thanksgiving part deux.

 

thanksgiving day proper is past, one for the memory books. we’re so thankful for dear friends in this bit of paradise. but today dear wendy and rafael are on their way. we have leftovers warming in the crockpot, hugs for them both, and flannel sheets on their bed to keep cozy warm through the night for the temps are ice cube strength. I set our dining table with fresh linens and brought out the dishes purchased when we moved to Haven Haus. 

here’s a few pictures..a hint of what’s to come. 

see you soon..

giving thanks.

let’s take a little ride .. 

these are our views heading to 

our church fellowship. 

thankful as to where and 

how God has led. 

.our tiny town treetops. 

.a touch of autumn remains.

.a treasured view all my own.

.mountain curves.

“This Thanksgiving, for the beauties and abundance of the earth, for family near and far, for friends, old and new, for the gift of each brand new day and the chance to make a difference, let us give thanks.” {unk}  

the hubs set up an additional table so

we have one in the dining area 

and one in the living room. 

each sits six. 

largely using items from my stash 

i put together simple tablescapes. 

identical tablecloths are actually 

vintage sheets. surprised?

I think not. 

use what you have 

and elevate it a tich. 

last night’s shadowed view..

and yesterday afternoon..

the light was right. 

love love love

the hutch my hubs built. 

made cereal the other day..

and hot cocoa mix. 

and dehydrated a couple bags 

of marshmallows. 

like candy. 

from here on out I’ll be a busy bee..

I’ll be back after thanksgiving.

until then, hold one another dear. 

hold your memories of those dear

& tuck them away

in the most special

crannies of your heart. 

🍁🤎🍁

with much love,

.sherry.

this & that.

 

the prettiest of hydrangeas

thoroughly dried, 

graces our hutch.

visiting a dear friend,

she offered clippers and the

rights to prune the bush

before winter sets in hard.

the right lighting and a rather large

egg from a local gal's prized chickens.

made for a fine breakfast.

this life ...

today's main meal is welcome

on this very cold very rainy day

all due to the weather pattern off the

pacific coast. there's nothing like

staying home on such a day

though we did toodle to a favorite

thrifty place - or two. 

it's my favorite sort of day.

*

glad i picked up tortillas at the market

the other day. i usually make them but once

in a while i reach for simplicity. i'll make

chipotle beef quesadillas, with sour cream

and guacamole on the side, and a pile

of cole slaw close at hand. 

good spicy groceries.

had to share another view of these dried beauties.

beef stew was processed and put away.

we have months of snow just around the

corner. it'll be a welcome thing to reach

for a jar, add more veg, and a cast iron

skillet of biscuits too.

professor kimi went to new mexico and upon her return 

gifted me some anasazi beans. they're gentler on one's

innards .. those and white beans. i (finally) canned

the beans which makes it convenient in planning a

meal in mid-winter. they're delish!

five quarts in total of chipotle beef for the pantry.

*

"It's a sweet thing to sit quietly in the early morning light

and talk to God for a while. It's amazing what you gain

from the conversation." {Richelle E. Goodrich}

a cup of hot cocoa being sipped intermittently as i type.

this reminds me to buy marshmallows.

i best get busy with dinner..

the hubs will start a fire - looking forward

to the warmth it'll bring. 

blessings on this stormy day,

.sherry.

hello {mid} november.

 

{this gorgeousness was snapped by a local in our village}

yesterday, it snowed. unexpected. large heavy flakes, just enough to grace roof tops and pines with powdered sugar sweetness. and with a mug of tea by my side, i relished the serenity of the moment though as quickly as it began, it subsided. and melted. more's the pity.

comfy blankets are making their way from storage to the great room. there's something special about snuggling with a comfy, hm?

milling wheat for 'cream of wheat' makes for a filling and delish breakfast on these chilly mornings before we begin our day(s) in earnest. 

i'm not sure time moves more swiftly due to age or as a state of mind... but this year? gracious sakes it seems to be at warp speed.  before you know it it's mid-november.

"if God gives you a few more years, remember, it is not yours. your time must honor God. your activity must honor God. and everything you do must honor God." 

{A.W. Tozer}

"so teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

{Psalm 90:12}

________________________________________________

we're hosting thanksgiving again this year, gathering local friends who have become more like family in many respects, some being orphans like us. it's a joy to have a table surrounded by dear souls, quiet conversation erupting into gregarious laughter, sumptuous food, fire blazing, prayer of thanksgiving for such a day to honor the freedoms as detailed in our constitution. in moments of the day i breath thanks heavenward. as we once again open the doors of Haven Haus - a refuge from the storms of life - to others, i pray they sense the peace God offers, embracing it deep within their own hearts. Selah.

there will be 10-12 'round our tables this year. maybe more. God always makes a way to provide extra places at a table as well as sustenance. i have a fairly set menu and have begun prepping what i can in advance. i found humongous yams so yesterday set to roasting, cooling, coring out the gorgeous orange flesh, then into the deep freeze. once thawed a day before thanksgiving i'll prep the casserole to be easily popped in the oven the next day. i'll make whipped potatoes in advance, sharing space with the sweet potato casserole. i don't often make turkey for thanksgiving - i'm a bit of a rebel i suppose. this year will be pork tenderloin & german sausages and a countertop full of sides. here's the menu .. 

*****

appetizer yet to be determined

apple cider glazed pork tenderloin and german sausages

sweet potato casserole

whipped potatoes and apple cider gravy

roasted brussel sprouts with bacon

cornbread stuffing

harvest salad with pumpkin vinaigrette

cranberry sauce

crescent rolls

desserts a'plenty

coffee - H2O - martinelli's cider

*****

i doubt we'll end the day hungry.

________________________________________________

well dearies, i need to get ready for the day and all it entails. bless you dearly as you step softly through your own days, giving thanks for every little blessing. 

with love,

.sherry.