Veterans Day

 

Thank you for your service!

Forever grateful,
~d

TIS SUNDAY

HOME.  We're resting.  We knew we'd need this SUNDAY to rest after the last few days we've experienced with a dying brother-in-law and with this coming week having medical appointments lined up with not knowing if we will be attending a funeral in a few days or not.  

We traveled to Des Moines on Thursday knowing our brother-in-law had a scan and it didn't look like he was going to hear good news.  We had planned to go last week-end and decided it would be better to wait until later to go there.  This scan news alerted us, we need to go and go now.  We quickly packed a couple of overnight bags and took off.  Stayed with my Mom.

The doctor told my sister that if people wanted to see Harold, they had better come now.

We went straight to the hospital to see our brother-in-law.  There were other family members there as well.  He was very groggy, then woke up some to tell us to go get some rest because tomorrow was going to be a good day.  I hugged my sister and chatted some.  She is taking this all very hard.  We stayed until 9:30 PM or so and went to my Mom's for the night.

On Friday, he was unbelievably chipper and alert.  Very talkative, but then this is the way he usually is.  This was a good day.  He knew us and we all talked freely.  

Hospice visited with my sister about their program.  Medicare does not pay for the room, but everything else.  They will keep him comfortable until he dies.  To admit him there, a down payment of $3,750.oo is needed up front for 15 days.  If the patient passes before the 15 days is up, some of the money is returned.  If they live longer $250.oo a day is required. Harold told me that it all comes down to money.  He's right.  Wouldn't it be humane to move him to a different Hospital room elsewhere in the Hospital where Medicare would pay for it and allow him to die there?  I understand they need the beds for those getting cancer treatment and if your cancer treatment is over you leave the bed.  I understand that, but I also understand that mercy is humane.  After the doctor signs papers saying the patient is terminally ill, the patient is not allowed to take up a hospital bed.  They can be relocated to their home to pass or Hospice.  My sister does not want her Husband to pass in their home and she doesn't want that image in her head after he is gone.  Understandable.  

On Saturday, my sister called and told us that the Hospital was going to move him to Hospice at 11.  Hubby and I were in our car when the call came in while we were trying to get air for the car tires.  We drove straight to the Hospital so we could see Harold before he would be moved to Hospice.  

Saturday he had a different personality.  He didn't know people and wanted to be alone because he wasn't feeling good.  He'd be sedated.  After falling asleep, I said my good-byes as I stood beside the bed and told him thank you for all the good he had done for me.  Good-bye, Harold.  I love you.  I'll see you on the other side.  These will more than likely be my last words to him before he leaves his body and heads to heaven.  We'd be leaving Des Moines shortly.

I walked out of the room and talked with my sis and hugged her.

As we walked down the hall, two men were taking a gurney to his room.  We went ahead and waited in the Chapel as they rolled him out of his room and out of the Hospital to take to Hospice in an ambulance.  They disappeared in the elevator and we went to our car to head out of town.

He is suffering and my prayer now is that God be merciful and take him.  

We got on the road and stopped off at Topeka to eat Supper.  Got HOME late.  Exhausted.

SUNDAY.  My sister texted Hubby telling him that this morning was not good.  Harold is very agitated and did not want my sister to kiss him or touch him.  He said she was a part of putting him in Hospice and he did not want to go.  He didn't know his own sister and told her to get out of his room.  He wanted to go HOME, but there is no way my sister can take care of him at this time.  No way.    

End of life information shares about the person's moods changing having confusion, not knowing people, etc.  Right now it isn't like in the movies where people pass quietly.  Some people do die peacefully, not all.  My Father passed quietly in the night as my Brother did as well.  Quietly.   

I have a few chores I really need to work on today.  Tomorrow is a medical appointment for Hubby and afterwards, I think we'd best get our funeral clothing ready for our trip back to Des Moines when the time comes.  

~d

DECORATING ON THE PRAIRIE : WITH AUTUMN VIBES

THE AUTUMN SEASON is a third of the way through.  Many decorate way before the calendar says it's AUTUMN.  Autumn/Fall vibes seem to come early in September at the stores.  
I dragged my feet until October to decorate.  Next year maybe I'll join the early birds and get some AUTUMN on the porch, front door and in the interior of my sweet lil cottage in early September.  

