A Haven for Vee

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Mid-November

Boy, is it ever Novembery! I am thrilled that the snow at least waited until November 11 and I am very happy that there will be a warm up next week that will take most of this icy mess to the nearest drainage ditch. I have been housebound, not even daring to go to the mailbox, for three days. I am beginning to feel antsy. 



I have been playing one game of Sudoku after the next. Yes, it's a little dull around here. One thing is certain, I am not listening to any Congressional hearings on impeachment. On second thought, 
some of the reviews were very interesting. 



Let's move on, shall we? 


Thanksgiving decor is hanging around until the day after Thanksgiving. Of course, a week from this weekend, I am asking the guys for help to drag in my Christmas tree. I like my tree too much to give up an entire week of it with Thanksgiving being so late. Once again, the Pilgrims will be hanging out with the Nativity scene and my vintage papier-mâché Santa. It'll be one big happy crew for a few days. 


My sister Kim has invited Laurel and me for Thanksgiving this year. Adam and family will be off to Bangor to enjoy Thanksgiving with his wife's sister, also a Kim. This confused the boys to no end when they were much younger. They thought it was odd that they had an Aunt Kim and their dad had an Aunt Kim. Do you have more than one named the same in your family?



These are the wee houses I purchased at Target last Monday. 


The houses were only a dollar each and I wish that I had purchased a few more. The tall house is an evergreen color, though it looks very dark here. (That quote is not one that floats my boat, but the cardinal is beautiful and the sentiments written inside are as well. It was sent by an old friend, a former classmate.)



The ubiquitous kitchen pic just so you know that you were here.

Are you thinking about Christmas decor? I am pondering putting up a Christmas tree in the upstairs window of the garage as a way to bless my neighbors. The house is so dark on these short days. I need to up my game. 

Perhaps I'll see you next week! Until then, have a great one. Oh, are you hosting Thanksgiving this year or what are you up to?







44 comments:

  1. I am cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner and then I will be going to my daughters on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. I need to start Christmas décor too. I would like to have a tree up a couple of days before Thanksgiving, but I don't know if it will happen.
    We have three Helen's in our family, so I can understand the confusion for the boys.

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  2. I'm from Québec, Canada and our Thanksgiving is over.. so I'm in the Christmas mood! I decorated last weekend, the only thing left is to do the tree and that will be Saturday.

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  3. My husband and I will have a quiet day at home but we'll make a wonderful special meal to enjoy and share with a friend. I look forward to the day and the memories of all the big dinners I hosted in the past. Take care of yourself and stay safe! I work puzzles on my IPAD and that's fun too. Hugs, Diane

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  4. Ahhh . . . that answers the question I just asked you in my blog comments! I am sure it will be a lovely day of celebrating!

    With the size of our family (Ron is one of eight, his father was one of eight, our own family is pretty big too), there are numerous name duplications! Ryan and Brian (son and son-in-law) gets kind of confusing too. And then Kati and Andrew both have cousins named Andrew . . . with the same last name! Crazy, because they are totally unrelated!

    Keep doing your Sudokus until the ice is gone!!

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    1. Yes, Cheryl is right, stay off that ice! I did not venture out at all on Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday I very cautiously wended my way to the mailbox. You are wise not to attempt it.

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  5. Thanksgiving will be at my sister-in-law's this year after three years at our farm. We recently sold the farm as it was just too much to keep up. We have always shared the cooking duties no matter where we have it so that helps tremendously. I do love Thanksgiving as it just true family time. I am probably going to sneak in a little Christmas a little early since I don't have Thanksgiving at my house this year and it is late on the calendar. I will be putting that tree up right after we eat:) IT was terribly cold even here in north Florida this week. Yikes. I have three heat lights on the lemon tree. It survived, but some of other potted plants didn't fair as well. IT is way way early for us to have that kind of cold AND like you I haven't listened one bit to that mess on TV. I am so over it. My mood stays happier when I keep it turned off. I just continue to pray for our country.
    Stay warm and get those lights up for the dark nights.

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    1. I love and agree with your description -- "that mess on TV". Like you, I am paying very little attention to it but am just praying for our country.

