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Sunday, November 20, 2016

GIVING THANKS

Hello dear friends!  Did you get any snow?  We saw a few flakes but mostly it was icy sleet.  Nothing is as disappointing as expecting snow and getting rain.  And windy!  Oh my!  The wind blew those big cement urns right off our front porch.  Here's a picture we took of our local lighthouse:
That's the waves crashing over the breakwall, not a dam.  Seconds later the waves completely obliterated the view, they were higher than the lighthouse!
I always imagined it would be fun to be a lighthouse keeper, but I can't imagine how scary it would be to be living in one on a stormy day like yesterday.  Yikes!  The wind caused our electricity to flicker on and off, but we were fortunate the lines stayed up for a change.

But any snow, even a few flakes is cause for celebration in our house.  I brought out the Grandma Moses mugs and had a cup of cocoa to celebrate.  And yes, I listened to Doris sing  Snowfall.  Snow means winter to me, so I brought my reindeer herd down from the attic.
Those old flocked reindeer and the true vintage bottle brush trees are becoming scarcer and scarcer.  I did add two  that I bought at Target this year, but they just don't have the feel the old ones have, so I'll just hold out until I find some original  vintage ones at an estate sale.  BTW, do you like my birch bark star in the background?  I found an ugly painted one at an estate sale and Mod Podged  some birch bark wrapping paper onto it. I like a more naturalistic look to my holiday decorating.  Oh!  speaking of birch bark, this week I finally finished my birch bark mittens that I began way back here. Only took me five and one-half years to finish them! How's that for procrastinating ? Maybe there's hope for some of my other works-in-progress.

While we are still somewhat on the subject of snowflakes, Shirley requested I post a picture of my little family of stray cats.  This is Jolly, our special little snowflake.
One day she just showed up on our doorstep with a big gaping wound on her face.  I'll spare you all the details, but it was nasty.  We doctored her with silver solution, peroxide, and Neosporin and cut away minute pieces of gangrened tissue.  We weren't sure she'd survive, but we tried to give her as much love as we could if her time was to be short.  Well, she thrived!  Only problem is she is a little bit crazy.  When we put out the cats' food she dives and covers the bowl, like a soldier heroically smoldering a bomb.  She's downright rotund, and shaped somewhat like a snowman so her name does indeed fit. And she gets confused easily and starts running around in circles. But she is the most loving animal I have ever seen.  When we hold and talk to her, she gazes into our eyes like a smitten schoolboy and touches our faces with her little paws. And she loves to licks our faces like a puppy.  She's our special little snowflake and we'll keep her.  BTW, all three of them have wheedled their way into staying on our enclosed porch now, much to Georgie's chagrin.

CRAFTING

I love anything made of zinc or tin and I was especially taken with those little tin Advent houses that you often see in Nordic decorating.  I searched for some but the few I could find were too exorbitant a price tag and had to be imported.  Then I found some similar looking ones on the Halloween discount rack at Pier 1, only problem being they were black.  So I put on my thinking cap and came up with a solution to make a zinc-like finish.

Step 1:  Paint the item a dark gray color using craft paint.
Step 2:  Using a flat light gray (preferably with a teal-ish tint) craft paint (did you know that they now have chalk paint in craft-sized bottles at the craft stores?) and a fan brush, apply the paint , leaving streaks and in a rather sloppy manner.
Step 3:  Brush on some shiny silver paint here and there.  Do not cover all areas.
Step 4:  With a piece of scrunched up Saran Wrap, dab the surface picking up some of the paint.

That's it!  Easy peasy!
I think they look pretty convincing. The bigger one in back more so than the one in front.

On other craft notes, I sewed this very large pillow from a tea towel.  I think it will look cute on the guest bed.
The   verse reads:
Come at evening or at morning.
Come when expected or without warning.
A thousand welcomes you'll find here before you.
And the oftener you come, the more we'll adore you.
~Thomas Osborne~

Pretty sweet sentiment, huh?

