Festive Friday Favorites

I've been a Monday-Wednesday blogger all year lately, but thought today I'd join in the Friday Favorites link up (hosted by Erika and Andrea) with a few bits of holiday miscellany. 

1. I spent all day yesterday baking. It was such a joy to be at home, no where to go, nothing to do but spend the whole day in my kitchen. I know that doesn't appeal to everyone, but it's definitely my jam. I also did five loads of laundry,  and sorted out some Christmas gifts and decor that needed sorting. I made two kinds of cookies, two loaves of cranberry bread, and a chicken pot pie for our dinner. 

2. My daughter called on her way home from school pick up and asked if we were around and if so they'd drop by and say hi. It's one of the happiest parts of life right now y'all. A daughter living close enough to drop by. 

Also, I played at least 47 games of tic-tac-toe upon their arrival. My sister-in-law sent this fun set at Thanksgiving and the boys love it. So fun! 

3. I bought two of these little spoon rests at Hobby Lobby back in November and it's a sweet addition to my coffee set up. The other is by my stove. 

I bought these mugs the year hubs and I got married and while there are so many super cute Christmas mugs out there, these remain a sentimental favorite. There are four in the set illustrating the twelve days of Christmas. 

4. I like to leave a box on my front porch for my friends aka the Amazon-UPS-Fed Ex drivers. 

They're here often this time of year, and I know the days are long. I put bottled water and some snacks inside-chips, bars, clementines...that sort of thing. It gets taken so I think it's appreciated. 

5. I took the dog out this morning and was greeted with this-

Let heaven and nature sing!

Hello December

Good morning friends and hello December. I'm sure this month will move at the speed of light, so I'm trying to pump the brakes a little and enjoy the many blessings this season brings.

Linking with Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) today for their Hello Monday weekend catch up. Mine will be more than a weekend and that's okay too. 

Backing all the way up to Wednesday when it was 70 degrees, sunny, and the perfect sort of weather for hubs to get the outdoor lights up. Let me just say this is not his favorite task. ahem. 

He gets it done though, and the end result is always worth the aggravation. We splurged on these giant nutcrackers this year-

What can I say? We're grandparents. 

Like every year, there's a fuse that keeps blowing on one of the light strands out front, and hubs says he'll just keep replacing it until he runs out of fuses lol. It's 2025. Why hasn't someone solved the Christmas light problem? 

He also put a tree on the dock and it tipped over a couple of times in spite of being weighted down. First world problems I know, but still these are the things that niggle and can put a chink in your holiday spirit. I think he's got the dock tree problem solved so yay hubs. There are always a few kinks to work out when the decorating begins. 

Hey, remember Thanksgiving? We had a really nice day and enjoyed dinner at daughter1's house. Life definitely feels full circle on days like this one. One day you're buttering a roll for your seven-year old, and thirty years later she's baking a beautiful apple pie for your dessert. Grown up girls are such a gift. 

My grandmother's china on my daughter's table-

We split up the meal and I made shrimp cocktail, cranberry sauce, squash casserole, mashed potatoes and fruit salad. She did the turkey, dressing, gravy, a Brussels sprouts salad, rolls, and that scrumptious apple pie with homemade custard. Sooo good! If you've never had homemade custard poured over your pie you don't know what you're missing. Thanks England! 

We had a fun afternoon chatting, watching football, and of course eating. Daughter2 was in Tennessee but had her in-laws there along with hubs mom. We'll all be together later this month and both my sons-in-law have jobs that require some work arounds in terms of holiday travel. We figure it out. 

Friday morning we woke up to the thermometer in the house reading 60 degrees. We had the air conditioning running on Wednesday and the heat turned on Friday. 'Tis the season.   

Hubs brought the boxes down from the attic and I dressed for the day's chore aka decorating the house. It's a job, but I think sitting beside a lit Christmas tree in the early morning dark is one of life's best and simplest pleasures. 

Saturday hubs and I had a day date, but I think I'll save that recap for tomorrow's post. I'm two episodes behind in recording and want to catch up here. I know you can't wait. 

So what's new with you? I hope your weekend was merry and bright! 

The Hodgepodge Is Never Just So-So

Welcome to November and this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. Mine is wordy. That second question was better in my head lol. Thanks for playing along! 

Quick reminder-I'm hosting a Day In The Life linkup here for anyone interested, on Thursday, November 13th. If you need more info you'll find details at the end of the post linked here (A Freshly Painted Hodgepodge).

Okay, back to today... 

1. Besides Thanksgiving, something on your November calendar you're looking forward to? 

My younger daughter and her littles are coming to hang out with us next week and there's nothing I love more than seeing my two girls together. Love having all the grands together too, but I especially love my girls having sister time. 

