Is anyone else a little freaked out that we are well into November? Less than two months till Christmas? There was a time when I was more or less done with Christmas shopping by the first of November. This year I haven't even started.
The bird feeders are back. I don't fill them in the summer because I'm north and not able to keep them up. And, they probably have plenty of options. But it's time. The first day (as usual) no one came. The second day? It was practically a food fight out there. The third day Bushy the Squirrel came and knocked one of the feeders on the ground. It's always something. I'll need to stock up! Lizzie, of course, is thrilled! (The price of birdseed is up this year, too. I wish they ate leftovers.)
We've had some (not much, but some) sunny weather as October closed and November began. I enjoyed some lovely walks, including a beauty on the Michigan State, where the fall photos in this post were taken. The Covid shot is done and flu as well, so now I'm triple vaccinated (I had RSV vax first).
Halloween was quiet. I bought one bag of 20 little Snickers bars and gave Rick three. We went through exactly 17 bars with the kids. The rain and snow didn't help. Or the temperature, in the 30s. The next morning, snow was on the ground and the garden.
I've been going through old photos, a project I returned to when gathering pictures for the Roomie Reunion last month. I found one I'd never seen before (or noticed) of my mom and dad. It was taken before they were married up at the family cottage. I am so touched by this. They are so young. And it strikes me as almost unbelievably tender, my mom stroking my dad's head as they sat on the beach. It makes me smile
. Rick and I enjoyed a fun evening with our friend Mark and his cousin when we went to see Randy Rainbow's stage show in Ann Arbor. We drove through the early November countryside with its fields largely bare and the colors muted.
After dinner at Knight's restaurant we saw the "Randy Rainbow for President" tour. It was a pretty full house at the beautiful Michigan Theatre and Randy Rainbow was in full satirical gear with a three-piece combo to accompany him through many of the favorite song parodies he has done on YouTube. His wardrobe brought new meaning to the word sparkle. Are there any sequins left? Could they have added one more? Nope! We loved it!
The audience went wild and everyone loved the show. It was time (and money) well spent!
And for yet another bit of happy, I won one of Carole's Autumn Jubilee drawings at "From My Carolina Home." (This is an annual fall event of crafting and cooking posts and it's wonderful.) The prize arrived and it was the newest edition of the terrific Better Homes and Garden Cookbook and six magazines -- two quilting, four for the holidays -- in a handy tote bag. Thanks, Carole!
And, at a recent estate sale I was lucky to find three more Quimper or Quimper-style pieces to add to my small but loved collection. (I know. Don't start collecting something new when you are trying to part with other things!)
I found the two little sauce dishes in the front and the small plate that's mostly hidden behind the two "pet ladies" for a pretty good price (I love half-off day!)
And at long last, I have a new ceiling over the fireplace. Last year for Christmas, Kevin and Molly gave me home repair on my ceiling that had significant water damage. They would come and do it one weekend -- basically replacing the dry wall. (There was a reason that whenever I showed a photo of my mantel it never went as far as the ceiling!)
Kevin did such a great job! YAY! (We still need to repaint, reattach trim, and such, but that's the easy part.) I am so grateful!
Best of all, they brought these two non-helpers with them. Molly and I lucked out -- we had a play-date with these two little guys, and it was such fun! I hadn't seen them since the first of July so that was an extra delight!
We had the best time -- we headed to the children's garden at Michigan State where they played in the maze, the musical tiles, rolled on the hill and had loads of fun.
How could you resist faces like these?
Then off to the park for some swinging and jungle gym, and down to Lansing's capitol. By the time we got back it was time to make dinner!
They even helped clean up some of the reno-mess! Can't beat that!
It was a perfect day! Now, onward to the art sale!
Sharing with: Friday Face Off
65 comments:
Being an immature male, as we all are despite our ages, I had to giggle at this typo: "stroking my dad's hard."
The kids look great — what a treat to have a day with them! Not to mention having that work done on your house.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Glad to hear Randy Rainbow's show was a huge success in Red State Michigan.
