A Travel Break!

Before we move on to our visit to London, the Cotswolds and more, I thought I might give you a break from travel posts and fill you in on life at home since we've been back. It has been a bit of a whirlwind. We're talking art sale, ditch walks, bugs, and odd autumn happenings!

But first of all, for those of you celebrating in America, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a lovely day (or did, if you're reading this after!)

As you might remember, I came home to a bedbug issue and some of you have asked for an update. The good news is nary a bite since the first exterminator treatment. (The follow-up was Monday and I have started putting things back together.) The interesting thing is that before the first treatment, the Bugman looked carefully at all the spots these bugs hide and didn't see signs of a single one. He even asked if I wanted to continue but by then everything I owned, it seemed, was in plastic bags in the garage waiting to be processed. So, yes, I did. Since then, I have been spending a good deal of time and money at the laundromat heat washing or drying clothing, throw pillows, linens, you name it. Fingers are crossed. (This is part of my garage as it was. As of Tuesday, I have almost all the bags out and the car is inside again. A good thing -- we had our first snow and there will be more to come!)

All this means I have practically zero autumn decor in the house, which isn't bothering me as much as it normally would! But I did buy this wonderful pillow after I saw one on Sarah's and Emily's beautiful blogs. And I love it. (Wish the turkey had been in stock, too!) Now, onward to Christmas!

Rick had two trade shows, one in Indiana, another in Columbus. Right before he left, two cars landed in his front and side yard when a drunk driver in an EV ran a stop sign and hit a fellow in a truck. Clean up has been tricky -- lots of glass. (The truck ended up about 15 feet from the large glass window where Rick was sitting at the time, which is a tad scary.) No one was hurt badly.

Then we had a lot of wind and a tree fell down on our street, blocking it for about 16 hours. It barely missed a car parked on the street, so a relief, but hard to see a tree go.

Our weather in November has been remarkably -- and unseasonably -- warm (until this week, but still, not bad!) I've enjoyed some nice walks to the ditch.

On my first, I saw Harry, and that made me feel good, like he was welcoming me home.

I thought I'd miss all the color, since we returned on October 25. But there was still plenty to enjoy. We've had color --  and a good deal of it in the right places -- as late as November 20. It's plain weird. I like it -- but it kind of creeps me out.

Even the garden flowers were doing well. Rick's nasturtiums are still lovely. And my geraniums are still hanging in, too! (Though with snow predictions I brought them in to winter over.)

My annual art sale took place and was great fun. Below is a look at my area, with cards and paintings and a few felties at the left. I've done this at my friend Jane's house every year for about 30 years. My art contributions have changed from painted sweatshirts in the '90s to photography, to holiday crafts, to paintings and cards. There was a long period when I used to make pumpkin rolls -- at least six dozen, which pretty much filled my fridge's freezer. People still tell me they miss them. I don't miss making them!

(By the way, my Gypsy Caravan mail site is open and you can find it on the menu bar up above! If you're interested in cards and paintings and few felties, check it out!)

And, I had some special guests one day. I looked out the window and three deer were moving from the backyard to the front, where they sweetly posed for me.

 

I wish I'd been able to grab the better camera and not my phone. But aren't they lovely?

We also had a fun Cork Poppers on the Day of the Dead. The theme was a wine to die for and I'll have more on that one soon! 

And for those of you who asked "How did Lizzie do while you were gone?" the answer is "Great!" She's been especially clingy and sweet since my return and I'm loving that! (Apart from still thinking out of the box.)

I'm getting itchy to put up some holiday lights and finery. First things first. But I got a shot of Christmas spirit with an all-too short visit to the greens market on Saturday with my friend, Jan. It was a very quick trip and we were late arriving but it was still good fun.

Rick's mom came to visit for a week, so we did some shopping, hit a craft fair, had a visit to the history museum, and saw all the kids. One night we went down to look at our city Christmas tree. We watched the parade and tree lighting on TV, then took a drive downtown over the weekend to get a closer look.

And finally -- this was spotted. 

Things that make you go "Hmmm."

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