Goodbye October - Hello, Sweet November

Hello, dear friends, I hope that you survived 

'Fright Night' with no 'tricks' and a few treats! 

We were treated to this spooky scene over Mt. Rainier

right before dark, after several days of 

beautiful October sunshine. 

But the best treat was a visit from this 

little Trick or Treater, my little Grandson. 

Can you believe he is already 

 taking his first steps? 

Luckily I had some treats on hand! :)

And treat bags to take home. 

I stamped the bags and added creepy spider fasteners. 

I also baked chicken pot pie for dinner, 

as the little family was hungry after 

their night out visiting some very special treaters. 

xoxo

This morning I woke up to a change in the weather, 

this first day of sweet November. 

Sweet November is one of my favorite movies, 

starring Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves.

Yes, it is slightly cheezy, but I love the actors, 

the setting, (especially Charlize's darling apt.

and all her wonderful scarves)

and the sweet romance. 

I'm a die-hard romantic - I admit it. 

I like to put on my rose-colored glasses 

once in a while. 

Life can be hard and not always pretty, 

it's true, but I am always seeking the

silver lining in those dark clouds. 

One of my favorite things about November 

are the falling leaves. 

There is nothing more magical than 

standing under golden trees as falling leaves 

 swirl and twirl all around you. 

I thought of these things as I prepared my morning 

coffee, standing in front of my kitchen window. 

There is something to love in every season, 

and sweet November gives us Thanksgiving, of course, 

and all those things that go along with it. 

Gratitude, family, delicious gatherings. 

Things like candlelight reflected on the best 

silver and crystal (if you are so blessed),

or the soft glow of ironstone and pressed glass :)

Fine linens are something else to celebrate, 

and even if you don't host the full holiday dinner, 

why not bring them out and enjoy them with your tea? 

As I took my morning walk to retrieve the newspaper

at the driveway gate, I reflected further on what 

makes November so sweet...... 

Frosty mornings

with thick haloes of breath.

Warm, cozy flannels

and soft, cuddly sweaters.

Crisp, clear nights full of shimmering stars. 

Thick winter coats on ponies and dogs. 

The mysteries of fog.

Reading under warm, layered quilts,

long into the night. 

Kicking through leaves in tawny landscapes. 

Hot coffee with whipped cream, 

sprinkled with nutmeg or cinnamon,

and a dash of Bailey's if it is really, really cold out :)

Pumpkin Pie for breakfast. 

Lamplight glowing from windows

and cozy cafe's. 

Baked apples oozing with butter and brown sugar. 

Stopping to listen to flocks of migrating geese overhead. 

The scent of wood-smoke

 curled up in front of the fire. 

Butternut squash soup and cranberry nut bread. 

Sliced pears and brie on crisp crackers or toast, 

drizzled with honey. 

Soft carpets of needles 

under evergreen trees. 

Crab-apples.

And.....

Nature's last brilliance before 

winter sets in. 

What would you add to the list? 

xoxo

Thank-you for your lovely visits, dear Friends. 

I so enjoy your kind and generous comments. 

With each one, I get to know you a little bit more. 

Kindred spirits, all. 

xoxo

Happy November! 

Today I am linking with:
Thankful Thursday

Won't you join in?