And we finished reupholstering that settee, or I should say Ran did, I only helped with one corner.
The little knit  pillow on it is another work-in-progress that I finished this week.  Still have to finish putting the fringe on that knitted afghan, for now I just strategically fold it so the fringe doesn't show.
And Ran wants you to know that he made another pipe.
He shamelessly loves to read all the compliments you all heap on him.  What he's going to do with all these pipes is anyone's guess.  Once he gets on a jag, he makes a lot.  That's what I get for telling him we  had enough wooden spoons!

THRIFT

 A lot of people complain about getting so many catalogs this time of year, but I love them.  I get oodles of ideas on knitting projects from them and I love to see what the fashions are and try to replicate them with thrift store finds.  This week I saw a tea kettle that I purchased at  a garage sale for $1 in one of the "tonier" ones (Stonewall Kitchens) for just shy of $300!  That makes a person feel good.  Every time I think of ordering from one I ask myself is this worth it?  Is it worth the asking price? I  saw a beautiful  pair of earrings in the Sundance catalog for $70.  Had to ask myself if it was $69 more beautiful than my thrifted $1 ones.  The answer was obviously "no".  Is that $200 sweater going to keep me any warmer than the one I bought this past Summer at a garage sale? No. When you start to think like this a lot of "wants" become "don't wants".

COOKING

We are going to my son's house for Thanksgiving, so thankfully I won't need to cook!  I'm bringing my "famous" Frankenmuth stuffing.  Do you know that is one of my most popular posts?  Every day of the year there's a least one person viewing it and come November it's really starts racking  up the views. I'm glad so many people like it! I'm always worried when I post a recipe if others will like it;  as I've said many times, I hate to cook,  so my recipes are always rather simplistic and use as few ingredients as I can get by with.  Which is why I love this recipe:

Oven-fried Chicken

To every 2 pounds of chicken, combine  2 tablespoons of baking powder and 1/2 tsp of seasoned salt and toss together.  Coat the chicken and bake in 425 degree oven for 45 minutes , turning midway through to evenly brown the chicken.

It really does taste like nice crispy fried chicken. And you can use any chicken parts that you want.  I like to use those 29 cents a pound chicken legs.  Once I'm through baking, I like to melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a skillet and toss in some of my favorite chicken seasoning herbs; parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, and coat the chicken with that for herb-flavored chicken, but that's not necessary, it's good on its own.

GIVING THANKS

This week, here in the States, we celebrate Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for; a loving husband, wonderful children and adorable grandchildren,  dear friends that are kindred spirits, a snug little home.  And when I count my blessings, I count you dear readers among them.  Mere words cannot express how touched I am that you all take the time out of your busy schedules to read this little blog and even more so to those of you that leave a comment.  I am thoroughly  astounded that those of you in foreign lands read my blog, I know that translating my  long-winded posts must be rather time-consuming and a challenge.  So I want to say thank you all so very very much.  My cup runneth over!

THRIFTY THINGS WE DID THIS WEEK

Ran bought a window from Habitat for Humanity's Re-Use-It center  for $5 and built a cold frame.At the same place they were having a sale on all of their china for five cents!  I couldn't believe it but I found two teacups in an ironstone pattern that I'm sort of/kind of  collecting (Adam's  Empress)

Attended a "free" goodwill offering concert of William Henry Russell at Port Hope's Lutheran Church.
He was amazing and very generous with his time, answering all the other guitarists in the audience's questions.

Knitted a pair of socks for a Christmas present.

Sewed a pillow from a cotton Nordic style sweater that I bought at the thrift store.

Used a combination of a sale, free shipping offer and Ebates to purchase a pair of insulated curtains from Plow and Hearth.They ended up costing almost the same as they would if I had sewn them myself.

