I had a difficult time relaxing this past weekend so…Larry and I went on a day trip to Farmersville Texas. There is a yarn shop there that I love and I bought new fiber for two new projects. It was wonderful getting away and it is always fun to spend an hour in that shop that is filled in every corner with yarns.

Saturday was gloomy. I started a new knit project and also planned Sunday, dinner and a movie.

Sunday menu was baby back ribs, potato salad and for dessert, Krispy Kreme donuts.

I put the ribs in the oven….and because they bake for hours…we went to a small flea market near our house. It was fun looking for a few Christmas gifts.. I bought a book and then we came home so I could cook.

I had made the potato salad on Saturday and picked up donuts Sunday morning…all I had to do was take care of the ribs. I finished up the ribs on the grill. They were very good!!!

We did not really care about a movie but we did care about music. Larry could not find the soundtrack, so he put in the movie and we listened to the the music.. Have you ever heard it? I love that soundtrack.

Dinner was at the little table, it was relaxing and delicious.

Here we are at Monday. Laundry is half done. I have exercise clothes on (I ate to many donuts yesterday) and Matilda’s portrait awaits attention.

I hope that your weekend was wonderful. Today, be happy……

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

It is a beautiful day in Dallas. Larry is dressing and we will be going to the market, then come home, so I can turn on the Hallmark Channel and start wrapping Christmas gifts.

It is springlike outside and my anxiety level is beyond high. Is everyone feeling like me? Larry is as cool as a cucumber so I cannot base anything on him. It is ok to smile.

Larry has been wonderful to me. His support and love has filled me up during this awful time. I love him so much.

It is Saturday, November the 7th, 2020. We were to be in Philadelphia for the weekend to attend a cousin’s wedding. We cancelled all reservations, as the virus spikes around the country and Philadelphia is a hot seat for many things…. politically speaking that is. I know that it sounds selfish…but I was looking forward to a weekend at The Ritz. The spa, philly cheesesteaks and family. Doesn’t that sound amazing? ( I love you guys, Mary, Scott, Jess and Ross. Thank you for including us)

I believe that I am just where God wants me to be this weekend….and I am counting my blessings.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

With that being said, the photo below was taken yesterday, from the kitchen window. We had a visitor at the squirrel picnic table.

Today is November 6, 2020. Our presidential election is still undecided. As you go through your day, please try to remember………

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.…..

Love you beyond the moon and stars…….

Me

Every November for many years, Larry and I went far away for Thanksgiving. (we started going away after my Mother died. Thanksgiving was always at her house.) Larry chose France because one of his best friends is from Tours FR and we found a few long lost relatives in France too. So, He took us away to Paris. Lauren and Jami were not very happy on that first trip. We stayed in little, no name hotels back in the beginning of our trips. It was all we could afford. They are such good memories.

Last year would have been year 23 or maybe 24 going to France in Autumn. I have lost count. We could not go because I was dealing with a second diagnosis of breast cancer. We stayed home. I had surgery and treatment.

Larry and I are going to stay home this year also. All airfare has turned into vouchers and the suitcases are still in storage. I am looking toward 2021. Fingers crossed.

The photo below was taken in 2018. It was our apartment near UNESCO. The neighborhood was wonderful…and one cold morning while on the terrace, it snowed. I loved that apartment. I accidentally broke the TV in that apartment one day (and Larry had to go to the appliance store and buy a new one. He brought it home in a TAXI! It was awesome)….and it had a service entrance …in the kitchen. Every day a man came to the service door. He talked so fast that neither Larry nor I could understand what he wanted. I hope that it was not important.

The photo below was taken one day after our cooking class. It is hard to believe that within 5/6 months later the Cathedral would burn.

