A Haven for Vee

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Autumn Decorating and More

So many have been sharing their autumn decorating and I want to play, too. Mine never quite lives up to theirs; still, I employ the old one bird singing in a forest philosophy. You know the one:

Use whatever talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except the very best.

~Henry Van Dyke

Right and amen. To that end, here we go.


Here's a new panel sewed for the kitchen window. The colors tie a lot together around here.


Just a reworking of the same old same old. It's what I do best...shop the house.



Fioré used to hop up here unless I loaded it with stuff. Now I realize that I could change things; I'm in a rut.

Okay, that's just about enough of that. This here place is not a decorating blog you'll be happy to know. ☺

***
Today, Judy at My Front Porch is sharing *a driving tour of New Brunswick, Canada.* (You'll find Judy's photography amazing, btw.) New Brunswick is our sister state...er province...er..country...oh something! She mentions visiting Kings Landing and so I thought I'd pop in my grands' visit to KL at about the same time Judy was visiting.
Here they are walking that dusty road, visiting The Print Shop where they made bookmarks, and playing croquet on the lawn. So bucolic!

Here they are in August at the garden I love so well and not my own.↓


They had been goofing around as brothers do. I wanted to take photos and they just wanted to be silly. Okay. Fine. I carried on. In fact, the photo in my substitute header is one of their being goofy photos, which has become one of my favorites. Finally, Sam (Mickey Mouse shirt) said, "Okay, okay. We know how to take a good photo." And the one above is what I got. He was right and I love it!


Same garden (just three feet from the photo with the boys) taken last weekend with my iPhone. I admired the morning glories and the apples cascading down as I sat sipping my water and reading my book. 

***

Last, I'm tossing in my lobster stew photos made from the delicious lobster that Abby sent home with us.  Oh yummy!

John said, "Please, please, no garlic in my lobster stew." 

I said, "Garlic? Heavens no! Marjorie Standish says that you can't even have salt and pepper."


Marjorie Standish is considered by many the quintessential expert on Maine cooking. The ingredients in this stew are pure, quality butter, fresh, fresh lobster with the tomalley (the green stuff you see there), and light cream. That's it. Almost that's it. The brew stew must be allowed to sit (in the fridge of course) for 6 to 8 hours before re-warming and serving. John was in heaven for two days. 

***

Closing with another photo of John's project. I see that he's drinking his water!

Thank you for stopping by. Not sure when I'll be posting again, before too long I hope. This playing things by ear is always interesting...

Have a wonderful first day of autumn!

69 comments:

  1. OK...the grandchildren are precious....little boys can be just a ton of fun....your Lobster stew is making me quite hungry....but your kitchen window had me at hello....marvelous and joyful post today Vee!

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  2. Remember the disappearing comment box I mentioned the other day? Well, I found out purely by accident that hitting the "back" botton on my browser brings it back...lol! It seems I need to download a newer browser version...that's why the weird gliches...oh well....back to your post... I really like the touches of fall you have added...the kitchen window panel is lovely and I really like the old window pane vignette. And "shopping the house" is definitely the way to go! Have a great Wednesday :)

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  3. Love goofy photos. I forgot in my comment on yesterday's or the day before's post to say that I'm sorry that your furry companion is no longer with you and John. No fall in my house yet unless it remained from last fall. I like the touches you have added. I am more and more intrigued with John's project...
    Happy again for the return of Fall...
    Have a wonderful rest of the week!

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  4. It's always so fun to pop by your place and see what's new. I love that new window banner. Such great hues in that fabric. That frame is also so great. I know there must be one like that kicking around here. I'd like to copy that idea.
    Smiling too at the grands goofy photo taking. Kids are the same wherever they are from. You captured them beautifully and it was fun to see them enjoy life.
    John's project is intriguing..

    Happy Autumn Vee!

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  5. HI Vee that little wondow with the cups is to die for!!

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  6. I love your kitchen window. Great photo of those boys--both silly and behaving. I'm a fan of boys, having raised two of my own.

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  7. When we visited Stephanie's place in May, I made certain to get all the lobster and crab dishes I could. Love them! Not exactly available (fresh) here in the Midwest. ;)

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  8. Lobster stew sounds great! I've only had lobster once in my life and it was a casserole. Love the fabric in your new curtain panel!

