Thanksgiving 2012

Here is my table for Thanksgiving this year.  We do not have a traditional meal.  No one really cares for turkey except for me.  So I am making a ham, mash potatoes and green beans.  It will be simple and no need for all the dishes on the table. Besides, my dad will get overwhelmed will all the stuff on the table. 
I didn't get to set all the tables I wanted to set.  There was just not enough time.  I wanted set one with all pumpkins and one with all leaves.  So since I really wanted to do both, I combined them.  So since it is a fantasy table, it makes sense to use my Fall Fantasy Fiesta luncheon plates.  Kinda corny and dumb, I know. I will have my mom use the luncheon plate for her meal. She doesn't eat much and if I give to her on the big plate she will think it is to much.  I will also have to switch out her glass as she needs a smaller one she can hold. Oh and my dad will drink he soda out of the can.  I have a set of clear salt and pepper shakers that are just for him also.  He does not like my Fiesta ones.

 

 

Here is wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be joining Cusine Kathleen for Let's Dish!!

A Fall Table for Two

As I was setting this table, I was thinking of all those on the East coast that lost everything. It seems silly to be grateful for my things and to play with my dishes. It does reinforce the idea not to save things for a special occasion as everyday we are given should be a special occasion.  I decided a few years back that I needed to use my stuff and not be afraid to use it. It is not only this latest storm that has inspired me to write this but another sad story that I learned about thru one of the Facebook groups that I belong to. A fellow collector lost her family home along with all her belongings in a fire.  The collector who posted the story is trying to gather people to send any extra Fiesta dishes their way to help them rebuild their collection.
There is also my parent's declining health that brings me to write about my things. These last few months my dad has been cleaning house.  He tells me to take stuff.  It is like he is getting ready for something. He looks tired.  Caring for my mom 24/7 is taking its toll. I try to help on the weekends but there is only so much I can do.  Guilt does set in most days. My dad told me again this weekend that he is not ready to send her to a nursing home.  He still wants to take care of her.
I have most of my mom's dishes now.  They include some of her gadgets, baking items and trays. She used to love to shop for kitchen gadgets not so much dishes. Her goal was to get the meal done and not so much on the presentation. Our table was dressed up only on holidays. There was never a centerpiece or candles(only for birthdays on the cake). Back then it didn't matter to me.  I was just happy not to eat on a paper plate. I didn't mind washing the dishes either.
I will tell you a not so sad story about my mom.  This past weekend I took my parents a new coffee maker. It is nothing fancy but boy was my mom excited.  She kept asking (in her own way) if it was for her. When I would tell her yes, her smile would be a mile long.  It made me sad only because I miss the days when we would go shopping.

So on to my table.  Do you still want to see it?  My mom would probably say the tablecloth is too busy for her tastes. Although, I think she would love the color combination. 

 

Just a few photos this time around. The Fiesta colors are Chocolate, Paprika, Ivory and Evergreen.

Prayers are being said for all those being affected by the storm.

Missing my Spunky baby

It was a year yesterday that I had to say goodbye to my Spunky baby. She had just turned nine.  I still cry when I mention her. Halloween was sad for me because that was her birthday.  We always bought her a new stuffed animal. My hubby did a great job of keeping me distracted yesterday.
I think it is harder for me because I am the one who was with her when the vet did what had to be done.  I'm the one that saw fear in her eyes when they held her down to shave her leg for the injection. I know I will never be able to forget those moments.  I do think of the good times too.  She knew which toy was what. Her piggy was her favorite.  She loved squeaky toys and to walk.  She knew 10 to 15 minutes before my hubby was going to arrive.  She would always reposition herself to face the door when he was close by. 
I know there are many out there that have lost children and may think I am making a big deal about a dog.  I am not able to have any children of my own so Spunky was my baby. 
I planted a garden in the backyard next to where she used lay down when she was outside.  It is a distraction to look that way not and expect to see her there. It is still a work in progress.  I took a few pictures on my phone but not my camera yet.  I will try to load them.
We have new fur babies that are keeping us busy.  They are so different than Spunky.  It was what I wanted.  I couldn't bear to have a similar dog.  I saw a dog that looked like her the day after we got Ryleigh and Reagan at the pet store. I couldn't help but cry. I will take it as sign that it was ok to get my new babies. We are all still adjusting to each other.  They are older and may have had a rough life.  They have helped fill the void.

This is one of my favorite pictures of her.  She always wanted to get on the bed and yes we did let her.  On occasion, she would push one of us off.
I did hear her the other day.  She used to sleep in the entry way at one point or another during the night in the entry way.  When she would get up I could hear her tags and her scraping the floor. I heard the same noise.  Or maybe I wanted to hear it.