This time of year, I am typically super busy packing, etc….not today , but I do have a confession. A friend in Paris gave me a recipe a few years ago. The recipe is for Rosemary Cashews. I felt a bit homesick today so I made a double batch. I wish that you could smell the house…roasted nuts always smell so warm. (and it smells like France to me now)

I have been planning Thanksgiving dinner for a few weeks. This weekend I will start wrapping Christmas gifts and our Thankful Cards are finished being made. All that is left is to sign them…

Tomorrow is never promised to us. I know that. I just cannot help feeling a bit sad about what we all have given up over the past year.

OK, I got that out of my system. Thank you for listening! Email me if you would like the cashew recipe.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

Many years ago, I was part of an AOL online book group called, Bookaccino. We were all about the same age and loved books. Then there was a teenager, who loved books and she just came to the chat room one day and never left.

So many years later a group of us still stay in touch. Some of my favorite people are from that old book group on AOL.

The teenager, Sweet Krista is still part of my life. She is married to her love, Mike and has two beautiful children. Years ago, they added OREO the amazing part pug puppy to the family and recently added Piper.

Yesterday, Krista sent me a DM, letting me know that their family had said goodbye to OREO. I adored Oreo so much…and I pray that She and Libby are together today.

Please keep Krista and her family in your thoughts today as they miss Oreo with all of their hearts.

Love you beyond the moon and stars,

Me

It has been a very long year for me and right now, today, (election day) I feel very anxious. Larry always helps me overcome my worries and thinks of things to keep me busy.

I have been walking again. The 102+ temps of the summer slowed me down but I am walking. There is a huge block here around the neighborhood. I walk and Larry often comes with me although he is neither out of shape or anxious.

Larry also suggested that I start a knitting project. Knitting is a wonderful relaxer. Lauren suggested that a knitted shawl from the “Outlander” series might be a perfect gift for her. I have never watched the Outlander series, so my research began.

I did find a wonderful pattern on in a knitting site called Ravelry. It came in two languages and was about $10.00. That same day I went to my favorite knitting shop in the area, The Fiber Circle in Farmersville, Texas. It is a mecca of yarn and Diane the owner is a gem. I found exactly what I needed for Laurens shawl…..

I think that I will go back next week and find yarn to knit Jami something too!

I have been knitting daily and do not know If I am any calmer but it is fun to see the progress of the Outlander shawl.

Stay tuned. The finished shawl will look much better once it is blocked and ends are woven in.

Please contact me if you need the link to The Outlander Shawl…..

Please remember that it is a privilege to vote.

I send lots of love and good thoughts for your day.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

What a weekend. Halloween on Saturday felt wonderful and it was filled with happy moments. Larry and I loved seeing Matilda dressed for trick or treat. She is growing up and I know that it will be very soon when she does not want Robi and Pa around.

That’s ok. I will take it one year at a time.

This also, was the fist year when I have not dressed in costume for Halloween festivities. I’m not sure what is wrong with me.

For the day of the dead, Sunday, Larry set the Sunday dinner table with pictures of the loved ones we have lost.

Sunday dinner was good. French ham and cheese baguette sandwiches. I also made madeleines and parfaits for dessert.

Our movie was disgusting. “They Came Together”…… I do not recommend it. It is a waste of time and offensive to say the least.

Sunday dinner was wonderful, minus the movie!

***

My Book of the month recommendation is THE DUTCH HOUSE by Anne Patchett. I LOVED The Dutch House. Synopsis below.

The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakeable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.

Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.

If you are stuck in the house, and need a good read…please consider The Dutch House. It will take you away!

I gave The Dutch House ……

Five daisys.

Love you beyond the stars and moon.

Me

If you are like me, you have a dozen mugs, but only a few favorite ones.

Last week one of my favorite mugs had its last sweet treat served in it. (as seen at link below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkKqNB1olKQ

After the dish washer ran, Larry emptied it and accidently hit my mug on something else. The handle broke right off. The mug was a gift from Matilda and I loved it so much…..

It is in Mug Heaven now……with all the other mugs I have loved and lost in my lifetime.

Have you lost a beloved mug? I send my condolences.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Mr