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  9. Vee, the haven is looking very nice with your fall touches! Your kitchen window scene is reminding me I need to shop my house and get going with Autumn. My Mama used to use those golden wheat dishes that you have hanging on your window frame. I think she got them from Tide or the service station. The boys are so cute and have the best grins--I too just love the joy and mischief little boys always display--I only have grandsons and just love their antics. Have a lovely first day of Autumn. ♥

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  10. Howdy Vee! Can I come over for some lobster stew? It looks incredibly tasty!

    I always find your posts refreshing, dear friend. Happy fall and big hugs to you!

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  11. Vee, I loved all your photos. The boys are so cute. I miss all my little boys...who are all grown, except Skylar and he's 16 now. Your stew looked heavenly...no wonder John was in heaven...could it be any better.? Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  12. Hi Vee!

    I've always loved your kitchen window . . . it always makes me feel at home!

    Your sweet little boys are adorable, and don't you just love the toothless grin?! I love to take pictures that aren't staged, but really, can you stage boys?

    I knew the most wonderful couple that were from, Maine. Everything that came out of her kitchen was heavenly! She just said it was plain cooking, nothing fancy, not too many seasonings, just good old food. I'll bet they would have loved your lobster stew . . . I would love your lobster stew!

    Hope you are feeling better sweet friend!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  13. Nice photos! Lobster stew sounds and looks wonderful!

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  14. Love your fall touches, but it's still too hot in my neck of the woods for me to join in the fun. The stew looks heavenly.

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  15. Hmmm, I'm looking forward to seeing how John's project progresses. I think the new valence in the kitchen is very pretty autumnal and colorful! I am so glad you aren't a decorating blog, I'm just a regular person who likes to see how other regular people live :) The Lobster stew looks so good, I have never had it, and I'm not sure about putting the green stuff in, but only because I have always doubted whether I would have the courage to try the green stuff from the lobster. The boys are so cute! Love that last photo, it's a keeper!

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    1. The tomalley is where the flavor is. The stew would not be the same without it. =D

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  16. Well I am loving all your little Fall touches, but especially that window panel. What a wonderful idea. I've got Fall decor up too even though there is NO Fall even remotely in sight! LOVE the picture of the boys. You can just almost feel their joy at life. But that Lobster stew....oh my. I think you might be able to steal my hubby away with that, lol. He orders lobster soup/stew anywhere he can get it. I have never lobster in any form. Enjoy the rest of your week! Definitely intrigued with his project btw....

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  17. Happy Fall, Vee -- I'm so glad you posted!! I LOVE your kitchen valance and was already admiring it before you told us it was new. You did a very nice job on it. :) I love, love the teacups tied to the window frame -- what a darling idea! That lobster stew looks and sounds delicious -- mouth now officially watering. :-D

    Those grandboys are so cute! Our son, Will, used to always make goofy faces when we took pictures of him. That kid -- we thought he never would outgrow that habit. ;) It looks like you had another lovely outing with the grands; what a blessing Vee.

    Have a good week and continue to feel better.

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  18. Lovely, Vee! Just lovely! I was so happy to see this new post pop up in my blog roll. I love your touches of fall -- the window panel is so pretty. I have a couple of window panels that I made for fall -- they will be the last fall touch I put up for September. Mine go on the bottom half of the window and their primary purpose (aside from being pretty) is to block the view of a large chocolate lab and kennel on the porch. As you can see from visiting my blog, I'm not a decorating blog either -- just love to decorate in my simple way for the seasons.

    The lobster stew looks magnificent and -- yes, Marjorie Standish should have the last word on lobster stew!

    What handsome grandsons you have! Even the "being goofy" photo at top is adorable, but the "good photo" is wonderful indeed. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. So nice to see your summer photos. : ) I like how you 'shop' your house. I do that too!!
    I must admit that I don't decorate for seasons. I just redo things all around every so often, but not with a theme.

