Happy Halloween, Ya'll

TThe 27th Annual Pumpkin Fest was held in Franklin on Saturday.  The weather was gorgeous and there was a big crowd in attendance.  It was lots of fun to "people watch" and see some of the creative costumes.  When we first arrived, there was a group of dancers performing  to the song "Cupid Shuffle"       which was played at Doug and Leigh Anne's wedding.  Janet and Nick remembered that:)

For Ardell - even the dogs participated!

Lots of people and pets were in costume which was fun to see.  Some were pretty creative!!!

Get out of jail free?

Best costumer ever!!!

It has been a while since I lived where there were trick or treaters knocking at my door.  I don't expect too many but I have bought some candy (chocolate) just in case.  The decision is always do I buy something I like or something I won't eat?  

Waiting in line for kettle corn!

Rambling around Franklin

Janet and Nick took me to lunch at Dumplin's in Franklin for lunch on Sunday.  Everything is homemade and wonderful.  Since it was Sunday, we had dessert!!!  We walked around town for a while before we went "house shopping".  Franklin is such a neat little town.  I thought you might like to see some pics.

Checking out the menu!  Delicious!

Great fall decoration!

1818!!!  I'll have to take the walking tour - maybe
with some of my guests when Peggy's B& B opens!!!

Fall Foliage

Street sign

Glad I am not in charge of raking!!

I am still enjoying fall - actually, I have decided it is my favorite season!!!  Since fall in Houston lasts about 3 days, this is all a treat for me.  No air-conditioning for over a month???  Wow!!!!

Busy, Busy!!!

It has been a productive week - mundane types of things but still it is progress.

To cure my craving for Indian food,  I made some Chicken Curry, Rice and Raita one evening.  It freezes well so there are a few meals for later.  The recipes are from "Easy Indian Cooking" by Suneeta Vaswani.   Several friends and I have taken classes from the author.  It will take me a while to figure out how to cook for one:)

In a parking lot:)

I've been neglecting my walking so got out and found some new places to explore.  Walking around the townhouse area works but it isn't too exciting.  There are two parks close by that have one mile walking trails.  Not long enough for me but two or three loops solves that problem.  Fall is in full swing and the colors are beautiful.  Not something you see on this scale in Texas.

At the park

New chairs and rug!

 The chair and rug that were on order were delivered on Wednesday so things are finally starting to shape up around here.  The accessorizing stage has begun now - lots more fun!!!  This is a new look for me and I am enjoying it.  Next up is to go through pictures from my trip and print and frame some for the wall above that chair.

The old Singer decked out for fall with Longaberger!

 Even the sewing room is in order and I actually sewed a little this week.  Nothing exciting in my book - just altered a duvet cover to fit my bed better.  Home dec sewing is not high on my list even though it is a big money saver.   The long straight seams are boring, boring, boring!!!

Main Machine and Ikea Shelves
I put those together myself!!!

LA's Rocketeer with my
embroidery machine on top

Home again!

The drive to Houston and back was pretty with the beginning of fall color and was an easy drive.  A full day - it takes 13 hours but the weather was great both ways.  It is a much easier drive when you aren't pulling an RV (the Whale as Walter calls it) or following a huge Penske truck.  While I was in Houston, I did a few important errands:)  I bought Texas pecans for me and the offspring (yes, they are spoiled);  had my mammogram; picked up a few things from the ex; had my hair cut; and delivered some baskets.  I stayed two nights with Maynard, four with Barbara, and one with Ardell!!!  Somehow, I came home with my car loaded with more STUFF!!!

Barbara, Jim, Amy
Homecoming 2010

Amy

Barbara is doing pretty well and will find out more at her doctor's appointment on Wednesday.  She can even work part-time this week (but don't overdo it!!).  It was homecoming for her daughter, Amy, this week so she went off to school Friday with her mum on.  She made the one for her boyfriend, Kyle.  As you can see, she did not get the height gene from her mother.  Amy is 5'10".  Sarah is jealous:)

I saw this sign somewhere in East Texas and had to stop and take a picture.    When I got home, the townhouse was in great shape.  Nick was busy cleaning while I was away and picked up two chairs I had ordered.  It is finally shaping up!

I think this was meant for me!

On the Nightstand - I finally gave up on "Freedom" and left it with Barbara.  We'll see what she thinks!  I am reading a mystery by Iris Johansen entitled "Quicksand".  It is the first book I have downloaded to my iTouch from iBooks.  It was one of the $3.99 specials!  So far I am enjoying it.

No sewing yet!  Maybe this week.

October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Barbara

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in their life.  This time it hits close to home.  My youngest sister, Barbara, was diagnosed with breast cancer last month.  No one in our family has ever had cancer so this was a shock.  The good news, if you can say "good news" and "cancer" in the same sentence, is that it was caught very early (Stage 1)  and her prognosis is excellent.  Barbara was also accepted as a patient at M. D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston which is world renowned for cancer care.  She had a lumpectomy Tuesday and will follow that with six weeks of radiation.   This week I am on "nurse duty" while I am in Houston.  The other siblings all live close by so will help out as needed in the coming weeks.

As a reminder, have yearly mammograms!  My doctor suggests to schedule your yearly mammogram the same month as your birthday.  Even though breast cancer is much more prevalent in women, men can have it as well.

Artists at work!

I am in Houston this week to be with my family.   When I found out Amy's birthday party was Sunday afternoon, I came a day earlier than planned to go to the celebration.    This was her 30th!!!  I vaguely remember being 30.   After indulging in some yummy treats, Sherry had us all painting!!!

Amy hard at work - notice the wine glasses

There were about ten of us and we all painted the same piece.   I don't think I have painted since elementary school.   Sherry guided us each step of the way - or tried to.

Teacher - what are you doing?

We had to remind her every now and then that we needed to see what she was doing

Only a true artist gets paint on her forehead!

This was my first time at a party like this, but we all got a canvas, paints, and brushes and became "artists for an hour or two".  Sherry used me for comic relief a time or two and "fixed" a few things on my picture.  It is so ugly it is cute.  It is going to be hung in a place of honor in my townhouse.  Probably right above the washer/dryer which are behind closed doors.   Even though we all painted the same subject, they all look totally different.  Which one do you think is the best?

Several of the Masterpieces!

This is the one that will be hanging in my laundry room unless I get an offer I can't refuse and have to put a "SOLD" sign on it.  Any offers???

Happy Birthday Amy!  It was great fun meeting and laughing with your family and friends.

It's Official

I am now officially a resident of the State of Tennessee!!!  I need to check and see what they call residents - Tennessean???  I have a new license plate (only one on the back in TN), a new driver's license, and have registered to vote.  The drivers' license was strange!  I have had the same TX drivers' license  (starts with 00) since I was  SIXTEEN years old!!!  Feels weird not to have that anymore:)

When Janet & Nick and Doug & Leigh Anne were here a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I had only had one drivers' license my whole life.    Janet and Nick are on their third state - TX, TN and AL.  Doug and Leigh Anne have them beat - TX, PA, CA and NY.  Sarah falls behind with TX and AK.  Still, it is strange to me not to have that TX license anymore.    Stranger still is the picture they put on the TN license.  Looks like I stopped at the local mortician on the way!!!!  And, no, I am not showing you:)

P.S. - Sarah definitely thinks she should get to count LA.  She lived there for several months taking care of her grandfather and she did have a cell phone:)   So, we'll let her have TX, LA and AK!!!!

A tisket, a tasket, a Longaberger Basket

As promised, I am doing a Longaberger basket share.  Janet came Saturday and we have been busy sorting baskets and shopping for new furniture and bedding.  She made the comment as she was leaving, "How come I always leave here with a box of something?"   Good planning on my part:):)  For those of you who don't understand how many baskets I have, I am attaching a few pictures.  As explanation, I was a Longaberger consultant for about 10 years and they just accumulate!!!  If you would like a basket (or two), make a comment or send me an email with your address.  First come, first served:)


Sarah made the comment she didn't think she needed any.    Silly girl:)

"Hoarder????  What do you mean?

UPDATE:   BASKETS HAVE ALL BEEN ADOPTED.  Thanks to all - I'll have them shipped out soon.


Since my "Grand Adventure" is on hiatus, I decided to add a couple of new items to my blog (and I'll even update my profile soon).  "On the Nightstand" will be the books I am currently reading - and there is always one or more.  "Under the Needle" will be my current sewing project.


ON THE NIGHTSTAND:  


1.  1,000 Clever Sewing Shortcuts & Tips by Deepika Prakash  (sponsored by www.patternreview.com)  I actually have a tip published in this one but I haven't found it yet!

2.  The Rough Guide to Ireland.   Need to start preparing for my upcoming trip soon.

3.  Freedom, A Novel by Jonathan Franzen.  This is Oprah's Book Club's current selection.  I have found some of her selections I like and, some, well some just give me a headache!!!!!  The jury is still out on this one as I have barely started.  I have read so many books on my iTouch the last few months that I am finding this real book HEAVY!!!

Under the Needle:


I am hoping to sew something soon.  I actually plugged in my machine and repaired a shirt for Janet today!!!  The two things at the top of the list are a shirt for me from a Sewing Workshop pattern and some custom boxers for one of my favorite guys (my son) using a vintage pattern.