We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was a wonderful day! We all had a really nice time. Megan, Ken, Jenny and Kevin joined John and I for dinner. All the food came out really good and we ate way too much! Here are some pictures of our gathering.


Starting on the left: Megan, Ken, John, Jenny and Kevin. I'm not in this picture because I was taking it.


Here is another picture starting on the left: Ken, John, myself, Jenny and Kevin (Megan was taking the picture that time).

We also watched a movie after we ate, then had the pumpkin and apple pie. We called my parents and talked to them for a bit. I called my sisters and talked to them and their kids. It was a good day had by all! Today I started the Christmas decorating but didn't get very far. I realized John has to get all the Christmas boxes down from the garage attic. I would do it myself but the ladder is too high and it wouldn't be safe. I'll have to wait until tomorrow a.m. He's working really long hours at Best Buy but we are thankful he has that job!! Everyone have a lovely day and evening!

I have been preparing for Thanksgiving most of the day!

Hi Everyone! I have been cooking and baking and now I've got everything done for tomorrow that I can do today. I made an apple and pumpkin pie, made my stuffing, set the table and polished the silver. The house smells wonderful! John will be leaving for work soon and he said his Best Buy Shirt smells wonderful just like all the baking I've been doing! I've taken a few pics of my day and what I've accomplished. Enjoy! Everyone have a lovely holiday and if you are traveling be safe! Give thanks!!


Flowers are always pretty on the breakfast room table, especially all the autumn rich colors!


I started out this morning by making an apple pie. I used Martha Stewart's pie crust recipe and the apples were Macs. I love them for my pies.


I then cooked the milk (pie) pumpkin I had, made another crust recipe up and made my great grandmother's pumpkin pie! Can't wait to have this with vanilla ice cream!


I've had this little turkey redware plate for about 20 years. I just love it!


These little praying pilgrims have been on our Thanksgiving table since we got married in 1979! The girls always helped me place them on the table-it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without them!


This turkey has been at our Thanksgiving table as long as the pilgrims have!


The Dining Room table is all set and ready for our Thanksgiving Dinner to begin. I don't have any of my green depression glass out yet and no glasses. I'll do that tomorrow.


This is John's great grandmothers China and her silver. I love the pattern.


This is the butter dish in the china pattern also with her little butter knife. They just don't make things like this anymore!


This is a beautiful Pink Depression Glass Compote that I picked up at a depression glass show about 18 yrs. ago. I love all the goldwork on it too!


The compote came with this little clear glass ladle. The handle has a rope pattern on it, very dainty.


This is one of the silver serving spoons from John's grandmothers set. I love this spoon, such lovely details.

I want to give thanks for all my family, friends (blog friends included :)!). We have our health and each other! God Bless you all!

Giving thanks all week!

John and I were talking yesterday about all the things we have to be thankful for. The list is many. One of the things I'm thankful for is my blogging friends. You all have been with me through good time and bad times. I really enjoying reading about everyone's lives and all the crafty things some of you do. I have met a blog friend this year, which I am truly thankful for! I've had someone who was a part of my life in NJ pass away after a long period of time fighting lung cancer. I am very thankful I knew Alice Tallamy. She was a lovely woman. Friends are just lovely extensions to our families and that I am thankful for! There are way too many things to mention here what I am thankful for but I'm so thankful I'll be spending Thanksgiving with both my girls and their husbands! Everyone have a lovely holiday season and remember to hug someone or do a special act of kindness for someone!

I've been awarded the "Green-thinker" Award!

I been awarded the green thinker award by Michelle from http://ramblingwoods.com/. I had posted a comment on another bloggers blog about what our company does (building "green" LEED buildings) and Michelle posted on my blog about this award!

Thank you Michelle! Everyone think green!

I've started the "holiday" book reading!

Last night I started reading Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle. This book is from the Coffee House Mystery series. It is good so far and I hear that it will not disappoint! I have read all but one book from this series, which is on my to read mountain. The other holiday reads I've got on the pile and I will read this holiday season is Angel Lane, A Crossword in a Pear Tree and I think I have one more on the pile too but I can't remember the title. I'm sure I'll be adding more to that pile too. When I'm done with Holiday Grind, I'm going to have a giveaway for it. Everyone happy reading!

Pictures of the Botanical Garden Visit

Sunday John and I took my parents to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Gaston County, North Carolina. This garden is only about 25 mins. from our home. I had taken my Mom there in June. There weren't many flowers blooming but there were beautiful seed pods, ornaments grasses, fountains and berries there. I want to go back between 11/27-the end of December. They were putting all the lights up in the gardens and hanging them from trees and pergolas for the holidays. It should look beautiful at night! Here are some pictures I took while we were there.


When you walk into the entrance of the building you are standing under this beautiful stained glass dome!


The is the center of that dome. It is absolutely gorgeous.


This is a picture of my Dad and I. My Dad never likes his picture taken so this was something that he agreed to this! Look how tall the ornamental grasses are! I am 5'9 1/2" and it is towering way over my head!!


Here is a view of the gardens.


Outside the conservatory where they house all the orchids they have 2 of these beautiful coach lamps on lightpoles. They are really beautiful.


There is a wall filled with orchids! They are all so beautiful. Next are a few of the specimens that were growing on the wall.












Next to the wall of orchids was this beautiful waterfall. The water cascades over the stones and drops about 15' to a beautiful pool. All the orchids on the wall reflect in the water and look so gorgeous!


In the conservatory this fern was growing there. I love fern fronds when they are unfurling and that is just what this one was getting ready to do.


I had never seen a varigated banana tree before. Even the banana fruit was striped! Very interesting.


Here is one of the 13 fountains at the gardens.




This is the top of a fountain that crosses over the walking path. There is a sign before you enter "Cross if you dare and don't mind getting wet". Kids usually love to run through this fountain. I just loved the way the sun hit the water!


Here is another fountain along the path.


Camellias are blooming down here now and here are some white ones. Don't they look great against the beautiful deep blue sky!


There is a part of the garden that has topiaries. This little bear was so cute, I just had to snap a picture of it!

I hope you enjoyed the tour! It was in the low 80's, bright sunny day and just enjoyable! It was a good time had by all!

The parents have left the nest!

My Mom and Dad arrived again on Saturday around 5:30. I had told them on Friday night when they called that if they didn't argue they could come back on their way through from Florida. I feel like the parent now! They agreed they were horrible and that they would behave. Well they kept their promise! John and I took them to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden yesterday and we had a really nice time. There weren't many flowers blooming but the seed pods, grasses, foliage and berries were really pretty. I'll post some pictures tonight when I get home from work. I had taken my Mom there in June when she was down with my sister and nephew. The orchids in the conservatory were absolutely beautiful also. I got some really nice shots of those too. My parents got up super early and left-they crack me up! They are retired and have no animals at home, nothing to worry about but they are constantly in a hurry! They actually made John go upstairs and tell me while I was in the shower to hurry up so they could say good bye and be on their way! What in the world was the big rush. John and I gave a sigh of relief when their car pulled away! I love them but sometimes they are just too much for me to take!

Everyone have a lovely day! I hope it is as sunny as it is here in Charlotte!