We made our way out of town, after securing the fortress and packing (way too many shoes and jewels). In the dark and rain we drove. Laughing and dancing in the car. Telling tales that started like, remember when we first met and you said...
I don't know what soul mates are, but if finishing eachother's sentences and giggling madly at the same things, isn't enough, I don't know what is. Granted, we can also make eachother so angry our faces can turn a perfect shade of fluorescent magenta. Alas, we try not to push those buttons often ;)
So we drove and drove, and arrived to a house bursting with food and love. Shrimp cocktails and fresh pesto, with baked bread straight out of the oven, abound...
My parents are so wonderfully delightful. And funny as funny could be. My Mammie is a hoot and probably should get a superb hostess trophy.
Dad and her together could start a comedy show. They are so sweet, and have always made it very clear that home is home. It is our home. There is always an open door, and your bedroom is always there for you. You always have a home, no matter what.
My Dad is always available. You got a flat? You ran out of gas? You sliced your leg open pretty darn deep and have to go to the emergency room (that would be me). He is in his car on his way to you no matter where you are. He hugs he squeezes, you beg to be let go. You can even catch him playing with the elves you make. That alone should earn him a perfect award, don't you think?
Ya, I thought they were super annoying when I hit my teenage years. But, it is all the things I found annoying about them then, that I now adore. Funny how that works, isn't it?
Sooo, we installed Mr. Lovee in his own private mini wing. So he could have a little restful space of his own. Bottles of water, candies, wait are we in a hotel? Again, Mammie's hospitality...
Mr room had a lovely crown waiting for me...
As well as a dresser full of gifts (for no reason), which are just my kind of treasures. Thank you Mommmmmbie!!
It rained & was cold our entire stay, which was a lovely thing indeed. It was a treat to have a Thanksgiving that was cool and brisk and didn't feel like a warm tropical holiday (as usual).
The first night we were there we lost power most of the evening. So, we all sat around a candle lit living room, telling stories, while Mr. Lovee played his guitar...
We breakfasted in the nook...
And got a ton of excercise by going down the super long driveaway to retrieve the newspaper.
Silly me, forgot her tennis shoes. Luckily my 21 year old brother had a pair of boy shoes stashed from when he was in 5th grade. They fit like a glove.
I enjoyed the autumn feel in the garden, but was surprised at how much green the trees still held...
I collected leaves and strolled in the sprinkles, all bundled up. Beautiful leaves a plenty...
We had Thanksgiving lunch at My Grandma and Grandpa's (Mammie's parents). There was a tradtional meal, along with homemade tortillas to be eaten as they came off the wood burning stove. (that is my Grandma, adding wood)
How I adore my grandparents... Mr. Lovee charms the socks off of my Granny. He played his guitar, she sang. He indulged in her freshly made edibles...
Everyone in my family is loud and has a story to tell. A joke, a tale... Words are thrown in and out and all around in conversation. It is blissful chatter chaos...
We were stuffed after that visit. Even though we were told to eat light. There were other Thanksgiving meals to be eaten. We ventured home to relax, make room for more munching...
I put on my pajamas and found a cozy spot to relax...
Mmmmm, relaxing... (Not something I did much of, as planned ;)
I longed for a swim and I dreamily looked out the window...
But, the relaxing was short lived. Before we knew it, it was time to get dressed up again, for a formal Thanksgiving dinner...
Mr. Lovee waited patiently, while the gals shuffled around. The table had already been set days before by Mammie...
There he is with his freshly trimmed hair, lacking about 6 inches (oops, my bad, 10 inches)... I think he looks dreamy...
Most of my photographs were taken at night. Hence the darkish golden glow. I promised my family I wouldn't splash their fotos on my blog. I don't want to become the annoying girl with the camera, that everyone dreads seeing at the holidays, hee heee...
I myself, do not enjoy having my photo taken. Actually, if you want to know the truth. I get sort of royally unhappy when people take my photo without consent... So, I will be sensitive to the members whose photos I snapped...
Nontheless, there were smiling faces and lovely attired folks mingling...
We had a scrumptious formal dinner at home. Once again, telling tales and laughing uncontrollably... Although, we were still full from lunch. So, we all were woe-ing about our overfilled bellies...
We saved dessert for the next day...
The most outrageous fresh cranberry candied orangle peel trifle you have ever tasted...
And some fancy form of pumpkin pie...
Then it was time for a walk. We hiked a bit while there. And had a delightful time climbing the hills & cavelings I ventured into as a kid...
We came upon what Mr. Lovee called a midden. Filled with rusty parts and domed ever so wonderfully with twigs and rocks. A pack rat home for certain. It is sort of hard to see its dome like quality in this photo...
I got on my hands and knees to show you the entrance... So cute!!
The next day, we had canela at my grannies house & snooped around at my granpa's warehouse of found rusted and crazy treasures. He told us stories, and gifted me a wonderful item. I will share it soon!! If it snows ;) Oh and, by the way, Canela is cinnamon tea...
We really wanted to invite everyone over to sing and tell scary stories around the outdoor fireplace. Alas, the wet wood and weather was not having it. Maybe next time...
Soon it was time to leave... But, I just couldn't go without telling you one big secret. You see, there is a pantry in Mombie's house, that would blow your mind. Every gum drop and gum ball and cookie, and chip, and treat, and baking good that you can imagine, resides right on the other side of that door. It is a vault of edible treasures. Would you like to visit it sometime? hee hee ;) I could lock you in there for a day or two?
So, into the car I went. Mr. Lovee packed my belongings, and we started home. The clouds cleared up a bit for our 2 hour drive...
We stopped in a village called Tubac, 20 minutes from our family home. It is a lovely historic shopping village. So much fun! Quaint and charming. There were tons of people there...
We returned to our humble abode in the hills at night. It was a raining frenzy. So much rain, Wow! And the next day, there were pink mountains and snow right at the top... Hooray!
Oh, but dare I forget to mention... I picked up a treasure to giveaway, at one of the shops in Tubac. Yes Indeed. At a place filled with milagros and beautiful 100+ year old santos...
This milagro filled cross...
So leave a hello, and I shall drop your name in a hat. The next time I return (2 days or so), I shall have more little creatures like this to pop in my shop. There are still a couple of original paper dress girls waiting for a lovely home...
Okay, I must rest (I am a zombie girl) & then head out to see the new one person swing Mr. Lovee is building for me. I just can't get up enough speed on the two person swing ;)
See you soon, Huge ♥'s, V
ps: I watched the most sad touching movie and the most silly ridiculous make me giggle Christmas movie! I looove the house in Fred Claus in the beginning in the woods! I want to live there! And I adore Willy's little abode!! So cute!!
