Well, we got a little snow and the Christmas season is now here.

Kind of just a dusting of snow, actually, so far.

It’s sweater weather and I like the above sweater.

I like the idea of white candles with red berries and greens around them.

Greens and red berries in any kind of container just look nice to me.

In Burlington, VT they turned on the lights of the Christmas tree on Church Street today for the first time this season and also all the white lights on the trees.   They showed the ceremony on TV tonight.  So pretty.

More decorating ideas with greens and red berries.

I like leather purses.  The above pocketbook can be a clutch as the handles easily come off.  I can remember when I was a kid in junior high school and  growing up in a large family I didn’t ask for a lot.  But I had a pocketbook that was imitation leather and the handle broke in front of some kind of catty classmates and I was deeply embarrassed.  At that age, stuff like that hurts.  So I told my Mom what happened and she went out and bought me a very expensive designer pocketbook that was real leather.  I mean I will never forget how much I loved that pocketbook and how much I didn’t realize the sacrifices that went into getting that for me.  I wish I could go back in time and know then what I know now and how material things are not where it’s at.  My Mom was the most dear person in the world and never thought of herself.  Although she loved clothes a lot.

I like the look of candles hanging on a fence next to the new fallen snow.

 

And that’s my thoughts for today.

 

 

It snowed up north today.  My son went up to his camp with 2 of his sons and winterized their camp.  It’s so pretty in that area.

King Arthur Flour has a neat recipe for pie crust on their web site.  It’s the time of year to make pies.

Bellows Falls isn’t too far from where I live.  The person that painted that sign is a friend of a friend.

My youngest son had some Harvest Chicken Vegetable soup at a Food Co-op near where he lives.  He said it was the best soup he ever had. It sounded like a little something something to warm your belly and warm your soul.  I found a recipe for the soup and it sounds just like the soup he had.  I pinned it on my soup board on my Pinterest.

My son also had a vegetable hummus wrap that sounded really good and I found a recipe for that and pinned it on my Pinterest wrap board.

It is definitely going to snow tonight.  It’s pretty if you don’t have to drive in it.

It’s really pretty with a dusting of snow on the ground.

I love pretty rings and I saw one that really caught my eye on one of the Home Shopping channels on TV.  So pretty.

It was like a retro ring from 1912 and it had 1912 engraved on the inside.  I thought that it was just beautiful.

Another ring that I liked was a real pearl with blue topaz.  So pretty.

Then I totally loved the above cuff bracelet that had 18 karat gold in it as well as the blue topaz. It would look stunning to me with the pearl ring.

I just love jewelry.  I think I get that from my Mom as she always liked stuff like that.

It’s not much fun seeing beautiful things that are totally not affordable.  But even if it is like torture, it’s fun to see them kinda to me.  I used to think some day.  But now that I’m older, I know that it’s not some day.  Just is not going to happen.  Oh well.  That’s what I get for not tending to business in the younger years.  Thought there was so much time.  Only there is not.  At least I have half way decent taste.  🙂

I found a recipe for Pumpkin bread.  Looks good to me.  One thing about recipes is that you definitely have to try them before making them for anyone else.  Recipes are not always what they look like.  First tries always demand tweaks.  For sure.  I pinned the recipe on my bread Pinterest board or the Thanksgiving ideas.  One or the other.

Bourbon Pumpkin pie sounds good, also.  I pinned that recipe on my pie board.

I love it when the snow sticks to the trees.  It’s just so pretty.

And that’s my musings for the day.

 

 

---

Ye Olde Tavern’s Cranberry Apple Crisp is an old New England traditional Fall recipe.  I found the recipe below and it sounds really good.

The Tavern’s recipe is reprinted below, with permission, from Tracey Medeiros‘ fabulous cookbook Dishing Up Vermont.

Serve this simple dessert with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, preferably from Wilcox, made right in Manchester Center. A dollop of whipped cream and a light dusting of cinnamon add a delicious finishing touch. Serves six to eight people.

INGREDIENTS

1 pound tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 4 cups)
2 ½ cups cranberries
¾ cup sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour, preferably King Arthur
½ cup kettle or rolled oats
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons pure Vermont maple syrup
5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8- by 8- 2-inch square pan, and set aside.
2) Combine the apples, cranberries, and sugar in a large bowl, then spread into the prepared pan.
3) Combine flour, oats, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in the syrup and cut in butter until coarse meal forms. Spoon fruit over to cover.
4) Bake in the oven until juices are bubbling, apples are tender, and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

I would like to get the above cookbook.  It sounds awesome to me.

I have the Vermont Farm Table cookbook.  I also like their page on facebook.

I love old Colonial style houses and how they do the traditional way of decorating for the different seasons.  Love the white picket fence and gate above and the black lantern.

I love yeast rolls at Thanksgiving because it always reminds me of my Grandmother’s rolls that she would bring to Thanksgiving dinner.  I don’t have her recipe, but I found one that seems to be a lot like her recipe and I pinned the recipe on my Thanksgiving Ideas board on my Pinterest.  They are a tradition.

