Monday Night Poll

So what cha think?  Does it look better with the heart tilted as in the previous post, or do you like it better straight?  I had it tilted at first, then got to worrying that it looked like it was just crooked.  Maybe I'll just change it up every few days!

Saturday Wreath

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's  a picture,  taken from Rachel's facebook page, of our Betsy.  Love her flowers on the table in the background. We have so many many blessings to count today. And of course, Betsy and her little brother Kyle  are at the top of our list.   Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  And may you have flowers on your table too.

Dixboro General Store

This was one of the fun places we visited while I was at mama & PJ's in Michigan.  You can check out their website here.  BIG love!The valance was PJ's pick.Upstairs. . .

and a whole herd of deer!

Thanksgiving Week

This week leading up to Thanksgiving always fools me.  I think I have plenty of time to get my grocery list together, to actually go to the grocery store, to cook,

to get the house clean(er), and be all ready and put together in time for Thursday.  And then on the Monday before, I'm shocked to find that I have so much to do and just three short little days. . . Happens every year and I'm always so surprised!  And then I remember, oh yeah, this is what I always do.  It's a tradition!    But this year I have  beautiful roses on my desk at work to remind me to count my blessings.  A really good antidote for panic. . .

Open House @ Petals & Co.

Love this little gem of a flowershop in Rochester, Illinois.  Michelle and her staff are warm and friendly and their designs are just beautiful!  They've invited everybody over for their open house this Saturday and Sunday.  I'm hoping to go back on Sunday, so maybe I'll see you there? 

Ready, Set, Decorate!

Here's a link to one of my favorite blogs, At Home with Jodi Duncan.  Jodi is a talented floral designer  in Southern Illinois who makes you smile with her upbeat personality and energy!  And just in time for the season, she's giving us some of her tips for decorating a perfect Christmas tree.

Now where's that polymesh?  I know it's here somewhere. . .

Michigan Trip

I had such a good time with my mom and sister and all the family in Michigan.  And of course, I took a few pictures!  Here are some shots from our visit to The Button Lady in Dixboro.     Her shop is full of antiques and she has the stories to go along with them! 

Monday Monday

Here's a shot of the artist Peggy's raggedy anns traveling in a vintage suitcase.  She told me the story of how that suitcase traveled to Peoria with her, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents while they were searching for work in the 1940's.  And speaking of suitcases, I have one to unpack today! 

Apple Dumplings

  I feel so thankful that we're all healthy here.  It was a nice day with my mom.   We made these apple dumplings--with two sticks of butter, so you know they're good! 

4 apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon
8 oz. mountain dew

Peel and core apples and slice each apple into quarters.  Roll each apple quarter in a crescent roll and place in a 9 x 13 lightly greased baking dish.  Melt butter, add sugar, and stir slightly, leaving the mixture grainy.  Add vanilla, stir and pour over apple crescents.  Pour mountain dew around and down the center of rolls.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

We thought raisins would be a good addition too!

At Home With Peggy & PJ

My Detroit trip has been extended for a few days. Tomorrow I'll go out to the craft mall with my mom, who's getting ready for her show on Saturday. It's nice to be here with her and with my sister and the rest of the family. I've got lots of great pictures of our adventures to share!

PaPa's New Favorite Picture

Mark is loving this picture of Betsy, who has figured out how to OWN the kitchen counter!  It's a whole new world!

Wednesday Begonias

These begonias are still going strong, even if it is November.  I babied them all summer with water and food, but they've been on their own since Labor Day.  Of course, it's rained almost every day since then!  But we've had some beautiful sunshine this week.  I love late bloomers!

November Already!