I can't believe it! (the second time this week, Ha!) I had  wanted a woolen Nordic style ski sweater for a long time.  You know the ones?  The  hand knitted ones with the snowflakes and silver clasps?  Well, yesterday we decided to treat ourselves and eat out at Taco Bell and next door is a thrift store that was having a half-off sale and I found one there for $1.68!  It's from Cambridge Drygoods, which I remember from the 80s as being a higher ended better quality merchant. It's absolutely beautiful.

Hung the laundry outside to dry.  Probably the last time this year.

Gathered more pinecones that I decorated with glitter to use on our Christmas tree.

Used our wood stove to heat the house.

Received a refund from Mennards.

Baked a pumpkin pie from our own pumpkins.

Neighbor, Connie, gave us a half gallon of soon-to-expire milk for the strays.  I tell you the entire neighborhood is smitten with those kittens.  They all have contributed food to keep them fed.  Such dear people.

 I trimmed my own hair.  Six inches, which is a drop in the bucket.  I also cut some bangs.  Big mistake!  I thought forehead wrinkles were bad. Bangs are worse!

We holidayed at home this week.  Just puttered about and  forgot about doing the chores and obligations.  Sometimes, when you are retired, you forget that you still need time to get away from it all.

Well, that's about it for this week at the old Zempel boarding house.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good memories!

Hugs
Jane











46 comments:

  1. Wow! You had a busy week! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving at your son's. (We will be going to a son's also). It was enjoyable reading about your stray kitty...ha.. silly cat! That stuffing does look good. And beautiful job on the settee by Ran! And the pipe...that is quite a talent. So you both are talented! Hugs, Andrea

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    1. Thanks Andrea! I'll pass the compliments on to Ran and he will lap them up. Be safe on your trip to your son's home!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. I forgot to say, I love your pictures. And the color of the weather also in them! The flocked deer are so pretty! There was once a lighthouse for sale in Delaware! Something about keep it up and remodeled and the Coast Guard would still take care of it ....something like that. Hugs, Andrea

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    3. Thanks Andrea! That what it looks like out there. Cold! As Jamie says, "It's time to break out the big bulkies". Our name for our heavy down coats.

      This lighthouse was for sale too. The local historical society bought it and is restoring it. There was another one down the road for sale but it was on shore. Beautiful! I wish I had the $900,000 to buy it. Someone did, though. Didn't know anyone around here had such deep pockets!

      J

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    4. I think ours in Delaware was actually free...but it cost big bucks to get the legal stuff taken care of and even bigger bucks to remodel and for the upkeep.

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    5. Here's a recent article in the London daily Mail about our lighthouse. Needless to say, this is one job that I didn't volunteer for!
      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3831992/Buyers-beware-Historic-lighthouses-come-costs.html

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    6. Thanks! Good article...why do we always have to go do the Daily Mail for a good thorough article with good pics?! I first found Daily Mail through a Fox News link I think. Either that or the Drudge Report. I think lighthouses are very neat! Hugs, Andrea

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  2. Jolly is such a lucky wee girl, a bit like our bigger ginger Max. He is a stray who has visited, called in for meals, slept overnight, and 2 weeks ago was literally at death's door with cat flu. Finally with help, managed to catch him, get into a cage, and to the vet. Antibiotic injection, eye ointment, and home again. Let him out, he toddled so slowly off to the back hedge. There all day, and didn't come back for another 5 days. Sicker than the first time.How does a stray cat know to use a litter tray, find a quiet dark spot under a bed where he hasn't even looked in before, tolerate many pats and talks, and finally after another 5 days, indicate that he finally want to go out. I love your blog, your finds, ( down here OP shops are a favourite) and meals. Enjoy that thanksgiving meal.

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  3. Hi Jean! Your Max is very fortunate to have found you. I can't afford vet bills but I tell you collide silver in their water is a cure-all for everything. I think these cats are smarter then us humans. They just have better instincts. Hope you will have a lovely week!

