get ready.....

it's after thanksgiving.  that means there's lots of christmas lights shining each night.  wednesday will be a roadtrip for me and mostly in the dark.  let's take this opportunity to look for and enjoy christmas lights glowing in the dark for whimsical wednesday. because i will arrive at my destination very late, i will post my experience thursday.

whimsical wednesday!

it's the day after thanksgiving.  this week's whimsical wednesday activity of gathering nature for the thanksgiving dinner table was definitely a challenge.  all day wednesday it rained, rained, rained.  oh how it poured!  although it kept us inside with no opportunity to collect pine cones and acorns and leaves and bittersweet for our centerpiece, we were all very grateful for the rain.  there hasn't been significant rainfall for several months.  the earth drank deeply as the skies offered relief.  we hoped to have a moment or two to collect our decorations on thanksgiving morning however the weather had other plans as it continued to rain, rain, rain.  the ducks were happy.  we weren't unhappy but anxious to be able to create our traditional thanksgiving dinner table decorations.  finally, my wonderful daughter braved the elements to cut a few vines of bittersweet.  fortunately one grows close to the garage door so there was a bit of shelter as she gathered.   i watched from the window in solidarity.  from the cupboard she found a candle, polished stones and things i didn't even know i had!  along with the lovely bouquet we were given for the holiday, she created a centerpiece to rival anything that could have been purchased from a florist.  our table looked beautiful and inviting.  later in the evening, as we sat by the warming fire in the living room fireplace, i looked out the window to discover that the rain, rain, rain had turned to snow!  snow on thanksgiving.  our most wonderful holiday of the year was most wonderful.

get ready.....

thursday is thanksgiving, the most wonderful holiday of all.  at least for my family.  we would rather celebrate thanksgiving together than any other holiday so we make the effort to ensure that everyone comes together at the farm.  it's a wonderful time.  we look forward to, prepare, enjoy, then savor each year.  one of our family traditions is to walk the farm the day before or thanksgiving day, gathering what nature has to offer to create the centerpiece for the table.  we gather leaves, twigs, acorns, dried flowers, bittersweet, pine cones; whatever catches our fancy.  we add a candle or two to what becomes a lovely, impromptu holiday creation.  this whimsical wednesday, we shall gather and create and we invite you to do the same.  even if you live in town, you will be able to find items for your table as nature is everywhere.

whimsical wednesday!

libby and i have been very busy with chores around the house.  time, however, was taken this early afternoon to bake cookies.  ok.  the cookies were ready-to-bake from the freezer but they were warm and soft just out of the oven.  almonds were also roasted.  at three, the kettle was filled and heating on the stove while the table was set for tea.  a candle burned and a very sappy holiday movie was playing on the hallmark channel (libby and i are both willing to listen to if not completely watch this yearly holiday fare) while we sipped tea.  libby enjoyed the cookies while i enjoyed the nuts and sugar free dark chocolate (that's what one does when on a restricted diet....improvise!), talked and enjoyed the afternoon break.  we decided there should be tea during thanksgiving weekend when we are joined by sarah, scott, megan and jacob.

get ready.....

let's repeat tea this week.  even though the tea that was sipped last wednesday was enjoyed, it wasn't as planned.  i am looking forward to afternoon tea wednesday.

whimsical wednesday

tea wasn't what was anticipated when the activity was announced on monday.  my daughter and i are visiting my parents and tea had seemed a nice afternoon sit around the table and talk activity.  however, soon after posting on monday, we received word that a dear, dear family friend had died; his battle with cancer over.  the services were this afternoon.  mom and dad decided we would go to the club for dinner.  while they enjoyed spirits before the meal i had a cup of tea.  it was excellent and the time together festive.  we talked and laughed and shared memories and enjoyed each other's company.  throughout the evening, thoughts of our friend and his sweet wife and the similar occasions that we shared together filled me.   we raised our glasses (mug for me) to them. 

get ready....

this whimsical wednesday, enjoy at least one cup of tea.  make even a single cup an event.  select a blend that is truly enjoyed or try something new.  pour it into a lovely cup with a saucer.  use a cream pitcher and sugar bowl.  have scottish shortbead or other tasty treat with it.  put it all on a tray.  light a candle and play music.  if possible share tea with someone else.  even if tea is enjoyed alone and can only be for fifteen minutes in the day, relax and savor this interlude.  if tea isn't what you prefer, drink coffee! 

whimsical wednesday!

another busy day was upon me so craft making was one of the first activities of the day.  it was decided to make a craft my children made many of in the mid 1980s when they were in early elementary school.  it seems everyone made them and it was truly a fad.  whatever it was we had fun making them together.  that craft was putting seed beads on safety pins and then wearing them on shoelaces.  silver toned safety pins were selected along with three colors of seed beads, cobalt blue, aquamarine and red.  the accent bead was larger and silver toned.  a variety of different arrangements of colors were placed on fifteen medium sized safety pins.  lunch was enjoyed with friends and the beaded pins were shared with them.  they loved them and think i am oh so clever!
giggle.......

get ready.....

it's november!  gift giving time will soon be upon us. remember all the simple gifts we created for our parents and others when we were children?  this whimsical wednesday, create another of those simple gifts for someone; a pot holder, a juice can pencil holder, a jar lid frame to use as a magnet or christmas tree ornament.  everyone made these gifts.  select your favorite or make a new one.  if you select a favorite, tell us about making the original and who was it for.