Quick Change Artist

The week after Thanksgiving here in the United States of America I envy the Canadians. They sensibly celebrate Thanksgiving the second Monday in October, giving themselves time to catch their breath between autumn and Christmas. We, on the other hand, frantically dispose of our turkey feathers, harvest gourds, and pilgrims on black Friday and quickly deck our halls for Christmas before the calendar flips to December.  Whew, I just made it. 

If you came to my house this the last day of November, you would be greeted by a magnolia leaf wreathe with a Burberry plaid bow, and red berries. I always think it makes a nice transition between autumn and winter.

                                    

Inside, red pillows and a red poinsettia make the sunroom festive. 

The living room is decked in gold balls, a white poinsettia, and

 my choir of carolers.

 The library sports a small feather tree and

white bisque nativity.

 On the doorway leading to the lower level, I always hang the wreathe I made when we were poor newlyweds. The calicos are still bright. I hope I have held my age as well as it has.

Of course, the piece de resistance is the tree. I guess I have not crossed the Rubicon into old age, because it is still a live tree, seven and a half feet tall, and sporting 800 tiny twinkling lights.

Now, I must press forward and onward to the pile of Christmas cards waiting to be addressed. I have yet to buy even one gift. I won't panic though, because the house has changed out of its Thanksgiving garb and is fittingly dressed for the Christmas holidays.

May your season be bright.

All Will Be Safely Gathered In

Welcome to our home at Thanksgiving.

Our kids and grandkids are set to arrive in a couple of hours. When they arrive, I will throw open the door and hug each one.

I have decked the halls for the holiday. Pheasants, hens, ducks of all sorts put us in mind of turkey and stuffing.

Outside the colors are still vibrant, but soon will fade.

Inside the bounty is gathered.

 A table is prepared for two tiny tots--both just 2 years old.

 When they arrive it will be nearly bedtime. I have made up mattresses on the floor,

 in every corner...

 in every nook,

for grown ups

and toddlers...

old folks and

 elementary school students...

 and their parents...

In our family, we share holidays. Every other year our kids and their spouses come for Thanksgiving. On opposite years, they come for Christmas. I love when it is our turn for Thanksgiving, because it brings back one of my earliest and favorite holiday memories. 

When I was a preschooler, we went to my paternal grandparent's farm. As some of the youngest cousins, it was a big deal when the teenage cousins let us play hide and seek with them in the barn. I still remember hiding quietly in the hayloft, holding my breath, waiting for whoever was "it" to find us!  

After that, we played Annie-Annie-Over, a game involving throwing a football over the smaller barn and racing around to catch whoever caught it on the other side before they could make to our side. The weathervane below came off that barn. It was given to me this year and hangs proudly over our back door, often reminding me of those kind older cousins, my wonderful grandparents, and that wonderful holiday so long ago.

Happy Thanksgiving to you. May you find someone to be kind to as well.