Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence. ~Erma Bombeck

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration at the family farm in Grays. The Thomas family gathered for the traditional feast with many thanks for all our blessings.

Sarah and Michael having fun before lunch.

James says, "Touchdown!!!"

Here comes the turkey!! Uncle Bob fried the bird. Sensational as always!

This year, after the feast, Philip took as on a hay ride through the forest to see some wild animals. The adults enjoyed this as much as the kids. Here we are getting ready for the fun.

I didn't get a great shot, but I think that's a turkey in that clearing ....and there's a bobcat!!!

We also caught a glimpse of a deer, an otter, and some ducks in the pond.

Elizabeth is content after all the food and fun!

After cleaning up at Grays, we went to the Nimmer Family gathering at Bailey's. My sister Cathy and husband Phil had been entertaining my family. We joined them late in the afternoon to visit and eat some yummy leftovers.

Phil and Cathy in the kitchen.

Gerritt, Reeves, and Tony after "Round 2".

We are excited to see our camellia bushes with many blooms. A few are beginning to show color...and even a first bloom!!! Philip has worked really hard to fertilize, water, and prevent (or treat) "scale" .

Our first camellia pick of the season: Debutante.

Well, indeed I have many blessings to be thankful for. As we count our blessings during this holiday season, let us share the peace, joy , and love of Christ with others.

Tailgaiting at The Swamp

Well, as football goes, we definitely entered enemy territory on Saturday, Nov. 15 when the USC Gamecocks travelled to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators. The game results were less than desirable, but the tailgating was fun as usual. Here are some pics of fun with our family and friends in Gator Territory!!

Jean and Ann....

BarbaraJean and Pix

Philip.....

Tommy and Ann Mike consulting with George, Henry, and Philip on pre-game strategy.

The long drive gave me a little knitting time. Got to start the Feather and Fan Stole

on the way down and made friends with the Jil Eaton "MinnowMerino" yarn. It is so soft, but it likes to split. I think we have made a truce and things are going smoothly now.

Safely back home and time to get ready for the week.

Football and Barbecue

One of our favorite fall activities is watching college football. We had a great time tailgating at 'The Shed" in Columbia this past weekend for the South Carolina vs Arkansas game. Everyone arrived early for the 1 p.m. game to enjoy Philip's ribs. As you can see it takes much concentration and precision to get it right! Philip is basting the ribs as Uncle Mike looks on.

The crowd was well pleased!! The ribs were tender and juicy - a great prelude to a great game - Carolina topped Arkansas!! Thanks to all the other cooks, too for the awesome tailgate- potato salad, slaw, deviled eggs, brownies, shrimp kabobs, Mexican dip..... I can't remember it all, but it was surely enjoyed!!!

The car ride allowed some good knitting time. I'm about half-way through the Hemlock Rink Blanket. We'll be taking the road trip to Florida this weekend. Gamecocks will face a big challenge in Gatorland. Looking forward to going down to Jacksonville on Friday!!

Baby (or Bear) Cocoon

I was excited today to finish the little cocoon that is hands down the fastest project I have ever done. Ashley was anxious to get her hands on it, so that she can use it for photography. I needed a model, so baby bear had to do! It is really simple, just a large sock with a collar of sorts. But is surely is nice to have something finished so quickly! I love the Araucania Aysen. So, it's back to the Hemlock Ring Blanket (and other works in progress)!!! .

Imagination

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" Dr. Seuss First of all a little quiz this morning: What could taste better than these rich dark chocolatey cupcakes? Well, a little imagination and the answer is simple! That would be rich dark chocolatey cupcakes spread with peanut butter frosting and garnished with Reese's Cup sprinkles!!! Pretty rich, though. I thought these would be a yummy treat for tailgaiting tomorrow when we travel up to Columbia to watch the Gamecocks take on the Tennessee Vols. I found the recipe on the Food Network and thought it was worth a try. The results are pretty awesome. The Hemlock Rink Blanket is progressing. You can begin to see the "feather and fan" portion . It is a little challenging to photograph due to knitting in the round. It looks like a big puffy mushroom, getting larger all the time. .

As we knitters know, one cannot have too many projects underway at the same time! Ashley has enticed my to start (and finish quickly) a baby "cocoon" that she will use with infant . photography. She has chosen a few yarns for these cocoons. The first is Aysen from Araucania. She has another Rowan yarn for me that I haven't seen yet. As in other items, Ashley has excellant taste in yarn. I can't wait to see her first photos using the cocoons. I just got started on the first cocoon last night. It will be a quick project. I love to see these unique colors unfold as the knitting progresses. Have a safe and happy Halloween!!!!

Happiness

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." George Sand

Friday night in the kitchen!!

We had such a good time getting ready for Melissa and Dow's party. There was cleaning, cooking, flower arranging and pumpkin carving. Ashley, Teri, Marianna, Cathy and I had fun on Friday night putting the plan into action.

I think I'll let this post be about the pictures. We hope everyone had a great time!!!!

Thanks to Mike and Jean, Erin and Greg, Ashley and David, and Philip, jr. for hosting this party with us!!!

Carved pumpkin for Melissa.

Pumpkins on the mantle!!

Erin pinning Melissa's corsage!

Dow and future father-in-law, Steve. Ashley's beautiful flowers and lots of good food!!

Pumpkins and fall flowers dress up the outdoor tables.

Melissa and Dow opening gifts.

Well the fun is over. Now I can focus a little attention on the Hemlock Ring Blanket. Also I was able to get a pattern for a baby cocoon that Ashley is anxious to use for infant photography.

We are having fun looking for just the right yarn to get started with. I think there are some beautiful choices with Malabrigo chunky . This should be a quick (and fun!) project.

Anticipation

It is a beautiful fall day on the river. This Wednesday finds us scurrying about getting the house and yard all cleaned up as we prepare for a little celebration this weekend. We are hosting a party for my nephew and godchild, Dow, and his fiance' Melissa. There is much excitement in the air as we start to celebrate their upcoming wedding in February. While outside this morning I noticed that the satsumas are ripening in the backyard. And we have one late-blooming angel trumpet on the deck!!! I'll have more pictures after we decorate, but I noticed that these mums at the doorsteps are about to burst.

I anticipate lots of fun for Dow and Melissa on Saturday night.....as we celebrate "fall"ing in love!!

Look for more pictures after the party.

Knitting will be on the back burner for a few days. Hemlock ring blanket is a little slow. I had to "unknit" a few rows when I realized the stitch count was wrong. Silly mistake on a yarn over - now corrected. Can't wait to get back to it!

I'm also anticipating having Philip, jr. and Ashley and David here with us for the weekend party.

It will be great to catch up on all their activities.

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. Joseph Priestley