2. Dictionary.com's word of the year is '6-7'. Huh? 

Is it even a word??? I had to consult the internet to find out it's meaning because apparently I'm old and this particular slang is not part of my vocabulary. Is it part of yours? According to the article I read, it's a viral term, more of an inside joke with an unclear meaning driven by social media.

What do you think? 

Dictionary. com says it's selection each year is a 'linguistic time capsule reflecting social trends and events, but they also admitted to being confused by '6-7'. Some say it means so-so and is sometimes accompanied by the up and down hand motion we associate with the phrase so-so.

What word do you think would have made a better choice? 

Here are my answers-

Is it part of my vocabulary. Nope. 

What do I think? I realize and can also appreciate the way slang is very much a generational thing and changes with the times. I can get on board with slang working it's way into everyday usage, and even our dictionary in some cases, but not super ridiculous slang. 

I suppose all slang is slightly ridiculous, but even the people using this one don't seem to get it, and it's not an expression I see lasting the way a lot of slang does. 

What word do I think would have made a better choice? If we're sticking with slang I like doomscroll and I especially like doomscroll detox. Who doesn't need that in today's climate? 

3. What's a food, trend, activity, or thing people love but you think is just so-so? 

Green drinks. The real thing, aka veggies, is so much better. 

4. Are you a tea drinker? Hot or cold? How do you like yours and at what time of day? Do you like flavored teas or teas billed as calming, energizing, healing, etc? 

Yes and I like both hot and cold. I drink coffee first thing in the morning, but will have a cup of tea most afternoons around 3 PM. I like mine with just a splash of milk. No flavors, just regular tea flavored tea please.  

Also, I want my hot tea in an actual cup, no styrofoam or metal Stanley type container. And I don't want it microwaved. We have an automatic super hot water dispenser in our kitchen sink but I do not make tea with it. I use a kettle like all tea snobs should. An electric kettle is fine. I like the act of making tea, the exhale that seems to come with it, and the slowdown it brings to a busy day. 

5. The November Hodgepodge always has a gratitude question each week. For today, what are three things that make your heart sing? 

• Well, in a nod to the previous question its tea drinking season and I love my afternoon cuppa. In the warm months I drink iced coffee in the afternoon but once fall hits I'm all about a cozy cup of  afternoon tea. 

• Autumn skies. I love sunrises that are so brilliant they reflect off the lake into my kitchen window. 

• My sister. Today is her birthday and I'm  feeling especially grateful for her this year. My mom lives with her and I'm so thankful for all she does to keep my mom safe and feeling loved. Growing older requires a lot of letting go of roles we've always held, routines we've created, and  bits and pieces of who we used to be. But caring for someone who’s aging means letting go, too. Caregivers give up time, energy, and parts of their own lives, and I want her to always know how very much we appreciate all she does. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I've been posting our weekly 'day dates' here because we're aiming for 52 in 52 weeks. Mentioning them every week helps us stay on track. We've had a busy month so most weeks we've had to make the most of whatever window of time we happen to have, and I guess that's kind of the point-find time. 

Day Date Episode Five...does a visit to the doctor count? 

It does if you decide it does. Last week hubs had an appointment at the dermatologist and we made a date of it. It's about an hour away so lots of time to chat in the car both coming and going. It was a rainy day and we decided we'd have lunch out after his appointment. 

I sat in the car and read my book, then we did another fun thing together which was a trip back to the car dealer to get new batteries in my key fobs. Naturally the warning light for that couldn't have come on when I was there the week before, but we popped back in and they were quick and are always so nice. 

We thought about where we wanted to eat and initially thought we'd try something new but it was not yet 11 am so most lunch spots weren't open. We decided on breakfast instead and hubs suggested a spot we used to frequent when our girls were in uni here. We went more often when we lived in the city while building our house. 

It's a diner of sorts but we like it and we enjoyed talking about living in this town and would we ever want to live there again, and how much it's changed but how it's still a great city. 

We remembered to snap a quick rainy day selfie out front before we left. 

Day dates are what you make them. We likely will miss one this week as my mother-in-law is visiting, but we'll tack a week on at the end because we're retired and we can do whatever we want. That's what we like to say anyway. 

Happy Wednesday everyone! Happy birthday Sissy xo 

Grading On The Curve

Joining Joanne's Talking About It Tuesday today and The Quarterly Bucket List Bloggers

Summer is officially at an end (on paper anyway) and fall is upon us. I've put off revisiting my summer bucket list because it's a bit of a disappointment, but I also don't like to leave things undone so let's go ahead and discuss. 