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  20. I like your autumn decor Vee and that you shop the house like I do. It looks very cozy and comfortable. What a sweet pic of the grand boys. They are getting grown up and handsomer. Wasn't Judy's blog post nice? The lobster stew looks delicious! Oh for a taste of that. I can see why John enjoyed it so. Is Marjorie Standish a distant relation to Miles Standish of Plymouth Rock fame? I hope your first day of fall was as beautiful as ours is here. We took the 2 youngest for a long walk/Strider bike/Chariot(carriage) walk this morning to 2 play grounds. So much fun! Home tomorrow. :( I try not to think about leaving these loved ones here. I'll be crying on the way to the airport. xo Pam

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  21. quintessential? Second time I've heard that word today, need to look it up. This was a busy post, love the photos of the boys, those are the best ones, of them being silly, laughing because you have the memory to go with it. Love the new curtain, lobster stew, fall decor, John's project, and you!

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  22. Your Fall decor is very nice. I bought a mum and then forgot to water it.
    I saw a Maine lobster (frozen) in the store last week. It was $75.00. I would kill for that stew!!!

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    1. Never buy frozen lobster! Freezing absolutely destroys the flavor. Hopefully, you wouldn't for that price. Yikes!

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  23. Happy Fall, Vee! Those boys are sure cutie pies, aren't they? I loved seeing snippets of decor around your home. The photo of the morning glories and the apple tree is well, glorious!! I sure wish I could sample a taste of the lobster stew...yum!

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  24. What a delightful family! And I really like the fabric you used over your sink window....Is it the heavier weight? Whatever, it looks wonderful! I would easily do something like this, if I would....And you, Vee, I'm pretty sure you belong in the group of best birds, you know....

    And lobster. Lobster is so delicious and we really don't get it here in the midwest. Or at least not the same quality, I think.

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    1. It is a heavier weight, Kristi, and a Waverly fabric.

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  25. I spotted a candy dish with candy corn. Oh my, I used to love those! We enjoyed the peek into your corner of the world today. Lobster, yum!

    Wishing you a beautiful evening,
    Brenda
    xox

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  26. Those boys have the best smiles! Your lobster stew sounds wonderful. I love anything lobster. Love your new valance too! Happy first day of Autumn!

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  27. Happy Autumn to you!! Your decorations are all very pretty! Hope that the lobster was yummy! xx

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  28. Well, I just loved everything about this post! From the touches of autumn, grand kids being grandkids, don't you just love it when they act silly, I love the laughter that goes with it.
    Your stew looks so delicious, John's project has me guessing, with no idea. Hopefully ours will be ready soon.
    Hugs, from Me,
    Sue

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  29. What a great post! The lobster stew looks wonderful. Your autumn decorations are lovely. Talk about a rut, I seem to use the same ones year after year. You are so much more creative. Tell John that I'm "caught up" in the suspense about his project. Love these updates! Everything he does is a masterpiece. Your little grands look so happy. Isn't it wonderful to see how little ones live in the moment? ~ I've meant to comment on your new header (pictures). It's fun to come and see the changes you make.

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  30. First of all, "playing by ear" is kind of fun! A new post is always a delightful surprise! :)

    Love that picture of your grandsons!! It is wonderful! Sam had it right. They DO know how to take a good photo!

    Lobster stew...mmmm...

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  31. I think you are a very good decorator! I'm too lazy to drag out my sewing machine and you are always whipping up something pretty. Love the photo of the grand boys...they are such cuties! And I can't wait to see what John is up to. Is he fixing up a pathway in a new flower garden, perhaps? Oh I don't have a clue, but I love to guess. I would ply him with lots of treats like that yummy stew so he'll get that job done. We wanna see!

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  32. Your autumn decor is so pretty, Vee. I really like the new window valance - such a great fabric. Shopping the house is what I do most of the time - can't think when I bought something new for the house. Fun photos of the boys and their visit to Canada. They are so good-looking! Lobster stew sounds yummy. We certainly enjoyed our lobsters out east in June. John's working away...keep drinking your water, Vee!

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  33. I love how your sense of humor comes out in so many ways in your writing ~ "this here place is not a decorating blog " . Love it ! Although your home does look mighty picturesque. Happy Autumn to you.

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  34. Awe...loving your tea cups hanging on that frame! What a cool idea! The grandbabies are precious Vee. Nothing like them for sure. I've never had Lobster stew but dang it looks good! Happy Fall! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  35. Your Fall touches are so pretty Vee! The boys are just adorable. Your posts are always so delightful and I'm so curious as to what John is up to now .... Happy First weekend of Fall to you!

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  36. Your curtain is the first thing I noticed in the photo! It's so pretty and the colors are perfect. I always decorate by shopping the house! I use the same stuff nearly every year, but in different spots or rooms.

