ugh...

We opened the front door this morning and this is what greeted us.  What?  Why is there a rotten old cornstalk sitting over there in the conservation area?  Maybe it blew over there from the wind?  Probably not...  I don't understand why some of the people that live around here think it's okay to dump stuff like this in the conservation area -- especially in full view right in front of our house.  This is ruining my elf mojo -- I need to find a distraction until Rick gets home -- hopefully he can go over there later and get rid of it.

it's elf friday here...

We're trying to avoid the crowds today.  We're painting and then off to get some outdoor lights  -- and other stuff like that.

Fa la la...

those elves are busy...

Fa la la!

a new day dawning...

We had the most beautiful sunrise yesterday...

Hope your Thanksgiving is just as lovely!

today is wednesday...

So this is where I ended up spending most of my time yesterday.  I cleaned ceiling fans and changed curtains.  The day went by pretty quickly, and, by dinnertime I was feeling some aches and pains.

So this is where I ended up spending some time this morning.

That's my heated shiatsu massager.  Worth every penny!

a bit of happy...

on a realllly dreary morning!

This...

...my camellia plant.  She blooms in November -- and this is a good year for her since it's been warm.  She doesn't look so out of place either, since there are other plants with flowers and LOTs of color from the leaves (we have tons of leaves this year!)

And, this...

She really wasn't happy -- because -- she hates the rain jacket that she is wearing.  But, I gave her a little kiss and a hug -- and she gave me some smiles in return.

Hope you don't have to look too far for your "happy" today.

checking in with you guys...

Happy Monday!  Hope everyone is doing well.  It was really foggy here this morning, but the sun just came out and that always gives me a little boost in the behind.  I now have technology in my sewing room!  Hooray!  My ancient PC is here with me -- and I have the radio blasting, my sleeves rolled up, the sewing machine is humming and the windows are open to let in a little breeze.  I finished this cute little lounge outfit for one of the "blybe" dolls -- there are a few mistakes but she's okay with that -- of course the other dolly is not happy.  I will do one for her after I do the "necessary" sewing for the day.

Hope your day is a good one!

the elves here are busy...

I know what you're saying -- because you've said it to my face.  Here, the "magic" begins the day after the day after Christmas (yes, there is one day of rest...!)  So, anyhow -- that is the reason for my absence.

While I am busy with those elf kind of things -- my very talented son has been busy too.  I am amazed to learn that Nicholas can recite passages from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar -- by rote!  He has such a deep voice and he is so determined while doing so -- it is very wonderful thing for me to listen to.  I know not everyone can appreciate Shakespeare -- and I am a little biased in a motherly kind of way -- so maybe you all can humor me...just a bit?

Nicholas is also becoming quite the Beatles/classic rock music fan.  He is growing out of the nerdish and becoming quite the "most interesting man in the world"!   Yesterday, he brought home this pencil drawing of...I will let you take a guess at who it is.  Let me know in the comments section, okay?

we're all mixed up here...

It's Friday.  Both Nicholas and Sofia have been off from school since yesterday -- school is closed for the annual teacher convention.  As you can see from the photo, halloween is mostly away (except for that cutie little bug eyed owlie bowl :-)  The elf is a new purchase -- I have been looking for one of those since I purchased our girl elf 3 years ago.  Sofia's turkey -- made from a paver given to us as a "gift" at the stone yard when we purchased the pavers for the back patio.  And... the Sears Wish Book -- seriously deflated, but not yet extinct.

Since yesterday was "the dreariest day ever" we need to get out for a bit.  So, off we go...

you know it's cold when...

Sofia...finally...of her own free will... without my suggestion... wears her winter jacket!