Happy Thanksgiving

Life has been a roller coaster (and still moving) this year and yet I'm counting my blessings. I have my little family who make me laugh in spite of it all, my very dear friends (and you know who you are) who are there no matter the 'storm damage,' and I have my Faith. We will celebrate this blessed day with my parents, grandmother, a family friend and our beautiful daughters.


I Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. ENJOY!

Package delivered

Specs picked up Chem-girl at the college. I received a text saying as much at 4 pm. It read something like this, "the package has been picked up and will be delivered at approximately 7:30 pm."

Traffic was heavy leaving the city but they arrived safe and sound at 7:54 pm. Dinner was on the table when they arrived. Crock pot steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and a coffee cake for dessert. Home cookin' at it's finest as she said.

She's happy to be home and while Miss Molly doesn't appear to be thrilled, she's actually ecstatic to have her owner home.

The holiday is fast approaching and we will be quite busy in the next few days.
I'm up early to begin the holiday cooking. One of the little things in life that I do enjoy is early morning. Nothing like stepping outside in my pjs on a cold brisk morning to bask in the quiet.

I'm off to bake pumpkin pies and prepare the stuffing for TJ Turkey (he prefers to be 'dressed' you know ;).

Decorating in Style

Life has been in the way of...well?...Life but we're muddling through in spite of it.
We're hard stock Appalachian folk so what's a gal to do but pull up the boot straps and start over (although me thinks the boots are hip length these days....*sigh*).

During a normal holiday year we decorate after Thanksgiving. We threw that to the wind and started the decorating marathon early. It's a mess but we're beginning to see the light(s). Look closely and you can see a certain cat in the picture. I missed getting the photo of Missy Prissy falling from the box that was teetering....*snicker*. Mr. Bettis didn't miss it though and promptly arrived for damage control and to play a quick game of chase the cat (eyeroll).

...can see clearly now

Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning...and that's been the motto around here on a daily basis.
The sky belies the daily events around here but I must admit I like the picture anyway.











This is a rather small and insignificant mess in the scheme of Life. Miss Aurora occasionally gets into my yarn bags and carries yarn to an undetermined location. Unbeknownst to me this skein hit a load of unwashed laundry and hit the washing machine. It is now clean but totally destroyed and I'm hoping I have enough yarn to finish the project.
Mr. Bettis is off the hook on this one but the destroyed umbrella is another story.

It takes days to put up the Christmas tree. Hubby wanted a live tree but that's not happening this year and I know Chan will have something to say about that ;). Given our luck this year, I'm sure it's a wise thing to skip a live tree.

Miss Phoebe has attitude and she's not the least bit happy to move for the sake of decorating.

The eldest DD had a much needed eye appointment. Apparently when one fails the eye test miserably, glasses are made within an hour -_-.

She can see clearly now and looks so smart ;). The computer and cell phone have her undivided attention now that she can actually see to read.

We're gearing up for the holidays. Not too certain how they're going to fare but not much we can do about it. So here goes.....

When do you decorate?

There's no place like home...

Busy is an understatement around here right now but time was on our side for some family time this weekend.
First up was the homecoming football game. Always a great time with friends and family. Chem-girl arrived safe and sound from her second home (college) to attend as an alumni.

Our home school won the game and so the festivities began.




Daughter #1 joined in the fun when work allowed. She's the one wrapped in the afghan because good ole mom wouldn't turn up the heat in order to save money ;).

By the way for the knitters out there, the afghan is the Rambling Rows by Cottage Creations. Excellent pattern and a fun knit (warm too). I can't seem to find the link but for the ravelers out there it's an easy find in the pattern section on Ravelry.
Time was found for a good game of Hands and Foot.


There was some girl knitting time and like a bunch of hens, we chattered and laughed while catching up on the family news. Cooking and baking produced chicken casserole, roast dinner, cookies and potato candy. Yum.

Chem-girl is back at school, DD #1 has a busy week and DH begins another week of work. As for me, it's a time to reflect and catch up on the never ending laundry and cleaning around here as well as some busy time with DD #1. We're looking forward to family time at Thanksgiving. Only 2 + more weeks.
I must also find time for gift knitting....or else put an ad in the paper for some knitting elves ;).

Eye Candy Treats

Halloween came and went and somewhere along the line I missed it. Of course about the only thing we really miss are the kids' treat bags filled with candy so we can get drunk on chocolate :).


I'm late posting this new arrival of eye candy. The wind was blowing hard last week and look what blew into my mailbox, a lovely birthday gift from Jessi. Two skeins of her beautiful dyed yarn and as soon as I decide on a pattern it will be cast on. Also included, a cute set of knitted notions and labels for my handknits. There were two pencils but one is sharpened and already in use.






Forgive the glare, I just couldn't get a decent picture without it.

Also included were these adorable handmade stitch markers. Aren't they cute? I have a standing order if she ever re-opens her shop.

Thank you so much Jessi.