A perfect Christmas !

It was a perfect Christmas. I do not think I have ever said that before,but this year I was able to enjoy it without all the stress I usually have. Christmas Eve I had all my family here and Christmas Day visited dear friends at the beach. The last 2 days I have been sitting back relaxing and enjoying this wonderful time of year and thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for and looking forward to a brand new year with many more "Simple Pleasures" and making more wonderful memories.

The tree is decorated,the gifts are wrapped,cards are mailed,baking has started and I am relaxing and enjoying it all! So far I have not stressed out about having the right gift for each one,or that someone may have more than someone or any of that silly stuff that I usually worry about. It is going to be a simple but wonderful Christmas this year. Sunday will be the Christmas celebration at church,Monday I will cook all day and enjoy every minute of it. Tuesday will be my family celebration at my home. Christmas day we will visit the Grandchildren to see what Santa brought them and the next day we will visit friends at the beach.Enjoying it all but remembering that "Jesus is the reason for the season"

Secret Santa Gift Exchange

I mailed my Secret Santa gift and received mine the same day. I really enjoyed shopping for my S.S. even though it is a little difficult shopping for someone you really do not know and that have different interest than you,it is nice to search for just the things you think they will like. I posted a pic of what I received. I just love the little joy garland with minature clothes pin and angel wings as well as the minature mason jar,so cute and of course yankee candles are my favorite. Thank You S.S. and thanks to Suzanne for hosting this exchange each year,I know it is a lot of work at this busy time of year, it is another added pleasure for this time of year and I enjoy participating in it.

It was a wonderful day !

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! I was exhausted though when it was over! I did not get this tired preparing holiday meals before. I do not know what is up with that,maybe be 60 now. I had planned to go shopping Thursday night when the stores opened but I could not get up off the sofa so I did not go shopping until Friday and the malls were crazy,lines from one end of stores to the other,children sleeping in the floor. I got out of there and went to Marshall's, TJ Max,Belk's and Kohl's and then home to finish up on-line. I am now almost done,so I can relax and just enjoy the season.

I am getting ready!

It is almost here! I am excited,I just love Thanksgiving! My turkey is brining, cooler of oysters on ice,cake baked,pies in oven.Up early in the morning to make salads,vegetables,dressing and turkey! Happy Thanksgiving!

A day in the country!

Today we went to a country day festival. I love the drive out there as much as I love the festival. There are canopy roads, big farm houses, hills and big beautiful trees full of moss.There were homemade sausage cooking outdoors,syrup making,homemade cakes and pies as well as lots of arts and crafts. Along the way there were many yard sales and we did stop at a few. I found some beautiful black toile fabric.On the way home we stopped at Steak n Shake for a chocolate malt with 2 straws. It was a good day,just enjoying simple pleasures.

A wonderful day yesterday watching my Grandson play soccer. The sky was blue, temps in the 60's,sun shinning and a nice breeze blowing. Life is good and I feel so blessed!

November is flying by!

It has been a busy November at my house. This month is flying by just like October did. We had out of town guest this past week. We took them on a tour of FSU and to Wakulla Springs Lodge for dinner. It was a very nice visit.

The weather has been beautiful here, it was in the high 30's last night, a sunny 50 now and warming into the 70's this afternoon! Now to make the Thanksgiving menu, shopping list, shopping and cooking! I do love November!

It was a Happy Halloween !

It was a fun Halloween in our neighborhood. The trick-or-treaters started arriving around 5:30. The little ones were so cute in their costumes! After giving out candy for about 1 1/2 hours, Jim relieved us and I walked with Brittney. It was a little scary walking with all the characters out there,but I enjoyed it knowing that there will not be many more Halloweens that my Granddaughter will be wanting her Grandma walking with her! My favorite was the headless woman in the long white dress in last pic!

Butterflies,Alligators and Snakes !

We had a very nice day yesterday at "Monarch Butterfly Festival" at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.As well as the beautiful butterflies, we saw alligators and in the rock is a baby pigmy rattlesnake.

Enjoying these Fall days and "Simple Pleasures"

I am so loving the Fall weather that we are having. Last night it was a big pot of Cabbage and Ham with Fried Cornbread. I have a pot of Chili cooking now and tonight we will have it with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. I love these Fall meals! The afternoons have been warming into the 70's with sunshine. I was able to take a morning and afternoon walk yesterday. I loved seeing all the fall decorations in my neighborhood. It is hard to believe that October is almost over and before we know it Thanksgiving and Christmas will be upon us. I am going to do my best to enjoy every minute and not get so hurried that I miss out on any of the enjoyment!

A wonderful day!

It is 70 degrees with a light rain at my house and getting in the 50's tonight, I am so excited, Fall is really here! I love days like this watching the rain from my windows, listening to "easy listening" music and reading blogs. Life is good right now and I am enjoying it,we never know what is around the corner,but today is a wonderful day and I hope that yours is also!

Fall Festivals and drives along the coast!

Fall Festival in "Antique Capital" of the south! Greek festival and drive along the coast this weekend! Life keeps getting better and better! Enjoying all these "Simple Pleasures"

This is my BBF and me at her daughters beach wedding last night on beautiful Cape San Blas. I tried to zoom the pics and they did not come out very well but it was a beautiful wedding and sunset. Everyone enjoyed the evening. Jim and I even danced on the deck!

A fall breakfast and more Soccer

One of the things I love and enjoy in fall is country sausage!I cooked some this morning with grits and eggs. It was so good on this 60 degree morning, one of my "simple pleasures". My 2 youngest Grandson's played Soccer this past weekend. I love how all 3 of my Grandson's stand with their hands on their hips. My Mother did that a lot,it always makes me think of her! This is my oldest daughter,Mother of the youngest Grandson's standing behind me.

Beautiful morning sky and Tropical Storm

The sky was beautiful this morning, as I was driving my Granddaughter to school. I wish I had my camera with me, I will put it in my purse tomorrow morning so i can capture those beautiful pink colors in the sky,if they are there again tomorrow morning. We have tropical storm Karen in the Gulf which will impact our weather. I have a beach wedding to attend next week so hopefully KAREN will be long gone by then!

October 1st, Oh my !

Getting out my fall decorations! I am so happy to welcome Fall this year, it is going to be a busy one. There are a lot of things planned this month, Fall festivals,a birthday and a wedding and Halloween which is a big block party in my neighborhood with 700 plus trick-or-treaters!