~November Living and Thanksgiving~

So, I've been wanting to write a post for about 2 weeks now, but my phone would. not. sync. to my computer and it's taken me this long just to retrieve my photos! 

But, oh, November- you've been crazy. Crazy in lots of good ways. We've had everything from bright, low-angled sunshine to our first snow and a wind storm that knocked our power out for a day. Two weeks ago it was 24 degrees and today it was 65!

I've been enjoying all the fall decorating this year- preserved leaves tucked here and there . . . mini pumpkins and dried hydrangea bunches . . . and the joy of getting out my small collection of brown and white transfereware. Everywhere there are pinecones, some strawflowers, and maybe a stuffed scarecrow sitting in a wee chair. 

I can't tell you how many candles we've already gone through this month- they flicker away the cold and dark and make the house smell just right. There's been lots of kitty cuddles and kitty photo bombs . . . and even a craft fit in there- Loving my sweater pillow cover- idea found over here. 

Our garage is full of wood and we let the fireplace blaze on Sunday afternoons. We play board games on Sunday evenings and sometimes there are hot baked scones to accompany us. 

This month I was even able to convince my 12 year old to let me read to him from one of my favorite Autumn books, Mousekin's Golden House. 

We are feeling blessed and full of Thanksgiving this month. Thank Full. As we finish up with our last minute Holiday preparations and plans, I just want to leave you with President Lincoln's Proclamation of Thanksgiving as a reminder to us all that it benefits us to give thanks to God in both good times and hard times . . . 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

From  http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org

7:40 PM - By Unknown 0

~Bits from the Weekend~

We had a relaxing, sun-filled weekend. Went for lots of walks- one of which ends with horse friends. Played lots of pinball on Husband's ipad. Just hung around, trying hard to recuperate after Thanksgiving. We had our friend from Belgium staying with us- it was his first Thanksgiving. It went well . . . he brought LOTS of chocolate. I personally think it should be a new tradition. ;)

Then, yesterday afternoon, my camera died- as in DEAD. I suppose seven-year old cameras do that. But thanks to the Thanksgiving sales and some money I'd earned, I was able to get a NEW ONE!!!!!!! I've been having a blast figuring it all out. Went from 5 megapixels to 16 . . . and the camera itself is so light!! Modern technology is amazing (says the girl who is forever behind) ;)

So the above pictures are from the old camera right before it was laid to rest . . .
And below is from the my new addition- this afternoon in the garden.

I still have a ton to figure out . . . but the practice is the fun part!
(Except for my family who now run when they see me coming with my new baby- I need to get sneakier!)

Cheers!

8:38 PM - By Unknown 0

~All the Autumn's Joys~ Giving Thanks

For waking to rainbows instead of rain.

Amazed to be all together this year.

Joyful to set a table and share it with family and an old friend.

Grateful to smell what's cooking in the kitchen, to hear chattering and music,

to feel the heaviness of the family silver, to see the glimmering of glass 

and taste and sample what is to come . . .

Happy Thanks Giving- Giving thanks to God!

Cheers!

3:31 PM - By Unknown 0

~All the Autumn's Joys~ Preparations . . .

Pilgrims have been added to the mantel . . . a turkey or two and and some pumpkins can be found . . .

the vintage set of 'wheat' china is washed and awaiting the Thanksgiving table . . . just need to get to polishing the silver. Today the cupboards bulge with bounty. God is very good. He provides in surprising ways.

 Such joy to be found in the preparations!

Whatever you find yourself doing, may it all be done with a heart of Thanksgiving!

Cheers!

6:41 PM - By Unknown 0

~All the Autumn's Joys~ A Chipmunk Love Story

Once upon a time, during a November long ago, there was a little girl named Jennie. She was almost 6 years old and attended kindergarten at the local elementary school. 

Little Jennie didn't mind school- she liked to draw, make figures with clay and she loved to read and write -(though the pace at which they were all taught was agonizingly slow some days)! 

There was even a cute boy named Elvin to sit next to and she would sometimes lean her head on his shoulder and bat her eyes at him. He may or may not have loved this.

Yes truly, after a couple months in this strange new institution called 'school' she was able to generally enjoy herself.

Except for one thing . . . recess.

 Everyday in the middle of the morning, Mrs. Hatchel -their teacher- would ruthlessly throw all the children outside to 'play' on the desolate playground. Their options for amusement were slim. They could play tether ball (which no one could reach), climb the dome (which was too high) or play four square though only one yellow, half-deflated ball was available to share among twenty-four students.

It wasn't that Jennie didn't try to like recess. For weeks she had grimly walked in a snake-like line out the door with the rest of her class to endure rain, wind, cold and utter boredom. She would stand with a couple other little girls right next to the classroom window and gaze longingly into the cozy room thinking of all the better things she could be doing. 

One day, when it wasn't too cold, she even tried four-square only to find herself with a bad nose-bleed from getting pummeled with the ball. Kids laughed. Jennie cried. It took all the rest of the morning for the bleeding to stop.

 Another day she stood out on the playground looking up at the tether ball pole, wandering what it's purpose was. She was wearing her grey sweat-dress with the word 'hello' in different languages printed all over it. As she looked up suddenly from nowhere a little boy came over and actually FLIPPED UP HER DRESS! Everyone saw! She screamed! 

He ran away shrieking with laughter and chanting something about 'Friday Flip-Up Day'. 

Kids laughed. Jennie cried. She was utterly humiliated.

After that day little Jennie REFUSED to go out to recess ever again.

No matter how much Mrs. Hatchel begged, she would not be budged. Mrs Hatchel threatened that Jennie would have to stay in with her head down on the desk if she choose to miss recess. Though she would have preferred to color, Jennie found this little mid-morning rest rather refreshing after awhile. 

Days passed. Mrs Hatchel seemed more and more cross with having to stay in the classroom with Jennie during recess instead of slipping off to the teacher's lounge for coffee. Emotions began to run high. Jennie began to feel uncomfortable not only with recess, but with her teacher as well and soon . . . 

little Jennie didn't want to go to school AT ALL!

 It was around this time that she found herself on an outing with her Grammie one day. They were shopping at Hallmark, just browsing around when suddenly Jennie saw HIM!

He was about 2" high, plastic and he had a feather in his headband and a drum in his hands. His name was 'Indian Chipmunk'- and that November, at almost 6 years old, Jennie learned what it was like to fall in love.

Needless to say, Jennie HAD to have him.

But Grammie was clever. She would only unite little Jennie with Indian Chipmunk IF Jennie would go to recess for one whole week.

ONE ENTIRE WEEK!

And so, after a tearful goodbye to her love in the Hallmark store, Jennie left there to brave a week of recess at school. She would go for HIM. She would do it for Indian Chipmunk.

After an agonizing week of cold November recess, Jennie and Indian Chipmunk found themselves together at last!~ It was a match made in heaven. He greeted her from the windowsill in her bedroom and she kissed his little chipmunk nose and stroked his headdress feather. It was their first Thanksgiving together. And there were many more to come.

Little Jennie is not so little now, but every November she brings Indian Chipmunk out of storage and sits him out in a prominent place to greet her. She still doesn't like being out in the rain and wind and cold- and she never did warm to the idea of recess, but luckily there is no one to make her go do such things now. Still- she knows he was worth it all because they lived happily ever after!
- THE END -

Ps. She may or may not still kiss his little chipmunk nose and stroke his little feather . . .  ;)

Cheers!

8:10 PM - By Unknown 0