      Heat lights on the lemon tree -- wow! We have been having unusual cold temps too, for the time of year.

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    2. I do hope it all works out, but I know I can't watch it. I know nothing to do but to continually pray for the President and out country. The hate vitriol by all is just too much for me.

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  6. Snow! One of my sons always comes for a few days at Thanksgiving, so that is always fun. The tree will go up Thanksgiving day here. Those little houses are darling!

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  7. Sorry you're going stir crazy! Come on, warm up! I do think its wise to not be out in the ice.

    As I am still putting things back on my walls after repainting, this week I had Kyle help me put some faux pine garland and lights up above the cupboards in the kitchen! This is very cheery and makes me happy!

    I'm glad you'll be putting your tree up and enjoying it. I am so close to buying an artificial tree. I really think we're going to do it. Thinking of the years ahead when I will be doing these things with out my helpers, and this will make it convenient. Plus, as Kyle said, "We won't have to worry about making sure the tree has water." He's all about convenience! LOL!

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  8. Your world is looking warm and cozy as always! Sweet little houses. My daughter Emily is hosting Thanksgiving this year and we are having more than our usual twelve. My sil Alice is bringing her daughter Poppy and grandson Nicholas who are visiting from the state of Washington and my niece Ursula and her baby daughter Alena are visiting from Frankfurt, Germany! A very exciting Thanksgiving. I am in charge of green bean casserole and will be making two of them, I'm sure, for sixteen people. Two weeks from today. The day after we are celebrating the 90th birthday of one of my brothers in law. There are two older in laws! This is a long lived family, for the most part. Enjoy your holidays and be well, dear Vee.

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  9. Oh, what a great idea to put a lighted tree in the garage window! Not sure when we will start decorating for Christmas. Maybe Thanksgiving Day, who knows? Mr. T usually does not have the Friday after Thanksgiving off, or we could do it then. We'll see.

    I have no idea at this point what we're doing for Thanksgiving. We may go out. We're always welcome at our daughter Carrie's, and we almost always go over there Thanksgiving afternoon/evening for pie and games even if we eat dinner elsewhere.

    I hope that you and Laurel will have a wonderful Thanksgiving at Kim's!

    Confusing names within a family: Carrie's kids have an Auntie JoJo (our daughter Joanna), an Auntie Jo (their uncle Josh's wife Joanne), and an Uncle Joe. I don't really know if they've ever found it confusing, but it seems so to me.

    It's also very confusing to me that cousins of mine (siblings within one family), once they began having kids, began naming them for one another! Hence, there is an uncle Bill Jones (made-up name), and his nephew, Bill Jones (also a made-up name), just as one example. On the one hand I'm glad they all love one another to that extent, but on the other hand it is confusing.

    I love your wee houses from Target. That's a place I basically never visit, as the closest one is an hour away. (And I've *never* yet set foot in Hobby Lobby, although one of those is a half hour away!) Life is just too busy, and shopping is not a top priority when we have a few spare hours.

    I so enjoyed this post! I love random posts, both reading them and writing them.

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  10. Nita hosts Thanksgiving every year and has for I guess over 10 years now. Deanie used to. As long as we have each other (siblings) we will probably continue this tradition. Everyone brings something and then lunch is served at noon or 1:00. This way you can attend a later family Thanksgiving if desired. That's what my children do sometimes. Only Brother Lonnie doesn't come as his wife hosts TG for her brother. But Nita makes broccoli rice casserole every year and always a casserole to take him in advance. Then Christman morning we gather at Nita's again. Deanie used to hosts that too and she had everyone come at 8:00 so they could go on about their Christmas. Nita says coem at 10:00 and I like that so much better. I always hosts Christmas Eve for my children and grandchildren....and now Pam.
    I always love seeing your home. I know snow is old hat to you but I would enjoy a little bit from time to time......