    Sam and Jake are getting so big! Wow! That is a nice photo, too, no wonder its a favorite!

    I'm going to check out Judy's post and photos but first we are going to our local fair!

    Deanna

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  37. Love your decorating and that soup looks amazing!!! Now if I only had fresh lobster ;-) Have a wonderful day!

    blessings,
    Jill

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  38. Ooh . . that lobster stew looks delicious! Aren't you glad you decided you like lobster? And your fall decor is way ahead of mine; love your quote about singing even if you aren't the best one. Sometimes the best ones are hard to relate to.

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  39. Love that curtain, Vee, and the way you've switched things around.
    I much rather see treasures that someone dug out of their closet or
    basement cabinet (where my extra stuff is stored) that something new
    that they ordered from The Pottery Barn or Pier One!

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  40. Thank you for sharing the Henry VanDyke saying. Would you believe, I never heard nor read that saying. I feel the same way about my decorating compared to others. Best to do something instead of nothing. Your window frame is very chic.

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  41. First off...let me say that I love your fall window topper!
    And secondly...those goof-off 'grand boys' of yours make me smile!
    And thirdly...I'm coming for lobster chowder...or stew...or whatever. It looks great! No salt or garlic though? I guess it is lobster...pure and simple!
    And lastly...thanks for sending your fan club over to check out New Brunswick on 'My Front Porch'. :)

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  42. Hi Vee - nice post, always such a smile comes to my face when I visit your blog.

    I have been offline almost a whole week - life - crazy - and watching the nieces at their home all weekend until monday after school so won't be on much then either.

    I have lots of back reading to do - but quickly wanted to say hi. Happy Autumn. I have a million posts I should love to do - nope, never enough time is there? So what's John up to project-wise, keep me informed! Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs.

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  43. I like what you have done, Vee. And no, no Bernie visit here....however, there was a visit by a transgender former Navy Seal (answering your question you left on my blog, lol). Ok, off to classes, have a beautiful day friend. Blessings

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  44. Hello Vee, i think the qindo frame with the cups is a delightful snapshot. It would make a lovely photo card. For aome reason i can't see your other photos here in Italy vut will look forward to seeing them once i'm home. I always enjoy your redecorating from afar. I am so sorry that you lost your dear companion Fiore. It's hard to lose a cat as I know too well.

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  45. Great post, Vee...love your window panel...looks nice and fallish...
    I seldom decorate around here for Autumn....rather wait for Christmas...but will put out a few pumpkins here and there....
    Your boys are so cute...

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  46. I noticed the new window valance right away and like the autumnal colours in it. Lots of other little pieces here and there, shopping the house is a good idea as it keeps the extras down - I'll be purging my stuff in the spring.
    The lobster stew looks tantalizing and the simple ingredients would not take away from the flavour one is hoping for. I had my first lobster roll in Florida earlier this year and can't wait to have another - it's not something we make in Ontario.
    Happy weekend to you and John!

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  47. I love that window valance, in fact you may have inspired me to do something for my own kitchen window..we have those wooden look slat blinds...but I am so over them, LOL. I know it's not a decorating blog but one has to get inspiration where you can right?

    My version of Autumn decor is a few candles pinecones, and the feathers, moss, rocks, acorns, chestnuts the little treasures I collect from my walks...mine is definitely not a decor blog either. LOL.

    Jen

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  48. The kitchen valance is so pretty. I love your window frame. I have one but mine has mirrors and it hangs in my kitchen with a swag of flowers in in front of my buffet. I must go shopping in my house again soon. You have inspired me.

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  49. I loved your kitchen window photo the very best of all. I like the lamp by the sink and the trim you put on it. I always love seeing pictures of your home. It looks warm, cozy, comfortable and welcoming.

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  50. Great blog post. You may think your autumn decor is minimal but it is tasteful and I like it a lot. That wrap around the lamp shade is especially nice. Cute kids, too!!

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  51. I am going to share that quote with Benjamin, it will go right along with our devotional we had this week. I love your decor. The boys picture is great, I so know about the being silly. Lobster stew...never had that, but it sure sounds good.

