Home and Country: A Season of Celebrations

We’ve been busy getting things ready around here!

We are headed into a big season of celebrations.

And there is nothing I love more!

I mean, this is the very best time of the year, wherever you are.  Right?

Ok…maybe a few of you are die-hard summer fans, or maybe you prefer spring…But really?  Fall!?…Thanksgiving!?…And then of course the magic of the Christmas–just waiting around the corner…

You cannot NOT love it.

Here in Hawaii, the nights are finally getting cooler.  The crisp mornings are perfect for snuggly (ok, light and thin, but still snuggly,) bathrobes and hot coffee.  I love it all.

Now you might look out my window and simply see “Hawaii,” but I look out the window and see “Fall.”
The pros surfers are all in town, the Triple Crown of surfing has been going strong…
(We can even hear the big winter waves pounding at Shark’s Cove, two miles down the hill.)

But this year represents some extra special celebrations for our family:

My parents fly in from Seattle today,  and then next weekend my two older brothers and their families all arrive!  We get to gather for the first time (maybe ever!?) with all of the siblings and cousins for a crazy week of fun, and a Thanksgiving feast at my house.

But the real reason for the gathering, will be the celebration of my parents’ Fiftieth Anniversary.   It’s going to be quite a party!

There are a few surprises lined up, but trusting that my parents read my blog, (hi Mom and Dad!) I’ll have to keep quiet for now…Keep up on Insta and FB to follow the family frolicking.

More reasons to celebrate?
Here’s a teeny tiny one:

It is a fact:  Holidays are better with kittens.

We brought this little girl home last week, and she immediately became part of the family.

Our grumpy old cat, Pumpkin, is way less than impressed, but I think he is hissing a little less every day.

Progress.
Who knows–They might just become friends.

I’m not holding my breath.

I went to my Facebook page last week, asking for help naming the little kitty…

Of course Levi had all kinds of ideas–from “Psycho Kitty,” to “Milkshake,” to “Grandpa.”
I have to admit I was really leaning toward Grandpa, because it might be the best name I’ve ever heard for a kitten.

But, the Facebook suggestions were soooo good, and then we had such a hard time narrowing it down.  Finally, someone out there suggested the name Coconut (“Coco” for short, obviously,) and I think it stuck.
So, it looks like her name is COCONUT.
I suppose I owe someone a prize or something.  

(But I’m pretty sure I’ll be calling her grandpa when no one’s around.)

Finally…It’s been a while since I’ve talked about what we’re growing around here.
And home-grown food is absolutely something to celebrate.

We’ve had a lot of wonderful fruit this fall.  Pears, papayas, and pomelo (which are like giant grapefruit) for starters.
But this has been an especially huge season for Bananas, Starfruit, and Avocados:

Lots to celebrate.

I hope that you are finding plenty to celebrate this season as well…

Whether you’re planning to gather with friends or family for Thanksgiving, or you step outside to breathe in the cool air…
(OR maybe you’ve got some little humans who just cannot wait another minute…)

There is always–ALWAYS much to celebrate!

I hope you’ll take time to stop and enjoy it all.

Now!  Time to Announce the  FIVE winners of Stephanie Fast’s book, “She is Mine.”

Your comments over at my last post were heart-warming, and inspiring!  I wanted to pick every single one of you to win…Thank you so much for the awesome stories!!
(Have I told you all how much I love you!?)

Here are the winners, (chosen at random)

Erin R.
Valerie Harris
Adrienne
ClarLyn Moris
Heidi Boyle

Winners:  Please use the contact form on my top menu bar to send me your mailing address, and Stephanie will sign a book and ship it to you! 🙂
Congratulations!

With Aloha,
Monica
PS  Any celebrating going on in your family this month? Why not share in the comments below some things you are thankful for, or who you’ll be gathering with, or anything else you might be celebrating!