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The cornucopia, also called a horn of plenty, was traditionally made of a goat's horn overflowing with fruits, flowers and grains of the harvest. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity and good fortune. At what time the cornucopia made its way into our country's consciousness as a Thanksgiving holiday symbol is difficult to say. But with its meaning of abundance and good fortune, the horn of plenty is now a symbol of Americans’ thoughts of thankfulness. Cornucopias have become customary fall centerpieces and usually feature a horn-like basket or vessel. Filled with autumn leaves and foliage, flowers, pods and cones, and even fresh fruits, they make a lovely holiday display. Whether referred to as a cornucopia or horn of plenty… the meaning of this ancient symbol still resonates today.

Thanksgiving marks the last big holiday in the fall season. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite holidays because it combines so many of my favorite things – getting together with friends and family to share a savory meal and a daylong celebration centered on the bounty we receive from the earth. To get in the holiday mood, I like to fill my house with lots of beautiful materials from nature. I usually begin by creating a festive fall arrangement, a profusion of flowers in a pumpkin. To create your own display, cut a circle from the top of the pumpkin, scoop out the interior, and insert a plastic liner with saturated floral foam. Using care to cover the raw edge of the opening, arrange stems for a lively tribute to fall.

 Dear readers, I hope you are not offended by the title of my post? Let me explain....my sister-in-law has some good friends who have a family motto 'aren't we lucky buggers!' When they sit down to a lovingly prepared meal they raise their glasses and proclaim how lucky they are. This has always amused me, and greatly appealed to me. I think the family that can be grateful for small mercies and simple pleasures, is a long way towards making the most of life, and surely that is what it is all about? I feel very much the 'lucky bugger', in having just returned from a lovely relaxing week in Corfu. My husband saw the holiday on Trip Advisor. I normally feel the urge to get my oar in, to be quality controller, researcher and general pain in the ass. This time I decided I would trust my man and to take 'whatever' comes and be grateful for it. It paid off big time! This year I was able to relax from day one, which NEVER happens. We all enjoyed the relaxed manner o...

A new rose for me  this year called Blue Moon, isn't she gorgeous? My dear friends, I was quite horrified when I viewed my blog and saw how long it is since I last posted. There are not enough hours in the day for me at the moment. The weather has been absolutely glorious and the garden is looking lovely. We are off for a week's holiday tomorrow, to County Kerry. We will be staying in a cottage on a farm, and the dog and guinea pig are coming too! I am so looking forward to a rest and change of scene. I won't be taking the computer with me, but hope to catch up with you on my return. Hoping you all have a wonderful week, with much love, Linda xx.

In a couple of days we will be winging our way to sunny Portugal for a family holiday. I shall be so glad to turn my back on all this dreadful weather we have been having here, and to soak up a little sunshine and relax and unwind. I am sorry I don't mean to gloat, I am just very excited and ready for it. I was looking up images of Portugal  here , and thought you might like to see some of them. It looks lovely, don't you think? I shall be having a break for a couple of weeks, but really look forward to seeing what you have all been up to when I return. As a contrast to the above photos, this is one I took of my courtyard last week when the heavens opened and pelted out hailstones. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, love Linda x.