Today

Thanksgiving Plans

Our plans this year for Thanksgiving are a little less than traditional. Most significantly, we'll be missing one important family member.  

She's spending the holiday with my parents not far from the college she attends.  

That's not the only thing different about this year. I won't be cooking a turkey and all the side dishes and I won't be decorating the table. 

Last year's table for 4.

And, I won't be making these delicious homemade rolls (but I promise to share the recipe in the coming days, because they are perfect for the holidays).

Blessedly, this year I will not be forced to contemplate the merits of store-bought versus homemade gravy (since that seems to be my real culinary failing).

We will be, however, engaging, in one important time-honored holiday tradition and we'll be doing that here:

Cowboy Stadium

We aren't Cowboy fans though.   We'll be there to cheer for our beloved Redskins and, Texas-raised Baylor graduate and Heisman trophy winner, Robert Griffin III. 

 We're looking forward to it!

Going to the Polls

It's a great day to be an American.  Go vote today, if you haven't already. I'm not an early voter. To me, there's something about voting on the actual day.  My Type A self doesn't even mind standing in line.  It's a small price to pay to exercise my 14th and 19th Amendment rights.  

Voting in the primary.  

My baby girl will be casting her first vote for President today.  I'm happy for her.  

Democracy at work.  It's a beautiful thing - especially if your [my] guy wins! 

Halloween's Popping Up All Over

It's going to be a "crisp" 78 degrees outside tonight for Trick or Treating, but that doesn't mean folks here aren't in the mood for All Hallows Eve.  As promised, here are just some of the crazy inflatable decorations (most of them gigantic) making an appearance today in and around my neighborhood.

Halloween in triple

A ghostly pirate ship

Frankenstein

This jack o lantern was so big it covered 1/2 this front yard . . . 

this enormous cat covered the other half.

Sweet Snoopy

Scary grim reaper in a Grinch-pumpkin horse drawn carriage?

A giant witch.  She's smiling because it's Halloween.

Pumpkins and whimsical black cats . . . 

just seem to go together.  

Pumpkin Carols

While I'm still doing some reconnaissance on the best Halloween house decorations in the area (photos to come), I thought I would share with you this lovely little Halloween card.  Did you know approximately 10 million Halloween cards were sent last year? I even sent a few of my own this year.

This pumpkin-shape card, however, was sent from my aunt decades ago to me and my sister.  I don't know the actual year, but the price on the back indicates the card cost 75 cents so, needless to say, it was a long, long time ago.  

I've never seen a card quite like it - a book of Halloween songs intended to be sung to the tune of Christmas carols.  I've included a few for your amusement the words don't quite seem to fit in every case, but still this little vintage card makes my heart happy (click on the image and they should be easier to read).

Sung to the tune of Jingle Bells, of course.

Sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland

Sung to the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Happy Caroling!

Scarecrows

Call it the "Wizard of Oz Effect", but I love scarecrows. Perhaps it's the movie depiction of a loyal, vulnerable and sensible friend who simply lacks a bit of self-confidence that speaks to me.  Or maybe it's just his sweet face and down-and-out clothing.  Regardless, fall, with it's requisite scarecrows, is something I always look forward to.  

Scarecrow peeking out from my fall mums and purple fountain grass

Several years ago, I happened upon this cute Scarecrow craft (in Family Fun magazine). Quite a few years in a row, I  created these as class party and table favors.  I stumbled upon the idea again last week and couldn't resist sharing.  It's not super kid-friendly (glue gun required) but at a minimum you could involve your kids in the sorting and counting of candy scarecrow body parts. The finished product is a hit and adorable, too.

For each scarecrow, you will need:

• 1 Wrapped round taffy or caramel - head
• 2 Tootsie Flavor Rolls (bright colors if available) - arms
• 2 rolls of colorful candies (like Spree or Smarties) - legs
• 1/2 oz. box of raisins - body
• raffia
• low temperature glue gun 
• scissors

(optional) 2-inch scale wavy brim straw hat (I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby - qty 12 for $3.47)

Assembly is super easy:

Keep the wrapping on all the candies and glue the head, arms and legs to raisin box body.

Cut 5-four inch pieces of raffia.  Place 4 pieces in a bunch and tie fifth piece in center of bundle. Glue knot to the top of the body (where raisin box and round candy taffy meet).   

If you elect to add the hat, wait until the glue used to secure head is dry before gluing on hat.  Please note: do not use too much glue.  

His job is to scare the birds 

and fill their hearts with dread. 

But your job is easier, 

to choose which to eat first: 

his arms, legs, or head.

Gorgeous Gourds (not what you're thinking)

When we were at the Arboretum two weeks ago for my birthday, we hurried through a  part of the botanical garden which I am certain totally merits a return trip (honestly, it was growing dark, but candidly, we were rushing to get home to watch the first Presidential debate. Because, let's face it, I'm not missing that). Anyway, 

I have NEVER seen more pumpkins in one place in my life!

Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater's House

I failed to capture a photo of  Sleeping Beauty's carriage, but borrowed this one from the Arboretum's website:

Check out those topiary horses!

A pumpkin tree!

All I can say is pumpkin shortage? What pumpkin shortage?