If the plans pan out of knowing where all the seasonal decor are in the ATTIC then we might pull it off.  Maybe.  

AUTUMN at our PRAIRIE COTTAGE was a little of this and that.

Our FIXER UPPER COTTAGE is coming along very slowly.  Tis morphing.

Inside the COTTAGE on the antique dresser that sits in our small Living room are a variety of pumpkins and foliage.

🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁

Grands and Greats through the years make LIFE better no matter where you live.

.

AUTUMN is here and I want to fully embrace it before WINTER comes blowing in.

Blessings to you and may you have peace,

~d

'LIFE JUST GOT A LITTLE EASIER' CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES

A QUICK AND EASY RECIPE FOR CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES makes LIFE a tad bit easier.  With all the commotion going on while we downsize our NEST, I don't want so much energy to go into preparing meals.  I need quick and easy.  Life just got a little easier and I need that.  The easier the better. 

Drain the liquid off the canned chicken.  Place all ingredients in bowl and mix well.  Spread desired amount of chicken on bread or dollop on some lettuce to cut on the carbs.  Serve immediately and chill the left-over mixture.  Great the next day as well.  I could eat the chicken salad all by itself.  No bread needed.

Ingredients:
Small can of Canned Chicken
Seasoning such as salt and pepper
1/4 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Mayo
1/2 cup Slivered Almonds
A dozen sliced Red Grapes

I've added diced celery, diced apples and watercress before and nobody complained.

Here's to Simplicity!

Enjoy and be well.

~d

Drain liquid from canned Chicken 

and shred in a bowl.

     Add seasonings, sugar, mayo, almonds, grapes.  Mix well. 

Ready to spread on bread and eat.

Life just got a little easier.
Have a good one!
~d🥪

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS

RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS.  Am I a fan of Cryptic talk?  I use it a great deal.  Must be a fan.  

Blue skies are gone for now.  Today it's chilly and rainy outside with gusts of wind.  Inside the house, it sounds like WINTER ARRIVED even though it's AUTUMN for a couple of months yet. We're winding down as the leaves litter the yards.  A few more days of this wind and the gorgeous AUTUMN foliage will have disappeared from the trees.  Saddens me a tad as I have embraced the FALL and fell in love with the beauty.  🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂

Pray there's no snow this week.  Not ready for MOTHER NATURE to cover everything with a blanket of white fluff.  Eventually, the WINTER MIND SET will come and I will have to adjust.

What's on the agenda for the day?  Tidying the Kitchen for sure.  This task is taking hours to make it a reality that we have a tidy Kitchen with everything in its place and a place for everything.  Nice and slow we go.  Also need to make a run to the Bank for a deposit.  Making sure the cash is in the account to cover our expenses for bills and life expenses.  Over the week-end, we spent more than usual stocking up the pantry.  If we spent a little extra each month on keeping household items stocked up then it wouldn't hit us so hard in November.  Or so I think. 

I have a sense of satisfaction when we have a well stocked fridge and pantry.  When the kids were little, after a grocery run I always felt a peace that we had supplies and I could feed my family. Comforting to me.  

What should one have in their pantries anyways?  

As for the KITCHEN.  Finding places for all that's sitting on the floor is harder than I want.  I did purchase more Mason Jars.  Getting ready to wash and rinse them.  Not a difficult task.  This afternoon and evening, I'll fill them with what's in reach like beef sticks, flour, sugar, dates, etc.     

I'm tired from being on the road so much.  On the road again... as the song goes, but I really am ready to stay HOME.  

I'd like to decorate the two matching plant containers that will be used for HARVEST DECOR by the porch steps and again for CHRISTMAS with a change of flowers.  After I get started, it shouldn't take very long to cut pool noodles to fill the containers with and add a pumpkin on top with faux leaves.  Zip zip...be done.  I wish the Kitchen clean-up were as fast.