Gift certificates for home repairs are the best, aren't they.
Your mom was stroking your Dad's head, not hand. Come on, eyes don't lie. Anyway, I am glad you're going to live theater now. What fun! And those little boys have grown. They're not toddlers anymore.
Before you know it, those boys will be teenagers. Enjoy them while you may!
That is a precious photo of your very young folks!
Time with your grands is also very precious. Looks like you had a wonderful visit with them with so many smiles and laughs. Nice!
And glad the show was a big hit. I just heard of him recently.
Great little prize!
Never heard of Quimper before, but they are cute.
And glad you got the ceiling fixed, too! Lots going on--wow! :)
Kids melt hearts and put smiles on faces. The two boys look great in your photos!
Such a touching photo of your parents. Sometimes it's interesting to see a snapshot of them at a time before we knew them. So much fun to get out to a show and congrats on winning one of the drawings from My Carolina Home. I can see you are having a wonderful time with the boys. Enjoy!
How lovely to have time with your boys, they have grown so much. It's hard not to buy new things even if we shouldn't. I got a new mug this week, not that I needed it!. Have a good week, hugs, Valerie
Oh Jeanie, so glad you got to see the boys and had a fun day with them at the children's garden. Smiles all around. I LOVE that old photo of your mom and dad. And I have to ask, "how do you get your old photos so clear?" I usually take a picture of a picture, so they're not as clear. Look at all those delightful magazines, and some for the Christmas season! I think I would enjoy the farmhouse one and the Christmas ideas. Jeanie, I love to see your figurines in your home. Those grandmas are so delightful. Good to hear you got the ceiling fixed above your mantel. Lots of wonderful things on here today, and your Fall foliage is one of the prettiest I've seen. And you got snow! : )
~Sheri
Fun times with the boys, you can't beat it. We love Randy Rainbow's video on YT, I bet seeing him live was fantastic.
That is a beautiful picture of your parents, a handsome couple. You resemble your mother.
Happy times for you with the kids. It is good to get out in the fresh air.
Lovely photos around Michigan State! Darling boys that seem to grow up more in each post, Jeanie. What a great gift you were given and even help with cleanup. Have a great weekend.
Boys will always be boys
Hello Jeanie:=)
Your first photo and the one of the river and the reflections are truly beautiful. Four months is a long time without seeing your grandchildren, but what a great fun time you had with your handsome boys.I'm glad you shared the photo of your parents, it's such a loving picture.
Congrats on winning all those super magazines, a wonderful gift which I'm sure wil give you hours of pleasure.
All the best
Sonjia.
Your nature photos are lovely. That is the sweetest photo of your parents! Randy Rainbow is hilarious, isn't he! Y'all sound like you're having a great time all 'round :)
Sounds like you've had a few lovely weeks Jeanie. Not just lovely, but fun. And exciting that you are getting your ceiling fixed. That's the way to do it when you don't have to pay someone to do it. It's nice to fix the house but it's nice to have that money for travel and fun things too. Have a great rest of your week. hugs-Erika
Well you are right who could resist those sweet faces!
Wow great win!! I love magazines those would keep me happy for hours.
wonderful you got your celling fixed just in time for the holidays.
I have never heard of the show you saw I will have to look it up
have a great day
Cathy
What a lot of fun times you've had. Congratulations on the prize win. Spending time with grands is so lovely - glad you could enjoy their company.
You've had a very busy and fruitful time. I'm so glad you got the ceiling repaired and had an opportunity to see your grandsons at the same time. They sure are getting big! I love that photo of your mom and dad. It's a special one for sure. I do like your new collection of dinner ware and as someone who has been trying to downsize for long, I know the temptations to add back are always present. Sometimes we succumb especially those of us who like having cosy homes. Enjoy your week.
The boys are so cute!watch in the blink of an eye they will be young men.Snowing here..ever so pretty..not much just a sign of things to come..Those magazines look like fun!
