A Halloween Whirlwind . . .

  We've had a wonderful whirlwind of Halloween activities going on for the last couple of days that began with the family donating a few hours of our time at Hi Tor, our local animal shelter.  They asked me if I could take some photos again and of course I jumped at the chance.

Megan and Scarecrow Tom.

My honey Jim, son Brendan and daughter Megan.

Beautiful Cocoa.  She's a big mush!!!

Zorro kissing the Scarecrow.

This sweet baby is named Lucky.  He was found on the thruway after being hit by a car when he was just a couple of months old.  He is a sweety pie with the most soulful eyes.  He needs his forever home and a family to love him the way he deserves to be loved.  If my house wasn't at maximum capacity I would take him in a heartbeat.  : (

How do you say no to those beautiful faces??  I'm hoping they all get their forever homes during this season of giving and I know those that don't are still in wonderful hands at the shelter.  The workers and volunteers are a group of amazing people that are there purely for their love of animals.  My kind of people!!!  : )

Next up was a party at one of the churches in our town on Saturday night.  We picked up Megan's friend Gracie and headed over to St. Thomas of Canterbury for games, treats and a screening of  "The Great Pumpkin" which is definitely one of my all time favorites.  I have to admit I do get sad when Charlie Brown gets a rock in his trick or treat bag though.  : (

Yesterday I headed over to Megan's class where I helped the kids put their costumes on and get ready for the annual costume parade.  I can't tell you how happy I am that they still do this.  So many schools are banning celebrations at school and it makes me so sad.  This is what life is all about.  There is so much negative in this world.  We all need something happy and positive to look forward to.  The happy buzz in the school was contagious!!

Megan and her friend Ava getting ready for the parade.

Marching in the parade with her class.

Megan's class after the parade.  These photos are just so classic and timeless to me.  In the blink of an eye, they'll all be teenagers!!! 

Back in the classroom loading up on sugar and popcorn balls!!!

We went trick or treating with friends last night for the first time in our new town. We moved here the week after Halloween last year.  Everyone told us how great it is for kids.  It's actually been voted one of the best trick or treating towns in the country.  See for yourself.  : )  We got home right before 8 o'clock.  It was a long day and Megan was pooped.  So was Megan's mom.  : )  


So now it's November 1st and we all know what that means.  The beginning of the holiday season.  The beginning of hustle and bustle.  I'm going to make some promises to myself . . .

I'm going to keep things simple.  I'm going to take things one day at a time.  I'm not going to have any expectations.  I am going to accept things for how they are today.  I am going to accept that I am right where I'm supposed to be.  I am going to accept the things I cannot change.  I am going to try to stay in the present moment as best as I can and take this season all in.  I want to see things thru the eyes of my daughter who still believes in the magic of Christmas and all that comes with it.  I want to count my blessings each and every day because I have so very much to be grateful for.

 Happy Tuesday to you ~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

I hope you're having a beautiful Sunday!! ~ Wendy

Girls' Night Out . . .

Last night was girls' night out.  Jim was working and the boys were doing their own thing so I took Megan and her adorable little friend Genevieve for a night on the town.  We started with dinner at our favorite pizza parlour in Cornwall.  Prima is one of those little shops that you walk into and it instantly makes you smile.  The way it's decorated with vintage goodness everywhere.  Families at the tables and high school kids at the counter.  It's a pretty small space and fills up quickly.  It was such a beautiful night so we opted to sit outside in their patio area.

Quite a collection of vintage things outside too!!

There was only one other family sitting outside.  They had young children too and didn't mind that the girls ran around and played in between bites of pizza.  There was also a lot of singing and dancing going on.  The guitar player was phenomenal!!!

After dinner I took them to the duck pond.  We were planning on the playground but by the time I got them away from the music it was pretty dark outside.  Instead we opted for cartwheels (them, not me!!) and chatting with the ducks.

I have to say, I am so in love with this town that we live in.  It reminds me of how things used to be when I was growing up.  There are so many little farmhouses and rock walls and people that say good morning to you.  And now that the weather is breaking, there's something going on in town every weekend.  It's not perfect.  In fact, there was a stabbing in town recently.  Thankfully that's not the norm around here.  There's also not as much diversity as I'd like there to be but it's much more diverse than it was a couple of years ago when we first entertained the idea of moving here.  The community that we moved from was amazing in that respect.  All colors.  All religions.  Two moms.  Two dads.  You name it, they had it.  : )

Love these girls!!! 

Jim is off the rest of the weekend so we're gonna try to start getting things together for a big garage sale in the next couple of weeks.  Lots of stuff to go thru!!! LOTS!!!  : )


Many blessings for a happy weekend ~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

Many blessings on this first day of spring here ~ Wendy

Christmas Catch Up . . .

Making . . .

Baking . . .

 Happy faces . . .

 Keeping tradition alive . . .

 A sense of wonder . . .

 A feeling of gratitude for things that could've turned out to be so much worse . . .

 Spending time with cousins before our Christmas feast . . .

Who could ask for anything more?!!?

We had the most wonderful first Christmas in our new home.  The day was filled with love and laughter, family and food.  We are blessed beyond belief and our children know this which fills me to the brim.  Tonight we celebrate with family and friends with an early reservation so we can be home and safely tucked away for the stroke of midnight. 

From the bottom of my heart, I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.  The world is changing and not always for the better.  The friends that I've made in "blog land" brighten my day with their beautiful photos and words and comments that they leave for me.  Although I may never meet you in person, we are truly connected.  : )  xoxo


~ Wendy

Christmas Around the House ~ Inside . . .

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!!!  : )


Wishing you a beautiful day and a peaceful week ahead.  During this very busy time for so many people, make some time for yourself.  Even if it's just five minutes to close your eyes and count your blessings.  xo


~ Wendy