I talked to my Sister late last night.  An hour and a half later, it was time to shut down.  My brother-in-law is deathly ill.  I can pray and speak gentle words to her during this time and yet she is the one that will have to take over their estate.  She's the one that will have to lean on the Lord for direction and strength.  I truly believe that as an adult one should have their affairs in order all the time as we do not know when we will die or what condition we will be in.  Also keep a Health journal through the years where in a matter of seconds you can revisit past medical appointments, diagnoses, know what meds were prescribe with what reactions were to drugs and procedures.  Monitor all the bills, keep some cash on hand and maintain a stocked Pantry.  Live within your means or under.  Keep a tidy house and have inventory of possessions. 

Brother-in-law is taking chemo and is extremely weak.  He doesn't eat food or drink fluids. Sleeps continuously.  I do not see him recovering.  Miracles do still happen, but sometimes one dies.  A slow death in order to say your good-byes.  If by chance he gets better and recovers, he will still have been altered by the strong chemo which more than likely will cause him issues in functioning. 

In the beginning of when the chemotherapy started, the doctor said that he could have my brother-in-law in remission by December.  Now the doc is saying BIL has until December to live. He is dying.  The chemo does not always work and in many cases it makes the patient sicker than sick.  I think it has made BIL sicker than sick.  He has another round of chemo this Friday if he is strong enough for it.  If he isn't, they may be told we've done all that we can.  He probably would be moved into HOSPICE. 

God's peace to him.  Have you made your peace with God? 

I'm getting ready to take off again in the car on this rainy Monday.  I'll make the best of it. 
~d

FRANK CAME FOR A VISIT, HALLOWEEN and NO TIME FOR MICE 🐭

KIDS PARTICIPATED IN GETTING HALLOWEEN TREATS FROM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Frank came for a visit to our front porch.

Saturday evening, the weather was nice for those who wanted to trick-or-treat.  We maybe had 30 trick or treaters.  With a few pieces of candy left and some bagged pretzels before shutting down for the night, we eagerly ate the leftovers.  No more HALLOWEEN CANDY in the house as NOVEMBER is a new opportunity to eat CLEAN AGAIN.  I am working on this.  Eat CLEAN.  

NOVEMBER FIRST.  The months seem to go by so quickly, it sometimes makes me nervous.  I have about 7 1/2 weeks until CHRISTMAS.  Hopes for having a decluttered cottage well underway.  Tis a November GOAL.  This is the biggy for the month.  Thanksgiving meal will be underplayed this year as we will probably stay HOME and order a Community Meal instead of having a big spread of food with company.  

Energies need to go into getting the house civilized.  Decorating the exterior of the house with CHRISTMAS GARLAND may start when the weather is tamer for us in November.  I'd love to have twinkle lights with green garland and bows on the house.   

GOAL.  Finishing up the ATTIC at the Storage Unit is a GOAL.  The weather will be turning cold and this limits us from working outdoors so we need to work on it when it's not snowing, freezing, raining.  We probably will not be done with the cellar, garage or She-Shed until Spring/Summer and that will have to be the way it is.  Tadaah.  Then if I can talk my Husband into helping me hang lights and garland on the house when the weather is nice, maybe, just maybe we will get some decorating done.  It's been years since we decorated the outside of the house for CHRISTMAS.  The CHRISTMAS tree might go up as well.  That would be a miracle.     

Each day, I need to work on this overall project.  Try to, but life gets in the way and we cannot always get to it.  

As I sat in my chair chatting with my hubby, I saw a grey blob streak across the floor.  🐭 Mouse! It wasn't Mickey.  I had said a few days ago that the door needed fixed or mice, snakes, bats could get into the house.  eeek.  He took care of it right away.  Hubby repaired the front door where there was too big of a gap at the bottom.  New trim was installed which made me a happy camper.  

I've been fasting in the mornings with my black cup of coffee.  No Breakfast.  No eating until noonish.  Amazingly, I have been able to do this and haven't been very hungry.  

PLANS.  I woke at 5ish, but the time change has taken place so it was 4ish.  EARLY FOR ME.  I worked on the PANTRY placing canned goods on the clean shelves.  I know we need to get some bottled water for safe keeping incase the faucet is turned off due to whatever comes our way.  I'd like to get some small batteries, bottled water and beef sticks so a trip to the city is in the forecast.  Maybe some canned potatoes.  The Kitchen has so much out of place due to cleaning the Pantry.  I will get some more MASON JARS for storing sugars and what-nots. 

