It's March and almost Spring! ♥

 

Hello Friends! Happy March! ♥

In 8 days it will officially be spring, and I can feel it coming! After a very long and cold winter, Mother Nature is working her magic and we are starting to thaw out.  Yesterday was in the 60's and sunny!  No, my crocuses have not started sprouting yet, but I'll bet they are right below the surface, just waiting for the right moment to make their grand entrance.  Normally I am the first one to complain about daylight savings and losing that precious hour of sleep (and I'm still not nuts about that part) but I have to admit that having some extra daylight at the end of the day has been nice. Late afternoon yesterday I stepped outside to take a breath of fresh air and check out the bushes (looking for buds!!).  I only had a light sweater on and it wasn't pitch black out.  That's progress!  I want to plant pansies in my flower boxes so badly, but we are still getting frost at night, so I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer.  

My indoor plants however, are ready to party!  I thought this plant was dead and then all of sudden it started sprouting flowers.  I am over the moon about it!  It was a gift from my father-in-law and I promised to take good care of it.  

♥

Last week was a very long week for me which is why I was absent from here.  I was feeling a little under the weather, so I rested and now thankfully I'm feeling better.  I force myself to do that now and it really helps. What I've discovered is pretty much everything can wait.  It's true (you heard it here : ) 

You know what also helps?  Cookie skillets! I made my first one and boy was it good!!  So easy and yummy! I'll link the recipe *here*.  I first had a cookie skillet when I visited my friend BJ in Pennsylvania a few years ago.  Cookie skillets are her daughter Peyton's specialty and BJ's favorite dessert! BJ, this one wasn't as good as Peyton's, but I gave it my best shot! : )

You must have this warm with vanilla ice cream!  OMG the best medicine there is! ♥

 So now here we are, Lent has begun, and everyone is planning for Easter and springtime. It's a nice time of year.  You know what's weird though?  I keep thinking about Christmas. The holidays seemed to go by so fast for me. I mean, more than usual.  Last week I watched a few of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies (that I have saved forever on my DVR) and they brought me such joy!  I want to lock that joy inside me. I'm trying to carry that feeling with me every day.  Somedays are harder than others, but I'm trying.  Just like Elvis sings " Why can't everyday be like Christmas...what a wonderful world it would be." 

Anyway, forward we march...(I know, I'm all over the place!) 

On Sunday we attended my niece's baptism.  It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun.  As usual I took more pictures of food than actual people!  To be transparent, I leave those photos to my sister-in-law Val, whose so much better at it!  She takes all the family pics and then sends them out in a group text. 

This photography is more my speed...♥

Look at Sara's table.  So pretty and springy!  She had all her Easter decor up and it was inspiring! 

After Church we had a catered lunch back at their house and it was delicious! ♥

Every detail was so lovely! ♥

This weekend I'm going to make an Irish bread and plan our St. Patrick's Day menu.  I usually do a boiled dinner and Rob will get the Guiness!  The house will stink of cabbage for a day, but hey, that's what traditions are made of!  My husband absolutely loves it which goes to show you, everyone is Irish (even Italians!) on St. Patrick's day ♥

No, we don't have lasagna! LOL   

But first...coffee.

Have a wonderful Day friends! ♥

I hope Spring is starting to spring for you too! Xx 

PS - here's a bathroom update.  We have a floor and a working sink and toilet! YAY! 

Time to pick out colors for the walls and trim and we need a mirror! 

It's getting there! ♥

My Wedding Dress ♥

 A few weeks ago I was going through a closet and I found a box with my wedding vail in it.  At the bottom of the box were these two polaroids of me in my wedding dress.  These were taken at Rob's parents house.  I have a vague memory of me bringing my dress over to show my mother-in-law.  I can't remember who took the photos!  

I remember being so excited about this dress and even looking at it now, almost 27 years later, I still love it. I only went out dress shopping one time.  My mom and I went to a bridal store called David's Bridal in Dedham, MA. 

 (A very popular wedding store in my area.  I got my bridesmaids dresses there too :)

I tried on 4 dresses.  This was the second dress I tried on.  The dress cost $300 and I thought it was much too expensive, but my mom convinced me it wasn't and bought it for me.  

I loved the neckline and lace sleeves because it reminded me of Cinderella and felt very "fairytale" to me.  It was not the type of dress I had in mind for myself that day, but as soon as I tried it on I knew it was for me.  

