an unknown author wrote this poem.  i added in the first verse based on what’s going on in the world.

Thanksgiving is a time to
remember those
who are not free in the world
or spend their days being thankful
just to be alive.

Thanksgiving is
a time to reflect on the changes,
to remember that we, too, grow and change
from one season of life to another.

Thanksgiving is
a time of changing seasons, when leaves turn golden
in Autumn’s wake and apples are crisp
in the first chill breezes of fall.

Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
As we see the beauty of Autumn,
let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours…
let us think of our families and friends..
and let us give thanks in our hearts.

we had a much smaller gathering this year than the last time josh and i hosted thanksgiving in 2010.  i was thinking it would be “hum drum” but it turned out to be warm and full of so much energy.  i worked as hard as if we were having our usual 20 plus people !  everything except the cornbread muffins were 100% homemade:  the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole…all made by me (with some help peeling and chopping by josh)!   i’m so thankful that my mother-in-law was there to assist with prepping the bird, making a salad and picking up fruit.  my cousin ellen brought delicious cranberry dressing that i’m thankful is gone because i couldn’t stop eating it!  same for my parents’ yummy apple pie.  i’m thankful for everyone who joined us and helped us realize what we’re really thankful for were them!

some of the yumminess!

kiddos worked hard to help set the table we all sat around.  so thankful for that!

love seeing everyone connecting!

monty’s first thanksgiving! we are all thankful he is in our lives!

it’s supposed to be super hot this weekend.  i don’t really feel like fighting off a zillion people downtown for a taste of anything in that heat!  so for those of you not going to the taste of cincinnati, here are some other fun things to do out and about in the ‘nati:

for dog lovers (and i’m one), you can get your fix at the greater cincinnati memorial day dog show.   ”More than 1,200 dogs representing 140 breeds compete for prizes, ribbons and titles. Dogs shown in 15 different rings. Obedience held each day. Best-in-show crowned at 4 p.m. each day. County fair-style food and beverage vendors.”  i’ve been to the butler county fair and it is a good time especially as an escape from the everyday grind.

for smaller kids, parky’s farm is having pioneer pastimes.   you can “Watch the sheep get sheared, try carding and spinning wool, dance around the maypole, pat baby farm animals and milk a goat. Ride a wagon to the garden and have fun in the playbarn.”  i used to take my kids to parky’s farm all the time when they were little.  time flies!

there’s one month left for you to enjoy the butterfly exhibit at the krohn conservatory.  it’s so much fun to put the nectar on your arm and have the butterflies land on you!  when else does that happen?

we are going to go to the zoo, a movie and the pool (if everything works out…) and then on monday we’re going to be in the blue ash memorial day parade!  we participated last year and had a blast.  please give us a “shout out” if you see us!    i can’t believe summer is here already!  my favorite time of the year for sure!  have a great, safe, fun weekend!

i’m so excited for the big reveal of our bathroom.  you probably remember how it started and then what it looked like after demo and during renovation.  it’s been a month or so since our bath redo was complete.  we’ve really been enjoying the new space.  it’s almost like a new room was added on.  that’s how different it is!

i have to say, our contractor fred wolfe of  fred wolfe renovations was the best. he and his team consisting of greg and buz went OUT of their way to make this the most positive remodel experience.  i’ll be singing their praises forever and can’t wait to tackle another project with them (i hear the outdated kitchen calling!).

so…here is the finished product!  the space is more compartmentalized but feels way bigger yet cozier.  i’ve always wanted my home, especially my bed/bathroom, to feel like a nice hotel.  whenever we go away i enjoy the calming colors and beautiful layouts.  now i’ve got that right in my own house!  we had to go through a lot to get here and i don’t wish a mold problem on anyone but…if it had to happen…at least i got this out of it!  there’s always a silver lining!

counter height cabinets are so much better for me and, of course, my 6 foot 3 inch husband!

the toilet gets its’ own room.

you can’t see but we put in a double head shower.  why not?

so proud of my find…penny tiles for the shower floor and shampoo cut out.

planning to cover the walls with portraits of me and josh. kind of make it “our place”. thought i would start with this one.

the saga continues.  in case you’re not familiar with the situation, you can catch up here.    the amazing mold remediators from icon environmental found that the person who “redid” the bath prior to us moving in did a really sucky job.  they did so many  things wrong that looked fine from the outside but were causing nasty stuff to happen on the inside.  once icon was done ripping out all of the nasty mold (and most of our bathroom with it) it was time to rebuild.  it was like starting from scratch.

we met with fred from fred wolfe renovations, made a plan and hoped for the best.  it’s been a process.  josh and i spent two “date days” shopping for tile, a vanity, countertop, bath fixtures, etc.  needless to say, they weren’t the best or most relaxing “date days” but we got everything done.  whew!  once the decisions were made, fred’s team got to work.  as you’ll see, they pretty much started from scratch and built our new bath from nothing but floor boards and walls.

this used to be our shower.  crazy!

buzz and greg have been amazingly patient and hard working.  i’ve heard horror stories about contractors but i have none to tell.  it’s been a great experience working with them.

next up…the finished job! can’t wait!!!