Funky Junk in My Trunk

thanksgiving in middleburg, virginia

78 miles into our trip, we hit holiday traffic...

nap time....hint - it's not me!

an old bridge

farm land

at this old english style restaurant

brad's aunt jan and her son, terry

bradley and blossom with their gramma ct

my handsome husband...

phone booth at the english tavern

aunt jan, blossom and gramma ct making blossom's famous "bug cakes"

a bee from her bug cakes

aunt jan's house.  built in the 1800's

thanksgiving day at the running of the hounds fox hunt

some of the horsemen and the hounds

a martini glass shaved into the horse's hair

one of the riders reading the "blessing of the hound" prayer

one of my favorite pictures of the day - (i call it "red rider")

aunt jan's holiday turkey

traditional mashed potatoes and gravy

a very happy hound

these boots are made for walkin'

a rare sighting...

a picture of me!...at least it is "profile head shot only"!  no, i didn't get a nose job, my nose is really not that small...john was ripping off my glasses.

this picture was taken thanksgiving day at the "running of the hounds" in middleburg, virginia...

Thanksgiving at Amy's

My sister Amy's Thanksgiving table with my gifts as part of the place setting.  Each gift was personalized with things about them I am thankful for. 

Steve opening up his GIANT bib.

Dinner was great!  Steve showed off the many ways he could wear his new accessory.

snowman...fun?

aaah, the wonderful days of winter...

dirty snowman torso!

snow man part...

oh no....how could brad take a picture of that....blossom's hands got stuck under the snowman and she faceplowed into the ground...

and yet again, another picture...

my little baby girl...

she is ok tho...

fabric trees...

i "craft-lifted" these adorable fabric tree decorations.  another fabulous idea for great gramma blossom's quilt pieces...

thanksgiving gifts

these are packed full of little surprises for you guys, since i won't be there!

thanksgiving place cards

place cards for our special thanksgiving dinner in Middleburg, VA with Aunt Jan and Carol!

christmastime...well almost

this is my most favorite week of the whole year...the week before thanksgiving...or the week before the "holiday season". it is when i start doing things...i have purchased a few christmas gifts already...boy i love to shop for other people!  they are so easy to buy for!

also i love this season because it brings back so many happy memories...happy?  well, my mamaw helen would make these amazing christmas cookies.  my siblings and i were always so excited to get "mamaw helen's christmas cookies"  - we just couldn't wait for her and papaw napier...that is strange we would call my mamaw by her first name "mamaw helen" then we would call papaw by his last name, "papaw napier" - i don't know who started that...probably donna (my oldest sister)...she starts everything! ;-P

at any rate, tonight i started the process...and a few other crafty things that are in the works for thanksgiving at my sister Amy's house (which I will not be joining them this year)...below is a picture of just a few ingredients for the cookies....will post the finished product at a later time...the dough has to chill for a few hours before you start cutting them....notice the recipe card...written especially for me by my mamaw helen - it has stains and has gotten very dirty over the years.

blossom is so sweet.  i was letting her help me with the cookies...and she says "mommy, when i get older and get married, will you give me mamaw helen's cookie recipe"....just a doll, isn't she!

Cookies are finished....check out the fun we had....and the finished product

john helping

blossom helping

bradley helping

refashion

i just love this idea....take something old and blah...

making it into something cute and funky....i paid $3.99 for this at Salvation Army yesterday

cropped and trimmed sweater..i was going to shorten the sleeves to 3/4 length, but decided against that...i actually love the cuffs...i can't wait to wear it!

SWEATER REFASHIONED!