Easing Into The Season

Trader Joe's helped me finish the Halloween decorating.
They have wonderful brooms scented with cinnamon.
My front door area is completely covered.
When you walk to the front door you see pumpkins,
the brooms parked, and the scent of cinnamon.
It's really nice!

I like the succulents at Joe's.
This one is perfect for the Day of the Dead.

Around the neighborhood,
my favorite dragon is back!

I met this fisherman on a morning walk.
Very clever!

Finally!
Fall arrived.
We don't seem to ease into any season down here.
We went from 90 degrees one day to 55 the next.
That meant it is chili time!
My Halloween mug from Fiesta is the perfect size for chili.
You can find my recipe (easy) here.
YUM!

The baby afghan is finished.
I found this wonderful Patchwork Animal pattern book from Annie's Attic.
Great stash busters!
I decided to make the Teddy Bear first.
Every child should have a Teddy Bear.

Here he is all finished.

Now I'm trying to decide which animal to crochet next!
Maybe the puppy?!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Keep In Touch

Little Things Thursday

Let The Sunflowers Shine!

I love sunflowers.

These are from TJs.

I bought 5 stems of each kind.

For me,
the appearance of sunflowers at the market means
fall can't be far behind.

Breakfast at Eclair Paris French Bistro.
It's so handy -- right across the street.
I'll never starve! 
I try to visit at least once a week.
The road construction has made things difficult for the Bistro.
I want to keep them in business!

I take a book with me every time I go --
unless I'm meeting with someone.

Crazy Rich Asians is a wild ride.
Entertaining.
I enjoyed it and, believe it or not, 
it reminded me of some folks that have been in my life!
I ordered the next two in the series.
I have to find out what happens with Rachel and Nick.
I may have to see the movie!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Keep In Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday

Little Things Thursdays

You Are Never Too Old to Blow Bubbles

I've been a little grumpy.


First, Trader Joe's discontinued their Wasabi Mayo.
I love TJs Wasabi Mayo.
Apparently, I may have been the only one who did.
But if that is the case, why did they carry it for the last four years?
Thankfully, I have an unopened jar in the pantry.

The weather hasn't helped.

UGHUST has arrived in all her hot and humid glory.

In addition to sunscreen, one needs something to keep themselves cool.

Fruit bars help.

The creamy coconut is delicious.

Hurricane Harvey doesn't help.

Since it is too hot to be outside,

I took the opportunity to finish a shawl.

This was a Marley Bird KAL.

The pattern called for chunky Red Heart yarn.

I don't "do" chunky ... I'm too short.

I look swamped by "chunky"!

I made the shawl in Red Heart Soft and repeated a couple of sections.

Perfect! 

Dreaming about cooler weather!

It was hard to be grumpy when the kitties Kit Nip Box arrived.

They always enjoy new toys -- at least for a couple of days!

My Texas Market Box arrived at about the same time.

I really enjoy this box.

Each box includes the best small-batch,

artisan goods from farmers' markets and local Texas businesses.

The Texas Market folks make monetary donations to the Houston Food Bank.

Double win!

There is a theme for each month and this one was Gulf Coast Summer.

Garlicky Greengo Sauce, Gulf Coast Fish Fry, Sea Salt Soap Bar,

Island Seasoned Sea Salt and Organic Watermelon Lime Tea.

Nothing can chase the grumps away faster than a new mug and tea!

The Watermelon Lime Organic Green Tea came in the box.

I'm going to try it next -- iced. 

The mug is from Susan Branch.

The Blue Bird is one of her new designs.

Do you have the grumps?

Remember...

You are never too old to blow bubbles!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday 

Home Sweet Home

Amaze Me Monday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

There Is No Doubt That Summer Is Here

It is hot.

And it is humid.

Feels like temps (in the shade) well over 100.
There is no doubt that summer is here

and I'm already tired of it!

*

I'm still celebrating my May birthday.

This time with the Mother of my god-children 

and one of my sisters-by-choice.

We went to one of our favorite spots:

Morningside Thai.

I had garlic eggplant and she had basil-eggplant.
We were both smiling and "yumming".

*

Not only did we have a lovely lunch,
I received a lovely gift, too ...
tea pot and matching mug
by Emma Bridgewater.

I love Emma Bridgewater.
The pattern is called Wallflower and is described as a
Cheerful, purple and green floral pattern that was inspired by
Emma and Matthew's love of a flower bed that overflows with wallflowers every May 
... perfect for an "Emma lover" with a May birthday!

*

I also received a surprise in the post.
When the box arrived I wondered what I had ordered that I'd forgotten!?
No, it was a surprise from a dear friend who knows I have a thing for owls.

Aren't they great?!
I'm lucky -- good friends and more great mugs for tea drinking!

I made an early morning run to Trader Joe's
(before it got too hot for man or beast).

In addition to food, I came home with flowers ...
peonies and tulips.

