November in Review

I know I say this every month, but can you believe it's December????

November was amazing. There's no other way to put it. There were ups and downs, sure, challenges, of course. But mostly the month zoomed by in a whir of excited contentment (if there is such a thing). 

The main thing was getting settled in the new house...

1) Collecting collections. 2) Storage solutions. 3) Old routines in new places. 4) My idea of decorating. 

...and getting the cats settled. 

1) Bippi. 2) Tom. 3) Pit. 4) Flounder. 

There was plenty of exploring, seeing family, hanging out with friends. There was also some hospital visits and holiday festivities mixed in the month. 

1) Cape May, New Jersey. 2) Good bye 15th Street, Brooklyn. 3) Hello 3rd Ave, Asbury Park, NJ. 4) Sunset Beach Days. 

Even familiar places can seem new. 

1) Fall takes over Greenwood Cemetery. 2), 3), & 4) So many new sunsets. 

A lot of quilting got done, and I'm feeling good about about my goals. I've been working on new things, but moving has helped me unearth all my old UFOs and get some work on those done, too!

1) Lines. 2) Paws of the helper. 3) Pins. 4) And more pins. 

November was a time of work, but it also felt like a suspension of activity. Sort of like a glorious working holiday. Although I hope December will stay as calm and quiet and productive, I get the feeling things might amp up before the year ends!

November in Review

I thought November would be a crazy month. Thanksgiving falling in this month, and other holidays nipping at it's heels, signals the high season at work (certainly when you work in a pie shop). Guests visiting, heading out of state to see family, required cooking, the weather turning very cold indeed, all these things, seem to want November to be hectic and stressful. 

But November was a lovely month. A month to work hard, but with plenty of time to relax, as well. Cold weather made my commute a bit tougher, but made my nights more snuggly. Having guests and being guests was easy as could be. Cooking was a easy pleasure not a chore. Even the most insane holiday at work went off without a hitch (everyone got their pies!). 

Partly bc we had a guest coming this month, I was able to clean and work on the house. Something that I always want to do, but that always seems not to get done (and believe me, it's never done....). I was able to care for and move around the plants to better use the Autumn light. I dream of a time when I can devote time to work on my "green thumb".   

1) Down The Shore, the off season is the best. 2)This xmas cactus knows what time of year it is. 3) Pottering about the house. 4) Rare visit to the city. 

In the beginning of the month, we were able to get away to the beach for a few days. We beachcombed, relaxed, and the weather held out. 

Towards the end of the month a dear friend came to town and there were trips to the city, shopping, and so much food! 

With the colder weather this month, quilting was a priority. Many cats and I spent many hours under cover working on several projects. 

I was able to complete a small finish in November, work on a few in progress projects and start something new that I hope to finish soon. 

Watchers were scarce. Staying away from frosty windows, I'm sure. 

1) So many quilting books to distract me at work... 2) My favorite place, in bed, with cats, quilting. 3) My helpers are very helpful. I don't even need interns. 4) SO many solids!!

Thanksgiving was insane at work, but not as insane as I thought it would be. We already have hopes of ramping it up for next year. 

Thanksgiving at home was slow and easy and wonderful. I made deviled eggs, and roasted a ton of veggies. We headed out to my families house and our house guest drove! I was able to quilt on the drive! Lovely. We ate so many wonderful things that my mom prepared, chatted and laughed, and got home at a reasonable hour. Wonderful. 

Overall, I would say November was near perfect. Not thrilling, but not stressful. It was a time to bundle up and settle down as we prepare for Winter's cold grip. I hope December holds us this close, but doesn't squeeze too hard!

November in review

November can be an up and down month but over all this was a good one. It balanced itself out nicely. This november had some of the coldest days we've seen this year. Bitter and biting. But they were tempered by crisp, bright sun.

Our friends from Tennessee came to visit for almost two weeks. It's always great to be shaken out of my routine. Visitors want to see things, do things!! So we did a lot of new things, new restaurants, new galleries, new landmarks. But I also got to show them all our favorite spots, all the things we like to do. So it didn't get overwhelming. It was wonderful that our friend is a craftsman and seamstress. She showed us some fun projects, how to better use the sewing machine, and nerded out about fabric. 

Then there's Thanksgiving! This year, it went perfectly!! I got to see both sides of my family with little to no fuss. We also got to spend one night Down The Shore.  

Here are some instagram moments from the 11th month. 

1) Lovely windowsill at work. Still time for pumpkins! 2) Now that the weather is cold, I can snuggle up under the quilt I'm working on with Tom. 3) The heron at Green-Wood Cemetery is looking a little chilly. 4) First eggnog of the season in my Grandfather's bird mug.

Mad Cat Quilts Instagram

1) Watcher spotting never goes out of season. 2) Buying fabric at Brooklyn General then having a cocktail and reading a novel at Fort Defiance is a pretty perfect day. 3) We stayed at our friend's lovely beach house on the night of Thanksgiving. 4) Flounder has the right idea about Fall.