So that's finishing the Pantry, buying a few more items for our Pantry, getting back to finishing the ATTIC so the HOLIDAY DECOR is all together.  I need to get our youngest Grandson a birthday card and gift.  He turns 5 this month.  Unbelievable.  Unbelievable.  He's having a Party later on and I hope to attend.

Come what may with mid-term elections, I so hope our food pantry is in great shape.  The videos I have seen of cellars, basements and pantries puts mine to shame.  What we do have on hand needs to be really orderly.  I admire the large pantries with loads of jarred produce.  I was raised a CITY GIRL and I was not trained to stock pile large pantries in the cellar.  Grandma H. did. She canned her garden and it was a lovely sight to see.  Grandma G. had a pantry cabinet and so did my Mom.  I learned by observing, not by spoken instructions.  

Mom was raised in the country and she knows labor.  She got married at 16 and a half .  Dad and her were country peeps, but got citified doing things differently then they were raised.  As I have aged, I have wanted to be more countrified.  grins.  I think I can improve on how I do things. IMPROVE.  May I be a good student and get on with it.  Amen and amen.   

~d

TAKING INVENTORY

THURSDAY WAS BUSY as we journeyed back to the city for a haircut for Hubby.  He just about forgot about the appointment.  Oops again.  The recall came and away we went.  I waited in the car while he got his locks cut figuring out what else we needed to do while we were in town.  He did well and made the next appointment for 6 weeks in the books. 

The drive over was pleasant as the traffic wasn't bad at all and it is one of the prettiest AUTUMNS we have had in a long time.  Very colorful with brilliant oranges, vivid yellows and flaming reds.  I have to stop and take it all in before it quickly disappears while the leaves are flying off the trees in the Kansas winds.  Behold the beauty.

First, we stopped for our medicinal iced tea then went to Barber's for the haircut.  Close by was Dillons to mail a box for a Grandson, but they no longer provide a Postal Service so we drove over to the actual downtown Post Office amongst all the road construction.  While hubby took care of mailing the box, I drove around the neighborhood gawking at Halloween decorated houses and lawns.  

The box wasn't overly large and cost $13 and some change to St. Louis. Hubs said if it had been mailed overnight, it would have cost $50.50. What do you mean?  FIFTY DOLLARS!  For a box of candy, a ceramic pumpkin and a Christmas ornament?  I can no longer ignore the high prices. Tis shocking.  Whose idea was this after all?  $50...shake my head crazy.

Wanted to go to Target to return a purchase I made about 3 weeks ago. The hour glass had a cracked body that I did not see because the grains of sand covered the damage.  The return took place.   

Burritos for Lunch, Dollar Tree for migraine meds, 5 Below to see if they had any more pool noodles, Goodwill for fun, Menards for water.  Ready for HOME.  Twas dark out and when we got HOME, it was time to relax and watch some TV.

THE MIDDLE ran from 2009 to 2018.  Never watched it in the day.  Actually thought it was funny.  Binge watching now.  Lights out.

Slept well.  

This week-end I'll be decorating a couple of flower urns we have.  Garland was purchased at half off from HOBBY LOBBY to wrap the pumpkins that will sit in the urns.  Hopefully the pool noodles I place in the urns will hold the pumpkin's weight.  If so, I'll go with the flow and circle the pumpkins with faux leaves.  May it work.  If so, they'll be in front of the porch on either side of the steps.

MONTH OF OCTOBER.  In my head, I had planned to tidy the Pantry during the month of October.  I just about haven't made it.  Will clean out the Pantry TODAY and take inventory while restocking the Pantry.  Hubs said he'd HELP ME.  Good deal.  I can use his help.  Together we will clean out the Pantry and take inventory of the goods so we know where we're at food wise.  

You may have already heard the media express an interest in being stocked up on food and water.  I like having a well stocked Pantry all the time.  We'll see what we have and go from there before THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS.  Will there be a major BLACKOUT that disrupts the food supplies?  I think there will be as our President wages WAR on other countries.  

To get more money to fund his wars, he more than likely will do a strike so our government gives him money.  I'm concerned about a nuclear strike taking place.  Nuclear.  Oh Lord, I pray that the strongman be bound.

