We have snow coming tomorrow. We knew it was in the forecast, but delayed running pre-snow errands until today. We have to check the shed to see if we have an leftover salt from last year (I think we do), we have to get out the snow shovels. Don has to start up the snowblower to make sure it runs. We have to run to the bank, to the hardware store, to the grocery store. Yikes!

We’re always excited at the thought of our first snowfall. We’ve had a few snow showers in the past couple of days, but not the 5 to 8 inches expected tomorrow. And it’s going to fall during the day, so we can watch it falling.

Don had a gig on Saturday that ended up being much longer than expected and it involved a lot of driving so he was very tired at the end of the day, which is why we stayed home yesterday. He needed to rest.

Rest in Peace to the brilliant playwright and human being, Tom Stoppard. To me, he was our greatest living playwright. I met him when I was working at the Old Globe and he was generous, kind, and so intelligent. He and Jack O’Brien, who was the Artistic Director at the Globe, forged a friendship and partnership with Jack eventually directing several of his plays on Broadway. I was honored and humbled to meet him.

Gilly in front of the little Christmas tree.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

The little white tree in the Den. This isn’t capturing the lights all that well, but they’re tiny and lovely. I do like this new tradition; setting up this little tree before Thanksgiving so we can get a little taste of Christmas before we officially decorate.

Our neighbors across the street sometimes have outdoor Christmas lights up and sometimes don’t. It varies from year to year. But this year, they got them up early – maybe two weeks ago? I suspect they, like most of us, really need some Christmas this year.

We had a lovely day yesterday. And boy, was dinner fabulous! The biscuits were the “best ever” according to Don, and we had the usual vegetarian “turkey” roast, mashed potatoes and veggie gravy, along with steamed carrots, and jellied cranberry slices. And pumpkin pie to top it all off, by which point I was incredibly overstuffed. Then we watched “Stranger Things.” Perfect.

Today, after having this task on my Things to Do list for four days in a row, I am finally going to put up our outdoor Christmas lights.

Tomorrow, or today, I’m not sure, I’ll start to decorate the dollhouses.

I hope you had a lovely day yesterday and I trust you’re going to take it easy today.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

I was out and about yesterday looking for vintage ornaments, a couple to replace the ones I broke last year when we were decorating the tree, and some smaller ornaments for something that I’ll tell you about soon. Then I did some grocery shopping for Thanksgiving.

While I was scouring our local antique store for ornaments, I saw this:

A large 10″ vase in the Snowberry pattern. Roseville, of course. Just out of curiosity, I picked it up to see the price. $29.00. What???  That is a great price. I noticed the tag said As Is, but try as I might I couldn’t find anything wrong. Finally, I found a chip under the top rim. But that can be remedied by turning that side to the back. I wasn’t in the market for any more Roseville, but it was such a good deal. Except for the chip, it’s in perfect condition.

After I brought it home, I worried it was too tall for the shelves in the den china cabinet, but it fits. When it’s a sunnier day, I’ll take a picture of it on the shelf.

Don just went to the store to pick up our pumpkin pies. Yes, we got two.

Once that’s done, we’re locking down here at the cottage. No more errands. Tomorrow, a vegetarian Thanksgiving, with Gardein’s delicious “Turkey” Roast. Frankly, it tastes better than any turkey I’ve ever had. After taking a year or so off, I’ll be making Cloud Biscuits (Grandma’s recipe.)

I’m sure many of you are busy today prepping for tomorrow’s celebration.

We express our gratitude every day. Tomorrow, I’m going to give thanks for an end to this regime and a return to goodness, integrity and honesty. Why not? If we can see it, it will be.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.