Monthly Musings-November

'Twas the week before Thanksgiving... 

Time for November's monthly musings hosted by Holly (Pink Lady) and Patty (Good Better Best Life). They're asking this month's questions a week earlier than normal because next week we'll be giving thanks around the table for all our many blessings. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It feels like it can be enjoyed for what it is as opposed to what we'd like it to be, which sometimes happens with Christmas. Family, food, and gratitude rule the day, and I for one am thankful for the pause this day brings before December bells start ringing. I'm going to throw in a few Thanksgiving throwbacks here too just because I can. 

How many times can I post this picture on my blog? 

Many it seems, but I love it. 

1. Favorite Thanksgiving dishes? 

In my opinion Thanksgiving is one of those meals that should not be messed with or changed too much from year to year in any big way. It's comforting familiarity is one of the things that makes it special and I want the same tastes and aromas that have filled this day for as long as I can remember. 

My favorite dishes are all of them, but dressing is tops, there must be cranberry sauce, homemade or canned either one, or better yet both, and my momma's fruit salad with homemade whipped cream on the dessert table. 

2. Stuffing or dressing? 

I sometimes call it stuffing, but I don't actually stuff the turkey. My mom used to stuff the turkey and have a separate dish of dressing on the side so we used the terms interchangeably. We have cornbread stuffing made with cornbread baked the night before so it dries out a little, a bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix added to it along with turkey stock and lots of onion, celery, and seasonings. 

3. Are you hosting any of the holidays this year? Please share any tips. 

I'm not hosting this year, although we will have an early Christmas here with our girls and their families the weekend prior to Christmas. My tips for hosting are pretty simple-

• make ahead what you can make ahead
• people want your presence more than a perfect meal, home, or place setting. 
• take time to look around the table, whether there are two or twenty seated there, and count your blessings 

4. Turkey trot or football game? 

I'm going with football game and by that I mean watching, not playing. I enjoy spending the whole morning in the kitchen as we tend to eat late afternoon, so a turkey trot messes with my meal prep.

Also, I don't like to run and I don't like to be cold so there's that. 

5. If you decorate for Christmas do you decorate before or after Thanksgiving? 

Team after all the way. 

6. Are your holidays sit down meals or more casual affairs? 

Ours are sit down. I like to use my china on Thanksgiving and my Christmas dishes in December and fancy napkins and pretty glasses and the gravy boat and big platter that only come out for holidays.

If I'm invited to your house for a meal you do you. I actually like a casual get together if we're talking parties, but for the dinners themselves, both Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, at my house I want sit down. 

7. Pumpkin or apple pie? Or another dessert? 

My daughter is making an apple pie this year and I like it better than pumpkin so am good with that. Growing up we always had a simple fruit salad as a dessert option too, topped with whipped cream. Lots of years I'd skip the pie and just have fruit. 

The meal is filling and sometimes a bowl of fruit is just the right thing. The salad is made with chopped apples, chopped oranges, and halved and pitted purple grapes, all topped with a can of crushed pineapple. It doesn't sound like much, but it's refreshing and delicious. 

8. Are you traveling for Thanksgiving or staying closer to home?

Staying closer to home this year. 

9. Do you Black Friday shop? 

In person? No never. Online? Maybe. I mean Black Friday has turned into a whole month now hasn't it, and most places offer deals for more than just a day. I'm not mad about it. 

10. Thing you are most looking forward to this holiday season? 

Time spent with family, both my family of origin and the one I birthed. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

A Day In The Life-Autumn, 2025

Hello Friends. Today we're taking a peek into an ordinary day here. Ha! What's ordinary? 

The thing about retirement is everyday is different, or at least that's how it is here. The routines of the past where work and school and children in the house ruled the day are out the window and we're in a season now of figuring out each day as it comes. We keep a calendar and it's shockingly full of appointments, dinners, get togethers with friends, travel, hobbies, and time with family. 

So let's look at a day in the life. I always enjoy reading these because I think they have a way of connecting us and making us feel like we're all in it together. If you've shared one of your own days add your link at the end of my post. Link back here somewhere so your readers can join the party. Day In The Life Links only today, please and thank you. 

Here's mine...

I chose a Thursday, October 30th. Normally on Thursdays I'm volunteering at a local soup kitchen for a fair chunk of the day, but on this particular Thursday I had another commitment so right off the bat I'll say it was ordinary, but not my usual Thursday. 