So pretty!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Mosaic Monday

Amaze Me Monday

SaveSave

Nothing Like Being Done!

My Spice of Life Afghan is all done.
There are over 6000 members in the Face Book group.
Some are just starting their afghan.
Everyone in the group has been so supporting of the new crocheters.
Even us "old-timers" learned a few new helpful hints.

I had a great time using my stash yarn.

(Still have plenty of stash left.)

I tried to follow the suggested Stylecraft yarn colors.

When I ran out of one color I changed to another.

(Dusty rose went from rose, to light purple, to pink.)

The edging is supposed to be green, but I didn't have any left.

I had plenty of light pink (not my favorite color) left

and so the edge is pink.

Not bad! 

The girls, Cassie and Mina, have given their seal of approval to this afghan.

Good thing.

Our first cool weather has arrived and the afghan and the kitties

will feel good on my toes! 

An afghan -- makes home even more comfy.

**

I think I'm finished with my cowls.
I have all the upcoming birthdays and the holidays covered.
I hope! 
This is the latest color way that I used.
This is a Red Heart pattern called Papillon.

This one is a little smaller in width than the others I made.
I was determined to use up the yarn and not add to the stash!
This cowl is mine. 

***

I made a dash to Trader Joe's over the weekend.
When I get home I always wonder why I don't shop there more often.
Great produce and today they had Teddy's (the oldest kitty) tuna.
They don't always have it in stock.
Much easier to give him his heart meds when there is tuna in the house! 

The other thing they had was 
Lemon, Ginger, Echinacea juice.
Oh, my.
Warmed on these cooler days -- divine!
Almost better than hot chocolate! 

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Sandi for No Place Like Home.

This and That

It is pumpkin time at Trader Joe's. 

You name it they have it.

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

Organic Pumpkin Toaster Pastries

Pumpkin Bagels

*Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Granola

*Pumpkin Yogurt

Pecan Pumpkin Instant Oatmeal

Pumpkin Cranberry Scone Mix

Pumpkin Spice Rooibos Tea

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix

*Pumpkin Bar Baking Mix 

*Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pumpkin Panettone

Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies

and on and on.

* These are the "pumpkins" I've tried and I think are very good.

I went in to get the pumpkin yogurt and cream cheese.

I'll enjoy them while I can!

**

I have a new flag for the balcony.
I change them up with each holiday or when I get the urge!

He makes me smile.

***

This is latest look at the afghan.
I've added the tulip, waves and puff rows.




I am trying to follow their suggested colors by using my stash yarn.
I'm delighted to see my stash dwindling.
The more it dwindles ... the more yarn may be in my future!

Mina has to give her seal of approval.
I think each kitty would like an afghan of their own.

****

While I wait for the next section of the afghan to be posted,
I'm working on more cowls for gifts for the coming holidays.
There are a number of birthdays to think about, too.
This is the Papillon Cowl and it does resemble a butterfly.
Fun!





Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining Mosaic Monday 



and Hookin' On Hump Day.
 

Pumpkin Crazy

The world is going pumpkin crazy.

I went to Trader Joe's this morning and the pumpkins have taken over.

There's Pumpkin Spice Coffee

Pumpkin Bread Mix

Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix

Pumpkin Ice Cream

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Pumpkin Yogurt

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Pumpkin Cream Cheese to go on the

Pumpkin Bagels

Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Spice Chai

Kennebunkport Brewing Co. Pumpkin Ale

Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Butter 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Macarons

Pumpkin Cheesecake

and that's just a few of the pumpkin "things".

I found a succulent in a pumpkin ceramic pot that came home with me.

Must be why Pumpkin is the "Pumpking" this time of year!

Then there are the pumpkins on my block.

A big pumpkin and a pumpkin Pooh!

I did find a skeleton among the pumpkins.

It's Pumpkin Crazy time!

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Happy Pumpkin Time!

My World: Trader Joe's

Finally.

Trader Joe's opened stores in Houston.

So, what's so important about this Trader Joe's?
It may be the only Trader Joe's  located in an old movie theater!

The old Alabama Theater building was originally
constructed in the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles as a suburban theater.
The 739 seat theater opened on November 2, 1939 screening Man About Town starring Jack Benny.

The theater was closed in 1983 and was renovated as a retail bookstore.

After the bookstore closed, the building remained empty for several years.

Trader Joe's maintained some of the art deco features.
Take offs of movie posters are painted on the walls.

Singing in the Grain

The Wizard of O's

All Roads Lead to Trader Joe's 

Houston, Problem Resolved

Trader Joe's Opening Celebration

The Best Little Storehouse in Texas

I spent more time looking at the posters on the walls than I did the food in the store.

I did come home with a small orchid.

When the crowds have thinned out, I'll go back and take more shots of the posters I missed

and do some shopping! 

I think Trader Joe's did a fun job of maintaining some of the movie history of the building. 

Thank you to Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday

and to the wonderful hosts of Our World.

Wishing you well and much joy!