As is typical, I finished reading the ARC copy of Liz’s newest book, and always like to post it here for review. It’s sometimes hard to review a book without giving away key points – but here is my thoughts on A HOMESTEAD HOLIDAY by Elizabeth Bromke. I hope you’ll consider reading it!

The thing I love best about Liz’s books, and it’s true in Homestead Holiday, is the communication between the main and primary characters.  The conversations are true to life and deal with believable circumstances.  Both Liam and Molly have strong feelings about not only what is happening at Liam’s ranch but also in Molly’s classroom.  The struggles, relationships, and joys are all very real.  I also love the fact that Molly’s passion to teach Culinary Arts stems from her French grandmother, and her focus is heartfelt and all-consuming.  She wants to share her love for cooking and baking, and it’s important to her that her students, and the community, understand that passion. She wants them to share that passion within themselves, as well.  Liam also loves what he is doing, although he struggles with coming to grips with a personal tragedy and how it will affect his life moving forward.  Molly and Liam, their friends, family and co-workers, all come together to strengthen their relationships, have successful programs, and give back to the community and to each other.  We need each other, every day, and Homestead Holiday brings that to light and lights our way, as well.

I helped Rege with a problem deal this morning in Jeannette, then had to notarize a paper for Mike P’s business partner. From there I went to L&L just to browse, and saw several cute, different things!

Then I stopped at Giant Eagle for Cranberry Ginger Ale. I may need it to keep my stomach settled when I get home Thursday! The lane up the hill was lined with trees – and fallen leaves!

I had a piece of my meatloaf for lunch, then made Cream of Potato soup, also for Thursday. Since it was damp and cool I did not attempt to tackle the leaves. They will still be there when I’m ready to rake.

I just kept putzying around doing little things all day. Nothing note-worthy. Maybe tomorrow!

This just in! Kath stopped and brought me a surgery present. I’ve never had a surgery present before. I love it, and I do, indeed, feel beyond blessed – love you, MY FAVORITE SISTER!

November 1 – Tell about how you first knew my father. “Your father used to stay with his Uncle Chester Brown who was married to my cousin Hazel Crooks. We knew each other as young kids. When he joined the army his Aunt Hazel Brown told me to write to him. I did & we became friends through our letters.

Calendar inspiration – We never know what lies ahead, so treasure the good relationships in your life.

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TOMORROW November 2nd is:

• National Deviled Egg Day
• National Ohio Day
• National Stress Awareness Day
• Traffic Directors Day 

I’m not going to Ohio; too much traffic! There is a bit of stress scrambling around in my head right now but I’m trying to keep it under control. In the meantime I do like deviled eggs! Autmn and Logan LOVE them! God bless…

I guess I should admit right up front that it didn’t seem like Halloween. I usually love to take a walk through the neighborhood during Trick or Treat, but it was damp and cooler and too wet for me this year.

It was a very gray, cloudy morning, but I noticed before I got in the shower that the sun was peeping through a hole in the clouds! It never really did come out today at all.

And after all that work yesterday raking and bagging leaves, today it looks like I never touched it. When I got home there were quite a number on the ground, but by late afternoon it was completely covered. Ugh. Pretty sure they won’t get done for a few weeks, now. They look sort of quaint out there so if the neighbors don’t mind I guess I can manage.

I had to stop at the bank on the way to Greensburg, and their fall decorations were really nice! And they also solved my issue…

I have been looking for an inexpensive button-down shirt with no collar to wear on Thursday – found one, very unexpectedly, at Burlington! They have some really good prices in that store but I seldom think about going there!

I managed to tuck myself away in my downstairs family room to avoid Trick or Treat. I usually pick one thing to spend candy money on: Trunk or Treat, or Trick or Treat. So I shut up the house, locked the doors, and turned off the lights upstairs. Then I finished laundry, did the ironing, ran the sweeper, went through the mail, checked emails, looked at a magazine, and paid a few bills – plus baked at meatloaf and had a slice!

I also took down the Halloween decorations (not the fall ones) and then added my Thanksgiving things. So that’s done, too.

October 31 – Do you have a special Halloween memory? “We used to go out & throw corn at the windows of the neighbors. It was always chilly weather & we would run from farm house to farm house. It was fun to think we frightened these ‘old folks’.”