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  52. What a lovely decor and such great grandkids you have . Hve a nice week

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  53. I've planted some chrysanthemums outside, but that's about it for my fall decorating...pretty sad! I've only posted twice this month and need to make some changes. Your grands are adorable and handsome all in one! Happy Fall, dear friend, XOXO

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  54. Your grandsons are getting big, Vee! Each age brings new joys as we watch the grandchildren grow.

    Your lobster stew made my mouth water. I could eat lobster every day, but the prices here for it are so expensive that I have to abstain.

    I have not taken out my fall decorations as yet. I usually wait for October, but autumn begins so early here and passes so quickly --there is already talk of snow coming to the high mountains soon!

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  55. The house looks lovely, the grandsons are darling and the lobster delicious. I enjoyed this happy post, Vee.
    Amalia
    xo

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  56. Your fall decorating looks very pretty. The fabric in your valance is especially eye catching. Like you, I also employ the shop your house method of decorating. At this stage of life I'm not looking to add a lot to the already overstuffed closets and attics :).
    Your story about getting a good shot of your grandsons made me laugh. How well I remember those days with my own boys. I like both of the shots you captured.
    Interesting information on the making of lobster stew. I've never tasted it, but it sure does look yummy.
    Looking forward to seeing what John is up to now.
    Hope you are feeling better, Vee.

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  57. Being the grandmother of boys I can certainly relate to the boys goofing around :) The only fall decorating I've done is one mum and a couple of pumpkins on the front step. Things stay pretty much the same indoors all year long, except for my garden flowers in summer. What a gorgeous pot of lobster stew! I wish we would have had enough left from our lobster boil to make this!

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  58. Well, I am a few days late but I AM here! Love that fabric- it is just a perfect cool weather "fix" for your window. I always shop my house, too, and rarely buy things anymore...well, except for pumpkins! Love the picture of the boys. That IS a good one.
    Ohhh---lobster---from Maine....oh...oh...ohhhh....I LOVE lobster---but don't like fish- go figure!
    Hope you have a great first day of October. xo Diana

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  59. Shopping the house is the easiest and the best way to approach decorating! I rearrange seasonally using that approach. I always love your photos; you make me want to travel. Believe it or not, Maine is on my bucket list. The silly pictures of your grands remind me of fun times past. They grow up way to fast and then the silly pictures become rare. You lobster stew is making me so hungry! It looks and sound divine! Enjoy these autumn days. The farmers almanac is calling for a rough winter and we may be yearning for them.

    Happy October!

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  60. Sounds like you were won over to the lobster side. One of the commenters mentions green stuff. This kinda scared me off, but then I don't know when I'd ever have the opportunity to eat lobster stew anyway. Your homey fall touches are lovely. I should take note and do something around here. I could use some new valances to perk things up.. Your cute grands look like they're having fun. We get ours here this weekend. Can't wait. They're coming out for Oktoberfest.

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  61. I love your kitchen. It feels like a place one could and sit and chat for awhile. Oh an lobster stew be still my heart. Those cards you said you liked that I painted will be in a bookstore in Rockport Maine soon. I just mailed a batch off yesterday. The gal owns an independent bookstore called Barnswallow books. I have no idea if that is close to you. Someday I will visit Maine.

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  62. Oh Vee I have been trying to get back to blogging but with a new computer and over time, some things have changed and the process is not exactly the same. I know you took a break and hope you will let me know if you get this comment so I can keep on "visiting" with you. Missed you.

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    1. Hi Peggy~

      You're still a no-reply blogger so that makes it challenging. If you don't want to be a no-reply, there's a Shirley Temple button in my sidebar that will show you how to change it.

      I hear ya, every day that I don't blog makes not blogging all that much easier. I am planning to fight that feeling. Hope to see you one day soon!

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  63. (((Vee))))
    I LOVED my visit here this morning.... And I adore your kitchen and window view!! LOVE! Shopping from home is the best! ;) It is what I have been doing too. And your grandsons are so handsome! I know you are smitten.... they are absolutely precious! Now, it may only be 8:17 in the morning but I am hungry for lobster thanks to YOU!! Love to you darling Vee! Today and always.

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  64. It is a pleasure to stop in and visit a Haven for Vee! You also have a lot going on in your life! Very fun post!

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  65. Love your touches of autumn and your happy touring grandkiddos. Autumn leaves are falling fast in our part of Alberta,,,it is my favorite time of year though.

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