How wonderful to have time with your little guys. What cute smiles indeed.
I loved the reflection on the water in your 3rd picture. What a pretty walk.
And what a thoughtful gift of the repair. How very special. And finally, it is indeed hard to not collect when you are trying to get rid of things. I love your collection and can understand your buying more. Hugs!
Fun post, looks like you had a great visit with the grands. Nice to have the repair done too. You are lucky to have so many good photos of your family from long past. Thanks for the mention, I hope you are enjoying your reading time!
There's nothing like getting a little home repair done -- especially when you don't have to do it. I've never heard of that Randy Rainbow character. I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I'd never buy a ticket! I'd opt for something like an extra two or three hours with those boys -- my goodness, they're growing up fast!
I feel personally attacked by the calendar - internally, i may be ready for midOctober. Your grands are adorable.
Your mom and dad are a handsome couple, how special to find their photo. The boys are are adorable. Time flies by and they will grow up so fast. Kudos for getting your ceiling repaired. A night out sounds lovely Jeanie.
Oh, Jeanie, what a lovely Fall you had. We were zip bam thank you Mam...from 80's one wee to 20's and snow the next. And, the color was inbetween, lol.
Fun to see the kiddies and all your activities. With my head in totes 90% of the time...I can understand, downsizing and collecting---sometimes you can't resist. I have a rule now--one in, 5 out...which makes one hesitate just a bit, but of course Quimper would have to be exempt. Hugs, Sandi
That was an outstanding gift, and it was so thoughtful.
The MSU Children's Garden is my absolute favorite garden to hang out in when I'm in the area.
I’m so glad you were able to see the two boys! They grow up so fast. I’ve collected many things over the years, but I’ve told myself “no more”! We’re running out of space to store ‘stuff’. LOL!
Yes, birdseed is out of sight $$$ Not feeding them in the summer has saved you a bunch..
I am triple vaxed as well..Looks like that's going to be an annual thing.
Glad you did well at the sale and that your roof is fixed..
Cute boys..it's amazing how fast they grow up!!
Enjoy what's left of this week..
Yay for the new ceiling; that was such a thoughtful gift. It sounds like you had a wonderful time both entertaining and being entertained by the non-helpers too.
Hi Jeanie
We were away for a few weeks in Ireland and Scotland and I'm still catching up from jet lag, going through the time change x2 as the UK and EU did it a week before the US, and having a case of laryngitis! Everyone on the plane was coughing and I caught it.
The boys are so adorable and getting big! It is fun watching them grow in your posts.
I love Quimper Ware --I don't have any but always admired it. I was good and did not buy any souvenirs while away
I'm glad you had your ceiling fixed--water does so much damage!
I loved the photo of your parents -- such a sweet moment and very framable to enjoy seeing it often!
Just love your first photograph and that is a lovely photograph of your parents.
Looks like fun was had with the boys, they grow up so quickly.
Enjoy your November days, Christmas will be here before we know it!
All the best Jan
What a purrfect gift.
And those boys are awfully cute:)
Such a happy post, Jeanie! Those boys are simply adorable, so cute. Your Quimper - wow!! I love those bowls, are they big enough for soup or chili?! And your prize from Carole, how wonderful! Her autumn jubilee was jam-packed. The fall pics are great, and I've not heard of Randy Rainbow, I'll have to look him up on YouTube. Love the photo of your Mom and Dad, frame-worthy!
Nice that Randy Rainbow was a big hit. Surprising, but great. Wow, you and Molly lucked out. Time with the little ones and all their antics. Just wonderful. So glad you got the water damage repaired, too.
Those are adorable collectable bowls. And congrats on your win. I can't believe Better Homes and Garden has a new cookbook edition.
This was an enjoyable post to read as you sound as if you're keeping well and your energy is good. A theatre trip, a visit and a fun time with those cute boys and walks in the woods are activities that make me smile dear Jeannie.