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  11. I'm thinking this year it would be nice to get the Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. It does seem to make things feel more rushed when Thanksgiving falls so late. Plus the lights would brighten these dark evenings. Okay, I'm sold on that idea.
    My boys have two Aunt Kathys. Although one is a Kathie. My best friend growing up was named Bev. Same as her mother. When I would call her on the phone her dad would always say do you want big Bev or little Bev. That cracked me up as they were both under 5 ft. tall.
    Your little houses are adorable. So often I see the cute things people find at the special spot in Target. Seems when I remember to look I don't find anything.
    As for Thanksgiving, we are going to our brother and sister-in-law's house. My job is the apple pie, cranberry sauce and butternut squash.
    I hope that you are able to get out before too long. Forgot to mention how pretty your last photo is with the wreath framing the flag. I could picture that as a very lovely Christmas card.

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  12. 1. Not watching the Congressional hearings on impeachment. I haven’t watched the National News in close to 4 weeks. However, we are praying even more for our President, that the truth comes out and that those coming up with the charges are brought to shame.

    2. I always enjoy seeing your wood walls. They’re so warm and inviting. You put a smile on my face with the Nativity scene and the pilgrims hanging out together during the switch-over from one holiday to another.

    3. When parents decide to name their son after his dad, it’s a recipe for confusion. Add to that, their names and mine (“Mom”) all rhyme — well, I just wish somebody had sat me down before the son was born to speak some sense to me. (somebody didn’t want to be called Junior or JR all the time)

    4. Am I thinking about Christmas decor? Yes. I love your idea to put a tree in the upstairs window of your garage. That would bless me, if I were one of your neighbors.

    5. DIL cooks Thanksgiving and we drive up to join them. I like it that way. It’s easier for a family of 11 to host 2 guests than for the two of us to host a family of 11.

    Keeping you in my prayers!

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  13. Hi Vee, Great to see your Thanksgiving decorations. That was funny about the pilgrims hanging out with the Nativity scene. I love playing Sudoku, and do it on my ipad. Heading to my stepsons for Thanksgiving. As for double names in my family, you know my daughter is Bethany and my daughter in law's name is Bethany. It can get a little confusing sometimes. We also have multiple Williams in our family, but we can cover that with "Will", "William" and "Bill". Stay warm.

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  14. We had snow on Halloween and several other snow showers since then! It's been so cold and not a very nice November so far. I agree on the more lights the better during these dark months. Hope we both get a good thaw soon so we can do some decorating outside!

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  15. Iwebe had temperatures this week in the 20’s, Vee, although it’s warmed up to around 60 today. I love your little houses, and the more sparkly and cheery, the better, I say. You know that I had an Aunt Kitty (my maternal grandmother’s sister), my mom was Kitty, my dad had a sister named Kitty, and me (all variations of Catherine/Kathryn, and then there’s Cissy (Catherine). Crazy, huh? No, I’m not hosting Thanksgiving. I’m going to my daughter’s! I haven’t started decorating for Christmas, but am thinking about it. Hope you’re having a good week. 😘

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  16. AH.....that winter snow....I can't say I miss that....well, perhaps a little...I am overwhelmed with all these people that have been decorating for Christmas since early October????? Drives me a little crazy..not me...we love fall and Thanksgiving to jump forward to the Christmas season....hope you are feeling well and have plans for a festive Thanksgiving day....even with snow!!! Warm hugs dear Vee!

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    1. Are they Canadians? 😊 They’re the sensible ones who have Thanksgiving in October. I love Thanksgiving, but this November business is not too nice, especially when the temps become more like January.

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  17. Like your kitchen window!!
    Cute little houses. I'm thinking they would be easy to make. Maybe I'll give it a try!
    I have a cousin Patty on my mother's side and a cousin Patty on my father's side!

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    1. Can you make them for less than a dollar? ☺️

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  18. I'm glad your snow held off until November. Great photo of the flag looking through your wreath in your cozy kitchen. Sounds nice to bless your neighbors with a tree in the window of your garage. The tiny houses are so sweet from Target! We always go to my nephew's for Thanksgiving and then have everyone here at Christmas. Stay warm and cozy, my friend. Praying your days are better. ♥

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  19. Good to hear you are going to have help dragging out your Christmas tree. Thanksgiving is late this year bumping right in to the first Advent Sunday. We will not host on Thanksgiving day but will have a late celebration here on Saturday of the weekend. Our daughter in law and her mother are hosting on the actual day. I'll bring a side on that day. I am thinking about Christmas already. Kids from the Coast will arrive on Christmas day. Being out on a country road with no street lights I'm thinking that adding more lights this year would be good. Dear is not a fan of putting lights up. I have not watched news for a long time. I'm also fed up with people who try to give me the news on facebook. Cute little houses. There is no cohesiveness to my comment here. I'm still recovering from being gone for a few days. Hope the rest of November stays snowless for you and for me. Hope you can get out and about soon.