Our morning has been a slow paced one where we drank our coffee and talked.  For the first time, I ordered from AUGASON FARMS as we had our coffee break.  I had wanted to order some powdered eggs since CO VID!  They were on back order and I never got back to it until NOW.  6 years later.  Now that's slowpoke-itis and a half.  I used dried corn one time in my life as a newly wed and haven't been back.  

Taking inventory on food supplies is an important thing to me.  Tis way over due.  Taking inventory on LIFE is necessary.  SO be it.  This is the season of LIFE to do this.

~d

SEEING AUTUMN THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES

TRAVELING FROM A WEEK-END CELEBRATION, made me a bit tired.  Today, I rest before doing a ton of chores.  We headed out early Saturday morning to celebrate our grandson's birthday in Oklahoma.  He's so grown up turning 17.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

We visited with one another, ate some food and ate birthday cake with ice-cream.  I enjoyed every bite.  I had been dieting straight for 5 days.  I knew ahead of time that I would allow myself some CAKE.  CAKE!  Wonderful to be with FAMILY.  Some treats when away from HOME, but back to so called mindful eating when at HOME.  

We went to the ROUTE 66 PARK.  

We'd work it in on Sunday visiting the ROUTE 66 Park and see how Sapulpa is decorating for the Holiday CHUTE.  The details for the Route 66 Chute. https://route66christmaschute.com/  At THANKSGIVING and CHRISTMAS, this CHUTE is really gorgeous to see.

HUBBY and I chatted about doing something like this on our porch ceiling.  We've got quite a few oversized ornaments that we could hang.  hummmmm.  Could be beautiful.

We ate at the CROSSROADS  COOKERY.  https://www.crossroadscookery.com/  I was a good girl and had a SALAD.  Coffee afterwards at their COFFEE LAB.  Mocha with some cinnamon to drink.  It's been over 5 years since I had a MOCHA!  Yummers.

~Our kids~

We journeyed HOME and are relaxing after our week-end.  The trip HOME had a few surprises.  Thanking GOD we were not in an accident as we sat in traffic on the interstate.  A semi-trailer truck came barreling down the ditch to the right of us doing his best to avoid a pile up.  Going too fast and coming upon the long line of cars stopped in traffic, he drove off in the ditch.  Hubby said that when the truck cab was next to him, he could see the tatts on the driver's arm.  Too close for comfort.  Once again you really do not know when you might take your last breath.  Know the Lord Jesus as your personal savior and be saved.  A insurance policy you cannot afford to do without.  Eternity is nearer than you think.

THE HEALTH CREDENTIALS.  Coffee for Breakfast.  As for my food program...I fasted until 2:30 in the afternoon.  About 5 oz. of steak with steak sauce and broccoli for late lunch.  Not hungry for an evening meal.  I'll do my best to get back to walking a solid mile like I was before my hip had a fit.  This evening, I walked two laps which is a half mile.  Couldn't do another lap around the football field tonite.  I'll add another lap in November.  This getting into the vibe of things has been hard for me since my hip episode.  One lap took me 7 and a half minutes to complete.  I was walking 6 and half minutes before hip issues.  I'll stay with it.  Lord willing.  Amen. 

BACK IN DES MOINES...

Prayers for HANK.  

He sure needs them and so does my sister.

I'll be visiting soon with my Mom and Sister 

to see how things are going.

Blessings to you,

~d

NOT TOO SOON FOR COLLECTING DECORATING IDEAS

TIS ALRIGHT TO COLLECT 

AND GATHER DECORATING IDEAS

for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

When I took a College level Interior Design class back in the day, 

the instructor shared that you should have a file box full of ideas for recall 

that you like for your decorating journey.  

I agree so I am doing just that.

Blue Peony Interiors has some great ideas.  

I have similar items in my possession so I might as well use them.  Right?  

Yes and amen.

Have a blessed journey,

~d

 

10 YEAR ANNI OF THE HOUSE FIRE IN OUR ROCK HOUSE

I'VE BEEN THINKING A GREAT DEAL ABOUT HOW I'D DECORATE if I still lived in the big house across the river.  3 years ago we left the big house and moved into our little COTTAGE in small town USA.  The reason we moved into the big house in the first place back in 2017 was because we experienced a horrific house fire 10 years ago on the 25th of this month.  Our 10 year anniversary of that fire brings back such memories.  

In a nutshell.  We started out in this neck of the woods living in Manhattan for 6 years, then renting a farmhouse for a couple of years before buying the two story limestone 1885 house in small town America.  We were fortunate enough to buy a 1900 Folk Victorian Cottage to rent out for awhile.  The 2016 house fire of the Rock house caused us to move to a community across the river for 6 and a half years before moving back into the 1900 Cottage in small town America.

Here I sit in our tiny 1900 FOLK VICTORIAN COTTAGE with high ceilings and tiny rooms in need of a thorough remodel.  I will praise GOD that none of us were burned, injured or died in the house fire.  We were not HOME at the time and the inspector believed the fire started in the kitchen with very old wiring inside the stone wall starting an electrical fire.

We were stunned and in disbelief that our stone house had a fire.  On the outside of the house, it didn't look like anything took place, but on the inside everything was covered in black smut and smoke.  Some areas looked like they were painted with tar.  Smoke stains had made its way into the basement and into closed boxes.  Every nook and cranny had been molested. 

The ceiling in the kitchen collapsed into the kitchen and the bed that was in the bedroom above it was in the kitchen.  The mattress springs were in the kitchen when I first looked at the interior of the house after the fire was put out and it was safe to enter.

In shock, I thought to myself, what are the bed springs doing in the kitchen?   duh.

Since the fire, we have lived in this small cottage and the large house across the river for 6 and a half years then back to this small cottage where we had planned to retire in the first place.  3 years later, here we are.  We are retired.  Here we are doing our best to make sense of all the contents in boxes.  

We'll continue to remodel the cottage after we have gone through all the boxes and have enjoyed the HOLIDAYS.  One room at a time.  Our bathroom is the only room that we have completely remodeled.  The front porch was completely rebuilt and the she-shed was redone.

We purchased tile for the kitchen backsplash several years ago and tile for the kitchen floor, pantry floor and utility room.  Paint is waiting to go on the walls.

It's my prerogative to change what I want to use for the remodeling, right?  ~d

AUTUMN RAMBLE

BACK TO IT.  We've had a few days off doing other things than work on the ATTIC out at the storage unit.  Back to it.  Hubs talked about it and I will follow.  

There's a stack of storage tubs that have a dish set in them waiting to journey to the cellar.  I had to find all the missing pieces and group them together so they can be together on the shelves. When you have three storage units, a garage, a she-shed and a cellar holding things that got separated from one another with a messy move, it takes longer getting organized.  Or at least it did in my case.

This move has been a nightmare.  Terribly messy.  The worst.  We relocated from our large house 3 years ago Halloween.  Here we be going through boxes making extremely slow progress.  Two storage units have been emptied since the Halloween MOVE took place.  It took us 2 1/2 years to be able to say that. 

The last unit is being kept so we can use it as an attic.  After the ATTIC is finished, then the cellar, garage and she-shed will be dealt with.  Crawling right along, I am in over my head with stuff.  Illnesses, challenging physical conditions, medical appointments, weather, etc. SLOWED us way down.  WAY, way down.  

Tis tempting to throw it in the trash or haul it all away to GOODWILL and be down with it.  For now, I go back and forth about it.  I've done both.  Still, if we can recoup some of the money that has been spent through the years, it will help the budget.  PTL.    

👚👚👚👚👚👖👖👖👖👖👕👕👕👕👕 Laundry got away from me again.  Seems too easy to let this happen.  Anywho, I have probably 6 loads to do of blue jeans that were boxed up hidden in storage.  I think I will just go to the launder-mat and place them in the oversized wash machines so I can get them taken care of quicker.  I can dry them at HOME, but using the larger machines to wash seems like a better option then using my HOME units which cannot handle the heavy loads.

🚼👶🍼A large trash bag sits on the utility room floor full of children's clothing.  Think I will do the same thing with them.  They'll be ready for next Spring's Yard Sales so I will be a head of the game if I don't donate them first.  They still need laundered.

🍁🍂🍃🍂🍁 The AUTUMN COLORS are more prominent showing up in nature and with decorating items in the stores.  Slowly the trees are changing their leaves into gorgeous oranges, yellows, browns and reds.  I think it is really beautiful this year.  Perhaps I will be ready for what is next.  Colder weather with sleet, rain and snow.  🌧⛄. The decorating makes the seasons more enjoyable to me.

The stores have completely ignored the PILGRIMS 🦃🦃🦃 of THANKSGIVING and have gone from Halloween 👻🎃 straight to 🎄🎅🤶 secular CHRISTMAS.  Sad.  Too busy to be thankful for our harvest and abundance we have received?  Not here.  Living a grateful and THANKFUL LIFE is the best yet.

There will be the Thanksgiving Parades and turkey dinners, but the decorating is a different story.  We can add Pilgrims and turkeys to the AUTUMN decor.  I have a complete set of dishes I could use for our Thanksgiving Meal that will probably remain in the boxes this year as this downsizing and organizing EVENT is a bit much.  Paper plate time.  I have no shame.  Being real. We may just eat a Community meal prepared by others.  Seems likely we may do this.  It will certainly be an economic way to eat.

We grocery shopped yesterday for meats.  STICKER SHOCK when the register hit $350.00.  Being frugal is so important.  

I have a few AUTUMN decorations in the house, but very little.  I'm still concentrating on the stuff that came out of the storage unit that need dealt with.  Lord, help.  It shouldn't take as long as it does for me.  TODAY, I plan to box up MORE glassware that I will turn loose of.  Clearing out the Living room will be my PLANS today.  

🍬🍫🍫🍫 🥨🥨🥨 I've got to get some Halloween goody bags made up for my Grandchildren as well.  I have luncheon bags to fill with some Hersey miniature nuggets and pretzels. I think this will be plenty for them.  I'll place the goods inside the bags and tie them shut with twine.  Should be alright.  

Up early today.  Best put some laundry in and round up some glassware to box up.  The quicker I get this done, the better.  Truly.

This is not what I want to consume my old age with.  Heavens.  It will be 10 years ago on the 25th that we had the house fire.  The shock of it all.  10 years.  We lost so much of our physical things that this contributed to going overboard on GETTING THINGS to replace what we lost.  I know now, I overdid it and am detoxing from this mindset.  I can relax about not having so much STUFF.  So that is what I am working at doing.

At 71 years of age...with a brother-in-law deathly ill and a Alaskan girlfriend's Hubby in the hospital with head injuries...I am convinced that we have to live a life that doesn't need so much stuff.  Life is short and eternity much longer. Knowing God, following the Lord and loving people is the most important thing of all.  Only through being BORN AGAIN through Jesus Christ and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT can I be who I am suppose to be.

Thank you for stopping by.  Hope you are well.

~d on the prairie

ODDS AND INS OF BLUE WILLOW CHINA

Unpacking a large grey storage tub that was in storage, I unwrapped odds and ins of Blue Willow China that were not in my china cabinet.  I could count the pieces and see what I had.  These misc. pieces are mismatched, but in pretty good condition.  

My China cabinet is filled with mostly Churchill Blue Willow and a few older pieces.  The mismatched pieces I came across in the tub are in pretty good shape except for a few very chipped ones.  

USA, Willow Ware by Royal China, not marked.
Same pattern, different manufacturers.

I was going to sell all of these misc. pieces, then I got to thinking, if I get into making jewelry I could use these misc. pieces for earrings, necklaces, charm bracelets.

It has taken some time to get to where I am going through tubs and boxes.  I hope to be finished with this bunch of Blue Willow TODAY and have them in newer boxes placed in the cellar for future fun.  I haven't ever made china jewelry.  I think I am convinced that I'd like to try making some pretties.

Soooo, I will box them up and set them aside for craft projects to do after this decluttering and down sizing EVENT is over.  

Pray it is soon.

AMEN, 
~d on the prairie

Can I hear an AMEN?

~d

 

DECORATING ON THE PRAIRIE: AUTUMN PUMPKIN

~AUTUMN HARVEST DECORATING~

My simple attempt to copy what I saw
at a HOME in Manhattan, Kansas.

Pumpkin, Autumn leaves garland plus urn.

The simpler the better, especially for me.

~d on the prairie