Sometimes Spoo (aka The Muffin Man) insists on sitting in my lap in the morning, even when I have a ton of work to do. I can’t help but humor him sometimes.

Today is one of my favorite days in the holiday season.  I think it’s the anticipation, the planning:  the chocolate pecan pie that’s to be eaten, the turkey to be roasted and savored, conversations that will be had with friends, time spent with family, the glorious consecutive 4 days off.  It’s also a time to reflect because having all these wonderful and cozy things in your life, and the time to celebrate them, is something to be ever so grateful for.

Spoo and the rest of us at The Fabled Needle House wish you a happy holiday indeed!  Your kindness and support always lifts me up and I thank all of you for that.

When I read on Georgia’s blog that she was having an Autumn swap, I immediately went for it.  It’s been quite some time since I participated in a swap so I thought it would be lots of fun!  I wish I had taken photos of the package I had created for my recipient, Heather, (included recipe cards, a recipe, bat confetti I got in France, cookies, and a candle that “smelled” like October) but alas I dropped it off in the mail before I remembered to do so.

Georgia’s friend Chelsea got me in the swap and I was ever so thrilled to receive her package yesterday!  I haven’t had the best week (although certainly not the worst – not to worry!) and it was wonderful to get her generous gift in the mail.* The box contained so many fun and tasty things, including the wee stripe-y pumpkin you see above.  The caramel supply has dwindled, the recipes are saved for when cooler weather returns, the baking cups (below) and decor will be used probably this weekend.

Chelsea even gave me a little booklet of her beautiful autumnal photography!  Instead of trying to take a photo of it, you should check out her blog: Hearts & Scars.  Thank you again, Chelsea, you brightened  up my day!

And…Happy Halloween, everyone!

*I also found out yesterday that one of my dearest friends – and her newborn baby boy! – made it through the delivery,  both happy and healthy.

Last week my husband and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary!  It’s hard to believe that a year ago I was immersed in mini-wedding planning.  To celebrate, we had dinner at the very same place where my husband proposed.  I,  finally, got one of our wedding pictures properly framed.  And I even bought a beloved cookbook to honor the occasion (because paper is the traditional first anniversary gift, right?).

Anyway, I remembered that I was going to post some post-wedding, “non-reception” celebratory photos.  Looking through them, I don’t have very many with actual people; I think I was too busy having a blast to take many photos which often happens!  So, I’m just going to post some of my more craft-related ones.

These pics are from non-reception #1 which took place at our home last October.  Rather, they were taken during preparations before anyone showed up.

Since it was October I wanted a slightly spooky theme but not in a costume-party kind of way (see our party invitations here).  The colors were black, white, silver, pink and orange.  In the photo, above, you can see our pretty bunting crafted with paper doilies, silver glitter card stock letters and black & white striped twine.  The wee cake is pre-wedding topper (silvery glitter initials much like the ones used in the bunting).  Originally I wanted to make a larger 2-tiered cake but became petrified by the thought as I’ve never made one.  But a sweet little cake plus cupcakes galore did the trick.  (By the way, the frosting was pearly and marshmallow-y, while the cake was yellow with chocolate chips.  So good!)

My lovely friend Kara, who came down for the weekend, was very kind and totally game for any party-decorating ideas I threw her way including decorating our high ceilings with paper streamers.

The mantle was decorated with various pumpkins, candles and a fabric-covered accordion-style scrapbook filled with photos from the wedding, backed with craft paper I printed and designed myself.  The plastic cauldron on the coffee table was later filled with candy for the young and young at heart.  (We did have real food, I swear, like cheese and dip and charcuterie, but those things were set out just before people arrived.)

Kara and I spent the previous night making these fun cupcake toppers with Victorian clip art butterflies in October-ish colors.  We (and by we, I mean Kara) put that scalloped paper punch to good use!

Oh, I can almost taste those cupcakes!

My mother-in-law made this beautiful wool rug as a wedding gift.   She let me pick out the shape, size and colors (she even dyed a couple herself).  We didn’t really know what to expect with the grey, yellow and ivory color combination.  Though it seems trendy, I figured these colors would make the rug look more modern while still retaining the old-fashioned feel from a braided rug.  I have to say I was completely thrilled when I open the box!

