Why I Oughta...

For Thanksgiving, I put together a pair of evergreen and eucalyptus arrangements for the two hosts (are we still saying "hostess"?) we were visiting that day.  These are arrangement three and four that I've posted on the blog.  Here is #2 .   One of these has Curly Willow while the other one has more Magnolia leaves.  But, they're *mostly* identical to the previous ones.  I found some Viburnum berries, but decided against including them in these.   These are (notably) in a quart mason jar (on the right) and a thrifted glass (on the left).  They are both smaller than some of the ones that I put together last year.  By design.    Here's one that was tall and wide from last year that I gave to my Mom .  And, here's two other larger ones (in thrifted vases) that I gave my sisters last year.  This year's version fit in the car cupholders, for ease of transport. We have a month-or-so until Christmas, so I'll probably see i...

I've posted over the seasons photos and videos of the Sandhill Cranes when I hear them flying overhead.  It appears that Downers Grove (in the Western Suburbs of Chicago) is on their migration path as they seem to come-and-go each Spring and Fall.   I didn't post anything in Fall of 2024 (last year), but in 2023, I wrote that we heard the 'honking' overhead on Thanksgiving Day that year as they flew south .   The flight on Thanksgiving Day repeated itself this year.  Here's a quick video (below) that I took after we came home from the Downers Grove Turkey Trot: Back in 2020, I posted on November 25th showing their migration .  

We made it out to Brother Rice to watch the Trojans of Downers Grove North take on the Crusaders from Brother Rice in Evergreen Park.  It was cold, but just look at the lovely sunset we were greeted with in the first quarter.  The Trojans had a great, successful season - making it all the way to the Final Four.  Pretty remarkable accomplishment and something to build on.  I heard (not sure it is accurate) that DGN played seven (7) playoff teams during the regular season.  If so, it means they earned their way into the playoffs and came together as a team.  Was Brother Rice better on this night?  They were.  But, that doesn't take away the fun we had all season.  The KotBTs and I went to three away games (DGS, Glenbard West playoffs, Brother Rice playoffs) and most of the home games.  It was a good way to continue to keep him excited about the game. Also, if you zoom way-in on the photo above, you'll see that I took it after DGN had taken...

It won't be Thanksgiving around here without a little bit of The Last Waltz from The Band.   My rule of 'how to have a complete Thanksgiving' still stands from 2023 .  It is like the Jimmy Valvano speech (laugh, think, and have your emotions moved to tears), but has four parts to a complete Thanksgiving. 1. Get outside and do something. 2. Eat. 3. Watch some football. 4. Enjoy (at least part of) The Last Waltz from The Band. Earlier this morning, we did the Downers Grove Turkey Trot.  I'll strap on the feedback later today with two meals and catch some Lions and/or Cowboys.  Of course, I've already listened "in thankfulness to The Band and all the fellas..." Take a load off, Fanny. @the_band_official_ Today marks the anniversary of The Band’s set at Woodstock. No frills. Just songs and soul. In the chaos of ‘69, they brought something steady, rooted, and real. #TheBand #Woodstock #ClassicRock #MusicHistory #1969 ♬ original sound - The_Band_Offi...

Last week, I posted about how there were a few Disneyland Roses that were still popping-off outside .  A couple days ago, I decided to cut them off and bring them inside to stick in a vase.  Who doesn't want Disneyland Roses for Thanksgiving, right?  I don't totally understand how (or why?) these are blooming, but I'm happy to take the flowers.  At the same time, I fear that these tender parts won't harden-off before *REAL* winter arrives.  But, in the end...does that really matter?  In the past, I've cut the canes down to under a foot in the Spring and the new growth comes out of those canes.   Here, below, are a couple photos of the Thanksgiving Disneyland Roses.  These are dark pink.  Darker than they are most of the growing season.   Here, below, is a look at some of the posts I've written about my experience with Disneyland Roses via this Google Search widget:

Yesterday, I posted a photo of the first evergreen arrangement that we put together and talked about how it was the first of a bunch that were on their way.  That first one was small and tightly pulled together.  This second one below is a bit more wild.  It has sprays that open up and cast their tips broadly.  This includes blue spruce, thuja, a couple kinds of eucalyptus, some Magnolia, a short-needled fir with tiny (and pretty cute) pinecones and a couple branches of curly willow.  Foraged, mostly.  Eucalyptus is from TJ's.  This one is also in a mason jar for easy transportation - as this one is destined for across town.  Winter arrangement with eucalyptus, boxwood, fir and blue spruce

With the season hitting Thanksgiving this week, it is time to start making some indoor winter arrangements.  I mean...at least it is in our house.  I've done these the past few years with foraged evergreens and some Trader Joe's foliage plants.  Last year, I went *BIG* with branches and such.  I've learned that smaller can be just as impactful.  Also...mason jars fit into cup holders, so they're super easy to transport.   Here, below is the first one.  This has some faux Winterberries along with a variety of evergreens like Thuja, boxwood, Yew and some sort of short-needled tree like fir.  I also stuck a pinecone in there that I picked up on the sidewalk a few houses up the block. Here, below is a Google search preview widget.