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  20. I'm glad your snow waited until the 11th to fall. I'm also glad that I'm Canadian and don't have to balance Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm not decorating yet, but I'm thinking about it. I did put out some twinkle lights because it's so, so dark. I'm also glad I'm north of the border with all the shenanigans in your politics. However, ours are not much better.
    I hope the snow clears away and you can get out. We'll be hosting Christmas Day here, and everyone will contribute. I finished report cards last night and am now focusing on more pleasant things, like sewing a few Christmas gifts.

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  21. I live in the Ozarks and we got snow and cold too....way below normal temps for here! I was just painting outside last week! I do watch the impeachment hearings....history in the making. I also do a Sodoku puzzle each night before I start reading in order to keep the neurons firing! LOL! I have Fall/Thanksgiving decor up now and am just getting ready to make my TG menu...I live alone and have all my holidays that way...no muss no fuss! For years I did the whole thing for the whole family and wondered why I was so exhausted and couldn't enjoy the holidays like other people! Not any more...I get myself new projects to work on (handwork...such as knitting etc.) and a Christmas book (mystery) and cook my favorite foods and no one elses! I watch mvies and football and Christmas VLOGS on You Tube. I have never been lonely or bored in my life and a walk in nature is restoring to the soul IMHO. Have a good one!

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  22. My friend Catherine Holman is having trouble commenting here. She often sends me an email with the comment she tried to make. I am posting it below:

    Hi Vee,

    I'm replying to your post as normal in an email. You had a lot more snow than we got. We did get a little wintery mix that made the roads a little slippery. You made a wise decision to stay in. I will be starting my Christmas decorationing this weekend so I can get ahead of our Christmas Open House. I'm curious as to how little Daisy will react to all the decorating. She believes that everything laying around is for her enjoyment. Opening my decoration boxes might prove to be too much for her. I will be hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas as usual again. My mother is in a nursing home close by so that works out better for her to visit. My sister is about an hour away and my mother does not do well on long rides. Take care dear friend and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


    http://www.catherineholmanfolkart.com

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  23. Glad you are being sensible regarding the icy conditions, falls are no fun Vee, please take care.

    Heading to daughter's home for Thanksgiving - I will make veggie dishes and an apple pie - then buy a pecan pie to take to the meal. Day after Bob and I do our usual fun trip to the NC coast, Carolina Beach, for a couple of days - they light the Christmas tree and have lots going on on the boardwalk, always fun. Hoping this will be in good weather, chilly is OK for the season, but no rain as we are having right now hopefully.

    Christmas decor and such? I haven't really given it much thought yet but do know that once again I will be cutting back somewhat as I seem to do each year now. Sadly age/health brings limits and we just have to learn to slow down a bit.

    Sending warm hugs to Maine - Mary x

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  24. Well, we had only a hint of the white stuff here earlier this week but for a few days, I thought that someone had ripped a few too many pages off the calendar because instead of feeling November-y, it was feeling February-y! :) Oh the thought of decorating for Christmas makes me bit sad this year since there won't be much going up in the RV. I have kept out a few small things such as a tiny tree and a few other odds & ends to try to bring some festivity to our tiny little abode. I hope to post an update soon...and here I thought it would be easier to blog after I retired....no alone time! I hope you have been feeling well!

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  25. I am thinking about putting up the tree before Thanksgiving, which is something I have never done. I really want to change up things a bit - maybe put the tree in a different place or something. The little houses added just what was needed for your table grouping. I hope you can get out and about soon...maybe you already have! :~)

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  26. You always make me smile...my husband is wanting to put up Christmas--and I am refusing. As for plans, my mil is banned from visiting, long story short, last Sept. she cursed me out at our dining table in front of family and my/our son...my husband had had enough and has banned her now. I think probably it will be just us three, but who knows...plans are always changing on how many people will show up etc.

