A Nice Surprise

Do you love going into antique shops as much as I do?  Over the last year and a half I have not felt comfortable visiting one.  I was so excited last week when we did go into an antique mall in the mountains of Virginia.  I really don't need anything but it is so fun to see items that I grew up with. 

 We began walking around the many rows of booths that were full of lovely old yelloware bowls, quilts, and other various things.  First we viewed an item that I knew our son would like.  It was actually a brand new cast iron dutch oven.  Our son is a great cook and has expressed an interest in having one he can use on his grill.  The price was very inexpensive, so Grayden took it up to the register for them to save for us as I continued to look around.  Suddenly there before me was a stack of dishes that made my heart leap for joy!

I couldn't believe my eyes that there were the Old Britain Castle dishes that I collect!  A stack of eight lovely Johnson Brother dinner plates that I adore.  The price was unbelievably low.  When we checked out we even found that they were fifteen percent off.  I'm so happy to have them join my collection.

During the month of November I bring out my Friendly Village dishes along with Thanksgiving decor.

I made this turkey and napkin rings in 1978 as is imprinted on the bottom.  There were several ceramic items I made during this time.

Thanksgiving is important to us to celebrate before we start into the Christmas celebrations.

We are so excited that this year our daughter and son-in-law will visit for Thanksgiving week.  I'll be planning our traditional Thanksgiving menu soon.  Do you have turkey with all the fixings for Thanksgiving like we do or do you eat out like some folks do?  

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."   Charles Dickens

Early Autumn Yearnings

Can you feel Autumn knocking at the door?  Having a couple really cool days last weekend got me in the mood for Autumn days ahead.  Even though the humidity has returned, a few fall wreaths are arranged around our home and not just on the doors.

Autumn is my very favorite time of the year.  After the summer heat and humidity my Autumn soul is ready for a respite.

The leaves are falling from the old oak out front.  Probably from exhaustion as much as anything.  Most of our trees have a ways to go before we see the lovely changing of the leaves.  We need much cooler days and nights for that to occur.  I picked a few black gum leaves that always seem to be the first to show their color.  Lovely shades of orange and red leathery leaves are bought inside to fill the dough bowl with seasonal finds and dried hydrangea blossoms.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."
William Cullen Bryant

The dogwood berries are turning their lovely shades of red.  All to entice the squirrels that seem to enjoy them immensely.  The birds will have their chance to enjoy a few as well.  Watching nature through the years reminds me that they know when seasons are changing.  It also tells me they know when a storm is brewing.  Very few birds are busy in our garden today.  Maybe they are seeking shelter where the winds will not harm them.  I hope if you are in the path of the storms that are coming you are prepared as best you can. 

  
The morning glory has yet to bloom and now I believe it probably won't!

Most of you reading share my love of dishes and today Grayden and I put the Old Britain Castle dishes in the china cabinet and put the Friendly Village dishes in the cabinet in the kitchen for daily use.  The Hearts and Flower dishes are stored in the server.

The change of seasons gets me in a nesting mood.  I realize there are more important issues in our lives, but these little things make me happy. 

My home is where I can be creative.  I'm so thankful to have a roof over my head and food to eat and many, many blessings.  My home and family are my joys! ♥