    Hugs
    Jane

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    1. Jane we have some here, so will make sure he gets a small dose in his water every day.I once read that cats choose where they live, and suss out the new family before they show up or move in. Your Jolly is a very good judge of where her place is.

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    2. Never hurts to give them a bit every day. Guess it wouldn't hurt us either. Meant to write colloidal, but I guess you figured it out!

      J

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  4. Love your little advent houses - very clever paint job. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.

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  5. Wow you and the Mister have been talentedly busy. My dad carves, so it is fun to see what other wood workers are up to. I love what you did with the houses and the star. I might copy your star/reindeer/tree theme for my mantle someday when I have thrifted trees, reindeer and a star.
    I always wanted to learn how to knit. I've tried books, videos, I think the only way is for some lessons. Just spied my town has a yarn shop with knitting classes, Someday I hope to be knitting gifts.
    Thank you for the update on the kitties. I'm not going to hide my happiness that your family is letting them have an enclosure especially during the winter. I am sorry it at the cost of your dogs happiness though.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Hugs, Jen

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    1. Hi Jen! The Bethesda Thrift Stores always have bottle brush trees and flocked reindeer for some reason. I've been to several and they all have them.

      The trick to knitting is getting comfortable with it and developing a rhythm. I said before but I taught myself to knit from one of those how-to books when I was 10, so it can't be that difficult. I had to throw out the way of winding the yarn around my fingers for tension, though. Just never worked for me. That's why I never knit in public.

      The kitties had a nice insulated shelter outside complete with heat, so they weren't too terrible hard off. They still prefer to be out there on sunny days. But when it's cold and rainy like this weekend, we all get a better sleep knowing they are safe inside. They are a tad bit on the wild side in spite of their affections. I wish I had a nice warm barn for them. I think that would be ideal.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  6. Wow, that was some rough winds you had. :) And I well know the disappointment of hoping for snow and not getting any. That's the story of my winter-life here in the foothills. Hope springs eternal though. I've been having a cup of hot cocoa every evening for several weeks in anticipation of a few flakes. We had our first freeze just this morning, and I'm thinking I may have to have an extra large cup with extra cocoa and whipped cream to, you know, help things along. ;)

    What an adorable reindeer herd you have. And yes, I love the birch bark star, very natural looking. Nice finish on the mittens, too. Really, Jane, five and a half years is not that long - don't ask about my wips. lol

    The settee is gorgeous, and the new pipe is, too. Love the dark reddish colored stain he used on it. Hey, we all like when our crafty skills are appreciated. I usually make one thing until I'm sick of it, too, then move on to the next idea. Have to strike when the iron is hot, I say.

    I'm so jealous of your thrift store finds! The stores here charge too much for everything. Really, it's rare to find anything usable, and when you do they want too much for it.

    Thanks so much for sharing your week with us!
    Toni

    p.s. Send snow. O.O

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    1. Ha! Extra whipped cream always helps, Toni! Is it bad that I know that the WalMart brand of whipped cream in a spray can lasts twice as long as the other brands? Now that's someone with a whipped cream problem!

      I had to find a copy of the magazine of for the mittens pattern on Ebay to finish them. Thank goodness for Ebay! Glad someone still had a copy after so long. That's why it isn't good to delay these things that long.

      We're spoiled by our thrift stores, I know. Whenever I travel and stop in at them elsewhere, I always come away thinking,yikes! No wonder thrift stores get such a bad reputation.

      Well, here we are at another Thanksgiving, or as you and I think, another opportunity to use our china! Have a happy one!

      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too.
      Actually, Jane, it's pretty smart of you to use the cans of whipped cream instead of tubs since they are usually made with REAL CREAM. I love that stuff, and use it liberally whenever possible. When there's nothing else sweet in the house I get out a large spoon and shoot a blob onto it for a lil treat. YUM!

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    3. You're my kind of gal, Toni!

