Have a wonderful holiday friends!  

Enjoy and be safe! ♥

Boooooo! xoxo 

Friday Five: Pumpkin Treats! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥ 

Happy Friday! I hope this beautiful October day finds you well.  We've had beautiful seasonal weather this week, cool and crisp! I've seen some of my friends in blogland have had a dusting of snow already.  I don't want to say that I'm jealous....but I'm jealous!  It looks so pretty.  But I'll be there soon enough.  For now I'll enjoy the moment. 

We have a very Halloween-y weekend planned.  Tonight John is going to a Haunted House with some friends.  It's not just a cutesy haunted house, it's hard core scary. Last year someone with a chainsaw chased me in the parking lot.  It's all in good fun of course, but I think it took a few years off my life! Tomorrow night he's seeing the new Halloween movie.  I'm going to let him screen if first and let me know how scary it is before I see it.  He's my scare-o-meter : ) 

My plans for Sunday include making minestrone soup, cleaning the house, changing the bedding, and starting my Christmas lists.  I have some ideas that have been swirling around in my head and I want to organized them on paper.  Tis the season! 

For this week's Friday Five I have for you my 5 favorite Pumpkin Treats.  You know I'm all about the  pumpkin!  I love pumpkin anything and everything ALL YEAR long.  Although it's only socially acceptable to discuss it in October...haha : ) 

Here are some past blog posts with recipes for yummy pumpkin treats. 

Click the link for the recipe! ♥ 

Pumpkin Donuts 

Pumpkin Biscotti  (dipped in chocolate) 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies 

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate   

(I'm making this tonight!) 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins 

Like it or not, this month we are living in a pumpkin spice world and I for one am embracing it! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend planned.  Stay cozy and spooky!!

xoxo 

Let There Be Light! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Friday! ♥

I am so happy tonight because we have Electricity!! For the last two days we have been living by candlelight because of a bad storm that went through our area.  The winds were so powerful that I felt like our house was going to fly away like Dorothy being transported to OZ!!  So many trees down (one nearly hitting our house but thank goodness it didn't!). The storm left my entire town without power.  Some still don't have it back. Thankfully last night ours came back!  Lights, heat, wifi.... you don't realize how much you take these things for granted until they are gone!  

Life is really boring with no TV.  At least for me : ) 

 

Anyway, back to my regularly scheduled life.  Before all the chaos I was enjoying a cozy fall week. 

Hallmark started it's countdown to Christmas movie marathon and I am here for it!  I love every single one.  Corny, predictable, sicky sweet....yes, yes, and yes! (much to the horror of my family! lol) 

I'll be watching until Christmas and I'm not even sorry ♥

This week's soup was homemade tomato with grilled cheese sandwiches of course.  This was our last hot meal before it went dark.  It was perfect on a stormy night.  

The newest addition to the bedroom is my new nightlight.  I added twinkle lights to an Eiffel Tower bottle that I picked up at a thrift store.  

It makes nighttime tea even more enjoyable.

**this helped so much during the power outage because those lights are battery operated** 

Chicken pot pie is one of our favorite comfort meals.  

I love the process of making it almost as much as I do eating it. 

Almost! ♥

A new project I started is putting all my recipes on cute recipe cards.  

Aren't these darling? ♥

It's hard to believe this weekend is Halloween!  

We are expecting more rain on Saturday but so far (fingers crossed) Sunday looks cool and clear!  We'll carve our pumpkin tomorrow and I'll roast the seeds. 

I look forward to that every year. 

John has plans to go to a friends house on Halloween so tomorrow we have to find him a costume, because everybody knows No costume, No candy!  

I'm going to go enjoy my heat and electricity, make a hot cup of tea, and pray for those who are still without power.  It's no fun.

Have a happy Halloween weekend friends!  I hope you don't get too scared!  ♥

xoox   

How was your Halloween? ♥

Good Morning Friends! 

I hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!  

We spent a quiet evening at home Halloween night.  It was cold and frosty and felt more like January than October.  We didn't see one trick or treater....not that we expected too.  I made some festive food and we watched Shutter Island, starring a very creepy Leo DiCaprio which I loved move than I thought I would.  It was John's first Halloween not trick or treating which made us a bit sad, but we made the best of it and it was certainly a Halloween we'll never forget.  

♥

A cozy fire set the tone for the weekend.

So did leisurely lazy egg breakfasts in front of the TV...

John carved his pumpkin while we watched Charlie Brown.  

A tradition that can't be broken (no matter what age : ) 

 Mummy dogs and turkey chili were on the menu.

And a store bought Pepperidge Farm cake with Milano cookies that I transformed into a graveyard. 

Hot chocolate and a movie to end the evening ♥

Before bed I remembered to step outside and catch a glimpse of the full moon which was shining bright right above me : ) 

She was beautiful.  I'm glad I didn't miss it ♥

And just like that another Halloween in the books and it's November. 

I'm welcoming the month with a calm appreciation of the season and what's to come.

Have a great day everyone! ♥

 xo