Happy Squirrels!

We always enjoy watching the squirrels play in our yard. Mostly in the backyard, but occassionally acting up in the front yard. This year they decided they liked the pumkin I had on the front steps. They have never bothered the pumpkin before and I am glad they at least waited until after Halloween. I got this one from the Senior Center when I went to make cards last month. They had drawn faces on them and gave me one. Unfortunately, it was done with markers that were not permanent and the face wash away the first day as it was raining. Oh well! Anyway, starting last week we noticed something was eating the top of the pumpkin, but could not tell for sure if it was a bird or the squirrels, until one morning when Harold walked out and scared a poor squirrel half too death. Well, the day before Thanksgiving they finally broke thru to the inside and after that they made quick work of it...they discovered the yummy seeds inside and went crazy, everytime you looked out there was a squirrel eating. It was so funny to watch them practically climb inside it to get the goodies in it. They have eaten all of the insides now, so we haven't been seeing them any more. They have lost interest in the shell of the pumpkin now. These shots were taken Thanksgiving's Day.

Happy Thanksgiving's Day!

Had a nice Thanksgiving's Day this year. Jacob was able to come home to join us and we had my friends over again. I made the usual - tukey, ham, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes,green bean casserole and deviled eggs. Margarethe brought over a delicious Hershey Bar pie and a Apple-Cranberry Crumb pie and Bobbie brought over a great Pineapple Upside-down Cake (my favorite) and a homemade pumpkin pie. I had also bought a Sweet Potato pie and Harold had found a Sweet Potato Cake (someone had made one once and he liked it, but he said hers was definitely better - of course it was, it was homemade). Jacob also preferred Bobbie's pumpkin pie over his usual preference of sweet potato pie - again homemade wins over store bought - LOL!

More Treats and Cards

This year at our Scarlet Sophisticates' Christmas Party we are having vendors and they asked me if I wanted to set up a table, so I am making stocking stuffer items, cards for Christmas and red hat themed cards. Here are some of the items I have finished so far.

I have a lot more started and some more ideas floating around in my head. This week I will be busy getting more done.

Scarlet Sophisticates Turkey Dinner

Every year my Scarlet Sophisticates group goes to Bob Evans for an early Turkey Day Dinner. We have a great time. This year I made everyone some little treats - M&Ms in a 1x8 bag and a turkey nugget.

We're a Great-Aunt & Uncle Again!

Well, after a grueling 30+ hr. labor, Sky Blanc finally made his appearance. Bekah is doing well and she and Beau are now first time proud parents of a beautiful bouncing baby boy. Sky came into the world on 11/17 at 5:53pm and weighed in at 8 lbs. 14 ozs. and 19 inches long. (close to my Jacob who was 8 lbs. 15 ozs. and 20.5 inches when born over 20 years ago). I love this picture of Sky. Isn't he adorable!

Sky Blanc

Bekah, Beau, Sky & Grandma Becky

More Turkey Nuggets!

I made up another batch of turkey nuggets, this time with a waddle.

Sr. Ctr. Cards, Line Dancers and More Happy Mail!

Today I went to the Sr. Ctr. in Col. Beach to make cards again. We made a Thanksgiving's Day card and 2 Christmas Cards.

Afterwards the HeeHaw Line Dancers came in and put on a show for the seniors, so Bobbie and I stayed to watch and have a light lunch with them. We had a blast! They put on a great performance and at the end had some of us come up to do the Elecric Slide. I volunteered to go up as I love to line dance (when I know the routine), but rarely do it anymore, because of my knees. I made it thru the whole dance, but barely. My knees and shins were about to give out on me, but I made it thru. Wish I could do something like this all the time, but that won't happen until after I get a knee replacement and that may be awhile.

Here is Janie (in back in brown) the Activities Director at the center joining in as she use to be a part of this group, so they had her join them on the first 2 dances. They were very good.

Afterwards they put their hats on a couple of us for a photo opt. Yea - that is me in the front center.

When I got home I had a surprise waiting for me...a package from my cousin Deb again. I was expecting another check from her for another order, but was surprised to get a box which had these enclosed. I had seen them on her blog and LOVED them, so I was very exciting to be getting one of each. I love the penguin ... so cute! Isn't the card beautiful!

I had also gotten a package the day before from Alicia with the blog candy I had won. She was secretive about what it would be, so I was very happy to receive a pretty card from her along with a roll of Stampin' Up! Chantilly ribbon. Can't wait to use it!

Sweet Magnolia Luncheon

Wednesday was my Red Hat Sweet Magnolia luncheon at the Fredericksburg Country Club. The meal consisted of grilled chicken with a creamy wine sauce, rice and veggies (yellow squash, zucchini and carrots with herbs). It was delicious! We played a few games and had prizes - I won one game and got some cute little mini frames in purple and red, of course.

Here is Leslie (one of my table mates) with her prize (small mantel clock with matching frame).

The Sweet Magnolias

SURPRISE!

Jacob called mid-day and said he wasn't going to be coming home for Veteran's Day and possibly not for the whole weekend, so I had relayed that message to Harold before heading out to pick up a few things. I get home to find Jacob's car in front of the house. Little sneak wanted to surprise us and he sure did! Harold thought it was me walking in and had to do a double take to realize it was Jacob instead. He had arrived just a few minutes before I got home. I walked in saying "Okay, where is the little liar". Not very effective since he was standing in full view in the living room as I walked in. It's nice to have him home (he hadn't been able to come the last few weekends).

Now if we can just manage to get George and family to visit from Kansas - unfortunately that is a little harder to do. Hopefully, they can come next year before he has to leave on deployment. Time to start putting some pennies away, so that we can help make that happen. Want to see him, my DIL, granddaughter and new grandson again before he leaves and she and the kids go to California while he is away.

Busy Bee Luncheon

Today my Busy Bee red hat group met for lunch at Tru Luv's and I gave out my first batch of turkey nuggets. I think all of these little guys have been given a pardon by the ladies and will not be eaten - LOL! We had a wonderful time as usual and enjoyed each others company and, of course, the food.

Trick'r Treaters

I love Halloween and seeing all the cute little kids in their costumes. This year I just wore a jack-o-lantern shirt and my witches hat and sat out on the porch to hand out our candy. Here are pictures of my neighbors kids and/or grandkids.

Douglas (grandson of neighbor, her daughters are the ages or close to the ages of my 2 boys, so they grew up together the last 14 years or so)I can't get over how big he has gotten since last year. Last year he played shy and this year he was talking up a blue streak with me.

This is my next door neighbor's daugher, her DH and their son Slade.

And last but not least my other next door neighbor, Ann and her 2 daughters (I can never remember their names - rarely ever see them).
This is the first time I got to get a picture of them, but it was chilly out so their jackets hid their costumes. The little one was a cheerleader and her sister was a dancer.