by Claire on November 26, 2009
I can get really caught up in reading a lot of home decor blogs, or watching too much HGTV, and then I feel like I have to have a perfectly decorated home for the holidays. You know what? I don’t have a perfectly decorated home, and that’s just okay. I never have – not that I wouldn’t enjoy it – but to me the most important thing is that I have a place where my family and friends feel comfortable coming in and kicking off their shoes (or dumping out their toy basket) without worrying about ruining my decor.
I was looking at the pictures I took today of our Thanksgiving dinner at my daughter’s and I was laughing at just how imperfectly perfect everything was. Granted, we had dinner at my daughter’s and not my home, but it’s illustrative of just how our family rolls.
My younger daughter went to pick up my mom while I finished up stuff at home, and we got to my older daughter’s about 90 minutes later than we should have. I forgot the orange juice for the sweet potato recipe, the creamer for the coffee, and the extra folding chairs for the table. But you know what? Everything turned out just fine. Let me show you in pictures.
Setting the table. The only thing holiday-ish about this is the tablecloth that I made a few years ago. Um, that purple ball? Ya, that’s a chair.
A closeup of the dinner dishes. I love how nothing matches. I just bought the red and white bowl and the white dish in the center is holding the gravy. That gravy dish, and the one holding the beans, has been in our family for years – as long as I can remember. And that giant serving spoon? Ya, that’s a Weight Watchers one cup serving spoon. Isn’t that HUGE?
Mom and Cayden waiting patiently for dinner to be served. He was so excited to have his great-grandma there and insisted on sitting next to her. 
Elise and Cayden, also waiting. I love Elise’s big smile. She was so eager to help in the kitchen, but oh, so ready to have some cranberries – her favorite!
And Cody – he cracks me up. Since I forgot the folding chairs, he pulled in one of their patio chairs, which happens to be hella high. I was totally cracking up at this. He’s such a great sport. And he’s totally posing, in case you wondered. Notice the beach towel on the chair too?
Me (self-portrait)
My pregnant daughter, Stacy.
Evan.
My sweet daughter, Cindy, and Evan. Thank you, Cindy & Cody for hosting the holiday. I love our little Thanksgiving traditions.
So, it may not be Family Circle magazine worthy, or whatever, but it’s the best family circle I have, and I love everyone in it.
Tagged as:
celebrations,
family,
fun stuff,
holidays,
home decor,
thankgsiving
by Claire on September 8, 2009
My daughters are grown so I don’t have the back-to-school deal going on, but I still feel the change in the air that comes with September, back to school preparations, and the change in weather. It seems to me that I’m much more aware of the change in season this year than I have in the past. This time last year I was visiting my brother in Missouri, watching him race his Beemer in the SCCA Solo Nationals, and then hanging at the lake with him and his fiancée. I miss having a repeat of that and am sad I couldn’t make it this year. It was such a grand way to cap off the summer.
(Table Rock Lake, Missouri, September 2008)
This year, I’m much more aware of changes that are occurring in my life, and as much as I don’t like major changes, I somewhat embrace the little ones.
Changing activity patterns. The weather change from mostly constant sunshine to mostly constant rain means I’m going to have to change my activity patterns. I’m going to have to squeeze in my walks, runs, and bike rides in between rain clouds and learn to ignore rain drops or mud splatters. I’m going to have to find more indoor exercise, such as Zumba, to do. Since I’m nearly to my goal weight that means I have fewer daily points that I can eat. I’m down to 20 a day, and a typical meal for me is about 6 points, so that doesn’t leave much for fudging or snacks. The only way for me to be able to eat more is to exercise more.
Changing home projects. This weekend, according to our weather dude, promises to be one last hurrah of 80 degree temps. This means it’s my last opportunity – this year – to get my outdoor projects completed and the yard prepped for soggy rain. I’ve got lots to do: finish organizing the garage so hopefully I can fit my car in there once again, mulch the yard, paint the front door, finish power washing that last little bit of gutter and siding, wash the windows, and clear out the last of the clutter around here.
Changing responsibilities. My mom’s having back surgery tomorrow (Wednesday), which we are confident will go fine. Although she’s 89, she’s in pretty good shape overall and her spirits are really good, just her back is giving her fits, as she describes it. However this means that for a few weeks, she won’t be at home but will be in a nursing facility and it’s my welcome responsibility to help her choose a place to go to and to help her with whatever she needs there and when she gets home. I’m so grateful that my mom is still around that I don’t mind putting my needs second.
Changing food menu. This change is one I think I really will enjoy, however to continue my weight loss, I think this will be more of a challenge this year. Last year, I still had a good 40 pounds or more to lose, so there was less focus on lower points foods (cuz I could consume more), although I still managed to stay within my points. I find losing weight easier for me in the summer because of the readily available fresh fruits and vegetables. With cooler weather comes the tendency – at least for me – to want more comfort foods and baked items, so it will be a fun challenge to see what kind of tasty soups, stews, chili, and bakes I can make that are nutritious, low calorie/low fat, and still help me meet my goal.
Changing home decor. This is the fun part. I love changing the decorations around the mantles, tabletops, pillows and such with more warm, cozy items signifying holidays and family gatherings. This year, I’ll be back in the sewing room earlier than usual prepping for a new granddaughter due in March, plus trying to sew up all that fabric I’ve accumulated over the years.
What do you enjoy most about Autumn?
Tagged as:
activity,
autumn,
changing seasons,
cooking,
exercise,
fall,
family,
home decor,
Weight Loss,
Weight Watchers
