Pumpkin Carving Party

 

 

Every single year for 16 years I have hosted

 our family's Pumpkin Carving Party.

 

It's a big 'ole fun tradition to us!

 

We held it a mite early this year as with our busy schedules
 it is the only time all of us really could get together. 

 

Spice cake buttercream chesse frosting cupcakes!

With bat sprinkles. Naturally.


 

 

 

Some years we've had more formal

 sit-down meals with all the fixings.

 

Other years it's been pizza delivery

 or hot dogs/burgers from our grill.

 

This year was easy - a large take-out bucket of fried chicken, rolls, homemade mashed potatoes, homemade chicken gravy,

green beans & carrots.

Good 'ole country comfort eat'n.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Of course I was so busy I forgot to take a picture

of the feast! (Insert a blog frown here.)

 

And this year I even went one step easier -

 I (gasp) purchased disposable throw-aways -

 something I seldom do because of the wastefulness ...

 

 but sometimes TIME means more to me than being green.

 

 (I hang my head in shame and avoid looking at Evelyn.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(It sure looked cute and festive once it was all set up!)

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

There's been years when I didn't do

 the food thing at all-  just appetizers.....

 

and one year all we served was desserts.

 

It always just depends on our schedules and times, etc.

 
 

(But it sure isn't the food that makes our party, anyway!)

 

 

 

 

 

It's the laughter and fun of all being together.

 

It's the smell of apple cider and Autumn candles burning.
 

It's the aroma of freshly gutted pumpkins.

It's the bonfires and occassional marshmallow roasting.

 

 

 

It's the crisp night air when we line up our Jack O'Lanterns

 on the back fence for that final group pic of them
before everyone heads home with their amazing new works of art.

It's the memories we make year after year. 

 

 

 

 

It's going from some-not-even-being born yet, 

to now being 11 of us for this tradition!

Michael - my DH (dear husband)

Michele - (<--me of course)

Evelyn - (our eldest daughter)

Son-in-law Daniel

Katie - (our youngest - moved back from Cali finally

~and my sister and her family~ 

Teresa - (my little sister)

Pat - (her hubs)

Tony - 16

Darien - 13

Delaney - 11

Reagan - 9

FOR AN AWESOME RECIPE FOR
CAJUN PUMPKIN SEEDS
BE SURE TO GO VISIT
------->KITTY'S KOZY KITCHEN<-------


 

BTW- Michael's Jack O' Lantern is an electrical outlet plug -
because they DO look like faces!

And mine is the rare unhappy face for me - it was supposed to be angry and spooky but it turned out irritated, haha, oops. Perhaps it was Freudian because I forgot to take a pic of the pretty table all laid out for this post. You know how we bloggers can get when we forget!



AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT!
IT MEANS A LOT TO ME!

♥

~Michele

Also be sure to check out Sandi's
brand new linky party - #1!
Rose Chintz Cottage

 

 

 

Linking:

 

Home and Garden Thursday

Open House Party

Funky Junk Interiors Halloween Party

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY GIVEAWAY!

In honour of the multitude of women who are survivors
(Crystal and Mary D to name a couple)

 

The families of those whose lives are forever changed

 and touched by this disease

 

The women and men who are the caregivers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The women and men who are the research scientists

 

The men and women who are promotion -

always striving for donations For The Cure!


I tip my hat to salute you all!

 

 

For all the women and men who are the medical professionals

Google


 

 

The women and men as clergy leading us in prayer

 

 Google

 

And especially for the women we love
 whom we have lost to breast cancer

Dana and Barb - you both are
especially in my heart today!

This just in: our dear family's Denise's sister just passed away
(Breast Cancer Awareness Day) from breast cancer.

What an irony. what saddness.

May your soul find rest, love.

 

I am praying every single day

 for finding a cure and for the peace in the souls of

anyone suffering from this dreaded disease.

Giving away that pink ribbon and roses little votive candle holder (first pic) for anyone who says a prayer to Find a Cure and then comments letting me know you wish to win this votive. USA and Canada only please, unfortunately have to keep expenses down at this time.

No need to have a blog, but DO watch to see if you win because I will need to know your contact info to ship this to you!

ONE EXTRA POSSIBILITY TO WIN IF YOU MENTION THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR BLOG ANYTIME THIS WEEK.

Winner picked Sunday Oct. 28th.

Be sure to visit the blog How Sweet the Sound for:

THANKS FOR VISITING - IT REALLY MEANS SO MUCH TO ME!

 

♥

 

~Michele

 

Linking:

 

A Return to Loveliness

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea Time Tuesday

Cowgirl UP!

Halloween Tablescape for Two

HALLOWEEN DINNER
TABLESCAPE FOR TWO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black cats, ravens, pumpkins & roses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To scare us right down to our 'lil toeses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Whew...good thing I'm not dining alone!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T'is good to have a loved

friend by my side
 in times such as these!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To help me feel safe, right down to my knees!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You never know where scare is at....



 

 

 

Especially when dining with a big black cat!

With glass salad plate

 

 

Without salad plate to show better detail of dinner plate 

 

 

 

 

It's really fun being a tablescape maker-

especially when using such a macabre shaker!

 

 

(Well, perhaps they're not actually terribly SCARY,
but definately worked with the tablescape, haha.
They actually look more frightened themselves with those wide eyes!) 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting!
(Hope you weren't too spooked, haha!)