Calendar inspiration – courtesy of Peanuts

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TOMORROW November 1st is:

• Autistics Speaking Day
• National Authors’ Day
• National Biologic Coordinators Day
• National Brush Day
• National Calzone Day
• National Cinnamon Day
• National  Cook for Your Pets Day
• National Deep Fried Clams Day
• National Family Literacy Day
• National Vinegar Day

Author’s day! Oh, yea! I’ll just celebrate that, and try to get some extra writing done. That sounds like a great way to spend a Tuesday! God bless…

Todd’s message was very direct this morning. We’re still studying the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:27-30). He presents things in such a way that you just have to take them to heart. And I love the little stickie notes on the rest room doors!

I stopped at Panera Bread after church and bought 4 bagels – had one for lunch (Cinnamon Crunch – yum). Also got a new bar of scented soap at Barbara Ann’s. My black slippers were defunct, so I bought new ones – just inexpensive ONE SIZE ones. They are warm with little rubber dots on the bottom to prevent slipping.

After lunch I bundled up, gathered my equipment, and finally tackled the front yard. All the leaves (that were down) are now raked and bagged. Then I cut the grass. Should be the last time! Made a small slider (burger) for supper. Once I post this I will hopefully listen to one of Greg’s sermons. I’m behind a week!

The answer to the puzzle yesterday as to what my ‘favorite artifact’ is: It’s a curling iron, but not for your hair. It’s made to freshen and fluff the ruffles on a man’s shirt that went under his waist coat for formal wear! Love it!

October 30 -What did people do at Halloween? “WHOLE families dressed up in old clothes & went from neighbors to neighbors. Each family would arrange to go on a different night so we could be home to try and guess who each person was. Our mother made popcorn balls to give as a treat.”

Calendar inspiration – Find something positive in whatever mood this day brings you.

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TOMORROW October 31st is:

• Girl Scout Founder’s Day
• Halloween
• National Caramel Apple Day
• National Doorbell Day
• National Knock-Knock Jokes Day
• National Magic Day

Have a spooky day tomorrow – be safe, be happy, and God bless!

When I was laying in bed this morning contemplating getting out of it I noticed that the ceiling fan was very dusty around the edges. I didn’t have time to clean it at that moment, especially since if that one was dirty, possibly the two in the kitchen and the one in the hallway were too. So when I got home this afternoon I got the step stool, filled a bucket with hot water and Top Job, and set about cleaning all the fan blades. All done!

We had to be at Hanna’s Town by 10:30am. That still gave me time to walk around and take pictures. I started my first shift with a ‘shadow’, a new volunteer, Mary Ann, and we were upstairs in the tavern. We were very busy until almost 2pm, then we went to the second shift. I was in the Lefevre house with the coffin and the tombstone, handing out candy!

I wish I would have had a break in my day – Louise was doing candle dipping and I would have loved to make one. It takes a long time and a lot of drips to get it perfect!

Proctor’s militia was there and put on demonstrations, and a local farmer gave hay rides.

The Klingensmith House was festive…

There were toys and games, and Michael who helped with the Tea last week was a helper again today.

I like taking pictures through the older window panes.

Here are pictures I took of the site today. The sun was shining and bright, and we had a lot of people come through. All the kids – and even some adults – were dressed in costume. Still a few events left in 2022 so check out the web site and come out and join us!

October 29 – Do you have a good ghost or haunted house story to relate? “Our Grandmam Eakman said the house she lived in when she was very young & married had a woman that would appear & then disappear when she spoke to her. Those that lived in the house before she did also saw the same woman but in different clothes.

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TOMORROW October 30th is:

• National Candy Corn Day
• National Publicist Day
• National Speak Up for Service Day

I am not a fan of candy corn. Publishing is great! Hoping to have a quiet day tomorrow…. God bless!

It was a good day to take my time getting up this morning. I read Gwen’s daily devotion, my five chapters in Psalms and one in Proverbs, a chapter in Liz’s book for review (second read through!), checked the weather, and scrolled through facebook. Next was Diane’s daily song (theme is Halloween this week!), then shower and oats for breakfast. I checked my emails, and it’s always a little disconcerting to see the subject line on an incoming email as “HELP!”. Actually, Kathy just needed to borrow a movie and a CD, so that was an easy request!

The sun was shining, and again the leaves looked golden and glowing. I really wanted to get out there and rake them, but it was colder than it looked and the wind felt cutting. I’m going to avoid playing in wet leaves and cutting wind for the next week, I think! Instead I am posting the Word Garden and snacking on a few bites of Ritz crackers!

I cleaned the house and alternately read chapters of Liz’s book for the rest of the day. I did find a stow-a-way under the end table. Looks like Chase or Logan will be missing a piece of their electronic puzzle! Kelly can take it back to them next week since she’ll be up here to stay with me for a few days.