Because of the dress, we I picked invitations that had a horse & carriage on them, very reminiscent of Cinderella's pumpkin coach.  

We also went to Disney World for our honeymoon ♥

Rob and I always say now if we had to do it all over again we would do things a lot different.  Much smaller and simpler.  Just grab a few friends and some family and go out to dinner. I definitely still think that, but the one thing I would miss would be the dress.  A girl doesn't get that many opportunities to be Cinderella ♥

Monday Thoughts ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday! I've been busy working all day but wanted to pop in and say a quick hello and show you my hyacinth plant.  A sure sign that spring is on the way! Every year at this time I treat myself to one from the grocery store.  I LOVE the smell of these plants.  This one has three big bulbs, so I'll be blessed with lots of flowers.  Year after year I replant the bulbs but I've never had luck with them blooming again.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'm hopeful this is my year.   

After a very busy and stressful week last week, I had a nice restful weekend and I'm feeling positive about the week ahead.  I heard a quote yesterday that really resonated with me.  It was "happiness is not a destination" and isn't it the truth. How many times have we said to ourselves "I'll be happy when (fill in the blank...)" but it never ends, does it?!  I'll be happy when I lose 10 pounds, or I'll be happy when I get a promotion. I'll be happy when I buy a house or have a baby or go on a trip.  And so on and so on and so on.  There's always more.  It's never a destination.  It's a journey. I don't think anyone is truly happy all the time no matter what they have or have done, are they?  I think I'm striving more for contentment than happiness, if that makes sense.  And like everything else, I take it one day at a time.  I can't worry about tomorrow.  I can only live today. Anyway, that's what I was thinking about and wanted to share with you.  

♥

The weather here today is sunny and in the 40's.  I'm hearing this week we may even touch 50!  I have the heat a touch lower today which is nice, and it doesn't look like I'll need a fire in the wood burner this week! :)

Tonight's plans are chicken francese for dinner (a new recipe I saw online last night) and watching the movie Conclave.  Have you seen it?  Next week is the Oscars and I've hardly seen any of the movies! 

Have a great night, friends! ♥

xoxo

10 Things I Love (plus a few more) : Winter Edition ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday! ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend and a lovely Valentine's Day!  My eggplant parm was delicious and we spent the rest of the weekend cozy at home by the fire, watching movies.  I organized our pantry on Saturday afternoon, which sounds quite boring but let me tell you - it was so satisfying!  When you make the conscious decision to look at every expiration date you would be amazed how long some of the items in your panty have been hanging around.  Scary.  I threw away so much stuff.  Also, I organized all the pots, pans, bowls, utensils, books, and various other things in there.  My pantry is now a work of art!  All that's left are a few drawers and then lay down some pretty Susan Branch shelf paper and then I'll give you a tour : ) 

A snowstorm came rolling in on Saturday night which was totally fine because we had no plans for Sunday.  I never mind the snow when it happens on a weekend! I can simply look out the window and enjoy it. It's currently FREEZING here and any snow that was left on the ground has turned to ice.  Oh spring....where are you??  My thoughts are gently drifting to April and May and all the pretty spring flowers that will be blooming.  They are there somewhere under all that ice just waiting to make their grand entrance.  I'm ready to roll out the red carpet.  This winter has been brutal.  So cold and grim.  Even I, a certified lover of the colder months, am wishing them away and that's very unusual for me. 

Whenever I feel myself going down the path of complaining and being grumpy, I like to list things that make me happy. It sounds silly I know, but it's a little exercise I do to remind myself that good things can be found in little places, even on bad days.  For example - doing my taxes is no fun, but having a little square of dark chocolate and cup of earl gray tea while I do it somehow makes it bearable.  Yes, it's a cold grim winter, but cozy socks and a blanket keep me warm and happy.  See what I mean?  That's why I started the 10 random things I love posts.  It's a nice reminder.  I was thinking today that I haven't done one of those posts in a while so let's go for it.  

On a very cold and gray February day, here are 10 random things I love: winter edition.