Happy Haunting!

♥

~Michele

 

 

Linking:

 

Seasonal Sunday -  Masterpiece Monday - Tabletop Tuesday

WOW Us Wednesday - Primp Your Stuff - Let's Dish - Share Your Cup

Tablescape Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

FUN PERSONALITY TEST

 

I came across this rather fun personality test recently.

 

 

I haven't a clue how "legit" it is....

It's just for a little fun anyolehow....
best not to take it (or ourselves) too seriously!

Just for some fun! 

 

 

 

Google image

 

 

 

 

So if you decide to take the test try to also be GREEN doing so!

 

Simply use the back of a used envelope from

your junk mail trash and try not to be tempted

 to grab a fresh piece of paper!

Every single piece counts in the bigger picture! 

 

 

Yolandd Pongayouw/ Google image

 

 

 

 

AWARENESS of our own WASTE

is the key to change
for the greener good of the EARTH

 

~~~~~~~~~~~


Here is the the perfect song to listen to while taking your test -
one of my most FAVVIE FAV hymns
 I used to sing with my old choir..... 


FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
 by John Rutter
Sung by the wonderfully talented
 ~~~Cambridge Singers~~~
(Youtube)posted by fromwithintheheart

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

So are you now ready to take the test?

 

 

 

Google image

 

 

Grab your sharpened No 2 pencil and have at it!

 

 

 

This is a real test given by Human Relations Departments at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and in their prospective employees on how they might handle themselves in certain work situations.

There are 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper. Record your letter answers to each question.

A big shout-out to my MIL Ginny for sending the test to me! 

 

 

Ready..........................Begin!

1. When do you feel your best... A) in the morning
B) during the afternoon and early evening
C) late at night

2. You usually walk... A) fairly fast, with long steps
B) fairly fast, with little steps
C) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
D) less fast, head down
E) very slowly

3. When talking to people you...A) stand with your arms folded
B) have your hands clasped
C) have one or both your hands on your hips
D) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
E) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with.. A) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
B) your legs crossed
C) your legs stretched out or straight
D) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...A) big appreciated laugh
B) a laugh, but not a loud one
C) a quiet chuckle
D) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you... A) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
B) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
C) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted... A) welcome the break
B) feel extremely irritated
C) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most.... A) Red or orange
B) black
C) yellow or light blue
D) green
E) dark blue or purple
F) white
G) brown or gray

9. At night, in bed, at those last few moments just before falling asleep you are...... A) stretched out on your back
B) stretched out face down on your stomach
C) on your side, slightly curled
D) with your head on one arm
E) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are... A) falling
B) fighting or struggling
C) searching for something or somebody
D) flying or floating
E) you usually have dreamless sleep
F) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e ) 1
10 (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

 

RESULTS:

OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply
involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality, a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once,
someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate..

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting, someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate,
and understanding, someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you, realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstakingly fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you
to examine everything carefully from every angle and then usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions and who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well, know that you certainly aren't.

 

 

But no matter WHAT kind of personality you "added up"

 

You ALL are totally unique and awesome in my book!

 

 

 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

 

♥

 

~Michele

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Trees in Backyard

 

What a beautiful fall day today!

 

Such brilliant colour in the backyard!

 

Makes one glad to be alive.

And give God such thanks for days like this!

Autumn

John Clare (1821)

The summer-flower has run to seed, And yellow is the woodland bough; And every leaf of bush and weed Is tipt with autumn’s pencil now. And I do love the varied hue, And I do love the browning plain; And I do love each scene to view, That’s mark’d with beauties of her reign.

 

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

♥

 

~Michele

 

 

Linking:

 

Pink Saturday

 

 

 

 

Birthday Tea Cup!

I have teased and hinted about sharing my amazing birthday tea party my sweet friend Mary hosted for me almost two weeks ago....and need to get on that soon.......I promise!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

But I DID want to share her wonderful birthday gift to me!

 

 

 

 

 

Look at this lovely vintage Japanese birthday tea cup!

 

 

Isn't it gorgeous and amazingly FESTIVE?!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She also tied on a lovely rose gold demitasse spoon

and wrapped it with these precious lacey vintage gloves.

She even put in that sweet pink satin rose!

 

She does everything like that- always full of detail and beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also wanted to share that my baby girl turned 30 today.

 

 

Happy birthday, darling daughter!

Also giving a big shout-out to my tea-sista-friend Suzette
 whose birthday is tomorrow!

~~~~~~~~~~~


 

Here is one of my very favorite pics of me with my two beautiful girls.

It's a few years old, but still one of our best ever together.

 

That silly dreamy face I am making is simply Mommy Love Bliss.
Katie was visiting from Cali for a wedding her sister (standing) was in
and it was pure joy for me all of us being together that weekend!

 

 

 

   (Sorry so grainy - taken before having a decent camera & photoshop!)

 

The birthday girl is on the left.
She's my tomboy....but this is one of those rare times
seeing her in a girlie-girl pink dress with ruffles!

 

 

 

Linking:

 

Return to Loveliness  *   Friends Sharing Tea * Tuesday Cuppa Tea

 

Teacup Tuesday (Teri) *  Teacup Tuesday (Martha) *  Open House Party

Share Your Cup