Day 331

1. Daniel stole my phone to take the picture and instagram it. 

We've had a rather warm fall, so this was a late first frost.

Also, a slow day around here. 

Day 330

1. The wintry sunset on our way home from church.

Also, said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa this morning and then the Wolff family later in the afternoon. So sad, I'll miss them dearly.

Day 329

1. How can I make my bed with three kitties sleeping on it? Ridiculous.

Also, went out to lunch with Mom and Grandpa and Grandma. Very nice. 

In the evening went to a lovely good bye party for the Wolffs. They're moving to Idaho, the little stinkers.

Then came home and hung out with the Grandparentals and watched Downtown Abbey. We got Grandpa and Grandma hooked on it. :)

Day 327 - Thanksgiving!

1. The long table - Only 16 people this year. Grandma and Grandpa came up from California, The Payne Family, and Huong, a friend from Vietnam who Tyler has gotten to know at PSU. It was his first Thanksgiving!

2. Detail of the centerpiece.

3. Desserts! - Whipped Cream, Pumpkin Pie, Mincemeat Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie, Jefferson Davis Pie and the traditional Persimmon Pudding.

4. A close up of the Jefferson Davis Pie. I remember noticing this pie recipe in the Joy of Cooking cookbook a few years ago, and I finally made it. It's an improved version of Pecan pie (ie no corn syrup) and has a meringue topping. It was delcious.

Day 326

1. Playing bridge with Daniel, Grandma and Grandpa. 

They started teaching us about 10 years ago and we love to play when they're around.

Day 324

1. Daniel and Tonka. Tonka so far has proved to be a practically perfect dog for us. He barks only if there's a stranger at the door, and even then its just a few barks. He doesn't have wanderlust. And he's very well behaved. Also, it's been fun to discover what tricks he knows. And as you can see in the photo, he thinks he's a lap dog.

Day 323

1. A blurry photo of me playing basket ball. I'm guarding my arch-nemesis, Amy.

I can't even begin to say how much fun it has been to play basketball on Sunday afternoons. 

It's been a long time coming. A really, really long time.

Also, had parish group at our house today and my Grandparents arrived from California. 

Day 322

Day 319

Today was mostly errands (picture taken during our picnic lunch) 

ending with a coffee date with my dear friend Kate and her Mother and sister. 

Ended the day with sauerkraut and sausages, a game of five crowns

and a facetime date with Grandma & Grandapa.

Day 313

Well, I'm here for a few moments. Mostly, I haven't been here as my eyes were too tired for a few weeks and then the past few weeks have involved two dentist appointments, Vicodin and penicillin  With the upshot  that instead of getting my lower wisdom teeth pulled out next Monday, I'll be getting a root canal. Oh. Joy. 

Anyways, on to happier things. I'm thinking about try a new daily format, as we have somewhat routine days right now, or as routine as they'll ever get. And really the blog is my way of remembering what I was thankful for during the day. And it is the month of Thanksgiving anyways...

Thankfulness:

Buying some new home school books at Exodus for Jacob and Daniel.

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Enjoying the fall color slowly disappearing.

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New autumn-ish decorations on the fireplace mantel. (Pictured)

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That I'm slowly feeling better from the antibiotics.

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Breakfast for dinner.