Glorious color adorns our driveway with the fall season reaching its peak. The reds and golds are brilliant even in this early dawn view. Fog settles into the valley sometimes, and I love that. This photo was taken two weeks ago, as the colors hit their peaks.
When the sun came up over the east mountain, the driveway was awash in autumn color. But we are in a drought, and this scene didn’t last long as the leaves fell quickly. Some of the trees in our view still have beautiful color.
A couple of days ago, this photo shows the smoke haze hanging in the valley from a wildfire about 12 miles away as the crow flies. The fire is about 50% contained, and they are hoping to get it under control in a couple of weeks. Luckily it is not growing fast, and we have hope for rain next week. Fire is very scary in the mountains.
But a light rain and overcast skies on Friday and Saturday morning helped. I love spending those days in the basement piddling. These are good days for a cup of tomato basil cream soup and a toasted ham sandwich.
I had to hurry last weekend to get the table topper done for the tablescape hop on Tuesday. I did it by fussy cutting more turkeys from the same fabric that used to make the placemats. I put four of them together all facing different directions so everyone would see a turkey right side up.
Next, I added a dark brown border, then a scrappy one made from all the bits left.
I added a final brown border, loaded it on the longarm and quilted it with a golden color Glide thread.
On the backside, I used the fabric I got on shop hop. I like this black background with its colorful words of gratitude. The binding is the feather print that I used on the placemats. It is really a reversible topper, as both sides are nice.
It made a perfect base for the table, helping protect the table and coordinating with the placemats. All ready to set a table and serve delicious food.
Speaking of tasty food, we met friends at a brewery last week where a fabulous food truck comes once a month or so. It is called Cousins, and they serve Maine lobster rolls and other dishes made with lobster. Oh, my, have you ever had a lobster grilled cheese? You have to taste it to believe it, it is sooooo good!! Big chunks of lobster are paired with pepper jack and cheddar cheese, grilled with a hearty bread and butter.
On another night, we had an absolute blast with some of the members of my quilt guild and their husbands / significant guys. I do love sushi, and so do a few of my buddies.
We had such a good time. Now, I know many of you do not care for sushi, even the cooked kind, but you have to admit, the plates are beautiful.
Four of us had sushi, and four had cooked dishes from the menu from hibachi steak to fried oysters. Yes, we were at my favorite place, Champa. Everyone enjoyed their meal, and they started to tease me about taking pictures of food, so I didn’t take photos of all the meals. This was my meal, an Alaska roll in the center with salmon and avocado, and a Blue Ridge Roll on the corners with spicy scallop and scallions topped with crab and tobiko (a type of roe).
The best part of the evening was being with a great group of friends. It took my mind off the highly stressful week I’d had dealing with a family member who had a health problem, and allowed me and My Sweet Babboo to relax. But all is progressing well now, so I look forward to a nice week. I’ve set out all my ceramic turkeys as they make me smile. The biggest one is on the fireplace hearth.
The tiny chipmunks are on the kitchen counter. They are adorable, aren’t they? They are only about 3/8-inch high.
The kitchen counter has a couple of trivet size quilted pieces that anchor the display. My pilgrim figures are here this year, flanking a large pumpkin cookie jar. The wax turkey that I’ve had since I was little greets me in the mornings. On the left, a fall scent candle has a jar wrap we made last month.
On a display space in the den, a mini-quilt is on the display stand, and another small embroidered quilt is on the wall. A pumpkin, a turkey and some candles complete the vignette. The little wool penny rug was a project from a few years ago.
I look forward to a nice week, enjoying this time of year of colorful scenery, good food, and great friends. Our guild meeting is this week, and I am really looking forward to that. I just finished a quilting project that I will share later in the week, and I’ll be stamping some Thanksgiving cards soon too. What are your plans for the week?
Fat Quarter Shop, is having a 75% OFF Sale of phenomenal notions of all kinds. Act fast – this sale ends Sunday, November 12 at midnight CST! Check out Today’s Flash Sale. This month get 20% off the Basic of the Month Twinkle by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics, 30% Off the Notions of the Month Oh Sew Organized by It’s Sew Emma, Patterns of the Month by Stacy Iest Hsu, and see the Precuts of the Week.
