Tradition and Family

It was November ~ the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. ~ LM Montgomery - Anne of Green Gables

It's November and we had a wicked storm on the weekend with hurricane force winds. The trees are bare and the leaves that were piling up in everyone's yard are no longer in sight as they too have all blown away. There are still some needles on the larches in our back yard and soon they will be gone. Fall has been very short this year. November is usually a dreary month but at least the sun is shining today.

On Monday Hubby and I got the painting done on one wall in the living room. He did the majority of it because I'm not able to any longer but I did do above the baseboard. I'm sore as a boil but at least it's done. It is a big change but change is good. This is just a sneak peek.

Tomorrow we will re-hang the mirror and get things back into place. Now we are pondering whether we should do another wall.

I have been in the kitchen all morning making my paternal grandmother's dark fruit cake. 

The cake is in the oven now and the house smells so good! It is my tradition to make both my dark and sultana fruit cakes every year. I always remember my grandmothers when I'm baking their cakes and I can almost sense them smiling while I bake. Both are heirloom recipes and I have no idea how old my grandmother's dark fruitcake recipe is. It could have been her mother's. Anyway it feels good to carry on a tradition.

I used to make fifteen kinds of sweets for the Holidays when my children were growing up. Of course, we had a lot of company back then. I won't be baking nearly as much this year but I like tradition and I will be happy to bake some favourite treats for my family.

Tradition gives us a sense of solidarity and roots, a knowing there are some things one can count on. ~ Gloria Gaither

Tea is on the table. Freshly dried hydrangeas from a friend, lemon tarts, and a pot of tea sit nearby. And no, I won't eat all those tarts. I just think the plate looks prettier with three on it. ;-)

I haven't used this Gracie cup and saucer for a while because I had it packed away. I think I'll leave it out because I like the mug-style cup. It's very comfortable to hold.

Tea is to the body as music is to the soul. ~ Earlene Grey

These tarts are so good made with lemon pie filling in them.

Yesterday was incredibly busy and I have to admit, it's lovely to sit and enjoy a cup or two amidst all this busyness.

When we sip tea, we are on our way to serenity. ~ Alexandra Stoddard

Our grandson played football on the weekend in that storm. Seems football gets played no matter the weather. You can tell he is drenched by his hair in the photo. It was a championship game and he won a trophy for best defence 2018. We are so proud of him! He is thirteen and really sprouting up. I expect he will be six feet by next summer. 

Our middle son celebrated his birthday yesterday. Wish we had been there to help him eat his cake! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Now and then I like a black and white photo, don't you? 

Next week, the decorating for Christmas will begin. I have a lot to do this year with family coming home for the Holidays. I'm rather pumped about that!

So how's your week going? I thought this little quote was a cute one to end my post with.

When you can't find the sunshine
Be the sunshine! ~ unknown

I am joining the following party~

Home Sweet Home

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi