THANKFUL THOUGHTS...

This year

 is just flying by.

 In a few days

 it will be Thanksgiving 

and then, shortly,

 Christmas.

We will be spending 

Thanksgiving in Santa Cruz

 with Tami and Tim.

 Jake will be in Spain

 and Tami has just started a new job. 

 She has volunteered 

for many years 

at the animal shelter 

and they finally

 have hired her full time. 

 She has been waiting 

for this chance for a long time 

and is over the moon but,

 as a newbie, 

she will have to work on 

Thanksgiving Day and 

the day after...

...since we celebrated 

our family Thanksgiving early,

 before Jacenda left for Spain,

 we are doing something different

 this year. 

 The four of us

 are having dinner at 

The Crow's Nest,

 a great restaurant situated at 

the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. 

 It will be nice and relaxing

 with none of the fuss 

that goes along with 

preparing a big meal.  

Afterwards 

we will go back to the kid's house 

where Tim has made a

 surprise dessert.

Even though we won't be home, 

I still have like to decorate.

 The Captain made a riser 

for the dining room table

 out of an old fence board 

and the Harvest Family 

stands there 

among the fruits (and vegetables) 

of their labor...

...the Captain and I 

eat our dinners 

in their company 

each evening.

I picked the last of

 the hydrangeas 

and added them to a straw wreath form 

where I hope 

they will dry nicely 

while the teddy bears

 are enjoying a picnic 

in the tiny pumpkin patch 

underneath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all

 for the nice birthday wishes 

and I wanted to share with you 

my gifts.

 Although I picked

 them out myself,

 it still is a thrill for me

 when the Captain puts me in front

 of the doors to Home Goods 

and bids me to 

go forth

 and conquer!

A pretty Christmas pillow.

  Love the shade of red 

and what resembles a pattern of 

snow flakes...

...cute plates 

for dessert or

 a Christmas salad...

...a sweet little cake stand 

just the right size for

 Cinderella...

...and a vintage tin Santa 

with pink cheeks and 

a cheery smile.

Found this 

pretty harvest garland 

at Michael's 

for half price...

...and a grape ivy plant, 

picked up at an antique shop, 

along with one other gift 

that I will surprise you with 

at another time.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

Dishing It & Digging It Link Party

Share Your Style Link Party

Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage