Steps and Thanksgiving Al Fresco 2011

I finally have a camera.  My husband found one for me, relatively cheap and a better one than before.  How happy is that?!  Anyway, it's been a long time since I posted, especially since I've moved.  I've done a lot to the new house.  (Not enough though, to make it mine completely.)  We are definately on a budget so new carpeting on the steps was not even a possibility.  I HATED the carpeting on the steps.  As a matter of fact, generally I truly dislike carpet anywhere, but especially on steps. 

So, knowing that anything would be better, I decided to take a peek under the carpeting.  I found rough pine treads with even rougher pine risers.  The wood was obviously not intended to be seen, or used for anything but being carpeted over.  But hey, it was wood, real wood, thick wood and I love that.  I thought of Israel where getting wood anything is pretty expensive.  I was going to use that wood and make it look beautiful.  I started pulling, and pulling and pulling. When my husband came out of his office he totally freaked. He used words like "ghetto", "ruined", and some descriptive, choice phrases, all said with a panic stricken, almost angry look on his face.  I explained to him what my vision was and how great it would look and how easy it would be.  That didn't help!  So, I just kept on pulling until it was all gone.  My work began.  Fortunately I have a son-in-law who believes in and trusts my talent and vision for beauty.  He told his father-in-law to trust me. 

I love my new steps.  Was it worth it?  I think so.

I think I'm going to add stenciled numbers on the risers, but still haven't decided.  The treads stained a dark, mission oak, shiney brown.  I do love them.  The interesting thing is that they're much quieter than the ones we had in our home in Kansas City.  My husband said that was because the pine on these steps is much thicker than the oak on the others.  And yes, my husband loves the look.  And yes, he has apologized to me for not trusting me.

Thanksgiving was great this year.  My wonderful brother and his lovely wife came to visit and also my sister, her husband and her two grown children came.  It was the first time we have eaten Thanksgiving Dinner outside.  I wanted it to have a sort of Tuscany feeling.  I used my grandmother's linens, lace and wine glasses, and I think it was beautiful....

That's me with my big brother.  It was great being with him. 

After a wonderful meal of Turkey on the Weber, salmon on the Weber, fresh veggies, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and of course some perfect red wine, we finished off later on at my daughter's house with apple, pumpkin and pecan pie.  Everything in moderation, right????

A fun game of charades the following night made the whole holiday so much fun. My son was a pro at this game.

So, there ya have it.  My Thanksgiving al fresco.  I hope yours was all you wanted it to be.  I'm now decorating for Christmas, so I'll see you soon .  Take care.