Thursday, September 3, 2020

AS FALL APPROACHES...

Sharing more old photos from a previous Fall, I had dinner guests so I thought it would be nice to get an Autumn flower arrangement.  It came from our local supermarket.  


















It has been a very nice week so far and I hope you are having a good one too.  We had a family member in town recently who was passing through.  We met at a restaurant and it was so good to get together after several months.  The restaurant was decided upon because of its close proximity to the freeway. 

We have been passing the building for years.  It is out in the countryside and used to be a huge old barn, now turned into a restaurant.  Nearby silo's have been revamped as a brewing company.   

We sat outside.  There were only two other customers who chose to sit as far away as they could, around a corner and out of sight. I really appreciated that, and we did not hear their conversation.  The staff wore masks, as we did except when we were eating of course, and we social distanced.  Those staff were super friendly and had easy going natures.  Even those who weren't taking care of us, we could see the smiles behind those masks as they walked by and said hello.  Definitely a place we will be going back to some time when things settle down again.  

We had our temperature taken when we entered the building (to get to our seating outside on a large, second floor balcony, and I didn't notice too many people inside).  As it was pointed towards our forehead, the thermometer reminded me of a radar gun.  

We have been sticking close to home.  Retirement has made that easier I have to admit.  As we drove there and back we didn't see too many people out walking, and those who were wore masks.

This is the new norm I suppose but I hope we will eventually get to the point where we can meet up with family and friends and give each other a big hug.  That all being said we had a great get together and it was lovely catching up.

We also had another visit from our son and daughter-in-law a few days later. They had been away.  Not for me to go into any details why but they drove 1200 miles in two days to get back home.   As they had been around a lot of people they also wore masks and we sat outside on the deck about ten feet apart.  They are two very loving and thoughtful young people.  They stayed for a couple of hours and thankfully the weather cooperated.  It has been raining ever since.

I constantly think of you all out there with everything going on, not for just the pandemic but so much else also, here and in every part of the world it seems.  I send you a big virtual hug and hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.





39 comments:

  1. This eating place sounds wonderful! I'm glad you found a place you can go without fear. The flowers are gorgeous, and do not look like grocery store flowers. I really like the purple cabbages, that is something you don't really see in arrangements. Is the vase yours? I really like it.

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    1. Hi Ginny, thank you! The vase is mine now. It came with the arrangement :)

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  2. That arrangement is spectacular.
    And a big hooray for being able to meet up with people again - even socially distanced.

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  3. The flowers are lovely and nice to see in a vase.
    Good to catch up with friends or family to have a meal.
    We as a family are going out this Sunday as it's Father's Day here for lunch.
    Take care.

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    1. Thank you Margaret, that's wonderful! Enjoy that precious time with your family.

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  4. The flowers and foliage are perfect for a seasonal arrangement. It's good to meet up with family and friends. That can be an effort and harder when loved ones live at a distance. Keeping in contact with others and knowing what is going on in the world is also important. There's so much we can be thankful for in our own corner remembering and praying for those who are having a difficult time. All the best Denise as we journey into September and a new season.

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    1. Hello Linda :) Thank you, and it is very important, I agree. All the best to you too and have a happy September.

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    1. Obrigado e envio um abraço e um desejo de uma boa semana contínua também.

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  6. Piękne kwiaty i mile spotkanie. Miłego dnia :)

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  7. Hello, Denise,

    Your flower arrangement is beautiful. I love the vase too. It was great you were able to meet your friend and see your family. Take care, enjoy your day!

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    1. Hello Eileen, thank you and I wish you the same :)

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  8. A nice arrangement, Denise, and perfect for this time of year, my favorite🍁 It’s nice that you and your friends could meet for dinner out a new place and have a nice get together. And, yes, we also look forward to seeing family again, one day (sigh).

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    1. Thanks Dorothy, I love Fall! I hope you get to see your family soon :)

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  9. It sounds like a perfect outing the Big Barn in the food and the company and the social distancing all at one place which is super we have not eaten in a restaurant in six months. 3 times we called out for pizza and that's it and my birthday is this weekend and Bob's is only three weeks away and we're wondering what we're going to do. It's too hot here to eat outside our index today is 1:10 and last night it was 98 Degrees at 5 and 92 at 7:30 at night and a heat index is 110 degrees that time of night. Thanks for the virtual hug and here it comes back to you

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    1. Thanks Sandra, it has been about five months since we have been out to a restaurant. Happy Birthday to you in advance, and to Bob also. Goodness, you've it is still very hot. We got down to the 40s the other night. I know you have a lot going on so sending another hug here.

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  10. Forgot to say I just love love love are fall flowers are beautiful

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  11. The flowers are beautiful. I am glad you got to meet up with your family. It's been months since I have seem my daughter because she works in a nursing home. I am praying every day for a cure.

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    1. Hi Terri, I'm happy you enjoyed them and thank you :) I'll say a prayer for your daughter too, and for that cure.

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  12. Beautiful arrangement, glad you were able to go to the restaurant.

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  13. Glad you could meet up with loved ones and get caught up. Lovely flowers from the store. I'm looking forward to fall and fall colors. Blessings!

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  14. You chose some great autumn colors.

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  15. Autumn is my favorite season of all, Denise. Your flower arrangement in the pumpkin is so sweet and a happy addition to a dinner party. We haven't eaten out since this pandemic began. I'm glad to hear you had a good experience with that. So nice to hear your son and his wife are responsible young ones. Our daughter and son-in-law visited recently from New England. They were very careful around us and quarantined themselves for 2 weeks when they returned home. These are hard times. I'm glad you are taking good care of yourselves.

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen :) so happy you enjoyed the flowers. This was the first time we ventured out in five months and we will not be going to another restaurant any time soon. They seem very popular in the busy times though and I am glad for them as I know businesses are having a hard time during all this. They are certainly taking all precautions to keep their customers safe. How wonderful that you got to see your daughter and son-in-law. They sound very caring young people also. Yes, we are taking good care of ourselves and keeping in touch with family and friends, making sure they are okay while they are doing the same for us. There are even phone trees in the neighborhood for people who are living on their own. Brilliant idea! Take good care of yourselves also.

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  16. I love the flower arrangements. Such rich colors and variety of textures. I am glad you were able to find a place that was safe to eat and visit with your friend.

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    1. Thanks Yogi, I love the colors of Fall and so good to see people we have not been able to get together with in a while.

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  17. your flower arrangament is great. Take care. Greetings from Europe.

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    1. Thank you Gosia, glad you enjoyed. Greetings from the USA :)

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  18. Those flowers are beautiful.
    Pleased you were able to go to the restaurant.
    We are living in 'new normals' now aren't we.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan :) I appreciate that. As normal as it will be for who knows how long :(

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