The photos don’t do it justice, plus you can’t feel how soft it is.  As you can see, even the four-legged member of the household approves!  This photo was taken soon after I unrolled it (you can see the edges are still a little wavy) and Spoo has pretty much claimed it as his own.  Because of this I’ve had to move it from the living room to my office (oh geez that’s a real shame, now i have it all to myself) where I can shut the door when I’m not around.  See, Spoo Kee likes to dig his claws into the wool (as most cats would);  he knows he’s not supposed to.  In fact, while I was on the computer the other day, I heard the faintest of  sounds behind me: *pick* *pick*.  Yes, that was Spoo Kee trying to be ever so quiet while scratching the rug!

Oh, and thank you for the comments on Dress Parade (Yellow, Part 1), I’m glad you love that little yellow dress.  Part 2 is coming up very soon!

Spoo Kee, perhaps like most cats, assumes that everything his humans do, they do for him.  For example, laying out quilt pieces on the ground.  Naturally, Spoo Kee made a beeline for the colorful squares (for my nephew’s little sea-inspired quilt I mentioned before) as soon as he saw them, spread out in front of the big window in the living room.  I don’t know, maybe he’s just telling me what a perfect little picnic quilt this will be.

There’s this other funny thing Spoo Kee does.  (Ok, at least my husband and I think it’s funny.)  Spoo Kee, like most cats, is rather lazy and finds it difficult to leave his basket; there must be good reason.  But he is also – yes, once again, like most cats – very curious.   Sometimes my husband and I will be talking in the hall, between our offices, and I’ll look over and see Spoo Kee peering at us from his basket:

Curious and wondering, and yet not quite ready to leave his nest; he’s just not sure it’s worth the fuss.

Well, maybe it is.  Perhaps the front paws can venture out from the bed.

Sometimes this is as far as he gets.

1. Hunkers down in a new fleece blanket.

2. Cozies up to a computer monitor (while watching colorful bubble screensaver).

3. Nestles in a pile of vintage clothing meant for the wash.

4. Gets toasty under the wee halogen lamp (while ignoring the mess).

I hope wonderful Thanksgivings were had this past weekend!  I seriously think I gained a pound or 2 from the abundance of good food.  We also had our 2nd “non-reception” with my husband’s side of the family – so fun!  I’ll have to do a wedding reception post soon.

We returned from Texas on Monday, woke up Tuesday with very sore throats.  We haven’t been motivated to do much of anything (hence the late post) although I did make an appointment to see the doctor today.

Here is a picture of Spoo Kee being, well, spooky.  He does this thing where he’ll be staring at you from afar, be it from the hallway (as shown here), the dining room or kitchen.  Even when he’s hungry oftentimes he’ll just sit patiently within the path to the kitchen and not make a peep.   Just sit there, proper-like, and stare at you or into space.  What do you think he’s thinking?

Yea, that’s right,  I’m looking at you.  My mom is running around (per usual) getting ready for somethin’…oh yes, Thanksgiving.  Something you humans do here in the U.S.  Not sure what it’s all about though people are generally happy and lazying around – my kind of holiday!  The best part: a huge roast bird.  BIRD. Leftover….bird!   Sheesh, makes me sleepy just thinking about it.

I mean, really, really sleepy.

Dim the lights, will ya?

Wake me up when the turkey’s ready.

*lick*,

spoo k.

Most of my family photos are at my parents’ house, but the last time I was there I took a few home with me, including this one of my Uncle’s baptism back in the 1950s; it’s the only picture I have with Grampa in his Navy uniform.  Isn’t he handsome?  He was a WWII vet along with his older brother.

I love everything about this photo – it’s clarity and inky dark colors, Dad looking down at his hands, apparently too shy to smile for the camera.  My Great Uncle looking confident in his bowtie and jacket.  The priest holding looking at my baby uncle.  I never met my Great Grandma but I like her jacket.  Of course, Grandma is simply adorable in her hat, red lipstick, coat and white gloves.  Those star brooches too!  Both my grandparents have passed on and I really miss them.

Anyway, if you have the day off – enjoy!  Regardless, I hope you all are having a lovely day.