Like I said, what's ordinary? 

Okay here we go for real-

Also right off the bat...I use a lot of words and this post will be no different. Ordinary you might say teehee. I'm going to break my day into chunks time wise. 

6:30 6:29 AM -10:00 AM

I used to be a super early riser, even after I stopped working and had a quiet house. I love the early morning and am most productive (normally, although maybe not on this day) before lunch. I don't set an alarm and wake up when I wake up. It used to be much earlier than 6:30, but on this particular day this was it.

I have my phone on do not disturb from about 9 PM-8 AM, only allowing calls from my girls and my sister who has my mom living with her. 

First things first...start the coffee. I set it up the night before because I seriously cannot add the extra two minutes it takes to scoop it into the filter to my early morning agenda. 

While coffee brews I brush my teeth and if hubs hasn't already done so I let the dog out and then give him his breakfast. He's impatient for his breakfast the same way I'm impatient for that first sip of coffee. 

His bowl is in the laundry room so I went ahead and started a load of laundry. 

It's always looking at us, isn't it? 

And it looks like there was something in the dryer from the night before, but I'm pretty sure it was car towels so no biggie. Raise your hand if your husband washes the cars every other day and needs clean dry towels on the regular. 

So laundry is going, and then if hubs is up we sometimes go ahead and make the bed. Sometimes that happens later, but it always happens. Sometimes I walk in the room to make the bed and hubs has already done it and honestly those days are my favorite. 

It was a gorgeous morning so I took the little brown dog down to the dock to chase chipmunks and see what we could see. He's so funny because he always always takes the cart path and never ever runs down the middle of the yard. Such a gentleman. 

Yes I stroll down there in my pjs and robe. Nobody is around and if they are whatever. My neighbor has seen me in my robe and is used to me. 

I came back inside and made breakfast-yogurt, berries, and a spoonful of granola. 

Then it was time to shower, run the straightener through my hair, put on actual makeup and real clothes because I was on a panel this day and sweats wouldn't do. 

10:00 AM -1: 00 PM 

Have you heard of an organization called OLLI? If you live in a university town you may have one nearby. OLLI is open to anyone, but it's membership is primarily people over 50. It's a lifelong learning program that offers courses on all manner of subjects, everything from how to make a charcuterie board to travel groups, to the rise and fall of Rome. In other words something for everyone. 

Our group is connected to the big university here, and the courses are taught by volunteers. One of my neighbors was co-teaching a course on 'retirement', and this day was focused on unleashing your creativity in the retirement years. She had three guests come and share a little bit about their hobbies, and I was part of that lineup. My niche was blogging, a gentleman on the panel talked about his woodworking hobby and how it's grown in retirement, and another guest talked about music (she joined a big band) and sewing (she volunteers to make gowns for babies who pass away or are stillborn and she does this using donated wedding dresses). 

It was a really enjoyable morning and so interesting to hear everyone's thoughts on what it means to be creative. I talked a little bit about how I got into blogging, why I blog and what I've gained from it, and how to start a blog if that's an interest you have. 

On the way home I stopped by the post office to mail a birthday gift to my brother. 

1:00 PM-4:00 PM 

Lunch. I forgot to snap the picture before I'd eaten half, but I made hubs and I a salad and it was obviously delish. 

It was actually quite cool and hubs had the fireplace going. So cozy. 

After lunch I got busy making dinner. Some days are like this.

I put beef tips in the crock pot and they required a little browning first. I have a rule about crock pot cooking and the rule is I don't brown stuff beforehand because the point of a crock pot is not a lot of pans. Maybe not the point, but A point anyway. I've made these before and think browning the meat gives them the right amount of extra they need. 

I moved on to prepping the mashed potatoes wearing my trusty potato gloves of course. My girls gave me these years ago and I think bought them at Bed Bath and Beyond. My hands used to break out anytime I peeled potatoes, but if I wear these gloves all is well. They're scratchy in texture but not uncomfortable. 

I washed the dishes then started yet another kitchen task-making the dough for my savory cheddar and pepper jelly thumbprints. These were to give to the kayakers on Halloween the following day. We have a dock or treat in our neighborhood and our dock was one of the stops. Hosts provide a sip of something and a nibble. 

