Giving Thanks

The day begins with breakfast, and then running the dogs. Belle blends beautifully with the leaves, and the creek is running with all the rain we have had.But today is sunny and the mercury is creeping up to the mid 60's. Perfect.

Hard to believe that I still have flowers on Thanksgiving day. This is a winter blooming Camellia

and it is loaded with honey bees.
The roses have such pretty new growth..to trim or not to trim...

We headed to the Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, to our friends Ruth and Bob Eaken. They were instrumental in our coming here in the first place, as they are also Keys residents. They have a lovely place right on the water, and the day was picture perfect and so was the food. We were joined by Candy and Tony LaPerna, some other lake friends and long time friends of the Eakens.

Candy broke her foot, and has been hobbling about on cast and crutches, so Ruth opted to host although technically it was Candy's year.

Some Lake 'effects' from the back porch of the Eaken's.

The loons made their appearance and a few fish leaped out and gave the fisherman the raspberry.

You can tell the shadows are long, and the winter sun is low and thick.

The little titmice are quite tame and weren't put off by my presence.

The living room has this awesome view framed by a bank of windows from peak to floor.

The weeping willow holds its golden leaves.


Last minute warming, wine and early Christmas gifts..Candy rests her wounded paw.

Annie, the Eaken's yellow Lab, loved the attention and the company and showed off her toy. Shes very well mannered and a real social girl.

Cheers!

Thank you Ruth and Bob, and Candy and Tony for a lovely Thanksgiving !

Time is flying by,actually.

The frost has come. Mornings are cold and windshields need scraping.

The last of my roses have bloomed and been cut.

The last of the tomatoes are picked and the vines pulled for mulch. Miss them already.

Caines visit last weekend was fun and tiring. He is easily amused at 3 1/2, and he still loves his wonder horse 'Tex'.

Bath time with nice fragrant bubbles and lots of cups and things to pour and repour. He was in bed at about 7:30 and asleep by 8 pm. Worn out from all the fresh air, belly full, warm bath and a sippy cup of milk. Life is good.

Granpa helps get him dressed in the morning..

Riding with Grandma..one of his favorite things to do..

Caine and Pop-pop watching the dogs swim in the little pond...

Helping to get hay down for the horses...could take a long time doing it this way..

Ok, this works much better..pretty heavy for a little guy, but his heart is in it!

A busy weekend, and it sure sped by...

He is growing so fast, and talks so plainly now. Actually is one of his new words he seems to use alot. He picks me flowers and tells me stories and loves his books. Love the little guy.

No Mow

Today Bob mowed for about 5 hours to get the grass laid down for winter. We hope... Not for winter, but for the end of mowing, which is endless!
Caine will be coming to visit this weekend, and although he does love the tractor, he isn't much help with mowing. Its too hard to hold him and mow. He will pick up sticks with Pop-Pop and make more rabbitat..(habitat for the rabbits)
He really loves his tv shows, and thats always a good thing for Grandma, because I'm pooped after a week in Kindergarten, and now with Kris in a wheel chair, things are 3 times harder, and I'm getting older daily!

What we need is Adam, our

great-nephew. He loves to mow and he's old enough now to do it by himself! Actually he has his own business up in Massachusetts, called,"Adam's Lawn Enforcement...In pursuit of keeping your Lawn in Line."

His Great -Grandfather would have been particularly proud of him...I know I am.

But that will have to wait til spring when Adam gets to come visit Auntie and Uncle, and run the 4-wheelers and the tractor. I think Bob will save a few weeks mowing for him when he comes.

Right now I know Bobs' hoping to ,

Mow no mow!!!