Thanksgiving

Quiet, but enjoyable day.

Arose and went to Mass. Upon my arrival home the family was sitting in front of the television, watching the Thanksgiving Day parade in downtown Chicago. In years past Sharon marched on the parade with her Falun Gong pals. Since Laurie and the girls were in town, Sharon decided to skip this year's parade.

Why anybody would choose to watch high school marching bands when breakfast sausages were cooling in the kitchen in beyond my comprehension. Since nobody budged from their perch, I ate alone -- careful to leave something for the rest of the family.

Since Sharon insisted we do as much cooking as was possible prior to the holiday, the day was not in the least bit stressful.

Aunt Laurie and Arianna work today's crossword puzzle . . .

Still, Sharon had to be attentive to the turkey . . .

An early supper. 

Much appreciated because everybody helped in its preparation.

Silliness, games, and a puzzle throughout the remainder of the evening . . .

Prepping

Home for Thanksgiving this year.

Although Linda invited us to her sister-in-law's house, since we never received an invitation from Mike's sister, and since Bruno was not comfortable with being in unfamiliar surroundings, we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving at home.

As luck would have it . . . Laurie and the girls -- Jane and Alana -- are able to drive down from Decorah today.

Since they won't leave Iowa until after school, they won't arrive until after dark. In the mean time, some holiday prepping today . . . 

Er . . . at least some of us . . .

Reading does not count, Arianna . . .

Arianna cooking breakfast . . . crepes . . .

After running errands -- I took the day off today -- the turban squash awaits . . .

Bruno, hard at work dicing giblets for soup and dressing . . .

And finally the dining room table is laid . . .

Arianna's jaunt in the snow and cold

Wintery temperatures have prevailed of late. A bit of early snow too.

We're curious what kind of Winter this is actually going to be.

After school Arianna spent time outside snapping pictures of the garden . . .

. . . and snowflakes . . .

Last to be picked

Who doesn't like Brussels Sprouts?

Overall, this year's crop failed miserably.

But, one plant produced something worth harvesting -- even at this late date.

Seed Storage Sunday

Indoors today.

I'd collected a number of lupine seed pods earlier this Fall in the hopes of sowing next Spring in the swale. Today I plucked the dried pods from the plant stems and stored them away.

Seed pods are ribbed. Each seed rests in a distinct segment of the pod.

Snow Fall

As so frequently occurs . . . snow at or near Sharon's birthday . . . 

Cardinal in the Red Bud tree at the front of the house.

One of the new Winterberry shrubs in all its glory.

Picnic table waiting to be set aside for Winter. It's interesting to note that the snow fell before I've ended the year's gardening tasks. Whereas in years past, Halloween was the date on which I'd call the season "complete", changes in the weather and the amount of work that comes with additional beds have increased the season to Thanksgiving.

Goldfinch . . .

Barberry . . .

Veterans' Day

Arianna's History teacher, Miss Loy, commemorated Veterans' Day with a program at school. Veterans were invited. And Arianna invited both Bruno and his brother, Lester. However, Lester couldn't make it.

The program took place in the gym and included a color guard -- one of whom nearly fainted, due to the warmth and lack of circulating air. Arianna and several other 8th graders read their 'Patriotism' paper. Mr. Bernhard accompanied the kids on piano as they sang You're a Grand Old Flag.

From what I understand it was a nice program. I wish I had been able to attend.

  

Happy Birthday, Sharon

This evening Sharon said that today was one of the best birthday's she's had in recent memory. 

Bright, Autumn day. Sharon and I puttered about early in the day and then we drove to Huntley's Village Inn Family Restaurant, where we met Myra and Lester, for an early supper.

There were few people in the restaurant, so both Lester and Bruno didn't spare the waitress. Jokes -- especially Lester's running commentary about his brother, Nick (the restaurant's owner) -- kept the young lady on her toes.

After supper, we drove back to Myra and Lester's place for cake and coffee.

After a couple hours, we drove home. Sharon unwrapped a few gifts and we watched the Magnificent Seven.

Shadow Day

Arianna got a day off school today -- of sorts. Instead of attending St. Catherine's today, she spent the day at St. Edward's High School, shadowing a couple former St. Catherine students.

Naturally, Arianna was hesitant to participant in the opportunity to spend a day at St. Ed's. When the Registrar at St. Ed's was able to enlist the help of several of the girls with Arianna acted in Little Thespian plays, her mind was set at ease.

Sharon and I dropped her off bright and early. Anna was eager to show Arianna around before classes began. We wished her well and took the opportunity to chat at length with Mrs. Chelowa.

Both Sharon and I are much more comfortable with St. Ed's now that we've attended the open house and had conversations with the school's teachers and administrators. We're agreed, circumstances being what they are, St. Ed's is the best high school for Arianna.

And what did she think of her day?

She was reticent . . . tired . . . but able to admit that high school doesn't appear to be as scary as she envisioned it.

GVB - 8th Grade Recognition Night

Tonight was the last regular season game for the combined 7th/8th grade girls volleyball team.

Three years ago, Arianna was ambivalent about joining the team. She knew she hadn't any experience in the game. But, her friends Peyton J. and Bridget B. played on the team. So, here we are . . . three years later.

Warming up

Warming up

Candy covers Arianna

Arianna prepares to serve

Service . . .

Time out huddle

Ashley and Arianna

The team had a terrible season, finishing in 13th place. Had they won tonight's game, they'd have won 2 games. St. Catherine's doesn't emphasize the degree of competitiveness as some of the other schools in the area. Good sportsmanship, having fun, working together as a team are fundamental to the GVB program.

Recognition night comprises the introduction of each player with her parents, the receipt of a rose, and a photograph. After the game, the kids are treated to cake.

Candy, Bridget, Steven (back)
Arianna, Peyton, Mark (front)

Taylor, Bridget, Mike, Candy, Reno (back)
Adam, Mark, Jack, Peyton, Arianna (middle)
Steven (front)

After the game, watching the kids mess around, I was filled with gratitude. Arianna is joyful with her classmates; she gets along with everybody, and -- I believe -- is well liked. She'll always have good memories of her days at St. Catherine's.