I just love little traditions for Holidays.

I can remember years when there was a huge snow storm on Thanksgiving day.  You never know in New England what the weather will do this time of year.

And that’s my musings for today.

A nice comfort food for this time of year is Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole.  I pinned a nice recipe for it on my Pinterest casseroles board.

 

I love farmhouse paint colors.

I like the idea of a fireplace with a window on each side of it.  So in the winter when the snow is falling and you have a fire going in the fireplace, it is so cozy to see the snow coming down while you enjoy the ambiance of the crackling warmth of the fireplace.

I love the above cottage mud room.  I especially like how the door leads to a porch and the lantern light.

I love books and the above reading nook is just so neat with all the light coming in from the window and then the soft cushions.

I like soups this time of year and I make a lot of bean soups.  I like the idea of the shaved Parmesan and the artisan bread toast with melted butter.

I like the above style coat and also the fish knit sweater.  It just is typical New England style.

I saw a drink that had Bourban mixed with apple cider.  Now that sounds like an interesting and nice Fall beverage.

Then there is a “Hot Toddy”.

I was born in November and it’s been just about one year since I started my blog.  I remember that I had no idea on how to start a blog and it was my birthday presant to myself to figure out how to do a blog.  So glad that I did figure it out because I love it.

 

 

 

It’s cold in the mornings now and the leaves have frost on them.  Frosty mornings for sure.

I like a traditional New England style Thanksgiving dinner.  I would add butternut squash to the above traditions.  I can remember the way my Mom went all out for Thanksgiving dinner.  There was a side board in the dining room and it would have grapes, peanut brittle, fudge, nuts for a few of the treats I remember.  She always had a relish tray with celery, pickles, olives, cheese and all.  Cranberry sauce of course.  Then a huge turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, rolls, boiled creamed onions and at least 3 pies.  We had a large family and I remember Grandparents at the feast as well.  I was the next to the youngest in my family and when the three older kids got married and had children, they all came for the feast as well for a few years that I remember.  Then in later years my older brother and family had the feast at their house with everyone invited.  Someone always brought a scrumptious cheesecake and another one had stuffed mushrooms that were a tradition.  My Dad and brothers always played penny-anti after dinner while the women all pitched in to help with washing the dishes.  The kids always had fun games indoors as well as outside.

Thanksgiving is a time for families.  So many memories and with some loved ones gone, it can also bring some sad feelings.  But there is always so much to be thankful for.

I like cranberry sauce with orange in it and saw a really neat recipe that only takes 15 minutes to make.  I pinned the recipe on my Thanksgiving ideas Pinterest board.

I also saw a recipe for New England style stuffing that had sausage, apples and and dried cranberries.  Sounds good to me.  I pinned the recipe on my Thanksgiving ideas Pinterest board.

One of my son’s likes Indian Pudding and I saw a neat recipe for Crock Pot Indian pudding that sounded good.  I pinned the recipe on my Thanksgiving ideas board.

One year at Christmas time, the place where I worked gave us all a trip to Boston with tickets to the Nutcracker at the Wang Center and dinner at the Top of the Hub for a Christmas gift.  We could invite one guest.  My gentleman friend had to work so my youngest son volunteered to go with me.  So beautiful in the restaurant on the very top of the Prudential Building which they call “Top of the Hub”.  Windows all around and you could see snow coming down and they were playing Christmas music. I especially remember the Christmas song Ava Maria playing in the background.  So beautiful.   My son ordered a Seafood platter and the Indian Pudding for his dessert and he loved it.  The Indian Pudding always brings back that really fun day for a memory.

L L Bean has a Northern Lights Celebration coming up.  I love their store in Freeport, Maine.

Really fun place to visit in Maine.

They have horse drawn rides and all kinds of fun.

I love the clothes that they have in their store.  Just so Down East and New England style.

There is a super moon tonight.  It’s really pretty when the sky turns pink and red this time of year at sunset.

And that’s my musings for today.

 

 

 

 

I like old fashion type lanterns.  The above lantern is from a cottage by the sea in California.

The above is my favorite cottage by the sea that was designed by Hugh Comstock and is completely refurbished being careful to keep original style from 1920’s.

I love the patios. ❤

I love how they have french doors leading to a patio and fieldstone fireplaces.

I came across a blogger that went to Capitola by the sea in California for her anniversary and stayed in a beachside room at Inn @ Depot Hill in Capitola, California.  They stayed in the Delft room and shared photos of it.  I love the French style and all the blue color.

Just gorgeous.  The Inn @ Depot Hill is right near the sea and it is a bed and breakfast.

The room included a cheese board and wine.

Also breakfast.  What a dream place.

Also bicycles were available.

And they were within walking distance of the beautiful Sea.

I love Vermont, but would not mind a beautiful change of scenery and enjoy all the beauty that is out there.

And that’s my musings for today. ❤

 

Sometimes when days are overcast and not the best weather I like to have a plant to brighten the day.  The above Mum was on sale at half price at the Walmart a few weeks ago and as long as I give it lots of water every other day, it seems to thrive.  It cheers me up, anyways.