♥

Also here is a recent selfie of me headed to a baby shower.  I was dressed up and had jewelry on so I thought I should document it : ) 

Ok, back to the list... ♥

1. Getting coffee with friends.  A few weeks ago I met my friend Julie for coffee at a new bakery that opened up in town and it was so fun.  Getting out of the house for a little while and chatting with a girlfriend over hot drinks and almond croissants was so good for my mental health.  It was freezing that day as well, but all I felt was the warmth of the oven in that little bakery and I was so happy to sit with Julie to talk about her recent trip to Ireland.  Mark my words, someday I will get myself overseas ♥

2.  Wearing hats.  I have always felt that I was not a hat person.  I don't have a "hat face" and I feel silly in them.  I feel like I stick out in a crowd for looking so ridiculous.  I'm sure most of that is all in my head, but nonetheless, I've never felt comfortable in a hat.  Recently I've discovered that wearing a warm knitted winter hat (yes, with a pom-pom ball on top) actually does keep me warm and since I've turned 50 I no longer care if I have a "hat face" or not, something my mother was telling me my entire life. Just another thing she was right about. 

So I'm wearing the hat! It's cozy, it keeps me warm, and I love it!!!  (side note - I have no photo for evidence, but my hat is blue, the pom-pom is white and I have no shame.  In fact, I'm looking into getting more hats for next winter in more colors. 

 

3. Creating moments.  One of my favorite YouTube channels is Nicolas Fairford.  If you've never heard of him, I encourage you to check him out.  One thing that Nicolas always stresses is to never save anything "for best." In other words, don't save things for only special occasions or holidays.  Make every day special and use your things!  I love having tea or coffee in a pretty China cup, so I make a moment for myself.  It's a treat and reminds me to take time and enjoy things, or else why have them.  My mom gave me this little tea set for one years ago. 

 I've been enjoying using it ♥

4. Embracing the simple life.  I'm learning every day.  As I get older, I realize the less stuff I have the better.  It's easier to organize and keep track of.  When my life is simplified, I feel at peace. 

This book says it all...♥

5. Making things from scratch.  I'm trying to live up to my new year's promise to make more things from scratch.  So far, it's going well.  I'm having fun and saving money at the grocery store too.  Bread, marinara sauce, baked goods, etc.  And every time I feel like I want to order take out I stop and think about what I could make at home first.  Not that we don't ever treat ourselves (trust me we do!), I'm just trying to cut down on it a little bit.  It's just as easy to make pizza at home than order out if I already have the sauce made and ready to go.  And you all know how I feel about dough... that's a pleasure to make!  Or egg and cheese sandwiches.  Why go to the drive through when we can make them in 5 minutes at home.  Cooking is therapy for me.  It's crucial in my life. Also, cooking in winter is best because it warms the house and who doesn't love comfort food?! 

6.  My Charlie Brown Christmas water bottle.  John gave it to me for Christmas.  I love it so much I didn't want to put it away.  Why can't I use it all year? In fact, I think I will...: ) 

7. This perfume I got from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I've mentioned it before, but I have to mention it again because I'm so over the moon for it.  She got it in Italy last October, but you can get it on Amazon - here. It's called Essence of The Park.  It smells like the perfect spring day.  I'm obsessed and will probably wear it forever ♥

Plus I love the bottle.  She's so pretty ♥

8. Ogunquit, ME.  We have officially booked a long weekend in Ogunquit in August, and I cannot wait to return.  We visited last year for the first time (I wrote about it here) and I fell in love with it.  I truly felt at peace there and have been thinking about it ever since.  The seaside, the shops, the lobster rolls! YES PLEASE.  It's so nice, in the dead of winter, to have something to look forward too. We'll be there over John's birthday weekend so that will be a treat too.  18! Oh dear, can you believe that?! I can't! 

9.  Shamrock Shakes! It's that time of year again. I have to get one once a year and the time is now! So yummy and something I most certainly cannot make at home : ) 

McDonald's also has really delicious French vanilla coffee...just sayin~ 

10. Grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, big band music, Freida McFadden books, weekends, drinking my first cup of coffee in bed while still under the covers, car rides with John, strawberry chap stick, Alfred Hitchcock movies, thinking about Christmas when it's not Christmas, brunch, cozy pj's, cute little bunnies in my yard (I don't care that they eat the flowers), not dieting, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (which I've always loved and have recently been watching on YouTube - such a great show!), wallpaper (let's bring it back- enough plain white everything...:), crafts, blog friends, scrapbooks, homemade soup, warm blueberry muffins, book stores, libraries, Yankee Candles, white twinkle lights around the kitchen window, stars, Hallmark movies (I'm still watching Christmas ones! - no shame), cardigan sweaters (I wear one every day - for life), vintage cards, and more and more but I will stop now.....♥

So there you have it - 10 random things I love (plus a few more off the top of my head) to think about while I plug away during this long dark winter.  I'm noticing the days are getting a bit longer which is indeed a good sign.  

