Bittersweet...a thanksgiving treat!

There is just something about a simple sprig of the bittersweet vine that says, "It's November in New England and give thanks!"..... before the mad rush of Black Friday and boxes of Christmas decorations get hauled out of the basement!

I just happened to find my own stash of the woody vine full of reddish berries and clusters of yellow buds and Mr Turner told me to "help myself". The biggest hazard with Bittersweet is that it usually wraps itself around other vines...other vines with sharp stickers...ouch!

I think it makes a beautiful, natural decoration around Thanksgiving....even if it does poke everyone in the eye when they come in through the front door.

The Christmas wreath and twinkle lights go up today..... and Auburn plays Alabama tomorrow.....Bittersweet!

Desert Spirit

Last week I was in the Coachella Valley....Palm Springs,California. The contrast of the snow capped mountains and the flat desert valley enhanced with an oasis of tall palm trees and wall to wall golf courses, not to mention days of glorious sunshine, provides a life style like no other! This magnificent life-size bronze statue of horses running across a stream caught my attention. The design is called Desert Spirit by the sculpture David Spellerberg. It is located near the front entry gates of the Saddle Club at Griffin Ranch......a Country Club and world class Equestrian Center conceived by the late entertainer Merv Griffin. Take a closer look.... I think it is just beautiful in the setting!

Ready or Not!

Christmas is coming, the lights are up in Sloane Square, and the windows are dressed in Peter Jones. What's on your wish list?

Perhaps orange custard pastries and a glass of eggnog -topped up!- at The Orange?

The inaugural Motcomb Street Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Thursday, Dec 1 and celebrations continue on Sunday with the annual Belgravia Christmas Sunday event on Elizabeth Street. The Three Wise Men will be there with their camels......stay tuned!

The days are shorter!

But Green Park never looked more beautiful on a rainy November day! That bench is just calling my name.

Red Poppies

On November 11 this year, it will be 93 years since the Armistice of the First World War....."the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month". Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in this country to remember the members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty since World War 1.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red color an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war. On my walk this morning I saw them everywhere......

Oh, Oh! And almost got hit taking pictures! I do love this tradition!