Definitely grating the cheese myself. In a recipe like this it's necessary as the pre-packaged ends up not holding together as well. Hubs taking a picture as proof this is my real life and not Ai. 

Dough went into the frig to chill for a while and I started on yet another sinkful of dishes. 

Hey, remember that laundry? 

4:00-6:00 PM 

A load out of the dryer, a load into the dryer, a new load into the washer.  Tea time! 

I carried my tea down to the firepit and since it was such a pretty day hubs and I sat here and listened to our daily Bible reading and our Bible Recap podcast. 

We surveyed the lemon crop on the way back up to the house. 

She's a doozy. 

Hey, remember that laundry? 

6:00-8:30 PM 

Dinner is ready...beef tips, mashed potatoes, steamed brocoli. It was yummy. 

Hubs did dishes while I worked on making the thumbprints. 

While they were baking he put together the soccer goals we'd purchased for Max's birthday. His birthday was on Thursday, but the party was Saturday and after more than 30 years of parenting we know to assemble toys ahead of time. 

He had a helper. Actually I helped by holding the post while hubs attached the net. It was a two man job. 

8:30-10:00 PM 

I finished up the thumbprints and then we collapsed on the couch and watched one of our shows before calling it a day. Night. 

This was fun. There was no reading, no walking although I did have almost 14,000 steps this day, and a lot of time in the kitchen which I love as long as I'm not rushed. Most days there's reading and blogging both, and less time spent cooking. There was laundry because isn't there always? 

My plan going forward is to do these seasonally, so maybe four a year.  Watch for the next date sometime in the early part of 2026. 

Did you know 2026 rolls around in 49 days? Happy new year! 

PB And Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go...

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

I try not to repeat questions, but every now and then one slips through. This is one of those times. I looked back and saw my answer to this one all the way back in 2011, and while the world has changed a whole lot my answer to this has not. 

"Loving your country is at the heart of patriotism, but I think it goes deeper than that. Living in a foreign country helped me see the word patriotism also means you personally identify with your home country. You worry, defend, promote, and act as cheerleader. You want to see her demonstrate all that is good and right in the world. Sometimes she lets you down but you love her anyway. 

In 2025 I would add that patriotism also means showing respect for our national symbols (the flag, our anthem, etc), obeying our laws, honoring those who've sacrificed and are in service to our country, and doing what we can to be good citizens. 

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

Well this one is tough because I love all three of these so much, my favorite three months of the year. I love the weather, the skies, the color, and the change in menu and clothing. My birthday is in September, but November gives us Thanksgiving. That much needed pause before the busy-ness of the Christmas season truly begins, makes November my favorite. 

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

I love the song I Thank God by Maverick City Music. I've linked it (here) if you don't know it. You can't listen to this one sitting down. 

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

I like peanut butter but don't eat a lot of it. I think the last peanut butter bite I had was a Reese's Cup on Halloween.  

Peanut butter and fluff aka marshmallow cream for those not in the know. 

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

I'm sure you can guess my answer to this one...my daughter and her family moving to tiny town is the event I'm most grateful for. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Whew. We busy. I will do a catch up at some point. Probably. Or not. Whatever. 

Tomorrow I'm hosting a link up here for anyone interested in sharing a Day In The Life post. These are always fun to read and help us remember all the ways we're connected as we go about the everyday ordinary business of living. Hope you'll join us! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 628

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (Nov 12) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hello Monday. Also Last Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday.

Mondays are when I link with Holly and Sarah for their weekend recaps, but since all of last week felt like the weekend, I'm going to start with last Monday, and hit the whole week's highlights. 

Of which there were many. 

You'll need coffee. 

Friends we hadn't seen in a decade arrived Monday afternoon, their first trip to the lake. Since the weather was so nice we went for a short boat ride, then hung out at home and hubs grilled steaks for dinner.

We had a leisurely late breakfast on Tuesday, then took the boat all the way up to the dam.

 

It's a long ride, and we don't go that far very often, but another beautiful day weather wise so really enjoyable. 

Later we went into town for the 'grand tour' then stopped at a local distillery for drinks and apps. This a newer venue and it's always a fun stop. We went across the road to an Italian restaurant for dinner and ran into two different couples we know. Small town livin' is the best. 

