to make u smile...

source via elsie's blog

I couldn't help but re-post this photo I saw today over on Elsie's blog.  We saw Harry Potter last night - it was wonderful.  I almost found myself in tears when Harry's owl Hedwig was killed during some early scenes in the movie (sorry if that was a spoiler for anyone).  And I definitely lost it when Dobby the house elf was killed.  At the theater we go to, the staff waits outside with baskets of peppermints when the movie lets out.  Clearly I still looked a mess as we were leaving because the girl with the peppermint basket gave me the most concerned & pathetic look.  Today we had a little pre-birthday celebration.....for me :)  Birthdays are kind of....difficult.  I feel like all I can concentrate on are the things I haven't done yet!  Anyway, I'm having a bit of the birthday blues combined with a bit of the Sunday night blues but this owl made me smile so I thought I'd share ♥

Happy Thanksgiving!

my photo

We had a wonderful & whopping 11-hour Thanksgiving celebration at my parent's house today!  I have redeemed my pecan pie from last year's terrible disgrace (I tried a different recipe & failed miserably).  We played a new game called Word on the Street that was a TON of fun & pretty hilarious; bear in mind my family can make darn near any game super competitive & you can count on copious amounts of trash talk :)
I am truly thankful for my big, loud, hilarious, loving family.  I know we won't always be able have these big holidays with all the extended family; but a holiday just isn't a holiday for me unless there's a crazy & chaotic house full of family, food & games!  Those are the kind of holidays I remember from childhood and as the oldest of 5, I'm likely to have big holidays for the rest of my life...so I guess it's a good thing I wouldn't have it any other way ♥

the eve...

source

I just got home from work....to start my 4-day weekend!  I'm still reveling in that great feeling of having the entire weekend ahead of me.  Not to mention that tomorrow is turkey day!!!!!!  I will be missing my sister who lives on the east coast but will otherwise be surrounded by loved ones.  

Only twice in my life have I missed this holiday with my family; I was living in Japan at the time.  The first year I got super lucky & was invited to have Thanksgiving dinner at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.  And the second year, I celebrated with a group of American friends, potluck style.  I was in charge of the turkey (partly because I had a car & a Costco membership & that was the only place you could find turkey).  But the teeny tiny oven in my shoebox-sized apartment wasn't big enough for the turkey!  So I had to take the turkey to the junior high school I taught at and roast it in the oven in the home ec. room, during a school day.  The scent of roast turkey filled up the. entire. school.  You know the aroma I'm talking about.  I felt pretty guilty leaving work with my freshly roasted turkey in tow after torturing the entire staff & student body all day.  

bad, bad blogger...

my niece Avry

Sorry to have disappeared & left my blog unattended...I have been under the weather & not feeling much like myself lately.  I am feeling much better now, but the month of November has completely gotten away from me.  I can't believe that Thanksgiving is in 2 DAYS!  It is definitely my favorite holiday of the entire year.  I will be contributing pecan pies & gravy to my family's humongous Thanksgiving dinner.  At some point, Cory and I have a date to see the new Harry Potter.  I don't plan on doing any Black Friday shopping....well, maybe online :)  I am going to try making most of my holiday gifts this year so maybe I'll spend that day doing some gift-making instead!  

sunday sunday...

I got the old glue gun out this afternoon and finished up my autumn yarn & felt wreath.  I feel like it could use a little something more...but I've got other chores to finish up first.  We got the yard in order for the season and are just finishing up a little reorganizing in the garage.  Next up is taking out the window AC units and sealing up our old (& very drafty) windows.  It feels good to get the house in order while the weather outside is still so beautiful.  Speaking of which, it is the perfect sunny fall day - just like it was a year ago when my sister Erin & her husband Tom got married.  I got a crazy awesome coupon code from Snapfish for buy one 8x11 photo book and get TWO FREE!!  I am going to finish up their wedding photo album today so I can get in on that awesome deal ♥

projects...

autumn mini book

I've been working on my autumn mini book over the last few weeks.  I finally got a few things tied together (enough) to take & share some photos.  I love working on these tiny pages.  My autumn yarn and felt wreath is almost complete as well.  I keep tackling smaller projects...but what I really need to get working on is Avry's quilt.  I went to a Christmas Expo at a local craft store with my mom and voted on my favorite tree (which had a peacock theme & colors).  Also, I am really itching to do some baking this weekend.  I'm sure my co-workers wouldn't mind if I turned up Monday morning bearing treats.  Oh! And the absolute cutest owl hats arrived for Addie & Avry...hoping I can deliver them soon!

cute overload...

This is the Plum!  She is the Peach's sister...and she is just the sweetest little girl.  She has a funny little pterodactyl cry and she is already very bright-eyed & looking around everywhere.  And we have decided that she just looks like...herself!  We can see similarities of course, but she definitely has her own look & she will give you a toothache with her sweetness ♥

get your vote on....

happy birthday!!!

So ecstatic to meet my niece Avry Tague Miller today!!!  Everyone is doing very well and are resting now.  Her brother & sisters are already fighting over who gets to hold her ♥