I Want To Get My Ears Pierced!

Hello, and happy November!  This month is always a pleasant and soft one for me, giving thanks for all the blessings in my life.  We had some more rain, and with the rain comes no internet access.  The technician came out, and it took the whole day to fix the problem and get service back on again.  But he kept at it until it was done, what a good worker.  We are in full Autumn here in northern California, and first thing I want to show you are all the colors I am seeing around my neighborhood, and when I make my way into town.  No filters here, just straight from the camera.

A healthy meal - baked pork with lots of spices and potatoes.  Really good.  My son has taught me to use more spices in cooking.

I thought these were real because they were planted in the dirt, but after taking a closer look, they are not.

I know this sounds funky, but whenever I see a picture or plaque with a saying on it, I think it was meant for me, so it's hard not to bring such things home with me, like this glass frame I came across with such special words.  When my kids were in grade school, the Principle was not only an acquaintance, but he was a friend of the family, and I remember what he told me when I had a conversation with him one day, ~things always have a way of working out.~  I was young then, and wasn't sure about that, but looking back, I realize he was right.

There is a big craft fair going on this month, and I will be going to that.  Everything will be handmade with love and care, and I look forward to browsing through all the booths.

I was talking with Francesca on the phone this weekend, and I was telling her about the time I got my ears pierced when I was young.  I was around 12, and I told her that we didn't have the pretty, convenient earring boutiques back then like we do now, and that my mom pierced my ears at home.  First, she put ice on my earlobes for a time to make sure they were numb and I couldn't feel much.  Then, with a clean needle, she poked my ear, ouch! 😲  She did a nice job, and I had to clean and take care of them for a couple weeks after that.  I've had pierced ears ever since.

On Friday, Francesca's 7th birthday, she got her ears pierced!  This is an exciting day in a child's life, and one that will always be remembered.  She chose pretty pink earrings to wear for a while.

 

Do you remember the day you got your ears pierced?  Would love to hear about it.

~Sheri

 

Eerie Picture

Well, it's not even Thanksgiving, but when I came across this holiday ornament while I was out shopping last week, I had to get it.  It's such a comforting ornament.

I seldom buy nuts anymore, cause they are expensive at the stores, but I bought a package of mixed nuts at the grocery store and have been enjoying them all week.  These nuts bring back fond memories, because my mom would fill our stockings with them every season.  The bag came with an assortment of my favorites, and you have to crack them the old-fashioned way with the nut cracker.  There were walnuts, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, and hazelnuts.

It's been really cold lately, in the 40's early mornings, and I needed to get some comfortable warm sweaters for the months ahead.  I found this pink sweater with stars at K's Boutique in town.  Some of her clothes can be pricey, because she orders them from all over the world, even Europe.  And the clothes I've bought at her shop are good quality and have lasted since I moved here.

Sunrise through the blinds.

A nice snack.  Ritz crackers, tuna, and a dab of relish on a few.

My son is becoming skilled in the art of French cuisine and has made another dish - Blanquette de Veau (veal in white sauce).  He substituted the veal with lamb.  Now, some people don't care for lamb, as it has a rich taste, but I'm part Greek, and I had many a dish prepared with lamb growing up in my house.  The stew was delicious, and he served it over a pile of creamy mashed potatoes.

My brother-in-law came into town, and he treated me to lunch at the Mexican Restaurant.  I ordered two crispy tacos and a coke.  It was good to visit with him again.  He brought me a bottle of wine, and of course, I loved the pretty label.

Afterwards, I did a few things in town.  I went to A's home shop and bought a chocolate bar.  Now, this isn't just any chocolate bar, it's a $7.00 huckleberry chocolate bar.  Because its pricey, I tend to eat it slowly, enjoying it with my coffee.

I went to the church, and said a prayer inside the church.  I visited with the Priest, and we talked about many things.  Our Lady of Fatima came up, and he mentioned that when he was in Portugal, he saw a site of the three children who Mary first appeared to on May 13, 1917.  Those three children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta, are special to my heart.  Before leaving, he told me to go through the books and pick one out to take home with me.  He's such a dear Priest, and a Christmas CD caught my eye, so I chose that.

 This cat hangs out in the neighborhood, and I think it belongs to a neighbor, but I saw him itching like crazy, and I hope he doesn't have fleas.

One of my closest blog friends sent me this, and I not only loved the quote, but I loved the picture too.  Since I've always had curly hair, I spent a good amount of time straightening my hair growing up, and wearing the big pink hair rollers just like this until my hair dried.

The BIG pumpkin at Disney is showing its happy face to all the people.

And a wonderful pink fountain is on display.

A fox and a black cat

Is this the funniest costume for baby Charlotte?

I have to tell you about this picture.  It has always fascinated me, and it was taken many years ago on Halloween.  I'm not sure if two pictures were taken, or one, but in the development process the pictures became merged and we all look like ghosts.  My whole family was in the picture, and Nel was a hippie, Jess was a 50's girl, and my son was superman.  It was a fun picture that my family will always remember.

Oh October, you have come and gone for another year. 

~Sheri

 

Skeleton Stagecoach

I have been enjoying all the rain we've been having.  It usually doesn't last for long, and it comes and goes throughout the day when we do get some.

My son has been experimenting with different recipes in the cookbook, Let's Eat Paris!  He recently made some crepes with butter and organic cherry spread.  They were wonderful.

Isn't this stagecoach delightful?  I saw it at the entrance of the grocery store last week.

I always like to try cereals that are limited edition.

Speaking of bats.....

When Nel lived in Georgia, she saw bats all the time in her backyard.  She loved the bats. She moved there in the middle of summer, and that first evening when they went outside in their new backyard, it was like she had been transported to an enchanted forest.  The fireflies were flickering like little fairies, and the bats were swooping down from the pine trees and fluttering all around the yard.  Those warm Summer evenings watching the bats come out at dusk are some of her favorite memories from living in Georgia.

Some more Autumn color around here.

It's been really cold lately.  Tomato soup with buttered toast sounds perfect.  I like to dip my toast in the soup.

Story.  I came across this verse last week, and it's one of my favorite verses that I've known for a long time.

That very same day in the afternoon, my best friend sent me an e-mail saying hi and just checking up on me.  We went back and forth with comments for awhile, and in one of her last e-mails she sent me this - the same verse that I came across earlier that morning.

My fortune cookie after a Yummy Chinese take-out.

Is it just me, or does anyone else have a hard time using chopsticks?  I had a friend I worked with that used to eat with them all the time.  But me, no way, could never get the hang of it.

When you go through old things, you certainly find unexpected surprises.  I have been going through cabinets and drawers, and gave a few items away.  I came across the hospital bracelet my mom wore when she delivered me!  Do you know how many years that is?  Let's just say, it's vintage.😉  I thought it was so sweet of her to keep it all those years, and then it somehow got back to me.  My mom was dear, and kept so many items and cards and mementos that were given to her by her kids.  

Mia wanted to show me her fox costume.  Isn't it adorable?

The October days are going fast.  Enjoy every moment of it.

~Sheri