“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

SNOW DAZED

So where is the first place you head to after you dig your truck out of the snow bank in the driveway?

You head to the nearest donut shop, of course, which for us happens to be Big O Donuts. O is for OPEN 24/7. The roads may be a slick mess, but they were not lacking for customers. And of course we were willing to risk life and limb for a sweet treat. Two boxes. Not much of a wait.

Heading toward the town square from Big O ~ more cars on the road than you might think ~ cabin fever, I guess. We just wanted donuts.

No, the town isn't sliding off the map. Yet anyway. Caught a quick pic of a side road one street over from Broad Street off the square. You could slip slide away right here.

Courthouse looking all pretty in the snow

Our street is clearer than some others in town. Since Big O is a hop skip jump from our house, we weren't skittish about getting out and about. Especially when you need a donut fix. 

Neil has forged a path from the driveway to the back door of the house. He shoveled a couple of paths in the driveway to the street and cleaned off the truck and car. The snow is shin deep at least.

Worth risking life and limb on the slippery streets? You bet. This is box number one.

Box number two was reserved for Neil's apple fritter because as you can see it took up the whole box.  

He can afford to eat sweets because he shoveled snow today. And no he did not eat this whole thing. Yet.

I, on the other hand, was a total slug today and cannot afford to eat sweets, but I did anyway. Coffee and an apple fritter bite for me. Bought four of these and ate two. Because they're small. And they are so good. Also, when you risk life and limb, you have to eat the fritter.

You know I had to share more snow pics

And icicle pics

And birds feeding in the snow pics

And more icicle pics ~ they fascinate me and they're beautiful 

And more snow pics

This afternoon the sun popped through the clouds as it was setting and made the sky pink 

A warm sight for sore eyes maybe growing a little weary of looking at snow

Happy Saturday everyone! Don't get out on the roads unless you have to. You know, like for donuts or something.