Happy Labor Day weekend.

So what did you all do this weekend? We had a quiet weekend here for the most part. The last two weeks have been really crazy. Our youngest child has moved back home for a while and along with her came her 10 month old Husky pup. The pup is a beauty for sure, but there has not been a dog in our home for 20 years. I am so NOT prepared for this. My poor 8 and 9 year old cats have been terrorized to say the least. Well our daughter and her dog went to visit with a friend for the weekend and so the kitties were happy and content and we relaxed a bit. It is hard for all of us to adjust to living together again after so many years.

Well on Saturday night we went to a quaint little restaurant in Fairhaven called Elizabeths. We had a meal to die for and some great martinis too. I had scallops on a bed of greens that were so fresh and just so wonderful. Topped with shoestring sweet potato fries. Sorry no pictures. Hubby had salmon on flavorful rice with cucumber salsa on top. More fresh greens here too. It was the perfect night for a ride. We went in our Austin Healy. Top down, warm breezes, perfect!

Then on Sunday a morning of yard and pool work and then it looked like rain so we went up to Holliston MA to Jackie's Primitives. It did indeed rain. Poured and by the time we get there it is almost closing time, only 1/2 hour....but Jackie being the wonderful person she is stayed a bit late.

Now I got some nice stoneware, a yellow ware bowl, a brown jug and best of all an old wheelbarrow. I have been looking for a while and this was the one, I fell in love.

 By the time we got home it was too late to go get what I had in mind to fill the wheelbarrow so instead we made homemade pizza and cooked it on the grill.

Ok, so no cooked pictures, I am slipping, it was so good and we were hungry I just forgot to take pictures.

Now it is Monday and we get up and do a bit more yard work and then I say to hubby, let's go for a ride and pick up a couple mums for the wheelbarrow. Sooooooo.......

 Now you are limited as to what you can put in this car, so I only got what I really needed.

 Home again. You can see we did not even put the rakes away. One of my kitties looking to see what we have and make sure the Dog wasn't here.

So here she sits filled and in the front yard. I just love her. I can't wait until those mums open up and it has some more pumpkins around it. I need to remember it is only Sept. 3rd.

So we needed a bit of Fall at The Country Nest and the best is still yet to be :)

Happy Birthday America!

My Country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty.....I think we should all be very grateful for the brave men and women who are defending all of our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

My son who is serving in Afghanistan would post this picture on my birthday...on his face book page. My daughter said to him, I am sure Mom loved the butt hanging out of your mouth...funny thing is I never thought of it. I had not heard from him for two weeks and just knowing he was OK on my birthday made me cry. My point here is that my son like so many other men and women are frighting the fight so we can say HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA. So we can let freedom ring! You see this is how I still see my sweet boy. It is so hard to believe almost 33 years have passed since I took this photo.I am feeling so proud of my son, but to be honest I just can't wait until he is home safe and sound along with the rest of his unit. As we hung our flag out today I realize how much I have taken for granted over the years. ~Freedom~ such a gift.

~Happy Fourth of July~

A little bit of Christmas

My Christmas tree is still filled with ornaments we have collected through the years. Some stay in the box but still hold a special memory. Some are handpainted, some came from older family members, some from school, we have Disney, Harry Potter, Hallmark, handmade, store bought, craft fairs, hand me downs....each with it's own story, the wonder of Christmas.

All the Christmas home tours today are going to be such fun. I have to show you bits and pieces because I am still tweaking...ribbons, cleanup, still a pile of fresh greens to put in places. I cut tons from my yard and put them all around the house. We took a pile of Christmas plastic totes back to the basement last night. Not to mention I painted my living room last week...did I tell you I was a bit insane? I put up new curtains and fresh paint,( this was not the best time of year to do this, why not wait until Jan???) but I can't put the books back on the shelves for a while, so they went downstairs too in still more plastic totes. Have you ever wondered how many plastic totes this generation will leave behind...I mean cardboard boxes fall apart over time and those wonderful totes last forever! I can see what is in them.....I must have 50 of them, different seasons and then in general. Did I also mention I get distracted easily? I seem to be doing that more and more lately. Oh Christmas decorations, you ask? Maybe this is why it is taking me so long this year~

Oh my look at the little school decorations, the one on my left is my son from 1981 and the one next to it is his daughter from last year. Memory lane is so nice to visit.....hmmm. While we are up close notice that I have a fake tree!!! My first Christmas without a real one. So after 36 real trees, I went out and bought this tree....now hubby was not too happy, but after all I think we need a break. I cut real greens and stuff the house with them. This is such a huge thing for us, but the real tree is so dry when we take it out n New Years Day. SO I just went and did it. My son and grandson set it up and it was all done when he came home....I really did see a little relief on his face.

The baskets are filled with greens, hence the smell.....Can't you smell it?

One of my favorite snow men wishing you JOY!!

12 Days to Thanksgiving!

Everywhere I go all I see is Christmas.....I still need to get ready for Thanksgiving. My whole family will be here. My daughter is home, her three children, my son will be back after a month of training. His daughter will be here too. He leaves for Afghanistan after Christmas, so I want to enjoy every minute of the holidays. I just want to enjoy Thanksgiving first. I will start my countdown, I made my list...I need to get my linens ready, dishes and silver polished .

Our Menu

Roast Turkey

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Peas

Cranberry Sauce

Harvard Beets
Sweet Potato Rolls

Biscuits

Lemon Meringue Pie

Pumpkin Pie

Indian Fudge

Cranberry Bread

It is plain and simple, but most abundant, no one leaves hungry or empty handed.

We are very lucky to all be here together, many families will be apart for the holidays. My son's unit will replace another unit. They will home soon. Each one sacrifices so that we can have this time together and live with freedom. Many young families are apart. I want to be grateful for every moment we have as a family. Thank you God for this blessing!

~Welcome to my porch, Halloween version~

While we were away my Grandchildren did a little decorating for Halloween. This is how my porch looks now. From the frowning pumpkin~ To the ghost that hangs in the center of the porch~

To the gauze curtains~

To the singing skull~

My happy scarecrow~

Not forgetting the Wicked Witch that sits at the back door~

We could tell they had fun. There is a graveyard outside and another flying ghost. I am not a big fan of Halloween decorations, but oh the kids love it. I would be happy with my Harvest and just a touch here and there, maybe this is why they took it upon themselves to decorate for me.
My oldest child has always said Halloween is his favorite holiday and he usually does all the decorating ever since he was too old to Trick or Treat.

Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Easter Table

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday and thanks to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch Be sure to hop over to view all of the beautiful Tablescapes....Susan's always makes me wish I was there!

Mama and Papa bunny look so cute sitting on the Easter Table...don't you think?

Look at the detail in these bunnies. I got them in a little shop called The Primitive Barn on Cape Cod a couple of years ago and I have enjoyed them so much. They travel around my home and always seem to come back to the table.

I can't remember who's Blog I saw these plates on last week...maybe because I looked at all of the blogs who joined in on Tablescape Thursday, but I went right out to Cracker Barrel to get some. They were out of the dinner plates, but I got the last six salad plates and these cute egg plates.....What a great inspiration you all are. I just love these plates.

I hope you all enjoy a beautiful and Happy Easter!!

Valentine Wishes