I am the emotional sort of female species. In case you haven't noticed.
I get emotional about even the smallest of things at unexpected moments.
Someone asked me today, "are your ready for Thanksgiving? We're in the home stretch aren't we?"
I solemnly greed, that yes - we were in the home stretch, with Thanksgiving only a week away.
Most of the leaves have turned from their beautiful shades of autumnal reds and golds into what I call "Winter Brown" and are falling by basket fulls on the ground...
There is only a small amount of color remaining...
If I am lucky, some of these beautiful leaves will still be available for me to refresh my Thanksgiving centerpieces.
It's been a cold and wet Fall day today. I took my favorite sweater and scarf and sat outside on the front steps - enjoying the brisk air and watched the leaves flutter to the ground.
Relishing the last few days of my beautiful Autumn.
I had company. Bitty Kitty, my oldest furry daughter...
... and my little shadow, BooBoo. Boo just turned 18 years old last month. He is not doing well. He has lost his voice and a lot of weight. I my heart, I know he will not be with us much longer.
Maybe that is the reason for this melancholy mood I am in. Not only do I feel the loss of the season, I am already feeling the loss of my sweet, beloved BooBoo Kitty.
With the approaching Winter months, I think we all have the need to prepare our nests for the inevitable cold and bitterness.
Stocking our pantries with ingredients for pots of bubbling, homemade soup. Making sure there is ample amounts of mini-marshmallows for the numerous cups of hot cocoa the boys and Grandpa will consume.
Gathering our woolen mittens and scarves, and buying more socks to replace the mis-matched pairs from last Winter.
I completed a project today. One that I have been meaning to do for over a month. It's purpose is solely to serve as a beautiful reminder of
how blessed we are.
I wanted this to be placed in the front foyer, so it was easily seen as soon as anyone walked into our home.
It hangs above the archway to the formal Living Room.
"This is the place we gladly call Home.
And for this we are truly Grateful."
Such simple words. Such a beautiful message.
After today, the hectic pace of preparing for Thursday's dinner will begin, as we anxiously await the arrival of sweet my Mama and Daddy with a huge bowl of Collards and a platter of ham, and Aunt Charlotte and her mystery pie, and Uncle John and his never-ending jokes and stories which he promises we have never heard before. (We have, but no one has the heart to tell him.)
But, before the activities of this much anticipated day begins, even before we offer our prayers of Thanks and The Hubbs proclaims he has eaten way too much - (duh! it's Thanksgiving.) :-D
Even before then...I hope everyone reads my little message above the archway... and knows that in this home we are always...
Grateful!
The decal above, and many, many more - are available at Leen the Graphics Queen.
Leen was one of our wonderful sponsors and donors at the Southern Bloggers Conference.
I am absolutely in love with her graphics and can't wait to order some more.
... and Leen even has a great Blog where you can get all kinds of ideas and see more product uses.
Please visit her site to see all of her wonderful products and ideas.
And because Leen is such a sweetie, she is offering a $25 Gift Certificate to one of my lucky Everyday Friends. All you have to do is:
1) Like Leen's Blog.
2) Visit her Site and leave a comment which graphic you would like to win.
3) If you Like my Facebook Page, or become a Google Friends or Google+ follower for
The Everyday Home, I will kick in an extra $10 Gift Certificate, for a total of $35. woot!
I hope you have a beautiful and blessed weekend.
xxoo
This is a sponsored post, but the opinions stated are all my own. For any questions, please visit my Disclosure Policy.
Sharing with Heather and Vanessa @ at the picket fence for Inspiration Friday
Kristen at Kristen's Creations for Show Us Your Creations
This is a really nice post, Barb. I agree with all of it. Autumn is a beautiful season but melancholy in its way, as well. Your stenciled message looks lovely over your doorway and is perfect for the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad for you and your kitty, too. It is sooo hard to lose a beloved pet. I thought we were going to lose our Scottie back in the summer (he's 12 1/2 yrs. old), but he surprised us and turned out not to be sick.
We weren't introduced, but I attended the SBC; we arrived on Saturday morning, so there wasn't much time to socialize. My husband and I were sitting on the very back row in the right-hand section. I published a post about the conference on my blog yesterday.
I hope you have a good weekend and a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Denise
What a heartfelt post, Barb. I am always a bit melancholy in the Autumn. It was my Dad's favorite time of year and I remember riding into the woods with him to look for Princess pine which we would use as garland for the Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteI lost our sweet Misty cat 3 years ago this Fall and I still miss her everyday. There are those pets that just touch your heart on such a deep level, aren't there? I think that might be your BooBoo.
Blessings to you as you prepare for your big day- xo Diana
its a drab shade of faded orange and beige here too.. I know this time is needed for the earth to rest and gain strength for the spring.
ReplyDeleteI hope boo boo will get to feeling better but I know their time comes all too soon and its hard for us to imagine time without them. I lost my Sassy Girl on the 5th- massive heart attack and God was merciful, she didnt suffer. I couldnt post about it- and then loss is still too close to talk about.
I am so sorry for the failing health of your 18 year old kitty. I can relate, I have a pomeranian dog, Dixie, that will be 18 this month. We were in the vets office just last week because of her failing health. I am going to love her all I can down to the very last minute, when ever that may be? Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving, although it sounds as if it will be.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your fall plants, and am going to pin them if that is ok?
What a sweet post Barb. Love the quote! I always feel a little melancholy around the holidays, especially when I'm listening to certain Christmas songs! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
ReplyDeleteAwww first I feel bad for BooBoo Kitty, hoping he will be around a bit longer. And I love the words above your archway. xo
ReplyDeleteBarb, Enjoyed your post. So sorry for your sick kitty. I also looked thru Leen's Blog. You've got me thinking what I need to order. Love yours that you just put up. I've entered the contest. Hoping I did it all right. ~
ReplyDeleteOh, Barbara, I'm so sorry to hear about BooBoo ! Has he seen the Kitty Doctor ? Sounds like just a sore throat, something that happened to one of mine once. I'm a kitty mommy and always worry about my fur-kids no matter how small the problem is. I do hope that he gets better. That would make Thanksgiving so much nicer !
ReplyDeleteBarb, such a beautifully written post and a lovely Farewell to Fall!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the sentiment in which the graphic is written and placed!!
Happy Weekend!!
xo Kathysue
PS I almost forgot, I gave you a shout-out on my blog today!! xo
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts on the season are so honest. Autumn does tend to bring out a mixture of emotion as everything fades away. I love your graphic over the entryway. Totally appropriate and fitting for a home filled with love.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend.
Oh Barb, your sign looks sooooooo good on the archway, very special and so perfect. Love ya tons. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving my dear friend..I love coming by here and seeing your beautiful home and all your talent and love you put in to it..Please don't put my name in the hat for your awesome give away as I never in over 4 years have ever won a thing in blogland..Many Blessings and love Barb..Hugs and smiles Gloria
ReplyDeleteI would love to have her Welcome door decal or any of the monograms. Love monograms. holiday with mary at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteHey Barb, I did a double take when I say Bitty Kitty! My cat, Freddie was absolutely identical down to the eye color. She was a Maine Coon which apparently Bitty Kitty is as well. Beautiful sweet girl. Happy Thanksgiving and give Bitty Kitty a hug for me. Susan :)
ReplyDeleteYour entry is stunning. When I was a girl I too had a Boo Boo kitty. Names after Laverne and Shirley. :)
ReplyDelete