A new favorite in my wardrobe. . . . .

Nothing beats cozying up in a cashmere sweater on a
 cool day. . . . . . or a chilly evening.
 Does it?

This is my recently acquired sweater for fall/winter of 2020, and actually

 my birthday gift from Bob.

Above you can see the horseshoe cable design better on the lighter shade, 

below is the same sweater in black which I chose.

It is gorgeous! 

Ticked all the boxes for me, plus I managed to grab it during a sale!

Note: Although described as a 'tunic sweater' I would call it more just a

longer length, but not a tunic which usually comes further down the thighs.

I'm tall and for me this length is perfect.

Luxurious, slightly heavier textured, pure cashmere.

Well constructed and finished.

Roomy but not baggy.
Funnel neck - so much more comfortable than a turn over

 turtleneck - which is often too warm here in the south - and

looks best with my now much shorter hair.

Longer length - can be worn with pants and skirts.

Sleeves also a great length, I often can't find those.

So soft and cozy.

Cabled funnel neck cashmere from Garnet Hill

This is not an ad for Garnet Hill, however I have purchased several sweaters,

both cashmere and alpaca, over the past years from this New Hampshire company.

All have been great. Being a small company, they have always had excellent 

customer service.  

If this sweater goes on sale again, I may just buy another color . . . . . and then

 move somewhere with a cooler climate so I can wear it every day!

Are you buying a new sweater for the winter days ahead?

Next, I'll be searching for a new, perfect for me, robe.

A perfect Christmas gift and certain to be worn a lot this winter

with more time at home.

This may be difficult as I do not like heavy, bulky robes which

make me feel just that - heavy and bulky! I'm already dealing

with a few extra COVID pounds, how about you?

It also has to be the right length, long but not too long so I trip 

on it going up and down the stairs.

Fleece is fun but only if a thin, lightweight version.

Flannel is comfortable but looks somewhat wrinkled after lounging.

Velour can be perfect and comes in gorgeous colors.

I like a shawl collar, deep pockets, substantial tie belt - definitely

 with belt loops - that doesn't end up like a twisted rope, and

 makes me feel like a sack of North Carolina sweet potatoes!

Here's to a new week - let's make it a good one.

This was the week . . . . . . .

Good Morning and good news. . . . . . . the house next door was sold

 and the closing was on Tuesday.

Two months with new owners who at first planned to raze it and build a

 fancy larger home for themselves, then made the decision to sell it on as 

they apparently couldn't fit their 'dream home' on that size lot - thank goodness!

Many people viewed the property offered 'as is', but as major renovations are

needed to bring the house back into shape, wouldn't pay the asking price.

Our new neighbor, Frank, in his early forties, we feel is going to be really

 nice - having chatted with him briefly to date.

Back view of the house next door.

I'm looking forward to  hearing what his plans are for the renovation. 

It may be a while before he moves in but yesterday there were

already people at house with cameras, laptops and clipboards etc. 

perhaps planning interior renovations/changes/updates etc.

The weather is changing. 

Yesterday's fall out from the most recent hurricane to make its final sweep

 across North Carolina, brought some rain and very strong winds. 

Acorns are almost over at last, it's now leaves, leaves, and a million more

 leaves, sailing through the air, piling up along the roadside curbs, and 

covering the garden which means plenty of raking and blowing ahead.

I love my newest mug, one of the many great birthday gifts received from 

granddaughter Jasmin.  Look at that naughty 'exploring' squirrel on the handle.

I also have a new book with a very interesting cover, a birthday gift from

 dear friend Ruth in England who knows what I enjoy reading and always

 picks amazing stories to share. 

This will be the perfect color mug for my coffee while turning the pages.

Autumn inspired breakfasts started this week.

Some days hot oatmeal, today and often, yogurt with toppings such as

 these, dried cranberries, chia seeds, muesli with nuts and oats etc.

Before the weather changed - time for some clean up jobs

 around the garden. . . . 

. . . . . and some perfect days of sunshine and warmth before the leaves started

their change to rust, orange and shades of brown.

Colorful flowers are almost gone other than a few dahlias and re-blooming 

azaleas in the front garden, however the camellias in the back are blooming

 now. . . . . and, as you can see, the newly sown grass is doing well.

Kitchen Corner -

I've been totally overwhelmed for the past week........so many things have needed

 attention, time on the laptop has been really limited. I will continue with the

 travel posts, and hopefully other things, soon. 

Bought a new set of canisters from COSTCO, they are great - literally!  

Flour, Sugar, Tea - plenty of each at hand.

Lovely Anthropologie Birthday gifts from Granddaughter Jasmin - that candle

 smells divine!

Pumpkin and pies. . . . . . . . . . .

This is what's sitting on my coffee table today. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . one of my favorite birthday gifts, this amazing recipe book. 

Again, my granddaughter Jasmin picked something perfect for me.  

Looking through this beautifully styled book this morning I was

 completely in awe. 

If you're not familiar with Linda Lomelino's baking, and her amazing

 photography, be sure to visit her beautiful blog

Call Me Cupcake

Linda has taken self-taught culinary skills, and enhanced her basic,

 high school photography classes, to produce an amazing body of work

 ~ on her blog, and in her gorgeous books ~ from her Swedish kitchen.

I admire these young people who follow their passions and dreams. . . . . . 
and I can't wait to try some of the recipes.

Enjoy another lovely autumn weekend.

Gifts from a 'sweet' heart . . . . . .

Sometimes you get what you want!

Sometimes someone special knows just what you want would like.

I loved this mug - creamy white, free form shape, and a word, 

a perfect word, CALM - it arrived on my birthday and my coffee 

has tasted better ever since, honest! 

Let's face it, one can never have 

too many mugs, for coffee, tea, and always flowers.

But wait, there's more to the story . . . . . . . . 

Not often, but sometimes if you're lucky, that sweet someone also works

where what you would truly love to have is waiting. It's been waiting for a while

and bringing it home was considered several times.

You know how SuzAnna's Antiques has treasures anew each time I 

stop by. Sometimes I have to tell myself 'no' and keep my money tucked away 

for necessities rather than indulgences.

The 'sweet' heart worked at SuzAnna's last Sunday on my birthday. When we picked her up 

at five o'clock to enjoy a birthday supper together (her 18th was on Saturday - look HERE),

she surprised me beyond all expectations with the perfect coffee mug, and the 

beautiful dome, on a walnut base, to round off my collection.

My now complete dome collection. Left - Jasmin's fabulous birthday gift, center - an 

extra tall beauty, and right - the large gorgeous oval.

Just think of the fun I'll have with these at Christmas.
Thank you Jasmin, you've really made me a happy grandma.