My cousin Mark just stopped to take inventory of my ‘squishy’ deck boards. He is going to replace them for me so that in the spring they can be painted to match the new deck color. So wonderful to have people willing to share their time and help out. And that, my friends, was my exciting day! Laundry, cleaning, book reviews, and a walk up to the empty mailbox was it. Maybe not exciting, but definitely comforting!

October 28 – Did you ever tell ghost stories? “Yes. We loved to tell stories that would scare ourselves as well as others.” The cousins would all love it when Grama Crooks would tell us ghost stories – about the footsteps in the attic and the lady in the blue berry patch…

Calendar inspiration – Take a leisurely walk through the neighborhood – and see the delightful things along the way!

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Random photo – practicing for Boston!

TOMORROW October 29th is:

• National Cat Day
• National Hermit Day
• National Oatmeal Day
• World Stroke Day
• National Trick or Treat Day

There you go, Jen! National CAT day! Feed them oatmeal then take them trick or treating… Tomorrow I will be at Hanna’s Town’s Fall Family Fun Day from 11am until 4pm. Stop out – so much to do! God bless…

About mid-morning the sun broke through the clouds. Kelly & I were sitting upstairs in the living room (boys were still sleeping!) and it was like the maples in the front yard suddenly turned golden yellow and were glowing! I should have taken a picture then, but I didn’t manage the picture until I got home from work. Not sure when I am going to get back out to work on the leaves so I’ll just enjoy the fact that the trees and yard both look beautiful!

After Kelly and the boys left I had to go to work. Since I didn’t go in on Tuesday there was a nice amount at both stores, and I also had to stop and help Mike P with something. Then I picked up my costume from Chrissy since I will probably need it on Saturday at Hanna’s Town. Nate’s neighbor bought those little ‘shadow’ characters and the two little deer look so cute in the yard!

Chrissy’s art class went to the Museum of Art in Greensburg today and she sent me some photos. She really loves her art and photography! So let the credit go to the artists for the first two pictures (whoever they are) and I’m not sure who snapped the picture of Chrissy in the shopping cart – it was in the Art Ally…

I’ve been trying to think of what I can have here in the house that will be easy for Kelly to make when she’s here next week. We came up with a nice list so I’ll be ready to host her when she comes up Wednesday night. So now I’m home and cold and tired – here’s to comfy Snoopy PJ’s!

October 27 – Tell a story about a time when you dressed up in a costume. “When we had a party for Halloween I dressed up like a Fortune Teller and we told the ‘guests’ their fortune. it was a fun evening & even the older folks got into the fun of the evening.”

Calendar Inspiration – Everyone working hard would appreciate a little help – it counts twice as much!

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TOMORROW October 28th is:

• National Chocolate Day
• National Internal Medicine Day
• National First Responders Day
• National Pharmacy Buyer Day
• National Breadstick Day
• National Frankenstein Friday 

Looks like Frankenstein eats breadsticks! I plan to celebrate CHOCOLATE! And all fun aside, First Responders deserve their own day, every day – They do what we can’t do. Blessings and safety to them all. God bless…

Just as I was getting out of bed I heard the rain. It stuck around most of the day with only a few cloudy interludes. And WAY more leaves on the driveway and in the yard. But the day started with a left-over event from yesterday.

Update on the Pinky Winky – I CAN trim it – in the spring! 🙂

Kelly & I noticed that the right front tire on the Buick was considerably low. I drove down to work and they put air in it but said to watch it. They found a screw stuck in the tread. Well, we watched it get lower! By the time we got home it only had about 18 lb of air as opposed to 32! I left the car outside as we could not get to the tire if it was parked in the garage. This morning when I checked the tire it was completely flat!

I had promised Claudia I would deliver the freshly ironed linens to her at Hanna’s Town this morning, so we did that in Kelly’s car. While we were gone, Ken and Rege came up and got the car and had the tire fixed. Now it’s sitting happily back in the garage with the appropriate amount of air and all is well! I love those guys!

It was wonderful to have Nate, Jen, Chrissy, Autmn and Xavier here tonight for Pizza with Kelly, Chase, Logan and I. We had a lot of laughs and some necessary discussions – I love these guys and the love and support they have for me, and for each other. So glad to spend the evening with them.

Just a little head’s up – I have to have a gland removed from my neck next week. I’ll keep everyone informed as we go along. God’s got this!

October 26 – Share a memory about being very scared. “I was to go bring the cows in to be milked in the outside cow lot. One of the cows had just had a calf & was way back in the woods. I got mixed up & went the wrong direction from where I needed to be. I followed a ‘rocky bottom creek’ about a mile. Found a place I was familiar with and was okay to find my way back. The cows were milked when I got there. 🙂 “

Calendar inspiration -The greatest challenges give the greatest rewards.

