Big Week

It's been a busy week--- I worked every day, had a dentist appt one night, got to celebrate Thanksgiving working(which is something I never thought I would do again but that is how it worked out) I have to work Christmas too this year. Sometimes it works out for the best.
My Mom went to Dee's house and had Thanksgiving with her whole family and Paul and Bonnie. She said she had a good time but today she is in one of her bad moods so better to leave her alone. I feel sorry for those nurses!!!! Just got off the phone with my sister Dee who was just there and she was glad to leave!!! We did have some snow flurries during the day on Friday but nothing on the ground--it has gotten a lot colder--mostly in the 30s.
I have been working on a photo art journal project--ATC size this time.
Since it is just Fritz and I this year, I decided to try to put up my Christmas tree.... and decorate the house.



I also made these glass block ornaments--need to put bows on them yet.

My nativity set

A counted cross stitch picture Phyllis made me years ago that I hang up each year.

Fritz discovers the tree and chews on branches and light cords but not too long.

Sitting on the arm of his favorite chair

Let me get a closer look

Here he is today checking out the branches but has been leaving it alone

I finished doing most of the house and outdoor decorations. Another busy work week ahead, etc.

Birthday week!!!

So it was my birthday on Tuesday but I basically celebrated all week!!! Monday the girls I work with took me to lunch at the Coffee Shop and Patty G came along. It was very nice.
I got birthday cards from Mom, Dee and Phyllis plus quite a few from Bear Lovers Yahoo group plus I got a really cute card from Judi and Sue...


and another one from Sandy....

I took my birthday off as usual. Sandy and I went to the Omelet Shoppe for breakfast which is fun because they are only open until 3pm so don't get there much.
We were going to go to my house and make Christmas cards all day but the weather was so nice and sun was shining so we took off for Holland State Park.
We pretty much had it to ourselves....

and the seagulls

We walked out to end of pier...

looking back

Big Red

We then took Lakeshore Drive to Grand Haven and checked out the beach there...

a few more waves here

I took this picture because of the sand fences, water and footprints in the sand...

We then drove north to Hoffmaster where we had birthday cake( Bill Knapp's famous) that Sandy had brought....

We then drove through Hoffmaster--mostly bare trees

We came back to my house and still got some cards done--mostly for Sandy but I worked on some ideas.

Then we had this great sunset just for me!!!!!

Wednesday night after work, it was girls night out to celebrate the sister's birthdays at The Melting Pot. Sandy got to come to.

We did the Big Night Out which included a cheese fondue

2 kinds

then everyone had a salad then on to the meat part-Dee and I shared the lobster one

cooking

Then on to dessert....

My favorite is Flaming turtle fondue...........

A great time was had by all. Sandy took our picture outside.

Then Thursday, Tresa and Betsy at work took me to lunch at Coffee Shop and after running some errands, Sandy and I went to Red Robin to get my free gourmet burger and hot fudge sundae which we split-it was great. Saw the Kuipers and Koetje's there celebrating Stacey's birthday.

Saturday I pretty much worked outside--got all my roses cut down and continued cleaning up the gardens. I had to put in front storm door, change sheets on bed and a million other things--always a lot to do.

Took some pictures of the full moon

This week is Thanksgiving-I have to work so will eat hospital food for dinner--doesn't bother me much and hopefully will be the last year I have to work holidays(scheduled for Christmas Day also).

Be thankful.................

what is blooming in the garden this week? PLUS...

For a November week, it was really nice and mild--sunny most days. So I do have some mums still blooming.
I finished my second week working at Blodgett which is really nice. They have a new addition which is beautiful plus we had a great lunch one day in coffee shop. I visit the gift shop almost daily--so many things to see-haven't spent any money yet. I did see a Christmas garland made of old tyme cards which I am going to make rather than pay the $15 they are asking.
I took some pictures out in the front garden at work...





a large stone that is a fountain

The driveway with both names showing

I have been working on cleaning up stuff in the yard--have all the back of the house and center garden done. I couldn't cut down the mums as they were blooming so nice ...

Fall

At garden club this week, my Mom worked with decorating gourds and I got this one--she made several...

I had read an article in the paper a week or so ago about an older woman in Holland who made things from old wool coats--I was intrigued so checked out the Etsy shop and ordered a couple of things...

A wool bird

a very cool coat runner--they came wrapped in old patterns and tied with raffia

a few close up shots

It is even better in person.

This week is my birthday-not a big one but one nevertheless. I did take the day off so the girls I am now working with are taking me to lunch tomorrow.

I have been busy cleaning up my studio in the basement because I chose to make art for my birthday---Sandy and I are going to work on Christmas cards and whatever else we want to after going out for breakfast. I do have my free coupon for Red Robin so will have to do that plus Wednesday night is our annual sisters night at The Melting Pot--cool fondue and so much fun.