SimpleWoman's Daybook plus some

Happy Monday, well..nearly Tuesday!

I haven't posted on my Simple Woman's Daybook lately, so just did that. I don't know if I will get back into the habit of posting there every Monday, but it's fun to do once in awhile.
Picked up a book the other day at Kroger, 'The Perfect Christmas'. by Debbie Macomber.  I enjoy Debbie Macomber's writing, so this should be a good read.

Bentley has an appointment with the groomer in the morning, way overdue I must say!

 He loves going to the groomer, which is a good thing!

Have a happyTuesday!

family joy~Thanksgiving Day pics

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving! There were 35 people, including Dan, Kelly and I here for dinner.  Of course we do not have a dining room large enough to seat 35 people. ;) So, we had all the food set up in the heated portion of the garage. Actually that part of the garage is Dan's work area with all of his tools and the pool table is out there. We covered the pool table and put most of the food on it. 
Now, many of the photos have tools and garage looking items in the background. For dining, we had 2 tables in the garage, 1 table in the computer/office room, 1 table in the living room and of course the dining area table.

Dad & Mom

food...so much food...

Yes..the tv was on. Everyone had to watch the football game. Too bad the Lions lost.

I was trying to get a pic...ok Brian!!

After dinner, there was more football watching on tv, playing games, lots of chatting, laughing and going through the  ads for Black Friday sales.

Some after dinner pics...

blessed to have 3 of the children with us ..

Chris, Randy & Kelly

Don't you just love the garage decor!! lol

playing hearts

Maryanne & Adam

Tim & Jennifer



nap time

plotting for black friday shopping

haha

 Sarah & Morgan~Lincoln Logs

Jen, Mom, Angie

What a group!  :-)

The festivities at our house  started around 12pm and ended around 9pm.
What a wonderful day!

We just wish that our family in Florida could have been with us.

I didn't go shopping yesterday, slept in instead!

Have a great weekend everyone.

xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is a time to give thanks to God, for He is good. He has blessed us so much.
 Thanksgiving is a time of celebration... a time set aside to celebrate our family, friends, our blessings, celebrating others and reaching out to those in need.
Thanksgiving is also a lots of yummy food!!   We will have around 32 people here for dinner!   Dan and I are cooking two turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans and a couple desserts. Everyone who is coming is also bringing food and drinks.
It will be a fun day, after we eat everyone will hang out here for most of the day and evening.  I  am looking forward to spending the day with family and I am very thankful that Dan doesn't have to work wednesday and thursday!! YAY!

Look what I've been baking today..

Cranberry Pecan White Chocolate Pie

~yum~

Wishing all of my American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

And to my friends who aren't here in the USA, enjoy your week!

xoxo

Cracker Barrel & Quality Street

Today has been mostly a laid back day. Dan and I went for lunch at Cracker Barrel.

pic from Cracker Barrel

The funny thing is we both ordered off the breakfast menu. Of course after we finished our meal we had a look around the gift shop. They have so many cute items! The autumn things are all on sale and the Christmas decorations, gifts, sweets, etc., so fun to look at.  We didn't buy anything this time, but Dan had his eye on some Christmas singing hound dog..I told him, "I think we already have one of those".

I've been trying to take it easy this afternoon and evening. I seem to be fighting off a cold. I won't have it! I do not want to be sick, so taking some meds and trying to relax.

   

When our friends came from England recently for a visit, they brought us this gorgeous tin of chocolates! Oh how I love English chocolate!  I would show you a pic of the contents, but they are nearly gone.  hee hee.

Let me say in our defense, we have shared these tasty sweets with many friends and family members.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful day.

xoxo

scenes of autumn

It is sad to see the autumn colors disappearing.  Soon all of the colorful leaves will be gone.  I wish the autumn leaves stayed on the trees longer, but that is not to be, this is all part of the seasonal changes. 
I snapped a few pics out in the yard today, probably the last ones of autumn color for this year.

 ~ Japanese Maple~

 

Love this birdhouse

Lavender is still blooming!

gorgeous leaves

Patch having fun!

 

 

~mums from our front yard~

one of our scarecrows :-)

some of the front porch fall decor

I can't get enough of this autumn season, wish it wasn't at the end! 

Once Thanksgiving is over I will start concentrating on winter and Christmas.

Happy Wednesday

xoxo

 

friends~family

It's a quiet Monday after lots of get together with family and friends the past couple of weeks. 
 Thursday I paid a much overdue visit to my son Randy and his girlfriend Emily, we had a  nice visit and lunch at Panera.  They live about 45 minutes from us, which isn't that far. But with every one's work schedules it is hard to get together.

Emily & Randy, such a lovely couple.

   Our dear friends Debbi & Steve were here for a few days. What a nice surprise!  We had lunch together a couple of times, did some shopping at the mall, and had a nice evening out on Friday.  Sadly Dan had to work, but Kelly & I joined Debbi, Steve, and several other friends and family at Zinful for dinner. 

photos via www.zinfulwine.com

Worked out great because Friday was also Kelly's birthday!

 Me with my birthday girl! Love her!

Today I am getting caught up on laundry  and other household chores. Dan has tonight off, it has been weeks since he has had a night off. We may go out and see a movie later!

Happy Monday

 

 

Happy Birthday Kelly & Happy Veterans Day

Happy Birthday to our wonderful daughter, Kelly who is 23 today. She is such a blessing to us. I can't believe how quickly the years have gone by.  

 Kelly at six weeks old~

Five years old~

and now~

It is also Veteran's Day. 

Thank you to all the Veteran's including my dear husband, Dan.

God bless!

xoxo

     

lots of memory making

We have been enjoying time with friends and family the past couple of weeks and it isn't even the holidays yet.  As I mentioned before our dear British friends, Dave & Tina and two of their children, Ashley & Simone were here in the area, we had some great get togethers with them!  Dave went back on Saturday, Tina, Ash and Simone left this evening, in fact they are flying right now. Oh my, how we are going to miss them! :(

 My Mom & Tina

Dave & Dan

Mom, me, sister in law Jen, Tina

Simone & Tina at Bronners

Tina & Kelly

My nephew Derek is home for a few days on leave from the Navy, his girlfriend Honey came with him. Honey is such a lovely person, I am so happy we are able spend time with them both and we have this chance to get to know her!

 Last night we went to Derek's  youngest daughter, Lily's birthday party. She just turned three. The party was held at my brother Tim & sister in law Jennifer's house. (Tim is Derek's Dad).

Lots of people, lots of food, lots of fun!

And I took LOTS of pics..here are a couple.

Derek with both of his girls~ Brooklyn 4 1/2 and Lily 3.

This pic taken at our house on Saturday.

Today we had another small get together, at our house. 

Hung out in the garage, playing pool and eating!

Dad, Derek & Mom

Dan with Lily watching

Honey with Brooklyn watching

Dan's brothers, Dick and Doug

 Doug & Lily

Brooklyn hanging on Derek's leg! lol

We have had so much fun lately, making lots of happy memories. And of course I have drove everyone crazy taking photos!

Derek & Honey will be in town a couple more days, so we should see them again before they head back to Virginia.

 ~blessings

xoxo