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TOMORROW October 27th is:

• National American Beer Day
• National Black Cat Day
• National Civics Day
• Navy Day

I would think Halloween would be Black Cat day. I may not celebrate anything specific tomorrow. Have a happy day – God bless…

Before I start, today would have been Bud’s 86th birthday – I still miss him! And he would have DEFINITELY reminded me that it’s two months until Christmas Day! Happy heavenly birthday, Bud!

While I was waiting for Kelly and the boys, I did some outside work. It was such a beautiful fall day, even at 10am! First I cut back the big hydrangea by the steps. Since it was on the hill, I was sitting on a kneeler. I kept sliding off, and at one point I suddenly slid down and threw the clippers – then I couldn’t find them. And I couldn’t finish trimming the bush because I couldn’t find the clippers. Finally I got a second bag and took one handful of stalks out at a time – found the clippers about half way down. They were heavy enough to work their way toward the bottom. I didn’t trim the Pinky-Winky – Gen advised that it was better for the bush not to!

Next I got the blower and the rake, and extra bag, and my garden gloves, and cleaned up the leaves in the front. There are still more on the trees than on the ground. Doesn’t even look like I raked at all!

Kelly has been working on getting me some Hanna’s Town tee shirts, and today she brought me up a red one and a blue one. Also this wonderful little draw-string back-pack! I’m excited – I hope to show Lisa and see if they might be interested in a few for the shop.

After lunch Kelly & I had an errand to run – I ran out of ketchup! She also wanted to stop at Gabe’s, which is where I usually get my batteries (and I was out). She bought 2 really nice fall and winter shirts, and I got my batteries, and SHE talked me into buying a blanket! (Yes, I’m blaming her!) It’s very pretty, and perfect for winter – thick and warm and longer than some.

We went to Walmart for ketchup and for fruit snacks for the boys – and found ‘Christmas Shopping’ shirts! Now we have to pick a day when we can go together.

October 25 – What hobbies or collections did you have as a youth? “I loved pretty handkerchiefs. I still do and have several I have had over 60 years. They are ones I received from friends.” I think Kathy and I both have a few of her hankies…

Calendar inspiration – Change is rarely easy to accept – but remember that every ending is also a new beginning.

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TOMORROW October 26 is:

• National Day of the Deployed
• National Financial Crime Fighter Day
• National Mincemeat Day
• National Mule Day
• National Pumpkin Day
• National Tennessee Day

Let’s celebrate mules! Not sure why… Just — have a super Wednesday. God bless…

My first chore of the day was to get my flu shot – and typical for Dr. Cole’s office their tree was decorated for the season! My arm is a little stiff but otherwise all is well.

Since I was already in Greensburg I worked at that store first, then went to Jeannette. It was about noon when I left there and stopped for groceries. I did laundry, had lunch, went for a walk, then caught up my checkbook. I wanted to get better lights for the hall – and I think they look cute.

Chrissy txt me to see if I had any Halloween lights. Her Art and photo classes are doing a photo booth on Wednesday and she wanted to dress things up a bit. I took her over 2 sets of purple bat lights, one orange jack-o-lantern set, and a purple LED set, all battery operated. Also lent her my witch’s costume so she could look the part. She’s the one taking the photos and she’s very excited. Can’t wait to see the pics!

On my walk I took some pictures in the neighborhood. It was a bright beautiful day and the trees were glowing!

When I got back from taking the lights down to Chrissy, I mixed up scones for the kids tomorrow. After I finish posting this I will find food for supper, then finish the ironing. I spent two hours last night ironing the tablecloths and napkins from the tea! That was quite a task. I’ll take them back over to Claudia on Wednesday for safe-keeping.

Got this picture yesterday from a friend’s friend who lives in Michigan. Amazing colors!

October 24 – If you had a watch, tell about it. “I didn’t have a watch until I was 26 and we sold enough Christmas trees in the front yard so your dad could buy me one. I still have it and wear it to church sometimes.” Actually, now I have the watch, and remembered the story! We take so much for granted.

Calendar inspiration is presented to you today by Woodstock!

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TOMORROW October 25th is:

• National Merri Music Day **
• Chucky, The Notorious Killer Doll Day
• National Greasy Food Day
• Sourest Day

I don’t think I’ll celebrate any of those – maybe I’ll celebrate that Kelly and the boys are coming up for three days! Enjoy your Tuesday. God bless…