I wanted an active summer and instead declared it the summer of the slug. While most of it was spent in a boot I still enjoyed lots of porch time, let hubs wait on me hand and (literally) foot, read books, went for boat rides wearing my 'accessory', wore a wrap to hang on a raft in the water, and spent time with family and friends which always makes for a nice summer. 

Sometimes you have to roll with what life brings, and this summer was one of those times. In case you've forgotten my overly ambitious bucket list, here's what it looked like-

I actually did quite a few things under what I consider the most important category-Family and Friend Gatherings. We had a wonderful family beach trip...

Dined al fresco with the grands here for outdoor griddle breakfasts. 

Had the most fun with college girlfriends here for a weekend. 

And we of course celebrated the mancub's birthday. 

I still haven't managed to get it together for a smashburger/corn hole party but I also haven't given up on the idea. We didn't have a low country boil either, but there's always next summer for that one. 

Under outdoor adventure we did fly kites while at the beach, but I didn't fish one time or play any mini golf. And I really dropped the ball under culinary creations. I mean we had some really good meals, just none of the dishes I thought I'd try. 

My daughter1 brought dessert on the 4th of July and it was patriotic but I didn't make it. I made peach bars instead of a cobbler and they were a big hit with everyone. We didn't attempt pizza on the green egg, but maybe this fall? 

Forget about health and fitness. I wasn't walking, wasn't allowed to swim, and standing on a paddle board didn't seem like a good idea either. We didn't visit a single Farmer's Market this summer, but since they run into October I hope to still get to that one. The lower patio is still artless, and while we had a nice dinner out to celebrate our anniversary we didn't do an overnight trip. 

A lot of things felt overwhelming to me this summer, and because walking wasn't enjoyable we mostly stuck close to home and hubs was a trooper. 

Onward to autumn..

Keeping my expectations at a manageable level this fall. If I can do a 5 K I will, but it's not going on the list-ha! I love the beauty this season brings, the way it invites coziness and contemplation and hot tea sipped in the waning afternoon sun. Fall is my favorite and I plan to savor it.  

'There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been."~Percy Bysshe Shelley  

Par-tay In The 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 hop over and leave a comment for the blogger there before you. Here we go-

1.  Are you more life of the party or more party pooper? If your answer is somewhere in the middle which side of the middle do you lean towards more? 

Birthday party, beach party, cocktail party, dinner party, charity fundraiser, surprise party, costume party, garden party, Christmas party, reunion...what's your favorite kind of party? 

I'm married to the life of the party and there can't be two. I'm not a party pooper though, and would say I land somewhere in the middle. If I'm in the mood for a party then I lean more toward the fun side. If we've had too much socializing and not enough at home time, then I'm going to lean the other way. I prefer smaller gatherings to huge parties. My favorite is probably a dinner party...table for 8 please. 

2. Cheese, wine, and balsamic vinegar all improve with age. What would you personally add to the list? 

perspective, wisdom, and blue jeans

3. How do you feel about your birthday? How do you want to be celebrated? Or don't you? 

I love my birthday. I want to always embrace the gift of a new year. There's not any special way it needs to be celebrated...mostly I want to feel like the people I love took some time to think about me and to tell me so. It might be just a phone call, text, or a card in the mail. I don't need big splashy gifts, but something small that says 'me' to them means a lot. 

4. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily your same birth year, just the same date/month. 

In 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol building. I read something interesting George is quoted as saying -

'...however, political parties may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion." 

Words to ponder, yes? 

5. Share two good things about your life right now. 

• grandchildren 
• my sister and brother-in-law taking such good care of my mom is an honest to goodness answer to prayer...I don't write about it a lot, but my mom lives with them and that is such a blessing. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The world is a lot right now, isn't it? 

I want to point to Jesus, the light of the world, and say He's the answer to every question we're asking in our efforts to make sense of something so senseless. 

Maybe you don't know Him and this latest tragedy has done you in and you're seeking relief. If that's the case feel free to reach out. Maybe you knew Him as a child, but have drifted away because life has come at you hard and now, in the midst of these troubling times, you want to find your way back. Do that. Open a Bible. Talk to God in your own words, and with sincerity. He will hear you. He can handle our anger, confusion, and sadness. His love for you and me is enormous...bottomless...sure. 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Day 17 In The A-Z

Finishing out this week's letter in the A-Z Blog Challenge with my usual Saturday list of little things I love. Today's letter might be tricky so let's get to it...

Q is for A Quantity of Small Favorite Things 

quick thinking

questions answered

questions pondered

homemade quiche

quotes that inspire

Quilon (my England house)

quality time with my girls

quiet mornings

quarters won in Mah Jong

quarrels ended

queso 

fears quelled

quaint small towns 

decisions made without any qualms 

quirky roadside attractions

a bad habit quit

quintessential British speech

the music of Queen

no queue at the DMV

a cozy quilt 

Kounting My Blessings

In keeping with my Saturday A-Z Blog Challenge tradition, here's a list of 20 things in no particular order, all featuring the letter of the day, that I enjoy-love-am grateful for in this season of life. 

K is for Contentment is Key

'feeling happy with what you have;

deliberately choosing to be thankful'

secrets kept

my kin 

knowledge gained

kisses

key lime pie

even-keeled people

kingfisher on the lake 

unexpected kindness

kaleidoscope skies

a clean kitchen 

music by Kenny Chesney

promise keepers

kids

Lake Keowee

kayaking 

keen insights

kudos given

the Florida Keys

blooming kalanchoe

kindred spirits

Making a List, Checking It Often

Day 4 in the A-Z...let's get to it-

D is for Delight

I've taken part in the A-Z blog challenge for a number of years. Typically I don't blog on Saturdays, but since the challenge does call for it, several years ago I came up with something seemingly simple to meet that requirement. 

I made a list every Saturday of little things I love that fit with the letter of the day. It was so gratifying and turned out to be a small blessing all it's own. My plan is to continue doing that this year in my Saturday posts. 

I know. 

Today isn't Saturday, but hear me out. I've been watching my youngest daughter's two little ones all week while she and her hubs are on holiday and I'm tired. TGIF y'all! 

So how does a list like this fit with my challenge theme of 'life lessons learned'?  

Simple. Making these lists the past several years has shown me taking note of 'the little things' stirs up in me a grateful heart. And that's something I want in every season of my life.

In no particular order, and using today's letter of the day (D), here are 20 things that bring delight-

a dazzling blue sky day
a dependable God
daffodils in bloom
dining out
dressing up
darling grandchildren
slow dancing in the kitchen 
driving somewhere new
daydreams
discernment
date nights 
a little girl named Daisy
a dip in the lake 
daughters who mother with patience and humor
dishes done
decency
dreams come true 
daybreak
decorating for Christmas
the big dipper on a cloudless night

Monday Morning Gratitude

Hello Monday and all who read here. How was your weekend? Ours was nice and when I look at our December calendar I'm grateful for some less busy dates now. Linking today as usual with Holly and Sarah for their weekend recap postings. 

Thursday night we attended our third wine dinner in as many weeks. That is not the norm, but somehow November was event-ful. Literally. 

Thursday's dinner had a French theme and the food was wonderful. From the starter featuring quiche lorraine with black pepper puff pastry and a charred lemon hollandaise to it's conclusion, which was a chocolate eclair with Bavarian cream, dark chocolate, and whipped cream, it was all so good. 

It wouldn't be fall without my daily snapping of the sunrise. Autumn skies are some of the prettiest. 

Did I tell you that in last week's Hello Monday post? And the one before that too? Probably. I can't help myself. Nothing reminds me to feel grateful for a brand new day like a pinky pink sunrise sky. 

Friday evening our tiny town had a sip and stroll type of event with a few shops staying open later than they normally do and the downtown lights showing off.

We might live in a small town but they do Christmas lights right. There are a million (for real) and it's all set to music. You can walk through or tune your car radio to a particular station and hear the carols played. The big tree will be lit the week after Thanksgiving, and there are stalls where you can make s'mores on fire tables sitting in the street. It's a fun month to be downtown. 

Hubs and I went Friday night to check out the shops. I bought a Christmas gift and we walked through the tunnel of lights. I recommend. Really helps amp up your Christmas spirit. 

Look who we ran into...

After we walked and shopped we went to a local sushi place for dinner. We sat at the bar and relaxed. So enjoyable. 

Saturday hubs did yard work and I did housework and sorted out a few Christmas details that needed sorting. Our next door neighbors came for dinner and we made Smashburgers on the griddle which were delish. I made a caramel apple cake for dessert but forgot to take a photo of the finished product, which is pretty much par for the course here. This is just before it went into the oven. 

When it's baked you drizzle a little more caramel over the top, then add a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. 

We love our next door neighbors and we have lots of the same friends and end up at a lot of the same events. Still we try to pencil in dinner or a glass of wine now and then, to really catch up on things. We're busy and all of our friends are the same. I don't know what I imagined this season would look like but I definitely imagined more of less lol. 

We have some friends who want to get us together with another couple for dinner and between everyone's travel schedules and already booked events and family commitments we've settled on a date in late February. Huh? My kids laugh because they know if they want us to stay with the grands while they travel they need to book early. 

Sunday hubs needed to preview some real estate properties and I went with him to weigh in since I also know the client well. More about that in another post. I'm looking forward this week to time with family, my favorite meal, and counting my blessings. 

p.s.-sunset skies are pretty great too.