THREE THANKSGIVING VIGNETTES

I don't do a lot of Fall, Halloween, or Thanksgiving decorating, but thought I would show you the few things I put out for Thanksgiving this week.

My pilgrims were from Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago; and, of course, the famous pumpkins from The Dollar Tree. The cloche was a present from my friend, Marsha, for my birthday last week - love it!!!

Marsha also gave me this turkey. I think it looks great with the rustic side of my house.

This time of year I really enjoy using my Johnson Bros. "His Majesty" turkey dessert plates.

I'm glad that this week is clear on my calendar, which gives me a chance to psych myself up for Thanksgiving week. The grandkids are out of school all next week, and I know they will want to come over to our house often. Our son, Mike, will be home for a few days; and then there is all of the cooking to be done. What about you? Do you thrive on all of the people around and the commotion on holidays? Or, are you like me and really cherish time alone? I imagine most people enjoy a combination of the two.

I just know that I am thankful everyday for the life I'm privileged to live.

I am linking up my three Thanksgiving vignettes to Tam at The Gypsy's Corner
for Three or More Tuesday. Be sure to go by her blog to check out the other participants.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND PLUS A SUNDAY FAVORITE

It's our miracle child's birthday today. Our daughter, Jennifer, was adopted by us at the age of 3 weeks thirty-seven years ago. It has always been amazing to me that her biological mother loved her so much that she gave her baby to us so that we could love, care for, and cherish her, too. It is such a blessing that she is with us to celebrate another birthday. I've blogged about her struggle with brain cancer before, but if you are new to my blog and would like to read about it; please click here.

Happy Birthday, Jenni!! Thanks for the joy you have given us, and the special gift of making us the grandparents of your adorable children.

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I seem to have a bit of wanderlust recently, so thought I would join Chari of Happy to Design's

Sunday Favorites this week with a trip to the Eiffel Tower previously posted on October 8, 2008.

Please go by Chari's to find a list of other Sunday Favorites.

My husband, Bob, is retired from a 44-year career as a civil engineer. Consequently, when we travel, engineering marvels are always at the top of our "must see" list.

There are many engineering feats I have not witnessed such as the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China.

But, I have seen the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge, and viewed the Royal Gorge Bridge of Colorado from a tram 1100 feet above the river.

I've been claustrophobic at the top of the St. Louis Arch, and have ridden 13 miles across the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island in Canada.

I've been in the bowels and seen the inner workings of the Tower Bridge in London, and traveled 180 miles an hour under the water of the English Channel through a tunnel.

BUT, in my opinion, the absolute best, best, best engineering marvel is the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

It combines the structure and strength of engineering and the beauty and form of art.

I know that there are professional photos that capture that beauty better than our amateur pictures, but these are ours and remind me that I was actually there!

A view from the top!!!!

Ooooooo, I so want to go back and see it again!!!!

HERITAGE TABLESCAPE

Once again it is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of
Between Naps on the Porch.
Please check out her blog for a list of this week's participants.

Recently, my 95-year-old Mother in law downsized to move to assisted care. Among her belongings were 40 pieces of Heisey crystal in the Moonglo pattern. She announced that my husband, Bob, was to have the Heisey because in the 1950s as a teenager he gave it to her for Christmas one year. Now, didn't he exhibit infinite wisdom in choosing that wonderful Christmas gift? He had no idea that he would marry someone who cherishes china and crystal, even though we were dating at the time. The set includes goblets, sherbets, cups & saucers and a relish plate. It is engraved, etched, and has a wonderful ring to it.

So, I believe a tablescape is in order.

I've combined the Heisey with my grandmother's green glass plates, my great-grandmother's Austrian china, and my mother's 1847 Rogers silver plate.

The white linen napkins with the crocheted edging were a wedding gift to us 51 years ago from my 5th grade teacher.

It was so enjoyable to set this table with things and memories from both sides of our family.

Sally

MEETING CHARI!!

I'm home from pretending to be a nurse and housekeeper after my son's elbow surgery. The surgery went well, so I was not going to miss the opportunity to meet a fellow blogging friend, Chari of Happy to Design.