There's #11! : ) 

Have a great week, my lovely friends! Life has been hectic for me lately so please forgive my absence.  I will be visiting your blogs soon.  I'm so grateful for our little space on the internet.  Isn't it wonderful?! 

(#12).

Stay cozy friends! ♥

Be back soon! xoxox 

Yup! 😊

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥

Hello Friends and Happy Valentines Day! ♥

I took myself on an early walk this morning by the ocean to celebrate and I'm so glad I did.  Was it freezing? It sure was (is!) but the fresh air was so good for my soul.  I always feel better when I push myself to get outdoors, even if only for a few minutes.  

I needed it this morning ♥

 I love the beach in the wintertime, especially when it's this cold.  The water is like glass, and everything feels so still and peaceful.  I didn't stay that long, but just long enough to let it all sink in and it was a good start to my day.  

There were icy patches all along the pathways, so I had to be careful walking.  

    

I sat on this wall for a few minutes before I got really cold and had to go back to the car.  

I'll be back soon.  That bench is my picnic spot in the warmer months.  I'll be here with an iced coffee instead of a hot one. I can't wait.  

Spring is coming ♥

Anyway, back at home I have the fire going and now I'm hibernating for the weekend.  It's been a cold and snowy week and there is more on the way.   These are the dog days of winter, my friends, and all I want to do is bake, nest, read books, and sit by the fire.  

My Dad was in hospital for a few days last week.  Thankfully he's home now and feeling much better.  This visit wasn't a good experience.  Mainly because the hospital was completely FULL so he had to spend the first night on a bed in the hallway.  I kid you not.  I felt so bad for him.  The next day a room did open up and they were able to move him.  No one ever loves being in the hospital, but being in the hallway was a new low.  We were so happy he was only in there for two days!  Now being home by the fire, with warm drinks and blankets, it's makes me so grateful to have all my family here under one roof. 

You really do have to be grateful for every day and never take anything for granted ♥

The other day I baked some bread, and it was the best rise I've ever seen.  Look how happy this loaf is! 

That tells you how toasty it is in here. 

I'm taking hygge to a whole new level this winter and I'm loving it ♥

 Satisfying is the only word I can think to describe it. 

And YUM! ♥

And speaking of YUM, Rob treated us all to some Valentine's Day donuts because they are my Dad's favorite. Taking a look at this box can you guess which one I took? I bet you'd be wrong.  It's the plain one. I love plain donuts!  The plain ones are always my first choice (unless there is pumpkin spice...that's my only exception! :) 

Have you read The Boyfriend yet? Oh you must! I curled up in a chair last week and tore through it.  It was the perfect escape, and I loved it. It was one of those books where I thought I had it all figured out and I was completely wrong.  Don't you love it when that happens?! 

I made a nice pan of brownies yesterday that hit the spot.  I have to have tea and brownies to go with my book.  It's kind of a rule : ) 

So, what are your Valentine plans? Do you go out or stay in? For years Rob and I would dress up and go out.  It was fun when we were younger but not so much anymore.  Now we much prefer to stay in, warm & cozy.  I can't think of anything worse than dressing up and going out tonight.  Get out of my sweatpants? Are you mad?!!

So cooking I will. I'm making one of his (and all of our) favorites. Eggplant parmesan!  I thought that would be nice on Valentines Day.  Right now I have no dessert planned (except leftover brownies) so I might run out the bakery and see what they have. I can throw a coat over my sweats...lol 

As much as I love baking, there's nothing like fresh cannoli's from the guy down the street. Yup...I think I just made a plan! ♥

Well, whatever your plans are, I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  

(calendar from John's room...lol)

Also on my list this weekend is watching the new Bridget Jones movie on Peacock.  I don't know if Rob will be interested in that, but love is sacrifice! 

Thanks for stopping by friends! ♥

Stay cozy!!! xoxo 

PS The bathroom project is coming along. It now looks like an actual room instead of a hole in the house.  We're getting there! Yay! By the next update we may have a floor.  Fingers crossed!