Our guests left around noon on Wednesday and hubs and I declared that afternoon our day date. It was the only real window of time we had the entire week so carpe diem. 

We walked. 

That might not sound like much of a 'date', but small moments are what you make them. 

Also, I haven't really walked in months and the doc said to start slow and easy so we went to a local park and walked their flat path that runs through the woods and around the ball fields. I wore my new shoes and it all felt okay. I'm getting a shot in two weeks so hoping that knocks out the remaining pain. 

Anyway, it was nice. Day date episode 4. Check. 

Not that it's a check list but counting helps us stay on track. 

Thursday I worked my usual volunteer stint, then hurried home to make snacks and set up for guests. We have new neighbors hubs and I had not yet met, but a mutual friend let us know about them because they're from her home town in Illinois. So on Thursday we had them all here for happy hour along with our next door neighbors. 

We did heavy hors d'oeuvres by the waterfall. The weather was wonderful and it was so nice to sit outside. We turned the fire table on once it got dark and passed out blankets for anyone who needed one. It was a fun little gathering.  

And now... the weekend. Finally. 

Daughter2's father-in-law celebrated a milestone birthday recently and my son-in-law organized a fun weekend at a Georgia quail hunting venue. My son-in-law's brother drove up from Florida and met them there. The father-in-law was driving from closer to our neighboring state and was going to pick up hubs at a meet up spot just off the interstate to save him the extra time it would take for him to come to the lake, and then have to backtrack. 

Are you following? 

I was driving hubs to the meet up spot at the crack of dawn so I threw on my cozy earth comfy wear and off we went. As we were driving to the meet up spot (about 45 minutes away) a warning light came on in my car saying there was a transmission issue and don't stop the car or it might not restart. Sigh. 

I dropped hubs and went directly to the dealer another thirty minutes away. They were already busy but were so nice and said they'd figure it out. They put a little computer thingy-ma-bob in the car and voila! It's not the transmission. I needed a new battery, plus 'as long as you're here...' 

I ended up getting an oil change, several filters, and some brake fluid. They said it would take about two hours so I settled in to their comfy lounge, in my comfy clothes, drank their delicious hot coffee and watched HGTV on their big screen while I waited. It seems you can buy shoes and luggage while you wait but I opted for coffee only. 

These little minis were  pretty tempting as I know the grands would love them, but one unexpected car bill is enough. 

When I knew I'd have a whole weekend to myself I imagined spending the whole day Friday taking care of stuff at home. Oh well. Sometimes life throws a punch and ya gotta deal. 

I stopped at daughter1's house on the way home because she was having a small party for Little Miss who turned three on Thursday. (Her birthday letter from Nana aka me, is here-Ode To A Wildflower). There was a mermaid theme, nothing over the top but my daughter did put together this super cute balloon arch. The littles all happily played together and there was lunch and cupcakes and a color sheet tablecloth we moms all enjoyed lol. 

I left before the party ended because the pup had been cooped up all day and needed to be freed and fed. I ate popcorn for dinner and stayed up too late watching tv. Not a super productive day, unless of course you count preventing a future breakdown on some country road as being productive, which I do, so maybe in hindsight it was a good day overall. 

Saturday I had plans to meet a long time friend who lives one state over for lunch. We meet halfway and catch up in person now and then, which is so nice. No pics but lots of gabbing. 

After lunch I came home and let the dog out, fed him, let him relax for about an hour, then went back to Daughter1's for a family dinner with the birthday girl, her siblings, and my son-in-law's mom, plus his sister and brother-in-law and their precious new baby. 

While my son-in-law grilled our actual dinner Little Miss made me pretend dinner in the adorable new kitchen her momma and daddy got her for her birthday. We had the best time making 'soup' and discussing the menu options. 

We ate our real dinner and enjoyed the beautiful strawberry cake my daughter made, then I headed home to the pup. He was not happy hubs went hunting without him. 

Sunday I laid low because I was exhausted. For real. Hubs got home about two and we had an early dinner/late lunch of roasted red pepper soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. I worked on my blog and did a little laundry while hubs napped. 

And  that was the week. And also the weekend. This week looks somewhat crazy too but October in recent years seems to be busier than May and December. Am I wrong about that? 

So what fun things did you do this weekend? 

If you want to share jump over to the Hello Monday link party happening today. Have a nice week everyone!