Both my son and Chari live in the 'boonies' of northern Colorado, so we picked a town in between the two little hamlets for Chari and I to meet. Chari chose a great restaurant for us to have lunch, and we met there. I didn't have any trouble recognizing her - she has this beautiful, long blond hair and such a twinkle in her eye.

We had a great lunch of sandwiches and the best onion rings in the universe. We didn't even think to take pictures of our food until it was too late, as we were so engrossed in conversation. For three hours, we sat there discussing our European travels, our families, the blogging experience, dishes, and decorating our homes among other things.

By the way, if you follow Chari's blog you know she is in the process of redoing a wall in her living room to add a fireplace. There has been a lot of discussion about whether to remove the decorative molding on the wall. Well, I know what the final decision was; but you will have to wait until she does her final reveal on her blog!!

Chari was so kind to bring me a great goodie bag with yummy chocolate (which we sampled after lunch), cute apple kitchen towels (which match my kitchen perfectly), and this cute teapot pincushion. The lid of the pincushion is hiding a place to store thread and thimbles.

What a special experience it was to meet Chari and spend some time together. We hope to do it again.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES THROUGH THE YEARS

I've had so much fun the last couple of hours going through Halloween pictures from years past dating from 1970 to 2008. I've always sewn so the majority of these costumes I made. We have always maintained a costume box, so that they could be recycled. That's why you see the same costume on two different kids; or in the case of Daniel Boone three different kids (2 different generations dating from 1975 to 2007). Have I ever told you how FRUGAL I am?

The second generation!

I see where a gypsy blouse has become a pioneer girl's blouse 23 years later.

Hope you enjoy this look back as much as I have.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

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I will be away for a week while my son has surgery on a shattered elbow. I'm not much of a nurse (the kids discovered that early on), but I can drive, cook and iron a couple of weeks of shirts for him.

See you soon.

Sally

I'm linking to Mary's blog, Little Red House, for mosaic Monday. Be sure to stop by her beautiful blog to see all of the mosaics.

MOTHER NATURE

Mother Nature paid us a visit Sunday night. When we went to bed, we knew it was snowing; but didn't think too much about it. But, at 2:30 am we were awaken with a bang! In the upper right picture below, that is our bedroom window hiding behind that fallen branch. Our shed also took a hit from another big branch.

The willow tree is always the last to lose its leaves. It couldn't support the weight as there were just too many leaves left in combination with the snow.

The entire tree will have to come down. It was our grandkid's climbing tree and the one that held their swing - they are devastated. We're thankful that the house and shed didn't sustain any damage.

Below was the tree in its kid-loving days. It served all of us well.

Please stop by Susan's at A Southern Daydreamer
for more views of Mother Nature's wonders.

COLOR IN COLORADO

Mary at Little Red House

is hosting Mosaic Monday. Please check out her blog for her beautiful mosaics and a list of those participating today.

A WONDERFUL VISIT

Yes, that is our smoke detector. It played a part in a great visit we had today.

You see -- Bob and I had invited Mary of Mary's Meanderings and her husband, Bill, to come for lunch. We also had invited some friends of ours that serve as prison missionaries for Mary and Bill to meet, as Bill does prison missionary work. Everyone had assembled and were ready to eat lunch. We were having the best time visiting; I got distracted, and you guessed it -- the smoke alarm went off telling me I had forgotten the garlic bread that was browning in the oven. Bob calmly announced, "Guess lunch is ready!"

How embarrassing, but I cut around the really burnt part and lunch continued.

Not only did the bread get a little toasty, but I was having such a good time that I completely forgot to take any pictures to blog about.

Mary brought me a set of her white pumpkins made from old sweaters. Aren't they wonderful? If you haven't become a reader of Mary's blog, please stop by here and introduce yourself. Her heart of gold shines through her blog.

It was a great day of fellowship.

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

On almost every Sunday afternoon we go for a little drive. It was such a beautiful, Fall day this past Sunday that we decided to do something a little different.

We took a helicopter ride over our town that sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Here I am all strapped in with a headset taking in the gorgeous views.

This is our neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the river.

In the far background is the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

The river!

Coming into the landing on the Abbey grounds.

What a fun excursion that was!!

Please go by Susan's blog, A Southern Daydreamer. There you will find our gracious hostess plus a list of the other participants.