Gina, there is slightly more than a nip in the air:-)

Last week, on Thurs. or Fri., we woke up to a light dusting of snow on our lawn. No snow stuck on the roads, thankfully. Yesterday morning, the temperatures were in the teens and our high temperatures were in the low 40's. Most of the leaves have fallen now, though we have a variety of oak trees in our yard that are the last to lose their leaves so they still have some (ugly) brown leaves clinging to their branches. We wait to do our yard clean-up until most of the oak leaves have fallen. Our yard person is scheduled to come this week. At this point, it can't be soon enough, especially since rain and snow are forecast for Turkey Day. We will have a fire going, and, maybe some hot spiced cider in case you show up:-) Both girls will be home so I'm looking forward to having our whole family together, if only briefly.

Now that my girls are older, I do get some help in the kitchen. Carrie is making a very traditional pumpkin pie, and pumpkin bread. Emily will do our green vegetable, though, if you can believe it, I/we haven't decided what it will be. I'm toying with the idea of a Creamy Spinach with Smoked Gouda Gratin, or Broccoli and Cauliflower au Gratin with a seasoned bread crumb topping but DH didn't sound keen on either. He just likes his plain petite peas, which neither of the girls care for. I am the only one who likes green bean casserole so that definitely isn't on the menu. (I make an easy version of green bean casserole when DH is out of town and eat it for 2 nights in a row:-) ) Maybe we'll do one of the casseroles and the peas:-)! I will also make apple pie, cranberry bread, cranberry sauce, maybe creamed curried onions (if I have time), sweet potatoes, either gingered or with marshmallows, mashed potatoes, MIL's cornbread stuffing, gravy and the turkey. Whatever we end up having, we'll have more than enough food and lots of leftovers:-)! Come on up, Gina!! Alternattively, have a very Happy Thanksgiving in sunny, and warm FL!!