Like Rita said, this is such a happy post. The Quimper pieces are fabulous and congrats on winning one of Carole’s giveaways. The photo of your parents is heart warming. The boys are growing up, but they are so handsome!
Nice to catch up with you this week! Yes, have to plan for Christmas, sigh.
You're so lucky to have seen Randy Rainbow on tour! Sparkle on!
Awww, the pic of your parents it´s so sweet it steals the show!
Though bet Randy was unbeatable, too!
Congrats on the prize!
I am really impressed you can display those dishes and Lizzie does not send them to the ground!
Are you sure last time you saw the kids was July? It seems as if years have gone by, they look so tall and grown up!
And all three of you so happy, thank you for the smile!
To happy times!
I'm glad you are triple vaxxed! Was it expensive to get the RSV vax? My MIL tried to get it last week but it wasn't covered by Medicare (which is RIDICULOUS) and it was going to cost her $500 to get it so she decided to hold off for now. I really think she should get it but understand that is a steep price to pay for a vaccine.
I'm glad you got some time with the grands. Their faces are really really maturing! They are so cute. And such balls of energy, right??!?
Hello,
Cute photo of Lizzie, I am sure she enjoys watching the birds at the feeders.
The boys are growing fast, they are handsome.
The Quimper is pretty, nice purchase.
Take care, have a great weekend!
Hi Jeanie, have a happy Friday and a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
Lovely faces.
Coffee is on.
I had to laugh so hard about Anvilcloud's comment! Too bad that you corrected it... (even though I would have done so as well).
Snow, brrr. A bit too early for my taste, but I've seen some snow posts today already. I love California... I've noticed the higher prices at our local birdseed store as well. Some of the prices went up quite substantially. Have a lovely weekend, Jeanie.
I love that picture of your mom and dad. You can tell how much they care for each other. I bet it feels good to have your ceiling fixed, what a great gift!
Splendid post Jeanie. Loved all the photos and those dear kiddos are adorable! I have watched a few Randy Rainbow YouTubes. He is a hoot! I didn’t realize he did tours. Congratulations on winning Carole’s cookbook. Have a great weekend :)
Aw your Grands are getting so big! It looks like you had a wonderful day together!!
We will actually be in Ann Arbor next week! Lol.
I love your collection! It is always exciting to find new pieces!
As soon as I can sit up without pain I will be back. Thank you for joining FFO and have a nice weekend.
What great times and great memories. I loved the picture of your mom & dad. And I'm so glad you got to spend some time with the grandkids (and get a newly repaired ceiling into the bargain) -- it looks like you all had a wonderful visit.
Your Quimper-style dishes are charming, and I hope you get to use them often. And you know, the things we love don't really take up any space.
Beautiful fall photos and congrats on your Quimper china score!
I had no idea Randy Rainbow had a stage show. I hope it comes to London. That's one stage production I wouldn't have to convince Dave to attend -- he loves Randy Rainbow.
What a great photo of your parents!
YAY on your ceiling fix up. Play date looked wonderful! We had snow here on Halloween too but not as much as you did. Janice
Lovely Autumn photos :)
What a great gift idea for elders!!!!
I love Lizzie's bowl. That is so darn cute.
Enjoy your day.
What a fun post. I smiled throughout.
Your smile is wonderful, such fun!
Great to get that ceiling done. I have one that needs doing...
Oh, and the photo of you parents is wonderful.
Such fun times with the boys!
That really is a beautiful photo of your parents.
Congrats on the prize win, Jeanie!
Hugs and blessings
Grandchildren who clean! Oh my!
I love Randy Rainbow! The boys are growing up. Time passes so quickly.
No one could resist faces like those! Adorable!
Jeanie,
Thanks so much for all your visits and kind words....Love all those magazines that you won and also love your estate sale finds!!! Looks like a lot of fun was had with the boys!! I am almost done decorating for Christmas and then I can sit back and relax and enjoy the Holiday Season and also wait for the birth of my twin grand daughters....Have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Deb
...I LOVE the theater marquee and Randy Rainbow!!!
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