“In November, some birds move away and some birds stay. The air is full of good-byes and well-wishes. ― Cynthia Rylant, In November

November 1

“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.”

~Sarah Addison Allen, First Frost

Captured a little yellow butterfly fluttering by

Neil bought this apple fritter from Ralph’s Donuts that was so enormous

they didn’t have a bag or a box that it would fit in

So they smashed it into this Styrofoam to-go box

The fritter wasn’t going without a fight and snapped the box

while trying to escape

November 2

November 4

Flying

November 5

November 9

Ella helped me sweep leaves off the back porch

Then she started collecting all the red leaves she could find

and filled several paper cups with them

They sat on the counter for about a week so I tossed them thinking she wouldn’t miss them

Never underestimate the memory power of a four year old

Next time she came over:

Granny, where are the cups of leaves I made?

November 12

Happy 46th Birthday, daughter Kelly!

November 17

Little turkey at her pre-school Thanksgiving feast

Ella with dad Kerry and mom Kelly

We all enjoyed the yummy food

Elijah and girlfriend Kiara at Ocha, our fave Thai food restaurant

November 18

Not sure if he even knew Ella had placed her unicorn on top of his head

Looks good, yes?

November 21

I love Chick-fil-A’s peppermint chip milkshake

Neil does not. He does like the cookies and cream.

November 24

Thanksgiving feast at the Kimbrough’s

So much awesome food as always

Ate too much. As always.

And always thankful for God’s awesome blessings big and small

After dinner walk around the block

Told everyone to jump. I even counted 1-2-3 jump!

I think it’s clear who follows directions. And who doesn’t.

Or could be that spirit-willing-but-flesh-weak thing

With arms outstretched I thank.
With heart beating gratefully I love.
With body in health I jump for joy.
With spirit full I live.
~Terri Guillemet

The young folks played Apples to Apples and other games

while the old folks vegged out in front of the TV

No pic of the old folks vegging

Use your imagination

November 25

Ella and Knox cracking each other up while waiting for Taco Bell supper

November 27

Shelby with mom Holly and dad Jerry at El Tapatio lunch after church

She was home for the turkey day holiday then back to school

to finish up classes and study for finals before Christmas break

November 28

“In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still.”
— Cynthia Rylant, In November

Christmas lights ~ Neil’s handiwork the past two or three days

I guess it’s time to get rid of the pumpkin

November 29

Time to decorate the tree. With one less ornament.

Oops!

Well, with two less ornaments

November 30

Ready or not

“There is October in every November and there is November in every December. 

All seasons melted in each other’s life.” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

“It was November—the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” ― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

November 1

“She stands
In tattered gold
Tossing bits of amber
And jade, jewels of a year grown old:
November.”
— Zephyr Ware Tarver, “A Queen Makes an Exit”

November 2

Someone is building a house across the street from us.

Get a load of that load of lumber. Let the framing begin.

November 4

She’s a star

November 6

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”

— Lauren DeStefano

Peppermint chip milkshake at Chick Fil A is yummy, especially with a cherry on top

or two or three (there were four but I already ate one) Am I the only one who likes cherries?

November 9

“November’s sky is chill and drear, November’s leaf is red and sear.”

~Sir Walter Scott

Do you see it, too?

It was TTU purple and gold day at Ella’s school. She struck a pose when I asked to take her picture.

Connect …. however many you want

November 11 

Amazing how quickly a house can be built

Hearts. They’re everywhere.

November 12

Daughter Kelly celebrated (well, with no party, maybe acknowledged would be a

better word) her 45th birthday. Her hubby and kids gave her an Apple watch.

November 13

November 14

It’s that time of year—static. Kelly pulled Ella's knit hat off and this happened.

She was laughing at her reflection in the window at McDs

November 15

Elijah got his learner’s permit

November 20

Look who Knox ran in to at Santa’s Workshop

Free selfies with The Grinch himself

November 22

November 25

“Forever on Thanksgiving Day, the heart will find the pathway home.”

~Wilbur D. Nesbit

Neil taught them how to play a dice game we recently discovered called Left Center Right

And nope it has nothing to do with politics

UNO Attack! A ruthless bunch right here ….

…. and right here. Good fun on turkey day

I like a little pumpkin pie with my whipped cream

Blessed and thankful for all of it

November 28

Feliz Cumpleaños 

Celebrated Knox’s 10th birthday a few days early during lunch at El Tapatio

Nothing says happy birthday like whipped cream up your nose

And a (tiny) sombrero on your head, of course

The whole family was together for lunch, so Kelly sent Knox over to the table next to us

to ask one of the two professional photographers sitting there to please capture a group shot for us.

And she did, making sure her subjects weren’t backlit like a good photographer will do and

also capturing her cute kiddos photobombing in the background, with WK's cheesy smile and all.

November 30

It’s beginning to look a lot like ….

… you know ….

The night is freezing fast,

    To-morrow comes December;

        And winterfalls of old

Are with me from the past... 

 ~A.E. Housman