Hello there. 

I'm sure you've noticed my absence as of late. Struggling to muster the strength to even right this post. I've enjoyed the thanksgiving break with family and friends, even if it didn't all work out how we hoped.

My husband and I have had a rough few weeks (with another one to come) with our beloved adopted dog Hank. I'll save that for later though, because it's hard to talk about right now.

Here were a few happy things from my downtime:

• - Seeing my sister, Granny and Aunt, as well as extended family friends for a pre-thanksgiving fajita lunch! (This made for the best thanksgiving yet!)
• - Having my hubby home for a few days to hang out, catch up on t.v. and play lots of games.
• - Getting to see the Dr. Strange movie!
• - Having another (and way more traditional) thanksgiving with Mike's family on actual Turkey Day.
• - Being allowed to bring Hank with us to their house, so we didn't have to spend a lot on a sitter.
• - Surviving my awful PMS cramps during thanksgiving ( I suffer from a medical condition called P.C.O.S. which makes things way worse, but this is for another day)
• - Grateful for a heated gel pack for the trip home the Friday after thanksgiving.
• - Was thrilled at how well Hank did in the car for the almost 3 hour trip each way to and from the in-laws.
• - Happy to not deal with the Black Friday mess (shop online folks!) I actually didn't do any shopping as I felt so miserable and frustrated by the end of the trip.
• - Having good food with my mom and sister when they came by to see our new house before my sister flew back to Florida.
• - Playing tourists and enjoying awesome breakfast tacos before leaving to the airport the next morning.
• - Attempting a lemon bread loaf for T^3 this week and it failed to rise to the occasion. (literally just fell flat) So, sorry for skipping that post!
• - Enjoying the nice lemon aroma that filled the house while baking the failed tea time Tuesday treat.
• - Happy my tea was fine and tasty.
• - Taking photos of Hank and cuddling everyday, until his last.
• - Coloring pages in my animal adult coloring books.

How about You?

What were some things that made you happy? Did you enjoy your holiday season?

Until We Meet Again,

Plum Petite

Things I Love Thursday: Little Surprises

This week had some great little surprises that I'm very grateful for!  And of course trying new treats are always fun, too!  What made you happy this week?  Were you grateful for anything?  See all my little surprises in the list below!

Tea Time Tuesday: Cranberry Orange Scones

Welcome to Tea Time Tuesday!

     This week both Lilian and I suggested scone recipes for our second Tea Time treat.  Hah! That worked out to be a literal statement, as the recipe was from Tea Time Magazine!  Then we each had the same idea on changing the original recipe with its use of raisins to dried cranberries.   Now, since neither one of us are perfect, you'll get to read all about our mishaps and solutions.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, and enjoy reading about our newest T^3 adventure!  Cheers!

Tea Time Tuesday: Pumpkin Loaf

Welcome to Tea Time Tuesday!

     This week we will enjoy the famous taste for fall, pumpkin spice!  Lilian and I agreed on trying a pumpkin bread that closely mimics Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf with our choice of tea.  We each had the same recipe to work with, but tea choice falls to whatever we want or have on hand individually.  So grab your cup of tea and enjoy reading about our newest T^3 adventure!  Cheers!

T.I.L.T.: Fun Events

Yet again, I felt like White Rabbit from the Alice in Wonderland story.  Always having a race with the clock and the next day the week has flown past!  Though some things weren't great this week, I did manage to find some things to enjoy, and some things to look forward to!

TILT: Birthday Baking

It's been an Interesting Week...

     When you don't feel well enough to write about the few things that DID bring some joy during a Pretty Miserable Situation.  ;-)  So as I was laid up in bed, I tried to get some things typed out and still didn't make it to this post for Thursday.  Don't fret though, as any rain cloud can have a silver lining.  Enjoy the day late #TILT post!

Things I Love Thursday: Winery Trail

     Today's post was delayed from mostly my procrastination, but also for taking time out to do something I Love!  This morning I got the chance to take another trip on the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, and it was even more exciting to have it be exactly one year to the day!  It really made my Thursday #TILT if ya know what I'm sayin', LOL!  So sit back, grab a glass of wine, and enjoy my post on Things I Loved this week.

Autumn Goals, better late than never!

Photo & artwork by Lilian A. Brennan

Hello All and Hello Fall!

     Here in Texas it doesn't feel much like Autumn as we have the weather forecast showing 90+ degrees Fahrenheit for at least the next week! (my guess is that's not the last of the heat this season)  Well, just as quickly as the wonderful cold front blew through our area, the time flew by along with it and we're now a decent way through Autumn.  Better late than never, I say, to make my Autumn goals known with my friends, family, blogger buddies and wonderful viewers like yourself! 

Things I Love Thursday: Lightpainting

[[This post will be combining the previous #TILT post with this week's list of things I love Thursday! Hopefully this won't become a regular feature, and I can get a good template made for future posts to take some of the anxiety out of the mix.]]

Great News, Everyone!

My most favorite game of the year, Stardew Valley, has received its first major UPDATE! I can't wait to share it with you if you haven't yet heard about version 1.1 already, but I will save that for another post.  Below is just a small amount of info on the update as well as the game and where to purchase it if you're interested.

My Inspiration for Things I Love Thursday from Petticoat Pedaler

This is the blog post I mentioned last Thursday, September 22nd, that spoke to me and helped me follow through in making my first gratitude list and T.I.L.T. post.  Thanks again +Lilian Brennan!

Things I Love Thursday: Artists & Their Art

     The week seems to have flown by me yet again, as Thursday quickly came full circle and I rushed to get my T.I.L.T. gratitude list typed up.  I have been juggling a lot more this past week and it is catching up to me.  Which made it all the nicer to have a list of happy things to look back upon!

Last years @shineonstpete ... Repost photo from @tesone ...

A photo posted by hoxxoh (@hoxxoh) on Sep 19, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

Things I Love Thursday! - #TILT

     Oh My Goodness!! 

     Look at how long it's been!  I had so much happening with my life and family, then throw in graduation, my wedding, buying our first house and adopting a spastic dog...my dreams of doing a blog got lost in the flurry. 

     Well, I'm back at again, attempting to start much smaller this Autumn season!  The blog will mostly start slow with "Things I Love Thursdays" and "Tea Time Tuesdays" once my friend +Lilian Brennan where we will share our baking trials and tea pairings before branching it out further.

     So, without further ado, lets get to the actual list of Things I Loved (and were grateful for) in this weeks gratitude list: