Late November Thoughts

Here it is the end of November and looking back...it was a good month. The weather was wonderful with just enough nip in the air to tell us what's coming...without making us miserable.
The winter birds are here and hanging out at the feeders. This morning, I'm watching some nuthatches going back and forth to the Ash tree. I am reminded that the seed I bought doesn't have many sunflower seeds (their favorite) so I should buy a bag of sunflower seeds to mix in. The suet blocks are being devoured by sparrows...before the clinging, suet eaters have a chance. I made suet last year and there was enough for all.
Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had about half our family here for dinner. Lots of laughs, memories, food, and groan...desserts. That pecan pie was so good. We missed the other half, but brought them into our stories and memories. Thanksgiving was about the easiest dinner that I have served, because of my organization before. We still had lots of kitchen work to do. Thanks to several the cleanup was fast and easy. I love a man at the sink loading the dishwasher!!.
The Christmas flowers are starting to bloom. Two amaryllis are blooming. I won't be ordering the mini amaryllis again. They are too fast blooming and blooms are not spectacular like the big ones...the leaves are about the same, however. Yesterday, while getting the Christmas boxes out, I found ...in the dark, two amaryllis that I had brought in this summer. They were dry as a bone with crispy leaves. On one...a little green nub was showing. What a beating these big amaryllis can take. I thought that I had tossed them all, because of the hot summer and chipmunk nibblings, but I guess I gave these two a reprieve. We'll see what they do.I still have to get some poinsettias to set around. I love the red colors of Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas...the decorating began yesterday. Two small trees are decorated and the front porch is waiting for Joe to hook up the lights. I'm not doing as much as I have done in the past. We're pretty satisfied with just a little bit of Christmas around.Today, I'll try to do the rest.
Christmas baking might be a little more this year. Several have asked for Christmas cookies. I'm to bring a plate to the Christmas gathering at Joe's son and daughter in law's house the Sunday before Christmas. Julie isn't baking this year, because of her work schedule...so she asked if I could bring some cookies for my part of the meal. I do love to make cookies, so this is right up my alley, so to speak. I like to take them to our Christmas Eve gathering at my son's too. They are handy to give to neighbors as a little remembrance. I take them to the Priest and girls in the office too. So it looks like I will be in the kitchen baking quite a bit. I hope it snows...I love to have the Christmas music on and see snow coming down, while I bake.
We went to see the new model home in Belvidere on Friday. We really found ourselves drawn into almost putting money down on this house. It's exactly what we were looking for. We came home to think about it...away from the sales staff, and looked around and changed our minds. We have replaced everything here...roof, porch, deck, furnace and air, appliances, even landscaped for our old age. We will probably stay right here and get help when we need it. So, that is settled....for a while at least.
I did my online shopping the day before Thanksgiving. I did leave some things to buy during December. I like to see the stores and their decorations and get the feel of Christmas shopping, without having to scramble.
Now on to December and all that it brings.Many activities are already on the calendar, starting with a Dec. 1st Christmas brunch back in my former town...with "old girlfriends." I wanted to have an open house too, but changed my mind. Our Church calendar is looking busy with Advent beginning next week and the Holy Day on the 8th. We'll be busy enough without an open house here.
TV is especially good in December. Tonight is a review of Downton Abbey on PBS. I'm looking forward to that. Musical shows, familiar Christmas movies and stories, food network cooking for the holidays, lots of specials. We'll be sitting in our easy chairs for a front row seat.
So, you see, the month of November was good and busy. We are already started on December...lots of fun things to do. When the house is decorated, I'll just take it easy, read what all of you are doing to celebrate and decorate...and get some ideas for cookies from all the wonderful blogs I read.
Speaking of cookies...I had better get busy...the freezer waits.
Have a great Sunday.
Balisha