Chinese Take-Out

Hello, Dear Friends, can you believe

it is already November?

We officially had the wettest October on 

record, here in western Washington state. 

After hearing that, I don't feel so guilty

about not getting my spring bulbs planted yet! 

My birthday was in October, so Ramblin' Man 

came home with my favorite treat;

Chinese take-out.

I've been collecting dishes and linens to enjoy

my favorite treat for quite a few years. 

I love unpacking these little treasures!

Let me give you a closer look......

It all started with this wonderful, cross-stitch tablecloth. 

Colorful and intricate temples on stiff scrim fabric. 

I always wonder who, so lovingly, 

created such a lovely work of art. 

Was it a treasured family heirloom from the old country,
a souvenir from travels, 

or perhaps something created 

to enhance an Asian decor?

We'll never know...... 

The beautiful embroidered tea-towel 

was a gift from my dear sister-in-law. 

I was so happy when I recently found these two dinner plates. 

They are just enough for the two of us,

although, I would love to find more :)

Tiny rice and sauce bowls collected 

over time. 

I have no idea what they are actually 

used for, so I probably break all the rules
of Chinese protocol!

Pretty little hand-painted bowls. 

A rice spoon with dragon.
This is very old.
It was antique when I found it 25 years ago.

A hand-painted ceramic box holds Chinese tea. 

Time to eat! 

Another year older and hopefully wiser.....

Sooooo good! 

But the best thing is

sharing a special meal with my very favorite person

in my favorite place on Earth.

Home :)

My birthday gift :) 

The complete Downton Abbey collection! 

With tea and chocolates <3 

Blending two favorite cultures in 

one lovely night!

Some good fortunes.

I feel very blessed.  

xoxo

What is your favorite take-out treat, Dear Friends? 

xoxo

Some Chinese Proverbs:

*When the winds of change blow,
some people build walls
and others build windmills*

*Those who cause divisions
in order to injure people;
are in fact preparing pitfalls
for their own ruin*

*A closed mind is like a closed book,
just a block of wood*

*A wise man makes his own decisions,
an ignorant man follows public opinion*

*If you wish to know the mind of a man,
listen to his words*

***********

Halloween Scenes - Five Spooky Ideas

With Halloween just around the corner, 

I'd like to invite you over, Dear Friends, 

for some spooky treats and 

 some fun ideas to decorate for the holiday.  

The first idea was found in a flyer

sent to me by my local market.....

'Boo-Nana Bites'

and 

'Vampire Teeth'

These are a healthier alternative to 

sweet treats and would be perfect for 

a children's party. 

To make the BooNana Bites

you will need....

Bananas

Vanilla Yogurt

Chocolate Chips 

(both mini and regular sizes)

Waxed or parchment paper

Straws or popsicle sticks

Peel each banana and slice in half. 

Push a popsicle stick or straw

  into the cut end, 

and coat the banana in vanilla yogurt. 

Press two mini-chips into the narrow 

end for eyes, and one regular sized chip

for a mouth. 

Freeze on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet. 

To make the Vampire Teeth

you will need......

Apples

Creamy peanut butter

(or nut butter of choice)

Mini marshmallows

Slivered almonds

Slice apples into wedges. 

Working in pairs, spread peanut butter

on one side of each wedge. 

Arrange a row of marshmallows

along bottom wedge like teeth. 

Add two almond sliver 'fangs'. 

Top with the other apple wedge, 

peanut butter side down. 

For an extra spooky touch, 

coat the tip of the 'fangs' with 

red jelly :)

Aren't they fun? 

Delicious, too! 

My spooky tree with hanging bats. 

I've had this since my children were young. 

The gourds are actually candles. 

My second spooky idea is simple! 

A Vintage 'painting' of an autumn scene

decorated with 3-D stickers! 

I found these at my local craft store. 

The 'painting' was a thrift store find. 

My stuffed and painted canvas crow

perches on top. 

I found this handsome fellow last year at 

an after-holiday sale. 

I've had the black-cat wind-chime 

for years. She is made of stained glass

with mirrored facets and a glass fish weight

on the end. 