And if that wasn’t enough, I got the above Ivy plant at the grocery store.  It looks nice and cheerful in the early morning light.  The sun was out early this morning but has since gotten over cast.

I like ponchos and the above Buffalo Plaid Poncho from Shoptiques is perfect for Fall.  I think that it said that it cost $149.00, though.  It’s a little out of my budget right now.  But I still think that it’s neat.

All kinds of ideas for a November list.

A nice time for long walks in the crisp air.

I’m always looking for centerpiece ideas for a Fall table.  I like the white pillar candle in a jar idea that I saw.  The Fall leaves and the twine look kind of neat.

I like butternut squash soup and the slow cooker idea looks like it would be flavorful.  I pinned the recipe on my Pinterest crock pot board.

I also like hot chocolate and Peppermint Hot Chocolate sounds kind of good.  I pinned the recipe on my Pinterest drinks board.

One of my favorite fashion bloggers, Jo Lynne Shane shows how to wear brown boots with a black pair of pants.  I think that it looks neat.  I like those boots, the scarf and the bracelets.    It’s fun to keep up on what is in style.  She used to have a blog on all kinds of recipes for low carb and then she switched to mostly fashion.

And that is my musings for the day.

 

Summer is over and Fall is just about calling it close to over.  Chilly nights and mornings and not warming up too much in the afternoon, now.

I love to watch the cook shows and an interesting program was when Ina Garten went to Washington, DC and cooked with the White House Chef and then had tea with Mrs. Obama.  Ina made a salad wrap with Greek yogurt feta dip.  The cucumber, carrot and lettuce were from the White House garden.  I pinned the recipe on my Barefoot Contessa board.

Then they made a Vegetable Tartlette from vegetables out of the garden.  Ina had the salad wrap and vegetable tartlette with tea with Michelle Obama.  I pinned that recipe on my Barefoot Contessa board, also.  The recipe was not easy to find on the food network web page, but I found it.

While I was trying to find the Washington visit recipes, I found an Ina Garten French Bistro recipe which was a Pastrami Tartine.  It had two kinds of mustard and I found the grainy French mustard as well as a regular French mustard and tried it.  I loved it.  I pinned that recipe on my Barefoot Contessa recipes board on my Pinterest.

And then on the new Barefoot Contessa cook show, she made Skillet Chicken for her Jeffrey.  I pinned that recipe on my Barefoot Contessa Pinterest board.  It looked like it was pretty good.  She had a butcher take the backbone out of a whole chicken and butterflyed it.  Then she put lemon slices, lemon juice and seasonings on it and roasted it.

Ina made Roasted Brocolini with the skillet chicken.

Also Ina made a Raspberry Rhubarb Crostata which sounded really good,  I pinned the recipes on my Barefoot Contessa Pinterest boards.

I watch too many cooking shows.

My favorite fashion blogger, Jo Lynne Shane had the above sweater dress on her blog today.  It’s from Loft and only $39.00 which isn’t bad.  I think that it’s perfect for this time of year.  I like the shoes, also.

I like Fall table ideas and came across a neat idea for silverware with mason jars.  I love the little pumpkin and the burlap ties and also the wreath and tray.

I love porches.

And that’s my musings for today.

I try to think positive as we all do.  I think positive thinking really does work.

That’s why it’s always important to think a lot of yourself.  If you don’t, no one else will.

I saw a recipe on the Food network this morning for Butternut Squash Lasagna.  It had kale and sausage in it and it looked really good.  I pinned the recipe on my Fall recipes board on my Pinterest.  It was Katie Lee’s recipe.  Definitely worth a try.

I like scarfs and like the above scarf and the way it is worn.  The pants, jacket and oversized pocketbook look ridiculous in my opinion.  I mean pants that look 3 sizes too small, a man’s jacket that Peawee Herman would wear as it is 2 sizes too small.  Oh, well.  At least I like something about the outfit.

I like warm, cozy sweaters like the one above and I like the suede boots.  The huge pocketbook is questionable.  I mean it looks like a little kid carrying it’s Mama’s pocketbook when they are about 5.  I can go just so far with fashion.

Ina Garten has a new cooking class on Sur La Table.  It’s called “Ultimate Thanksgiving Cooking Class”.  It has make ahead roast turkey, turkey gravey with onion and sage, root vegatable gratin, green beans gremolata and ultimate pumpkin pie with rum whipped cream.

Nice, but if you have ever tried to cook anything out of Ina Garten or the barefoot contessa cookbooks, you know what it costs for all the ingredients.  I mean if you have an unlimited budget and a husband worth millions as well as yourself maybe you might not feel bad if a recipe didn’t pan out.

I’d like to see a cooking show for every day people.  With every day ideas.  Ingredients that were easy to find and were tasty.  It won’t happen in my life time.

I just like to have fun and enjoy life.  Why not.

And that’s my musings for today.  November is not my favorite time of the year.  But we get through it.