Christmas Joy At My House

 It was fun decorating for Christmas this year, cause I got a few new things to go along with the old.  I have a space for all the different fun items that I put out each year; the silver and white with the frosty people, the red and green whimsical things, the elves, the snow globes.  Here's a few pics of Christmas joy around my house, and I am always changing things around.

Looking outside my window, there were 7 Doves on my lawn.  This happened before, so it was a surprise to see 7 precious Doves gathering on my front yard again.  They look very similar to the mourning dove, but in fact, they are relative to it, and are called the Eurasian Collared Dove.  They have a distinct ring around its neck to show the difference.  They are beautiful birds, so gentle and peaceful.  A perfect time to show up during the Christmas season.

I had some work being done at my house last week for a few days.  My pilot light has been giving me trouble for a while now, so it was decided that a new water heater be put in.  This is a different kind of water heater, and it's a little more expensive, but only heats water when the faucets are turned on, not running all the time.  No pilot lights to worry about.  The last one was right next to the dryer, and with coming and going and cleaning the lent, it always seemed to put that light out.  I appreciate all the effort made to get the job done, but I don't like workers in my home - what a mess they leave behind.  I'm thankful for the big basin in the laundry room my brother put in - makes it easier to mop and clean.  And we'll see how this new heating system works.  He says I will always have hot water, and my utility bill will be less.

My son made a beef stew, so I got to enjoy it over the weekend.  It wasn't a French stew this time, it was a good ole' American stew with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, salt and pepper.  It was thick and good, and I had it with buttered rolls.

Red velvet cookies.  They were so good with coffee.

I know many of us bloggers like to see Christmas decorating in the home, so I'll try to get some pictures from Nel and Jess to share with you next time.  

Have a merry November week.

Sheri's Thoughts and This and That

You may have heard the word "influencer" being thrown around on social media.  The word itself makes me cringe.  First of all, do we really need someone to influence us, swaying our thoughts and opinions?  I don't think so.  Truth is, I have never been one to be influenced at all.  Not all the choices I've made were good ones, but on the most part, the decisions I've made were pretty sound, considering my unique story.  I know many people who are influenced by their partner, influenced with politics, with fashion and the clothes they wear, with the homes and areas they live in, with many different things.  There is nothing wrong with getting ideas and inspiration from others - I get that from my blog friends every day.  But in the end, the final outcome is my decision.  And I so wish that people would trust their own instincts rather than relying on someone else's version.  Sometimes I have gone into shops, and the clerks would say to me, "can I help you?"  I politely reply, "I'll know it when I see it."  They say, "you look like a girl who's on a mission."  And they're right....because I always know what I want even before I enter their establishment.  So, as you can see, I don't need an "influencer" to tell me what's best for me.  We know what's best for us.  And I do think that many times God has guided me.  I trust and follow Him, not the "influencer."  

I went to visit my friend, A, at the Home Shop.  She had a couple surgeries, so her shop was closed for a while, but she's back and healing, and it was good to see her again.  I used to like traditional Christmas decorations and ornaments when my kids were little, but now that I'm older, the whimsical ones appeal to me.  I bought this one in her shop.

The leaves are still hanging on, and Autumn looks prettier than ever here.

We had a great wind with rain on Wednesday night, and branches were blowing everywhere and crashing into the house.  The wind was howling loudly, and it was kind of scary and woke me up.  My neighbors heard it too.

I make a squash bake from time to time, and it's such a simple recipe with green squash, onions, ground beef, garlic salt and pepper, a little milk to keep it moist, sprinkled with cheese and bake.

The 100-year old pioneer wagon decorated for Fall.  

My favorite Panettone Bread is in!  It had more candied fruit and raisins, and it was really the best sweet bread I've had so far.

You know how much I love the decorative boxes.  When I saw this one, I couldn't resist bringing it home.  I have a thing for Santa's boots.  ; )

The house is already decked out for Christmas.  I will get to enjoy it for a couple months.  It took me two hours one day cleaning and placing things where I want them.  I will share a few pics later of it all.  I didn't feel like cooking after so I ordered Chinese take out - their szechuan chicken is delicious.

When I was a little girl, I used to have a dachshund named Cinnamon.  Out of all the dogs I've had through the years, this one was my favorite.  She used to sit with me while I rested by the fireplace, and was the most good natured dog.  So, you can imagine how surprised I was when I saw this Christmas cup with a dachshund on it.

Although I favor the whimsical decorations, I still have a few traditional ones that I will always keep.  This is one of them.  Jess gave it to me many years ago, and I've always loved it.

And my calendar page for November with the word, Change.  Honestly, I've never really liked change unless it was of the good kind.  But sometimes good things surface when we have unpleasant change.  This reminds me of Mia, Francesca, and Charlotte, who I'll see soon.

A Funny Story.....And Not So

 I love November, and I always remember and reflect on the first day of November, as it is All Saints' Day.  I pause throughout the day and think about all the dear Saints that I have become familiar with on this earth through stories and writings, and appreciate them immensely.  I was also pleasantly surprised that my Francesca was born on this day.

So, I went to the falls recently, but before that, me and my son drove to the lake.  Here are some pictures of that nice sunny day.  There is a road from the falls that takes you directly to the lake, and it isn't far at all.  It was so charming with all the colors of Autumn.

I heard that there was already snow on Mount Shasta, so I had to take a look for myself.

When I saw this painting I had to get it.  It will be so nice for the wintery season.  You'll have to come back and see it soon when I put it on my mantel with twinkling lights for Christmas.

Do you like my new kitchen towels?

And speaking of hot cocoa, I saw the movie "A Hot Cocoa Christmas."  It was a delightful film.

And as much as I'm looking forward to the Christmas season, I'm still enjoying Autumn.

Here's Charlotte painting her wee pumpkin.

And here's a story for you.

My internet has been going in and out for about a week, so I finally got the cable guy to come out and check on it.  He made sure all the wires were connected and couldn't really find anything.  Now, I'm on the large corner lot, and the utility pole is right in front of the house.  He decided to go up high and take a look.  He found nuts being stored inside the cable box that squirrels have buried - all kinds of nuts, not just acorns, but others.  He said it looked like nuts from people feeding the squirrels.  There were so many of them, and with the rains, it made them soggy and clogged up the lines!  I would have never thought that the reason my internet service was not working properly was because of those squirrels invading my space!  The worker told his mom, who lives close to me, to stop feeding the squirrels.  And she told him that she feeds the birds, but the squirrels just get into it.  I was talking with my neighbor about this, and he mentioned that the same thing happened to him before I moved in haha.

I thought these Lorikeets were so pretty, and such friendly birds.

Since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I'll leave you with a verse I came across recently.

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout our praises to our Protector who delivers us, let us enter His presence with Thanksgiving.

~Psalm 95

I hope you have beautiful November days.