She even wears a bell on her collar :)

My vintage step-ladder serves 

as easel. 

This 'prim' scarecrow was a recent gift 

from my sweet sis-in-law <3 

The third idea for Halloween decorating 

is to frame vintage postcards. 

I am always on the lookout for these

as they make the most charming displays. 

xoxo

Something to make me smile 

when I walk through the door. 

My vintage seed sack pillow :)

It's so soft.....

The fourth spooky idea is a 'Boo Box'. 

I simply painted a small wooden tray

black with white letters. 

A craft-fair cat. 

A cute shelf-sitter. 

A captured pumpkin. 

My Mom's owl from the 60's :)

The fifth and last spooky idea I have for you 

is hand-stitchery. 

How cute is this? 

I found this years ago in a favorite shop. 

It would be a cute idea for a chalk-board, too! 

I hope you enjoyed my spooky ideas 

for Halloween, my friends!

Just remember.....

Be wary......

It's scary, 

In the dark! 

xoxo

I want to thank you, my friends, for your warm 

and wonderful visits. 

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Five on Friday

Won't you join the fun?

The Last of the Flowers

Hello, friends, as October comes to an end, 

so have most of my flowers. 

All except a few hardy blooms, such as 

these winter pansies. 

A few calibrachoa are still blooming, too. 

Let's take a look around and see what else 

is blooming here at my home in the foothills

of Washington State.

We've had one of the wettest October's on record, 

but this day is full of beautiful sunshine. 

I have swept the deck of fallen leaves.......

An everyday task this time of year. 

I try not to think of the leaves I need to rake on the ground! 

My two helpers, Whitey Bear and Kai. 

Every breeze sends the wind-chimes 

singing and brings the leaves falling down. 

But for now, the sun is shining and the air is still. 

It does get cool at night now, but not 

enough for frost. 

Daytime temperatures are still mild, 

55-65 degrees. 

You can see the begonia are still blooming. 

Kai is always on alert. 

These are double begonia and I wish I bought more

of them last spring. They have been blooming 

non-stop since May. 

I will be sure to look for more next year. 

Japanese maple is losing her beautiful leaves. 

A pot of redwood sorrel sits on the rail. 

I've had this plant for many years. 

I bring it in for winter. 

Can you see the blossom?

So tiny and delicate. 

A stink bug rests on a leaf in the sunshine. 

White impatiens bloom among the chocolate mint. 

More white impatiens are blooming

on the window ledge. 

You can see the hummingbird feeder and a few 

stray leaves. The lilac has already lost her leaves. 

Just blooming away.....

You can see the skylight in my living room

through the window :)

Surprisingly the bees have been visiting the 

feeders these last few weeks, much to the dismay of 

the hummingbirds. 

I've set out extra feeders everywhere to give the birds

a better chance. 

The Anna's hummingbirds stay year-round. 

The Rufous hummingbirds have already left. 

There is one last rose blooming in the garden. 

This weekend the ceramic bird bath will be put away. 

One last Nikko blue hydrangea blooms behind. 

Nikko blue turns lovely colors this time of year. 

I gather the beautiful blooms for baskets and vases. 

Hydrangea and crab-apple by the birdbath. 

One last foxglove :)

I've finished sweeping the deck for now. 

White alyssum, and bacopa still bloom on 

the old baker's rack. 

The fairies have packed up and left their pan garden. 

The pineapple sage is ready for harvest. 

I was hoping it would bloom, but the growing season

is not long enough. 

Beautiful fall colors. 

Mt. Rainier is hidden in the mountain clouds. 

Viburnum turns a rosy hue. 

Winter Pansies wait to be potted. 

Happy little faces. 

Just waiting for me to find time. 

 The hydrangea gathered for my table :)

Kai waits by the door. 

There's a cat on the other side. 

They like to play together. 

Ling Ling ready for play......

Time to sweep the deck again! 

xoxo

I hope you enjoyed visiting my flowers, 

dear friends! 

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

Flower Wednesday

Won't you join the fun?