Just another week down in the hollar...

Lovely weekend here at Miller Bay Road. John and I enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving on our own. We made a turkey breast for him and a Tofurky for me, mashed potatoes (from our garden), peas (from our garden), and a concoction of winter squash (garden again), apples, and cranberries. Of course we had the requisite pumpkin pie, but only one and no other kinds of pie this year. We had a chance to watch some football (the English kind) and some football (the American kind) and generally relax. We missed our family members, but are glad they enjoyed the holiday without traveling. Maybe next year...

Our weather has improved over the past few days. There's that misty, foggy look in the woods in the morning hours and yesterday we had some lovely sunshine. It promises to be drier this next week. We had a little hail late yesterday to signal the arrival of some cooler air. These final 2 weeks of November are said to be the wettest of the whole year and they have certainly stayed true to that this past week.

We have been supplying the birds with suet and seed blocks which they love this time of year. We even saw the Pileated Woodpecker (huge) on them yesterday. Unfortunately, our resident bruin stopped by sometime last night for a late night snack of  fast food. This morning the feeders are empty and only 2 of the 5 can be found. We're not sure where he takes them. So, that's the end of feeding the birds for now. At least until it's more likely said bear has gone off for a winter sleep (although we are told they don't hibernate up here). Seems we're on his regular route now for munchies. Last week we had a pair of coyotes wander through the yard. Their coats are full and their tails bushy as they get ready for the colder weather. And a deer walked across the road as I was on my way to work one day this week.

The deck is nearly finished. Some additional parts have to be ordered to properly finish it off with rails on the steps. But it does look very nice. Lots of changes to the place over this past year. We'll wait to put the concrete in on the side of the house until the wet season has gone. But the French drain is working to keep that side drier already. 2013 will be the year of the shed. It still needs to be wired for power and gutters placed. The inside will get a loft and the walls will get finished. John will make a workbench as well.

This week will see John in California. He's been home for the past two weeks and now will go down two weeks in a row. I've got work and Christmas cards to keep me occupied. Onward...

A Little Thanks...

Pineapple Express. That's what the weather forecasters call it up here. We're gonna get soaked over the next week to 10 days. At least there's no snow in that forecast and no high winds anticipated. I can deal with that.

John and I are on our own this year for Thanksgiving so we plan to keep it simple. I won't cook all day! But we'll still have a touch of tradition and enjoy each others company. Maybe Skype with a few relatives or friends from afar.

There are some errands to run this weekend and a few projects calling me. The new deck is almost complete. Just the steps to finish. It looks really nice and I'll post a photo when it's done. I don't know if the builders work in the rain, so it could be delayed a bit while the wet weather passes through. That's okay. I intend to stay inside and be cozy for the duration. And for that, I am truly thankful...

That's a Wrap...

It's 27 degrees outside this morning! Even though the leaves have turned and most have fallen (though not all), it's still a shock when the temperature also drops.It was an extra blanket night last night. I guess Autumn is really here and Winter is fast on its heels. For a few days, we have emerged from the usual rain to have bright, sunny days. What a gem. I'll put away the porch furniture this weekend in anticipation of a first snowfall.

It's been a full week. John was down in California and stayed an extra day this time. So, he only just arrived back last night. My work days were full of one thing or another. My evenings usually involved trying to stay awake for a respectable amount of time. I went over to Seattle one day this week for some business. Riding the ferry is always fun.And I treated myself to a cab ride up (and up) the hills. San Francisco has nothing on Seattle when it comes to hills. And I had lunch with a friend another day.

Son Jake turned 29 this week. Another marker for us both. A child doesn't have a birthday but that his (or her) mother doesn't also reflect on the day they were born and the path their life has taken thus far.

So, things are settling back into a more "normal" routine. We are trying to refinance our mortgage and I have been collecting the paperwork for that process. And I have been collecting a few documents for my father's needs. But all of that is falling into place at last. Today I am going to go shopping! A little retail therapy will wrap up this week quite nicely...