Took the ferry over to Fisher's Island today....
New London Ledge Light upclose and personal....
Fort Trumbell from the water!
New London Harbor Light....
I love these!!! Dan wants to buy a lighthouse and turn it into a vacation home, and the more lighthouses I see, the more the idea sounds like a good one to me.
I may go again and take more pictures of the buildings and scenery around the island!
Woo hoo, another tree done. I am finding it difficult to find my decorations after they were put away last year...I don't know what kind of system I was experimenting with, but it was a complete failure. This year I need to be more organized. I couldn't find my lights for my diningroom/snowman tree, so I used mini white lights and after I had put on all the ornies I found another box with the lights! Oh bother!!! This kitchen tree required some work this year too, the lights that came on it were out and you know how it goes with those mini lights...one burned out and the whole string goes out, so I had to take them off and put new ones on...and they were attached with clips and the wire/branches were wrapped around the cords, too. It was painful! But now it is done and I am very happy with the results again this year. It is one of my favorite trees! After our real one and the snowman one, ofcourse!
I made this garland last year. I wish it were longer, but this is all I had of this material. I could make another one...but I don't have time to start another new project this holiday season...maybe next year.
...at least around here. Being sick took up way too much time and now I am behind and playing catch up, but I did get a chance today to put up my diningroom tree. This is my snowman tree, it holds all my precious snowmen ornaments that I have collected or made over the years. Dan likes to add new ones every year by just putting them on the tree and waiting to see how long it takes me to find it...which is getting harder and the tree is more and more full each year! I love the no flash...it makes it look antique like. I still need a tripod, so I have clearer pictures when I don't use the flash.
Ok then, here goes. I have a jar addiction. There, I said it. I save jars. I cannot help myself, I just cannot seem to throw them out. Last year this basket was overflowing and Dan said I had to downsize so I sat down on the floor and took them all out and got ready to part with some. After a considerable time, I was able to throw out 1! Yes, ONE!!! I couldn't bear to get rid of any others. I think it steams from my Nana, she had converted her coal cellar into storage and I can still remember all the jars she had in there. Now, I am sure that during her lifetime and living thru the depression it was necessary to save all your glass, as well as tin foil and such, but we don't live in that kind of world now and these jars can easily be recycled into new jars, but what would happen if I needed one of these beauties and I let them go? I normally store things in the fridge and pantry in glass. I prefer that over plastic. Like I prefer brown paper bags over the plastic ones. I like to use jars for mixing ingredients while cooking, like flour and water, and I also use them to hold crafting supplies. So, when I see a pretty jar in the market I see all the possibilities that jar can have with me, and I am really disappointed when manufacturers change their jars from glass to plastic. How sad!!! I even have tiny mini mason jars over the mini lights on my Christmas tree. You see, I really am a jar addict.
I have been down for the count with a nasty bug that was just too much for me. I felt horrible and my throat hurt so much. I was not able to get sleep, either, so I was not able to fight it off very quickly. Today I feel just a little bit better, but not by much. It is time to start thinking about the next holiday on the horizon~Christmas!!! Yay, it is my favorite holiday! I can hardly wait to start decorating, but I have to get a little bit better before I start wearing myself out!
And my centerpiece!
Everyone left with a full belly and it was good to celebrate together! My family truly is what I am grateful and thankful for!
The birds finally found the feeders. I love to watch them.
Especially in the winter, and the different colors and families.
Sorry there Mr. Squirrel, but you can't have any....you would eat it all and spill it all over the place!
Still busy busy busy today, making more pies, cheesecake and getting ready for the big day. I have linens to iron, and last night Dan said he wants me to cook a ham for Thanksgiving as well as the turkey....ah...ok! I'm off to start the pumpkin cheescake! Enjoy the day!
Today we went to the inauguration of a very good friend of ours. The first female Mayor of East Haven~ April. I hope it is the first of many of hers we attend!
You will recognize some of the other important politicians in Connecticut!
TAMMY @ GENTLE RETREAT tagged everyone with this cute game....
When I drove Matthew to school this morning I noticed this bright orange cone in front of a parking space. On closer inspection I noticed that this handicapped space was being reserved for the Admiral to park. You would expect that the Federally mandated handicap space would not be available to usedfor any visitor of the school not matter who he or she may be! There should be a law! There probably is. This makes me so mad. I never ever never park in a handicap space!! NEVER!!!
Dinner was nice and relaxing thanks to being able to put the lasagna together earlier in the day, bagged salad and ice cream cake. Everyone left with their bellies full. And I have lunch for today. Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!
I have lampshades, curtains, bed skirts, pillows, pie pans, picture frames, mugs, table linens, table runners, napkins, blankets, quilts, bags. clocks and lots more. These are not pictures of my collection, but it would look extremely similar to this if I took pictures of all my blue gingham!
Just 22 short years ago today I was holding my new baby girl!!!
All 7 lbs 11 oz of her. The bluest eyes I had ever seen. She was my miracle!
I wish you the happiest of birthdays...filled with lots of love and friendship.
We will be celebrating Saturday night with a family dinner of all her favorites: lasagna, salad and ice cream cake!!! Yum, can hardly wait!
Finally my IT guy (my son) got my divider bar down. He has been working on it when he could and finally got it down this afternoon. Now I can change it whenever I want, at least it is all set up.
I, again, pulled up all the carpet, scrubbed the floors, and we purchased these restaurant style wire shelving. They go floor to ceiling around the room. I also have my second fridge and my chest freezer in there. It has worked out fabulously!
Aside from all the food storage, I have been able to store all my pots and lids there neatly. I have easy access to my small appliances.
As well as using the built-ins for all my linen storage.
I painted the walls (they are not yet finished) !
Now everything has a place and is easy to get to and the room is being used. It could have been a small home office, or sewing room, but this room is really one of my most used rooms, and most appreciated. Most people (women!!!) who come to my home for the first time are envious of this room. My grandmother had a pantry and I always wished for one myself...and now I have one!
I was reminded that this is the month that we tend to remember all that we are thankful for. I do have so much to be thankful for...my husband and kids, my warm, safe home, my parents that live close by, my nieces and nephews that are all happy and well, friends who get me! This Thanksgiving we are taking the opportunity to do for those who are less fortunate than us...we are going to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the needy at church. We will have our "official" Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, and I think after seeing all those who have so little and need so much we will appreciate what we have even more. 