From My Carolina Home 
Love that turkey-pumpkin line up, it’s so pretty with the leaf backdrop. Although many have fallen, I still have a lot of leaves on trees – mostly green fading to yellow. I hope to quilt my AJ 23 quilt today. I’ve been busy piecing but fit in some quilting yesterday & it was wonderful.
Love love love your Thanksgiving decorations. The chipmunk figurines are so cute but I can’t figure out what they’re holding – French fries? 😁 I think Thanksgiving gets overlooked in the mad rush toward Christmas. I also am a sushi fan and that lobster grilled cheese looks totally delicious. Hope they contain the rest of the fire soon!
The little chipmunks are holding their part of a broken wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey. I also think Thanksgiving doesn’t get its due, so I talk about it all through November. It is my favorite day of the year!
Oh, duh, I didn’t think about the wishbone!
I so enjoy your presentations of table settings. I’m amazed at the many different things you present to us! Thank you so much!
Beautiful photos! And I love your turkey decorations!
Lovely post this morning with lots to enjoy. Thank you so much! One of the things I love most about the change of seasons is revisiting items put away from last year. And your collections of quilts and accessories is so colorful and well coordinated! I love everything about Thanksgiving, too, with lots of fond memories. This week I will be finishing a prayer shawl for our church ministry and some handmade cards for Meals on Wheels. Lots to do before we visit our kids for TG.
Carole, you are so inspiring. It’s been a long time since I’ve decorated like that for Thanksgiving, which was always my favorite holiday. I appreciate the time and effort you put into making such a beautiful table. As for sushi, I love it. And lobster! Well, coming from New England, we were able to get fresh lobster for not much money. I’m sure that has changed. Have a wonderful day.
Carole, I enjoyed seeing your decor for the season. The lobster grilled cheese sounds amazing! Wishing you a lovely week!
Your Thanksgiving/Autumn decorations are so magnificent. Love each and every picture. I joined a FPP block of the week and am wa-a-a-y behind. Hoping to do quite a bit of catch up this week.
all your decorations are lovely. I’m on the no for sushi it just doesn’t call out to me it does sounds like a fun evening though. Hope your family member is getting better and less stress.
Dealing with a family member’s health issue is so stressful – I am glad you had a fun evening out with your favorite food and friends! Your turkey tabletopper turned out great, and so did the whole tablescape. It was fun visiting the other participants in the blog hop. Your fall scenery is so beautiful! Hope that fire near you is 100% contained soon.
Would love to have material with turkey standing.
Everything looks so festive and pretty. I really like all the wonderful fall decor you have. That lobster sandwich looks fabulous.
In spite of family health issues, it looks like you had plenty to keep you occupied. Love your pilgrims, I believe I told you that last year and I will tell you that every year that I see them. Lol! Besides being pretty, I love eating sushi too. How nice to enjoy it with friends!
Daughter and I will be at a retreat in Black Mt. at end of the month. Think we need to stop for lunch at Champa’s on the way home. Thanks for the recommendation!
Sounds like you’ve been having much fun! Lobster grilled cheese, wow! I love your turkey quilt and your decorations, cute!
Jenna
So many wonderful pictures of the mountains – flat landers (like me in Chicago) really appreciate seeing these photos. The food looks amazing as always!
Thanks
Cousins Lobster truck is from Maine and there is a Cousin Islands right across from me. I love lobster served any way and I love sushi! You had a great outing or two and good time with friends. I am glad all is well on the family front and that things will be calmer this week. Your tablemat is perfect and your fall decorations are gorgeous.
Thank you for sharing your autumn photos. We have, in the south of England had a good autumn, albeit with some very wet days.
I have thoroughly enjoyed walking through woodland especially when the sun is streaming through lighting up the different coloured and shaped leaves.
Just perfect.
I’m a sushi lover and it looked delicious as did everything else along with all your quilted fabulous goodies!
Enjoyed your decorations. I’m glad to hear things are going better with your family, Carole. It is always difficult when health issues take over life.