      J

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  7. Sounds like a perfectly wonderful week, Jane! Your little houses are darling and I love that the kitties are everyone's "pet" project in your neighborhood! How fortunate you are to live in such a generous place! I wish I could shop with you. I never find anything good at the thrift stores, but it could be that I am not vigilant enough in going... Love the gloves! They are wonderful... and I agree with you; I wouldn't wear them out either for fear one would go missing! LOL

    Enjoy your Thanksgiving, Jane! I am thankful for YOU!

    as ever.. m

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    1. And I for you, Matty! Who else offers me a place with a barbed wire fence? Ha! BTW, I finally got my phone fixed. All it needed was a measly $2 plug! So expect a call some time this week!

      Happy Thanksgiving dear friend!

      HUgs
      Jane

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  8. What a great deal you got on the insulated curtains Jane. We put them in our sun room and they really help both winter and summer.
    Your cat is so precious! Ours passed away this past year and we have made up our minds to get another after Thanksgiving. After looking at your cat picture I can't wait. Your neighbors are so generous giving your something for them too!
    Those gloves look so warm -I'm glad you never gave up in getting them finished! Have a great Thanksgiving week.
    Vickie

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    1. Hi Vickie! Cats are the way to go! As much as I love Georgie, he'll be my last dog. Too much work, especially when they need to go out during winter storms.

      Moving to this neighborhood has been such a blessing. We went from one of the associations where everyone was unfriendly to this wonderful place. It was like stepping through the threshold into OZ.

      Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  9. Dear Jane,
    Aren't prices in the catalogs just crazy? I enjoy flipping through them too but most often just come away from them shaking my head at the prices. Life has been a bit of a whirlwind around here but I've got almost all the Christmas shopping done and we had our first snow last night. Makes me eager for Christmas to get here!
    I hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    Sincerely,
    Dana

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    1. Hi Dana! I'm so envious of your snow! Seeing all this green is depressing this time of year. Bet it's pretty up your way.

      Like you, I like to get my Christmas shopping done early so I can just enjoy the season. I needed some groceries today, and boy were the lines long. Lots of men wandering around aimlessly in the grocery aisles. Wives must have sent them out to do the Thanksgiving shopping. Ha!

      Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  10. hi jane,
    love the mittens,they are wonderful.I love those zink houses too. i have a white advent house and a tiny zink house.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    hugs regina

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    1. Hello dear Regina! I'm glad to be done with those mittens at last, but am already planning to knit another pair of these artsy types. I'm thinking of this pattern: http://vibekedesign.blogspot.com/2016/01/varme-plagg-i-vinterkulda.html

      What do you think? I think you'd enjoy this blog, it has so many wonderful ideas for knitting. Did you ever get your squares sewn together?

      Hope you have a beautiful week!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  11. Fortunately, we have had no snow in Virginia! I am loving every minute of fall and the trees in my area are still beautiful but lots of leaves are falling. I raked up eight garbage bags of pine needles yesterday just from my driveway and the street. They will be put to good use later as landscaping mulch. Love the photo of your snowflake kitten - Jolly. Just adorable. Thanks so much for posting the photo. It's so nice that your neighbors donate/help with care for the feral cats. I want to rescue all of them. Your advent houses turned out just fantastic! My crafting this weekend has been focused on making cuff bracelets from leather belts. I'm going to use this as a craft project for my Girls' Day Christmas party and want to have some completed bracelets for display and to make sure I am comfortable with the process. (It's simple too.) Your settee turned out beautifully and the afghan and pillow are a great touch. You sure had a good score on your tea kettle and ski sweater. I recently scored a Jones New York turquoise parka for $7. Had been searching for something similar in department stores and just stumbled across a like-new one in a thrift shop. Love when that happens. Re your haircut - my philosophy is if I am not happy with a haircut, it will grow out. Although, I cannot imagine that yours is not attractive. Hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Hello Shirley! After the wind this week, we no longer have any leaves on the trees. We were quite fortunate that they all blew up against the fence and we just had to scoop them up.

      I understand about wanting to adopt all the strays. Right now I'm worrying over some little gray kittens that came into the yard last week. Haven't seen them since. Fortunately we have a lot of cat lovers in the neighborhood, so I'm sure they are being fed. One of our neighbors collects them up and takes them to her friends in the city to adopt. Good people.

      Your Girl's Day Christmas party sounds like a lot of fun. Crafting is so much fun.

      Good score on the parka! As for the haircut - the good thing about cutting it now is that I can wear a hat for the next couple of months until it grows out. Ha! The one advantage to living up north.

      Hope you have the best Thanksgiving!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  12. I think many of us have dreamt of living in a lighthouse at some point, but I'm with you, those storms would be so scary! ;) I would still like to stay in one sometime. I have heard there are a few on the Pacific coast that can be rented. It's on my bucket list. :)

    I love the way that the settee came out...it's so pretty! I love the pillow and afghan also, and the pipe. ;)

    Thank you fro sharing the story about your cat Jolly. She indeed sounds like a very appreciative and loving girl. :)

    I hope you have a lovely and relaxing Thanksgiving!

    Be blessed!

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    1. Hi Debbie! I'm with you! I think just staying in one would be much better, and preferably on a nice mild Summer day.

      Thank you for the pipe compliment :) I'll be sure to pass it on!

      Hope you have a fun-filled Thanksgiving with your family!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  13. I also cut 6" of my hair yesterday. The settee is a beautiful piece. Looks like you did a beautiful job on it. You've reminded me of how many pillows I need to recover. I bought several at thrift stores & intend to recover them to match my new room. No snow here, but we desperately need some rain.

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    1. Wish I could bottle up some of our rain and send it to you, Laurie!

      I'm cutting my hip length hair in increments. Just don't have the courage to lop it all off. The bangs were a big mistake so now I'm rethinking all things hair, Ha!

      Hope you have a wonderful week!

      HUgs
      Jane

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  14. Hi Jane! So enjoyed this post and what a sweet little soft kitty you have there! You spoke of others--are there more and maybe kittens? Are they yours? She sure seems sweet and so grateful for sure for all y'all did to help save her life. She will remember that forever. Hubby gathered quite a haul of the pinecones from the backyard the other day...guess I will spray paint them and/or glitter paint. Then I will do something for the holidays with them I guess.You sure did a great job on the little tin houses! I think tiny wreaths added or even painted on would be so cute up on the top of them! My goodness your recent weather is plum SCARY! Big winds and big waves. Sounds like cold temps too. Makes one just want to hibernate! LOL Glad you found that specific sweater you wanted and for such a GREAT PRICE TOO!! I love finds like that! Last weeks' thrifting brought me some beautiful china bowls, a picture, a nice frame for my own pictures, pretty dresses for granddaughter, and books. I could go thrifting every day for sure!!---wanna join me??! ha ha LOL

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    1. I'd love to join you Debbi! It would be fun to have a girlfriend that understands thrifting. Going with the guys isn't such an adventure. They're nice about it, but I'm pretty sure it bores them to no end.

      Yes, we have three little strays; a brother and sister and Jolly.

      Good idea about the wreaths on the houses. I'll have to be on the lookout for some bits of green for them.

      Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving in your beautiful town. Bet they go all out for Christmas decorations. Looking forward to your posts on that!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  15. Oh that wooden pipe is beautiful! How very clever.

    I too have thought it would be a romantic notion, but in the storms it would be a scary thing!

    xx

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    1. Hello Emma! Yes, the older I get, the more I discover that a lot of my romantic notions are just that - notions. I'll be content to stay on dry land!

      Hugs
      Jane

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  16. Hi Jane! Your creativity (and that of your husband too) continually results in such beautiful things. You are definitely an inspiration to me along with giving me great ideas.

