Good Monday morning, my friends! Happy November! Yes, October has come and gone for another year, and as much as I like all things Halloween, I am ready to tuck them away for another year. We did have a fun, festive, and low-key Halloween this year. Flynn and I did some homeschooling, and then Madison came over to carve a jack-o-lantern, before they headed out to our little town's Halloween festivities. Steve went along too, so I put on a Halloween movie while I prepared a fun Halloween dinner.
Here are my firstborn and my last, all set to go!
I will be forever thankful for the love all my children share with each other. These two have the very best time together. I remember like it was yesterday, twelve-year-old Madison and her friends having the best surprise baby shower for me when I was pregnant with Flynn. Now, these two talk about movies, makeup, and hair. Thank Heaven, because at my age, I am out of the loop!
We had candy corn pizza, still in the oven here, taco dip, fruit salad, and macaroni and cheese, still on the stove! Madison made delicious cupcakes, too. Then Flynn and I watched one more spooky movie to close out the season. Saturday, I went for a walk, and it was as pretty as always.
We went to Mass on Saturday afternoon, and then Madison hosted us for her First Annual Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead dinner! She decorated with candles and pictures of our loved ones, who we miss so very much. Madison and I both had a moment where we were really missing my momma, so I reminded her that she would love it, and I could see her enjoying it with us!
She made the most delicious sweet potato stew/chili with cornbread. I will get the recipe for you because it is that good! For dessert, in honor of my Mom's Mom, Grandma Mil, she made the best pumpkin pie ever from Gram's recipe.
It was delicious! It brought back memories of Grandma Mil and my Mom making it every Thanksgiving. After dinner, we snuggled on the couch and watched one of my favorite, and highly underrated Disney Pixar films, Coco. This movie is all about the Day of the Dead, family, love, and all the things.
Yesterday, Steve went to watch football with his friend, and Rhett was at work, so Flynn and I had a quiet, cozy day. I packed away Halloween, changed our bed sheets, vacuumed the rug in our bedroom, caught up on laundry, made a meal plan and grocery list, and helped Flynn change out her bedding for winter. Steve called and asked me why I didn't just relax, and I told him that, oddly enough, that was my way of relaxing. Working around my house, doing mundane things, lighting a candle, talking with my Flynn, and watching the evening come a bit sooner are the things that make me happy. Not to say I didn't enjoy a cup of afternoon coffee on the couch as well!
Today begins an ordinary week of homeschooling, making dinner, doing laundry, watching TV, and snuggling in. I couldn't be happier. Have a wonderful week, however you are spending it, my friends. Thanks for visiting!
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Billie Jo
