This time next year...

It's finally starting to feel a little like Thanksgiving around here! I shopped for the big meal this morning, got a little gardening done and had a proper walk after lunch. All that's left is excavating the dining room and ironing the linens. Ahhhh...I'm liking this temporary housewife gig!

We'll have a somewhat downsized Thanksgiving this year. The girls and their beaus will be in Philly and most of our usual holiday posse has other plans. After mourning the idea of twelve to fifteen folks cozily crowded around our harvest table, I find I'm now getting used to the idea of a smaller version. Gone are the days of one pie per person... Five side dishes? No way. This year it'll be two - mashed potatoes and broccoli. Soup? No. Corn pudding? Nadda. Ken's homemade pumpkin pie, made from freshly roasted pumpkin...oh yeah, it made the cut and is still on the menu!

I haven't had a proper walk in weeks and with temps in the 50's and a cloudless sunny sky, I went rambling down the road,

 

  to my favorite abandoned house.

It was built in 1817,

 and by the looks of things it's been empty for 30 or 40 years.  

Moo...

Life is good. There is much to be thankful for.

Last week I told my students I am taking a year off next year.

So, this time next year...

 I plan to spend a lot more time right here.