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving (with that terrific stuffing recipe)and the snow stays away to make for easier travel to your son's home. Your wind pictures look COLD to me, especially after just returning last night from 10 days in Hawaii. I remember seeing someone walk by in a grocery store in the islands with a turkey in their cart and without thinking it first confused me since it felt like summer. It was easy to forget Thanksgiving was less than a week away. -Sharon

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    1. It was cold, Sharon. Probably colder than if we would have had snow. Windchill and all that good stuff.

      How nice that you got to travel to Hawaii! Did you have a nice time? I don't think I could get used to Thanksgiving in a warm climate. Too much of the imagery in my mind is wrapped up in the ideas of going "over the river to grandmother's house" in a sleigh. Although I've never done that! Ha!

      Happy Thanksgiving!
      Hugs
      Jane

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    2. Hawaii is a destination that is not that far from my part of the country and with a travel deal found months ago it was a wonderful time. However, turkeys in the grocery stores and Christmas decorations adorning the shops in 80+ degree weather were a bit disconcerting to me. It just didn't seem right. I brought home a Christmas tree ornament with Santa in a bathing suit in a catamaran full of presents just because it fit the experience. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays here may usually be cloudy with the chance of rain, we rarely get snow, but it is definitely not summer weather!

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  17. Dear Jane,

    Another fun post in the life of Jane! Ran's pipes are amazing; you can tell him I've been researching herbal smoking recipes for coughs, asthma, etc. Maybe you could sell pipes with a tobacco-free smoking mix thrown in! :)
    You are so nice to take care of the strays in your neighborhood. We see several come and go here, but don't dare feed them because of all the raccoons around. Your craftiness is such an inspiration; I'll have to come back and re-read them when I have time to do something besides chasing little ones around and homeschooling!

    Love,

    Marqueta

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  18. Hi Marqueta! We've used them with our hops/bay leaves relaxation mix because it's hard to keep it burning. Any ideas on how to herbal concoctions burning?
    As a child I used a concoction called Asthmador. It had belladonna and jimson weed in it. My mother burned it in a little plate and I would sit in a tent made from blankets and inhale it. I thinks it works on the same way that the hops and bay leaves do, to relax a person so they breathe easier. Herbs are very interesting.

    I'd give up craftiness for the chance to chase little ones again! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Hugs
    Jane

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  19. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Your stuffing sounds delicious! I had to google Frankenmuth, and it sounds like a fun place to visit. Your chicken recipe sounds tasty too. I have enjoyed many of your recipes, thank you!
    Wow, that is some storm at the lighthouse. You are hardy folks to live on the lakes.
    Great looking pipe; your husband is a very talented woodworker. My Daddy smoked a pipe when I was little, and I loved the smell of pipe tobacco.
    Glad that little Jolly found you, and that you were able to doctor her up. She looks like such a sweet kitty. So Georgie isn't fond of the kitties?
    I am thankful for you and your blog; it is a bright spot in my week.

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    1. Thank you Kathy! What a sweet thing to say! I think those of us that grew up with pipe-smoking fathers love the smell of tobacco. Used to have a neighbor that smoked one and he was always apologizing for the smell when he smoked outside, until I told him that I could stand outside and sniff the smoke all day.

      Are you old enough to remember that old TV show Alf? The alien that likes to eat cats? Well, that's Georgie! But we have to laugh, he's all bark and no bite. The kittens aren't even afraid of him any longer.

      Hope all is well. Have a beautiful Sunday!

      HUgs
      Jane

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  20. Oh my..I almost missed reading this post..We just got a cat from the animal shelter last Tuesday, and she is also a super lovey-dovey calico..kisses us and touches our faces etc too!
    She was on death row..I can't believe how sweet she is..and also quite rotund!
    maybe they are related, lol..She comes from Lansing.

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