Sista's Thanksgiving Table

Hello, dear friends.  I hope this finds you enjoying a fabulous pre-Thanksgiving weekend.  Today is a big day for the Mister and me.  We are off to the airport to  pick up our #2.  Our #1 doesn't arrive until Wednesday because she has a big girl job.  Both are arriving with their usual accessory - a big fat ugly cold.  No holiday should be without one.

This week I am running some posts from the past.  This particular post comes from Sista's beautiful antique home in Connecticut a couple of years ago.  

Such a pretty place setting.

Love, love the tortoise horns in sterling silver holders with the gorgeous ostrich feathers and mercury pumpkins that illuminate the gorgeous tablescape.

The china is Christian Dior. Love Sista's place card.  

Darling sterling silver baby cups hold a small arrangement at each table setting.

If Sista's doodle spots that little squirrel, that gorgeous table is history.

Stunning horn of plenty.

 Birds eye view.



Every year the fireplace is lit to set the tone for a beautiful holiday.  

Until next time...

This n' that

Hello, dear friends.  We woke up to a dreary, wet day but this afternoon promises sunshine.  Here is a post chronicling a little of this and a bit of that.

Moi, Kathy, Mo of Mocadeaux, and Mary

My buddy, Mo from Macadeaux was in town and we had a lovely lunch with the Sudbury sweethearts yesterday.  We met at the Rustic Kitchen, which never disappoints.

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Wednesday, I went to my first book club meeting.  Most of the ladies have lived in their town for many years and go way back.  They could not have been more welcoming to me.  This is a group that cherishes a good laugh as much as a delicious book.

The hostess was lovely and her waterfront home was positively breathtaking.  I smiled all the way home.

Last but not least, the group gave One Thousand White Women a very enthusiastic thumbs-up.  I would never have chosen this book to read but I enjoyed it tremendously.  That's the beauty of book clubs.

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The next book that will be up for discussion is In The Garden of Beasts.

*****

One of my favorite websites, Buzzfeed, did a post on 31 Books that will Restore your Faith in Humanity.  After watching the depressing world News this past week, I knew I had to look at the list.  I placed a few on my must read list.

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Everyone I know who has read this latest novel by Kristen Hannah has loved it.   

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This is one of the few that I have read on the list.  I enjoyed it tremendously.

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This one sounds like an interesting story and has piqued my interest.

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The Book Thief was one of my favorite books of all time.  Hopefully, this one is just as good.

I am really enjoying this new sitcom.  Almost as good as Modern Family.

Season 2 is on fire!!  
Never a dull moment in this series.

I think that season 3 of Below Deck was even better than the previous seasons.  Lots of twists and turns and Rocky really knew how to rock the boat.  I'm looking forward to the reunion.  Don't tell anyone, but I have a mini crush on Captain Lee. 

I don't get it.  I thought Barbara Walters retired.  Remember that really long two weeks of flashbacks of The View and 20/20 that was on about a year ago?  She's baaaaack!  She will be interviewing the Donald and wife of the week tonight.  I'm sure it won't be a tough, news-breaking interview due to the fact that Barbara and the Donald are good buddies.  

Last but not least, my #1 texted me this photo yesterday with the comment: I found the perfect gift for Dad.  I think she's right.


What have you read lately that has restored your faith in humanity?


Until next time...

The Dodo

A Hodgepodge Monopoly

Hello, dear friends.  I hope you all are having a good week.  Mine is going well.  I have a book club to look forward to this evening and a great lunch with friends tomorrow.  

In the meantime... it's time for Hodgepodge.    

1.What's surprised you most about your life, or about life in general?

I think the most painful, necessary lesson to learn and teach my children is that life is not fair.  

On the upside, life also holds many wonderful surprises.

2.  Among others, these ten words were added to the Oxford English Dictionary this year.... awesomesauce, beer o'clock, brain fart, butt dial, cat cafe (apparently this is a real thing), fatberg (gross-read definition here) fat shame, hangry, Mx (gender neutral) and skippable.

Your thoughts?  In looking over the list, which word do you find most ridiculous?  Which word would you never in a million years say out loud?  Which word would you be most likely to use in conversation?

I would say that I would use the word hangry the most.  No question about it, anything can set me off when I am hungry.  The Mister is the same way.  If we ever come to your house, keep us fed.  Otherwise, it ain't pretty. 

I would never in a million years use the word fatberg and it is also the most ridiculous and disgusting word in my opinion.
  

3.  Do you like gravy?  Is there a food you'd rather not eat unless it comes with gravy?  Do you make your own or buy the canned or store made variety?  Turkey and gravy, sausage gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and red eye gravy, biscuits and chocolate gravy, pot roast gravy... which one is your favorite?

I am not a gravy lover. However, I could be talked into trying one or five helpings of biscuits smothered in chocolate gravy. 

4.  Do you have a plan?  Do you need a plan?  Have you ever had a plan fall into a trillion pieces?  Explain.

I am a planner.  I would rather have a plan fall into a trillion pieces than not have a plan.

I don't use technology for my planning.  I write everything down in a pretty planner with my hot pink gel pen.

 5.  November is National Play Monopoly Day.  Do you own the original or some version of the game?  Do you enjoy playing Monopoly?  How likely is it you'll play the game of Monopoly on November 19th?  Ever been to Atlantic City?  Ever ride on a railroad?  Is parking in your town free?  Last thing you took a chance on?

The likelihood of the Mister and I sitting down on November 19th to play Monopoly to zero to none.  Twister, on the other hand, is another matter.  That's us, by the way. We just had it taken for our Christmas card.

I have never been to Atlantic City.  

I have taken the train many times in my life. When I graduated from college, I commuted to NYC from Connecticut.  And these days, the Mister and I love to take Amtrak to NYC for the weekend.

As far as I know, parking in my town is free. 

Over 25 years ago, I took a chance on this guy.  I feel like I won the lottery most of the time. 

6. A song you like that has the word (or some form of the word) thanks in the title, lyrics, or meaning?

I dedicate this song to all my friends in blogland.

7.  In keeping with this month's theme of gratitude...  what is something you're taking for granted that when you stop and think about it, you're grateful for?

You may not connect the word gratitude and this picture together.  But these two little crazies keep me on my toes and give me unconditional love and wet kisses every day.

By the way, this is not an old photo.  The Mister and I came home to this on Saturday after going to a movie.  I guess they wanted to see the new Bond flick too.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Last weekend I was in Austin and took a cab from the airport to the hotel.  My Sista was waiting for me and asked me how much I paid for the cab ride.  I told her $50 and she told me her Uber was $30.00.  Darn it!  I hate when she out does me!

So I joined Uber which was very easy - even I could do it - which is equivalent to a six-year-old.  We used Uber about 5 times over the weekend and only had stellar experiences.  Uber has keeps your credit card on file and they ask that you do not tip.  All you have to do is hop in and enjoy the ride.

Pristine cars, personable drivers and on-the-double service - Uber must be doing something right.

What surprises you about life?



Until next time...