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  27. And my friend Judy is also having trouble...


    It’s hard to avoid news about the impeachment hearings, even here in Canada. That and the firing of Don Cherry. :) HGTV is a good diversion. Glad you can just relax and enjoy Thanksgiving at your sister’s this year. I say...go for it. Bless your neighbours with a garage window tree! No Christmas decor is happening at my place yet. Almost time. Happy Thanksgiving, Vee!!!


    http://judys-front-porch.blogspot.com/

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  28. Those little house are so cute. My daughter does Sudoku. I'm not very good at it. I like circle a word. How nice to be invited out for Thanksgiving. We are going to our son's house which will be nice. Yes I will be starting my decorations soon but I'm certainly not ready. Been trying to get in the mood by watching Hallmark Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music too!

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  29. Hi Vee, Like others, I am watching lots of Hallmark Christmas movies! We will spend a quiet Thanksgiving at home, family is too far away to get together these days. Keep us posted about your Christmas decorating. Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours. xo Mildred

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  30. I am so thankful for this post...so glad to see that I'm mot the only one rushing Christmas decorations. You'll see when I post.

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  31. Good Morning Vee … I thought of you so often these past few months and knew at some point I would be back to blogging. I know that you lost your husband not too long ago and I knew also that you would have gone through the same thing now that I am experiencing as I lost my husband just 6 months ago on May 14th and I am feeling so lost. Hope you are doing well and you have definitely been in my thoughts and prayers since I have not been blogging. Love & Hugs, Kathy

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  32. Hi Vee,

    My husband loves to play Sudoku, too. I'm kind of a Solitaire girl and sometimes crossword puzzles. Wow, I didn't realize you had already gotten snow there in Maine. We had quite a cold snap here last week, but no snow yet.

    We have quite a few Williams in our family. My husband is William H., his father is William C., and our son is William G. Our son is called Will and my husband goes by his middle name. My maternal grandfather, who died when I was 12, was also a William.

    We'll be joining my husband's family for Thanksgiving this year, and we'll take one or more dishes to share. I love, love the annual Thanksgiving meal. :D I hope yours is wonderful, Vee. Also, I like your idea of putting a Christmas tree in your garage window.

    Have a great week!!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  33. I have been thinking about Christmas sooner than later this year, too. Maybe because we are not doing Thanksgiving here at the house and maybe because the snow came early this year and maybe because I am just antsy in general.
    Happy November Night- xo Diana

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  34. I like the idea of the holidays playing nice with each other while secretly competing which one is best.
    Amalia
    xo

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  35. Hope the weather has held so far and no more snow for now! I love that you wait till after your Thanksgiving to decorate. I always wait till after Nov. 22 (my daughter's birthday) so I better get going now! Happy Thanksgiving to you next week and to all my US of A friends!

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    1. What gave you that idea? ☺ My tree is sitting right here mocking me as I type. No, I won't allow a late Thanksgiving to mess with my Christmas schedule. Thank you for the Happy Thanksgiving wishes, Rosella. Happy decorating to you!

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  36. Yes, it's been quite November-y here too. A little while ago it was flurrying snow, now the clouds are moving fast across the sky and it appears there's sunshine in them.

    I want to visit your street if you put a Christmas tree in your upstairs window. It sounds so cozy, especially on this early dark evenings. It's just like in the Happy Endings bookstore in Jan Karon's Mitford stories.

    I like your little houses, yes! They make such a cute vignette!

    Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving. I'm sure the Pilgrims won't mind hanging out with the Nativity. Your big day happens to fall on our wedding anniversary, for which we have plans to go out for dinner. There's a lovely sounding new restaurant (with good reviews) in town that we want to visit.

    Brenda xox

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    1. A happy anniversary to you, Brenda. It will be wonderful to try out that new restaurant. Yes, I did put the wee tree up in the attic window of the barn/garage. (I usually refer to it as a barn.) I even lit the lights early because the weather was horrid yesterday and the neighborhood needed the cheer. A photo will probably show up here in a week or so. One has already been posted at Instagram.

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  37. The thought of the pilgrims hanging out with the nativity and Santa was precious! Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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